Painting the Town Red
Painting the Town Red by William W. Johnstone, published by Kensington Publishing Corp on September 30, 2025, is a historical fiction novel set in the mining town of Dead Broke, Colorado. This edition spans 384 pages and is written in English. The story unfolds as a giant boulder of zinc is discovered, igniting a frenzy of greed and violence that disrupts the town’s previously quiet existence. The local marshal, Duncan “Mick” MacMicking, finds himself drawn into a chaotic struggle as various factions vie for control over the newfound treasure.
Readers will encounter a narrative filled with action and suspense as the mayor’s discovery leads to confrontations with a scheming banker and an outlaw gang intent on seizing the mineral. The plot thickens as Marshal Duncan races against time to transport the zinc boulder to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Chicago, all while navigating the dangers posed by those who seek to claim the prize for themselves. This edition captures the essence of a Western adventure, blending elements of mystery and romance against a backdrop of war and military themes.
Official synopsis Publisher
Welcome back to Dead Broke, Colorado. Where the latest discovery—a giant boulder of zinc—sparks an all-out frenzy of greed and gunfire that rocks the Rockies to their core. . . .
Ever since the silver market crashed, the mining town of Dead Broke has been awfully quiet. The local marshal—legendary gunman Duncan “Mick” MacMicking—doesn’t have much to do besides outshoot the occasional greenhorn looking to challenge him. But all this peace and quiet is about to end. After getting trapped in a cave-in, Mayor Nugget unearths a mineral to rival his famous “Hope Diamond of Silver.” He calls it the “Liberty Bell of Zinc,” a massive boulder of pure zinc carbonate. But when word of his discovery gets out, the quiet little boomtown of Dead Broke goes boom—again—with a vengeance. . . .
First, a scheming banker shows up to cash in on Nugget’s prize. Then, an outlaw gang arrives to rob the bank and steal the Liberty Bell. After a blood-soaked shootout, Marshal Duncan decides he’d better get that big rock out of town before more people die. Fortunately, the mayor has received an invitation to display his zinc boulder at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Chicago. There’s just one problem: getting it there without getting killed. Thanks to all the publicity, every greedy sidewinder in the West knows which train they’re taking. And once the shooting starts, this train will be dead on arrival. . . .
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