'The great Victorian gold mining city of Bendigo during the 1890s is the setting for Hustler's Gold.
'Although the story is fiction it takes place against the background of a real-life mining company of the time, The Hustler. This company operated several mines on Hustler's Reef which runs through the centre of the city. Gold smuggling on the reef was common, and it is man's greed for gold which is the keynote of Pat Spencer's story.
'Albert ("Fatty") Parker and his best friend Jim Heggarty, become involved in a series of unusual events during the school holidays after Albert has a chance encounter with a scarred man while fossicking for gold. When Albert's gold dust is stolen he is determined to track down the thief. Danger and excitement grow as the boys try to discover the secret behind the mysterious activities of "Scarface" and "Long Shanks".' (Dust jacket)
