“A delight. The Lost Gold has a little history, and a lot of mystery. It’s a love letter to San Francisco with more twists and turns than Lombard Street.”
--J. Max Robins, “The Robins Report,” TV Guide

“A real page-turner. The Lost Gold of San Francisco tells an intriguing story with a compelling plot and memorable characters. It captures the essence of San Francisco.” --Sheldon Siegel, author, Special Circumstances, Incriminating Evidence, and Criminal Intent.

“I’m a sucker for compelling historical mysteries, and The Lost Gold of San Francisco presents a wonderful narrative of the 1906 earthquake and fire, and a plot that flies like an arrow to the City’s second great earthquake (so far) in 1989. In between, we have memorable characters, several murders, and more local color than you can shake a bag of old gold coins at. Anybody who’s ever visited San Francisco will have great fun with this book.” --John Shannon, author of the Jack Liffey mystery series including Streets on Fire, City of Strangers, and Orange Curtain.

“If you love the romance of San Francisco, if you yearn for marvelous writing and a plot that delivers all it promises, read this book. Michael Castleman has a gift for nonfiction, and it’s pure delight to see him write fiction so masterfully.”
--Meredith Maran, author, Class Dismissed

“Castleman is one helluva writer. The Lost Gold is an action-packed mystery with great descriptions, lively dialogue, and a historian’s eye for detail at both ends of the twentieth century. He brings the earthquakes of 1906 and 1989 to life (and death). And his inclusion of the 1989 Bay Bridge World Series is an added bonus.” --Brian Rouff, author, Dice Angel

I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost Gold. The 1906 earthquake opening is utterly fascinating, and pulled me right into the contemporary story that followed. I loved the inside look at newspaper reporting. The protagonist is a very compelling fellow. The twists and turns of the plot never let up. And the ending is very satisfying. Weaving the story around the two biggest earthquakes of the century is a brilliant idea. Castleman brings wonderful authenticity to his writing. --Robert Heilbrun, public defender, New York City, and author, Offer of Proof (forthcoming, September, 2003)

“I enjoyed The Lost Gold tremendously. It’s full of surprises. The characters are classic, yet unique. And Castleman’s protagonist uses the power of money to make the world a better place. It’s entertainment with good values.” --Stephen Most, playwright, screenwriter, Watershed, A Free Country, Berkeley in the Sixties, Wonders of Nature.

“I loved The Lost Gold of San Francisco. The opening historical section about the 1906 earthquake sucked me right in, and I was hooked. The modern mystery has a great plot with characters who feel very real, and the writing makes the city come alive. People always come into the store asking for good books set in San Francisco. I’ll definitely recommend The Lost Gold. It’s a great read, in fact, it’s now one of my favorite San Francisco mysteries.”
--Diane Kudisch, owner, The San Francisco Mystery Bookstore

In The Lost Gold of San Francisco, Michael Castleman has crafted a taut and compelling mystery, with origins in the rubble and ash of the 1906 earthquake and a denouement decades later in a city lovingly rendered in meticulous detail. Castleman brings San Francisco to life, the Old and the New, without once slowing the breakneck pace or intruding upon the intricate plotting. --Mark Ezarik, Cover To Cover Booksellers, San Francisco

“A rollicking, good read. Hooked me from the first page. Fans of the Barbary Coast as well as au courant San Franciscans won’t be disappointed.” --Cara Black, author of the Aimee Leduc mysteries: Murder in the Marais, Murder in Belleville, and Murder in the Sentier.

“Move over, Sam Spade. There’s a new crime-solver on the beat. He’s a reporter who knows his way around the mean streets of San Francisco. He has an exotic gal pal. He loves the Giants, and constantly spars with his crusty, doughnut-noshing editor. And his name is Ed Rosenberg, a decidedly Jewish protagonist.” --Jewish Bulletin of Northern California

“Michael Castleman views San Francisco with an eye for detail that Herb Caen would envy. If you’re looking for a gripping, fun read, you’ll strike gold with The Lost Gold.”--Jeffrey Klein, author, The Black Hole Affair

“The Lost Gold of San Francisco is a fun, action-packed tale full of local color, true-to-life characters, and vivid historical detail, spanning the century between the Big One, the devastating1906 earthquake, and the Pretty Big One of 1989.” --Noe Valley Voice