“Author Robert D. Kidera owes me big time. His debut novel in the promised McKenna Mystery series, ‘Red Gold,’ kept me up all night. Who can resist a good old-fashioned treasure hunt? ‘Red Gold’ is a thriller packed with deceit and danger but also compassion. McKenna is a damaged hero, but also one to root for.”—Vincent Zandri, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of “Everything … Burns,” “The Remains,” and “The Shroud Key”
“If you’re going through hell, keep going…”
Shaken by the death of his beloved wife and wrestling with powerful personal demons, Professor Gabriel McKenna leaves New York City for New Mexico to claim an inheritance from mysterious distant relatives. He finds something other than a Land of Enchantment.
Unseen enemies threaten his life. Old friends turn up and rally to his side. Together they plunge into a lethal struggle for a 19th Century treasure, the fabled Lost Adams gold. McKenna enters a world of violence, passion, sexual abuse, deceit, and death that cause him to question his core beliefs and values, and even his sense of self.
Desperate to find a way home, McKenna must first unearth the secret of an old family manuscript and risk his life against overpowering odds. He must rekindle his long-dead fighting spirit and discover new reasons to live and love.
“If you enjoy first-class suspense and an author with a unique voice and style, then you will love ‘Red Gold.’ This novel is a masterful blend of mystery, action, and love story, all wrapped up in a wonderful cast of characters and beautifully-described scenes of New Mexico. Robert Kidera’s first novel is a real treat that will have readers demanding more.”
—Joseph Badal, award-winning author of the Danforth Saga and “Ultimate Betrayal”
“Red Gold” earned the Tony Hillerman Award as Best Fiction of 2015 at the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards. It was also named as Best Mystery of 2015 and the best eBook of the year.
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Well written but a stretch to have the main character battered so often especially about the head, not to mention shot, and then bounce back so quickly. Concussion protocol was not followed by any medical person.
I really liked it.
Love treasure hunts. Especially appreciate the ending, where the good guy actually benefits from the adventure while still being altruistic. Sets up further stories. Must say……I did figure out one of the bad guys early in the story. A couple of interesting logistical problems not answered to my complete satisfaction…..but all in all…..a good read.
I liked it enough to look up other works by the author. Excellent hidden treasure adventure!
I thought that the story line was some what absurd. The main character comes to New Mexico to get an inheritance and, within a short time is involved in intrigues that stretch credulity. His antagonists always seem to be one step ahead of him; he ignores police advice; exposes himself and others to danger repeatedly; ends up in the hospital a remarkable number of instances in a short space of time; and, seems to make miraculous recoveries from his injuries. In the end, he prevails only because of sheer luck, not because of any great ability. The story seemed improbable.
The action kept me interested. Many twists and turns. It was entertaining. A good read.
Easy read yet entertaining read
great read
It was a good read I had trouble putting it down
Live in NM loved the local connections
I felt this story was repetitive and choppy. I know this is fiction, but based in a real world (ours) scenario and was unbelievable.
I liked the premise and background. The normal guy stumbles onto an adventure was fun. It was a little unbelievable how many times the hero could get beat up, shot at, run off the road, etc. etc. and still keep moving forward. Awful lot of dead bodies in a very short period of time. But it was entertaining and kept my interest.
Enjoyable book with some interesting characters. The main character, Gabrial McKenna, meets a couple of people he’d know earlier in his life when he moves from New York City to Alburquerque, New Mexico. Gab finds himself the recipient of a nice fortune but others want another fortune (Red Gold) that is hidden within his inheritance. The story flows well with a good deal of action. My only issue was Gab dragging his friends into the fray – in some cases with predicably disastrous consequences. Even with this it was a good read.
A great mystery!
Good book, characters are not completely filled out until close to the end
Fun, but not very believable.
Fun book. Mysteries and questions, adventure and surprises.
I loved this book
Enjoyed reading this book. It has gritty characters, believable events and plot twists that kept me interested.
The seemingly helplessness of one man, who proves to everyone he is not at all helpless. He struggles with past lost and misfortunes make him all the more dedicated to find answers.