Gold Miner's Daughter: Cold Justice on the Last Frontier

by Rick Steeby

In 1960, the frozen wilderness of Chicken, Alaska, becomes a deadly battleground when drifting cowboy Wyatt Peoples stumbles into a web of murder and greed.
Fresh from the Korean War and seeking refuge in the goldfields near the Canadian border, Wyatt finds unexpected purpose working for the captivating Amy Crockett and her mining family. But when Amy's brother is found murdered and Wyatt becomes the prime suspect, he must use his law enforcement background to clear his name and protect the woman who's stolen his heart.
As winter closes in and violence escalates in the tight-knit mining community, Wyatt discovers that in Alaska's last frontier, everyone carries a gun, and justice often comes with the pull of a trigger.
If you enjoyed The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson, Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, and Winter Study by Nevada Barr, you'll love Gold Miner's Daughter.

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

About the author: Rick was raised in Alaska, where he hunted, fished, flew airplanes, guided hunters, served as a military policeman, and worked on the Alyeska Pipeline construction and the North Slope oil field as security. Anchorage Police hired him as an officer, and he progressed to crime scene tech and detective. He ended his working years as a building contractor and writer.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Arend · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by Rick Steeby. I loved the storyline and Mr. Steeby’s use of adjectives, analogies and everything else he used to make his story addictively readable. I delight in a story that transports me into the narrative as an on-the-spot observer. I am a visual person and it was so easy to “see” the entire novel in real time. Thank you Rick Steeby for all your hard work and I eagerly await the next installment.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold Miner’s Daughter: Cold Justice on the Last Frontier is a gripping Alaskan mystery packed with danger, heart, and frontier justice. Rick Steeby brings the frozen goldfields of 1960s Alaska to life as Wyatt Peoples fights to clear his name amid murder, greed, and a tight-knit community on edge. With strong characters, rising tension, and a vivid sense of place, this novel is a compelling read for fans of rugged crime fiction and classic frontier suspense.

[Francine Gerrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first page, I was completely immersed in the frozen world of Chicken, Alaska. The blend of murder mystery, frontier survival, and romance makes this book impossible to put down. Wyatt Peoples is a hero you’ll root for, flawed but deeply human, and Amy Crockett is unforgettable. The tension builds with every chapter until the final showdown had me holding my breath.

[Milan Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold Miner’s Daughter is the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve finished. The characters are unforgettable, the setting is vividly alive, and the mystery is gripping. I was hooked from beginning to end. This deserves a spot on every bookshelf for readers who love frontier suspense and rich storytelling.