Fool's Gold
A Novel of the Gold Rush
Will be published approx. on 30. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
336 pages
978-0-7860-5075-8 (ISBN)
Description
From the legendary Greatest Western Writers of the 21st Century, this is the story of how gold fever turned one small mining camp into a bustling boomtown—with a highly explosive mix of dreamers, schemers, and gun-crazy killers. . .
Cord Bennett staked his claim in the gold-rich Rio Oro Canyon in 1849 at the dawn of the California Gold Rush. That’s when all hell broke loose. What started as a makeshift mining camp is now a full-blown boomtown—fueled by greed, plagued by grifters, and overrun by opportunists of every stripe. As town marshal, Cord has the unenviable job of keeping the peace. Which is easier said than done. Here in Rio Oro City, brawls can break out at any moment—whether it’s a ruthless rivalry between competing saloons or an all-out turf war between miners and timberjacks. And when money’s at stake, brawls can turn deadly real fast . . .
In other words, Cord Bennett has his work cut out for him. His new deputy, a massive Englishman named “Boom Boom” Blackstone, packs his punches with blasting powder. The new church pastor is as handy with his fists as he is with a Bible. And Kat Olmsted, the sister of Cord's sweetheart Glory, is fighting to save her saloon from a hostile takeover. But that’s nothing compared to Cord’s latest challenge. A mysterious cadre of gunmen have arrived in town—and they didn’t come for the gold. They came for vengeance. Cold, calculating, and cutthroat, they were hired for one reason and one reason only: To kill Cord Bennett . . .
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. THERE’S GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS.
Cord Bennett staked his claim in the gold-rich Rio Oro Canyon in 1849 at the dawn of the California Gold Rush. That’s when all hell broke loose. What started as a makeshift mining camp is now a full-blown boomtown—fueled by greed, plagued by grifters, and overrun by opportunists of every stripe. As town marshal, Cord has the unenviable job of keeping the peace. Which is easier said than done. Here in Rio Oro City, brawls can break out at any moment—whether it’s a ruthless rivalry between competing saloons or an all-out turf war between miners and timberjacks. And when money’s at stake, brawls can turn deadly real fast . . .
In other words, Cord Bennett has his work cut out for him. His new deputy, a massive Englishman named “Boom Boom” Blackstone, packs his punches with blasting powder. The new church pastor is as handy with his fists as he is with a Bible. And Kat Olmsted, the sister of Cord's sweetheart Glory, is fighting to save her saloon from a hostile takeover. But that’s nothing compared to Cord’s latest challenge. A mysterious cadre of gunmen have arrived in town—and they didn’t come for the gold. They came for vengeance. Cold, calculating, and cutthroat, they were hired for one reason and one reason only: To kill Cord Bennett . . .
JOHNSTONE COUNTRY. THERE’S GOLD IN THEM THAR HILLS.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Kensington Publishing
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 210 mm
Width: 140 mm
Weight
367 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7860-5075-8 (9780786050758)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
William W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
J.A. Johnstone learned to write from the master himself, Uncle William W. Johnstone, who began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After‑school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western History library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard and learned, later going on to become the co‑author of William W. Johnstone’s many bestselling westerns and thrillers. J.A. Johnstone lives on a ranch in Tennessee and more information is at WilliamJohnstone.net.
J.A. Johnstone learned to write from the master himself, Uncle William W. Johnstone, who began tutoring J.A. at an early age. After‑school hours were often spent retyping manuscripts or researching his massive American Western History library as well as the more modern wars and conflicts. J.A. worked hard and learned, later going on to become the co‑author of William W. Johnstone’s many bestselling westerns and thrillers. J.A. Johnstone lives on a ranch in Tennessee and more information is at WilliamJohnstone.net.