Calico

By: Lee Goldberg

Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella, Eric Conger

Length: 11 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg, comes an explosive, page-turning investigative thriller—with a mind-blowing twist.

There's a saying in Barstow, California, a decaying city in the scorching Mojave desert . . .

The Interstate here only goes in one direction: Away.

But it's the only place where ex-LAPD detective Beth McDade, after a staggering fall from grace, could get another badge . . . and a shot at redemption.

Over a century ago, and just a few miles further into the bleak landscape, a desperate stranger ended up in Calico, a struggling mining town, also hoping for a second chance.

His fate, all those years ago, and hers today are linked when Beth investigates an old skeleton dug up in a shallow, sandy grave . . . and also tries to identity a vagrant run-over by a distracted motorhome driver during a lightning storm.

Every disturbing clue she finds, every shocking discovery she makes, force Beth to confront her own troubled past—and a past that's not her own—until it all smashes together in a revelation that could change the world.

©2023 Adventures In Television Inc. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"A superb twin-track thriller featuring constant intrigue and a huge secret—could be Lee Goldberg's best ever!"―#1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child

"In Calico, Lee Goldberg seamlessly blends a present-day police procedural with a Western from the 1880s. The results are a genre-bending, gripping read."―#1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben

"A mind-bending thriller unlike anything I have read before. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!"―New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author Linwood Barclay

Really enjoyed this!

Went in blind and emerged delighted! A fun mix of narratives and a great story.

Write yourself out of this one, Joan Wilder

Hmm. Hard to review without giving spoilers, and that would ruin some of the best parts of this.
The present day timeline was the promised police procedural and the 1880s timeline added a lot of fresh twists, especially as the events of the two collided.

Sometimes a plot is so fantastical that the author writes himself into a corner. I was a little worried as the final quarter opened, but it ended without too much suspension of disbelief on my part.

This isn’t for those looking for hard boiled modern day detective stories. This is for people who like
B movies and plots with things that make you go hmmm. Other than one extended scene with a ton of
F bombs, the rest of the book is PG level. This was well worth the daily deal.

Great Fun!

A very thought out, intelligent book that is also entertaining.
While it doesn't aspire to be great literature, there are some truly inspired bits.

Excellent Story

Loved this book. I could not stop listening. I especially enjoyed the time travel aspect of the story.

Listened to the Whole Thing in One Day!

When I was younger we would say, "the book was so good I couldn't put it down." Today I will say, "this book was so good I couldn't turn it off." It captured the imagination and was a fun listen. There were a couple spots in the beginning when I wasn't sure if it was the listen for me, it got better and drew me in. I had plans for the day and I didn't get them finished. but it was a great was to spend a Saturday.

Wrinkle in Time

Normally not fond of time travel stories. This hit the spot w/ humor & suspense!
Thoroughly enjoyed it!👍

What a Ride!✨

During listening.., I would wake at night and think about the story…wondering what was gonna happen next.
Trying to figure out what the next twist or turn could be. In the end it was a wild enjoyable adventure that I was so glad I got to partake in.
Only thing left was to leave a solid must listen review!💙✨

Unexpectedly Good

This was definitely a fun read. It went in a direction I was not expecting based on the introduction.

Pleasantly surprised.

While I love police procedurals, I wasn’t sure how I would enjoy the sci-fi aspect of the book. This was believable enough for me to enjoy both aspects. I definitely see the start of a series, and am looking forward to reading more.

Development of the story.

I so enjoyed the multi-themed platform of this book. Great Story telling and kept my interest.