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Fool's Gold

A Novel of the Gold Rush

Part of The Forty-Niners

Author William W. Johnstone, J.A. Johnstone
Paperback
$15.95 US
Kensington | Pinnacle
On sale Jun 30, 2026 | 336 Pages | 9780786050758
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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.
William W. Johnstone is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of over 300 books, including Preacher, The Last Mountain Man, Luke Jensen Bounty Hunter, Flintlock, Savage Texas, Matt Jensen, The Last Mountain Man; The Family Jensen, Sidewinders, and Shawn O'Brien Town Tamer . His thrillers include Phoenix Rising, Home Invasion, The Blood of Patriots, The Bleeding Edge, and Suicide Mission. Visit his website at www.williamjohnstone.net or by email at dogcia2006@aol.com. View titles by William W. Johnstone
Being the all-around assistant, typist, researcher, and fact checker to one of the most popular western authors of all time, J.A. Johnstone learned from the master, Uncle William W. Johnstone.  

He 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.

"Every day with Bill was an adventure story in itself. Bill taught me all he could about the art of storytelling. ‘Keep the historical facts accurate,' he would say. ‘Remember the readers, and as your grandfather once told me, I am telling you now: be the best J.A. Johnstone you can be.'" View titles by J.A. Johnstone

About

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.

Author

William W. Johnstone is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of over 300 books, including Preacher, The Last Mountain Man, Luke Jensen Bounty Hunter, Flintlock, Savage Texas, Matt Jensen, The Last Mountain Man; The Family Jensen, Sidewinders, and Shawn O'Brien Town Tamer . His thrillers include Phoenix Rising, Home Invasion, The Blood of Patriots, The Bleeding Edge, and Suicide Mission. Visit his website at www.williamjohnstone.net or by email at dogcia2006@aol.com. View titles by William W. Johnstone
Being the all-around assistant, typist, researcher, and fact checker to one of the most popular western authors of all time, J.A. Johnstone learned from the master, Uncle William W. Johnstone.  

He 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.

"Every day with Bill was an adventure story in itself. Bill taught me all he could about the art of storytelling. ‘Keep the historical facts accurate,' he would say. ‘Remember the readers, and as your grandfather once told me, I am telling you now: be the best J.A. Johnstone you can be.'" View titles by J.A. Johnstone

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