Debut author Dicker's novel centers on writer Marcus Goldman, who is struggling with what to write next and so decides to visit his mentor, acclaimed author Harry Quebert. However, Marcus finds that Harry has become embroiled in a long-ago murder case after admitting that he had an affair with the teenage victim. Marcus decides to find out what really happened. Despite the subject matter, Nelson called the novel "very fun," comparing it to John Irving's work. "It's a little bit of a caper," she said. "[It has] lots of funny characters."
