What a lovely addition to this series. The characters remain strong, especially Inez, and the progression works really well.

Excellent book, as usual. Inez and her band of friends, business acquaintances and enemies all mesh together create a wonderful historical mystery that captures the mind and weaves wonderful images in the process. Inez gets involved with a young man who sells newspapers on the street and hides secrets in his life. When his mother, a "mystic" is killed the true mystery begins. While all this is going on, Inez is trying to deal with the dissolution of her marriage to Mark Stannart and keep her various businesses running.

All in all a great mystery, a great story and some wonderful history thrown in to add atmosphere and spice to the mix. Give this series a read but to get the most out of it, start with the first and read through them all, they are all wonderful. ( )

I've enjoyed Ann Parker's Silver Rush mysteries since the very first one, Silver Lies. Parker brings a mining boomtown to boisterous life-- to the point where you can picture yourself amazed at the noise while dodging horse-drawn freight wagons and trying not to lose one of your boots in the mud.

Parker has created a main character with a very unconventional lifestyle. Inez Stannert owns a saloon. She's trying to get a divorce from her charming con man husband who abandoned her for almost two years. She's also having an affair with another man. This is complication enough, but Inez also manages to solve murders at the same time. Needless to say, she is a strong woman, and it's interesting to see how other characters view her throughout What Gold Buys.

But Inez is not the only person trying to forge a decent life for herself. For me, the character of young Antonia was the best in the book. She doesn't believe in the mumbo jumbo that her mother spouts in order to earn money. She doesn't believe Mr. Brown ever intended to join them in Leadville, but just in case he does show himself, Antonia has plans for him. This little girl has gotten the short end of the stick her whole life, but she's got enough gumption to share with a dozen other children. I loved her.

The guilty parties are relatively easy to spot in What Gold Buys, but that's really not the focus of the mystery. It's the How, and the Who Did What that's not so easy to deduce.

Ann Parker's Silver Rush series is perfect for you if you love old mining towns, historical mysteries, and a strong female main character. It is possible to read What Gold Buys without reading the rest of the books in the series, but don't be surprised if you find yourself tracking down the others. ( )