Leadville

Written by James D. Best

Narrated by Rusty Nelson

When New York City shopkeeper Steve Dancy moved west to experience the frontier, he wound up embroiled in a deadly feud … a feud he was forced to settle with guns. Now all he wants to do is follow up on a few business interests, write about his adventures, and continue his exploration of the West. But in the autumn of 1879, Joseph McAllen asks Dancy for help. Ute renegades have abducted a young girl near Mesa Verde, Colorado, and the Pinkerton captain wants Dancy to join the rescue party. Surprisingly, the trail doesn't lead into the San Juan Mountains, but to Leadville—a rich mining town teeming with the worst elements of a raw frontier. Before the small team can save the girl, shysters and killers conspire to enrich themselves from the incident. Bitter feuds, vendettas, and greed turn the rescue into a bloody conflict that spans the state. Dancy has proven that he can handle himself in dangerous situations. But can this shopkeeper survive the perils of an untamed mountain wilderness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books in Motion
• Release date: Sep 15, 2009
• ISBN: 9781605485058

James D. Best

James Best is the author of The Shopkeeper, Leadville, Murder at Thumb Butte, The Return, Tempest at Dawn, The Shut Mouth Society, Principled Action, and The Digital Organization. James has also written two regular magazine columns and numerous journal articles. As a conference speaker, he has made presentations throughout North America and Europe. He is currently working on Murder at Thumb Butte, a Steve Dancy Western.

Reviews for Leadville

[1n-5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A sequel to The Shopkeeper. I don't read many westerns, but I enjoyed The Shopkeeper and the character of Steve Dancy. Leadville doesn't disappoint either. Steve and his mining buddy Jeff Sharp connect up with their old Pinkerton friend Joseph McAllen to track down the Indians who have abducted his daughter. Steve's old nemesis, Mrs. Bolton returns and is as evil as always.

The story is exciting and fast-paced. Gun fights and robberies, cowboys and Indians, horses and mining, friendship and loss. The heroes are terrific and the bad guys aren't. The adventure is entertaining.

My only complaint is the same one I had with the Shopkeeper and it's the pervasive use of the "F" word. I would have given Leadville 4 stars if not for that. The book stands alone well, but reading The Shopkeeper first sets a great tone and gives you back history of Steve Dancy.