Calico

By: Lee Goldberg

Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella, Eric Conger

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

Great story

I loved the story-especially the parts read by Eric Conger
My only complaint is that the main character did not have to be so sexually out of control.

A very pleasant surprise

I'm a big fan of Lee Goldberg's previous works and I appreciate when he strays off the reservation so to speak. I was not expecting the Sci-Fi twist this story took but it was a great ride and I really enjoyed it. The descriptions of the old west were fantastic and the story line considered many philosophical aspects of time travel that impressed me in their depth. The commercial, strategic and moral implications of time travel are all explored with some great TV and literary references as well. Kind of Robert Heinlein meets Janet Evanovich. I could see some great sequels with the coroner and detective investigating further anomalies, an X-Files kind of story?

Well done Mr. Goldberg!

Excellent Listen

Lee Goldberg never misses and Calico keeps his winning streak alive. Realistic narrators, captivating story line, and satisfying ending make this an awesome listen.

Not my typical read, but REALLY good!

I had my doubts about the plot focused around time travel - not my preferred typical murder scenario. But why not? It twisted in unexpected ways and wove a story believably between two time periods that were plausible and cunning. I imagine if you did deep there are lots of little flaws but take it at book value and it's an interesting concept. And the very last sentence wraps it up in a bow and makes you say hummm. I appreciated the male/female narration separating the time periods as well as the two main characters.

Surprisingly good

I really enjoyed this book. It's time travel, but moves back and forth between past and present. I would recommend.