Hangtown

By: Michael Bailey

Narrated by: Randy McCarten

Returning to his hometown, Shirley Jackson Award-nominated and Bram Stoker Award®-winning writer and editor Michael Bailey fills in the missing pieces of a town’s dark past in this homage to Charles Portis’ TRUE GRIT and Cormac McCarthy’s BLOOD MERIDIAN.

Based on a true story, HANGTOWN is a historical western about the hangings in a placer mining town that once went by that moniker, one of the first established diggings during the chaos of the Gold Rush. Set from 1848 to 1850, the unlawful were punished and hanged swiftly for crimes of theft and violence, haunting forever what is now Placerville, California.

©2023 Michael Bailey (P)2024 Michael Bailey

The chilling history of a Gold Rush town!

Hangtown, narrated by Randy McCarten, takes you on a gripping journey through the chilling history of a Gold Rush town. Michael Bailey's writing skillfully unravels the dark past, reminiscent of the intensity found in True Grit and Blood Meridian. McCarten's narration adds depth to the narrative, making the story both haunting and unforgettable.

A real western

This book took a little time too get into, however by the second story I was hooked.
A classic western with a twist.
Well narrated in fact beautifully.
And written in a way that leaves you wanting more.

Great Story

I went into this book mostly blind, not knowing it was based on a real place telling a gritty tale of real people. I stopped at a couple of points while listening to Google names and places. Bailey masterfully blends truth and fiction, historical facts and creative liberties to weave a gripping story. The narrator’s voice was perfectly matched for a western.

Wasn't for me

I usually love western style or historical stories from the western era, but I just couldn't get into this book at all 😕 dnf