Gold Dust

Red River Mystery #7

by Reavis Z. Wortham

Best of the West 2019 – 2nd Place in 20th- to 21st-Century Western Mystery Fiction by  TrueWest Magazine "Wortham's writing style is easygoing, relying on natural-sounding dialogue and vivid descriptions to give us the feeling that this story could well have taken place." ― Booklist As the 1960s draw to a close, the rural northeast Texas community of Center Springs is visited by two nondescript government men in dark suits and shades. They say their assignment is to test weather currents and patterns, but that's a lie. Their delivery of a mysterious microscopic payload called Gold Dust from a hired crop duster coincides with fourteen-year-old Pepper Parker's discovery of an ancient gold coin in her dad's possession. Her adolescent trick played on a greedy adult results in the only gold rush in north Texas history. Add in modern-day cattle-rustlers and murderers, and Center Springs is once again the bull's-eye in a deadly target. The biological agent deemed benign by the CIA has unexpected repercussions, putting Pepper's near-twin cousin, Top, at death's door. The boy's crisis sends their grandfather, Constable Ned Parker, to Washington D.C. to exact personal justice, joined by a man Ned left behind in Mexico and had presumed dead. The CIA agents who operate on the dark side of the U.S. government find they're no match for men who know they're right and won't stop. Especially two old country boys raised on shotguns. But there's more. Lots more. Top Parker thought only he had what had become known as a Poisoned Gift, but Ned suffers his own form of a family curse he must deploy. Plus, there are many trails to follow as the lawmen desperately work to put an end to murder and government experimentation that extends from their tiny Texas town to Austin and, ultimately, to Washington, D.C. Traitors, cattle-rustlers, murderers, rural crime families, grave robbers, CIA turncoats, and gold-hungry prospectors pursue agendas that all, in a sense, revolve around the center of this small vortex called Center Springs. Gold Dust seems to be fiction, but the truth is, it has already happened.

525 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

Reavis Z. Wortham retired in 2011 and now works harder than before as the author of the critically acclaimed Red River historical mystery series. Kirkus Reviews listed his first novel, The Rock Hole, as one of their Top 12 Mysteries of 2011. True West Magazine included Dark Places as one of 2015’s Top 12 Modern Westerns. The Providence Journal writes, “This year's Unraveled is a hidden gem of a book that reads like Craig Johnson's Longmire on steroids.” Wortham’s new high octane contemporary thriller from Kensington Publishing, Hawke's Prey, featuring Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke was released in June, 2017.

Reviews

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not many books get five stars from me but this series is so good. I have said it before and will say it again, the only comparison I can make with Reavis Red River books is James Lee Burke. I recommend everyone to try both. I can also recommend that you try and listen to the interview Mr. Wortham did with Mr. Burke, great fun. You can find it at Authors on the Air from January 9th 2019 enjoy.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

If like me, you like some good, old-fashioned frontier justice from time to time, you'd have a difficult time finding anyone better than Reavis Wortham to get the job done. Gold Dust is the continuation of his excellent Red River series-- a series that I will never willingly miss an installment of. Why? Because I love the way Wortham tells a story. He's true to his Texas roots, and the language and the time period of the late 1960s. He also creates characters readers can really care about, and adrenaline junkies will fall in love with his action scenes. (And I have to admit that one of the reasons why I enjoy those hair-raising action sequences is because some of the participants tend to be very spry old folks.)

A bit of frontier justice has never seemed more fitting than here in Gold Dust when you've got the government doing things it knows it shouldn't be doing, but I've got a bit more to say about the subject of justice. In previous reviews, I've made no secret of the fact that there is one character in this series who rubs my fur the wrong way: Pepper Parker. That girl really makes me talk to myself, which is a huge compliment to Wortham's skill in characterization. Pepper wreaks havoc with that gold story of hers, and when her "bill came due," I just wish the amount had been higher. I despair of that girl ever getting her head screwed on straight.

But enough belly-aching about a fictional person. If you're a fellow fan of these wonderful Red River mysteries, you have a treat in store. If you have yet to sample them, I suggest you start at the beginning with The Rock Hole. You've got some mighty fine reading ahead of you!

[Woody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold Dust is the Seventh book in the A Red River Mystery Series. I just found it a little bit hard to follow at the beginning with so many characters obviously well-known from the previous books. Once I got in it I totally enjoyed the easy going writing style. I would recommend that people read from the beginning of the A Red River Mystery Series. It is set in the late 60’s and was fascinating to hear about the songs of the time quoted.
Lots of fast paced action going on. The book starts with cattle rustling and a murder of the Pat Walker. and a crop-sprayer spraying “Gold Dust” over the area. Pepper saying there is gold somewhere and starts a gold rush. Tom Bell comes back from Mexico having been thought to be dead. Story of the Good guys taking on the Bad guys. I liked all the characters, but Ned Parker and Cody Parker in particular. It was a marvellous entertaining read. I recommend this book.
I received this book from Netgalley and I have written my honest review.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are several plot lines running around in this book, so the story has a lot of interest. The main story is about CIA agents doing terrible things inside the US. I know there was a time that the agency participated in terrible thing I other countries. It seems pretty far fetched that two rural law officers from Texas would be able to track down members of the secret organization, but it made for a good yarn.

[Sheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the exception of book #2 in this series, I have enjoyed the books. I enjoy the detail and writing style. It's also fun to remember so many items from the past brought up in descriptions that are long gone to the modern times we live in now. Gold Dust is a favorite and I would suggest reading them in order because the kids get older and more mature as the series goes on.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Reavis Z. Wortham novel.

I just finished another good book and I believe it’s the best one yet. It’s got cattle rustling, a deadly experiment by the CIA and murder most foul. From northeast Texas to Washington D.C. and back. The action is hot and heavy. Buy one and join me and I know you’ll be so glad you did.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always good to catch up with Top and Pepper. Our local writer, Reavis Wortham, always has a good plot full of crime and action. His use of regional Red River dialogue and allusions to the past draw me to this series. I had not thought about Duke and Ayres for 50 years.

[Steve Yount · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Red River mysteries. These books are so hard to put down once you’ve started reading. They are so well written. You really get into the story and characters. I highly recommend this series and can not wait for the next book to come out at the beginning of next year.

[Bill Lents · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale turns golden......

The story comes on like a good rush. The characters find more trouble to be involved in as they try to keep peace at home. Enjoy this action and occasional humor.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A character I love is back and the plot is compelling (as always). The characters and natural humor make this one of my favorite series.

[Kelly Rea]

First real book I have bought and read in 20 years. I normally listen to books from Audible. This one was not available on audible and I had to read it. Awesome read & awesome series.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read and series

[Bubba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Red River Mysteries!

Enjoyable characters, great dialogue , unique settings and plenty of action . Looking forward to the next book in the series!