Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Calico by Lee Goldberg Published by Severn House on November 7, 2023
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller
Pages: 415
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
There's a saying in Barstow, California, a decaying city in the scorching Mojave desert . . . The Interstate here only goes in one 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.
An unnatural weather event, a vehicular death, a disappearance, and other strange phenomena out on the California desert leaves a world-weary police detective with more questions than answers. Is the kook on the local radio waves far off when he spouts about government conspiracies and aliens?
Once in a while, all it takes is a title to spark my interest and Calico was just such a book. I’ve always been fascinated by and visiting old west mining ghost towns including old Calico though it did get turned into a tourist stop. I didn’t realize until I started reading that it was not just a thriller set in the Mojave desert, but a sci-fi thriller. Even better.
Calico is told by two narrators in two different circumstances, but Detective Beth McDade has the larger storyline. This world-weary woman made a huge faux pas when working the LAPD so she took one of the few posts in California still open to her, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Dept and remained a detective. Beth is painted as a nuanced character who reminds me of those old western book heroes that are quiet, keep to themselves, but rough and capable when the going gets tough. I enjoyed seeing her fight her way clear of her personal purgatory after she screwed up in LA and how the case was the jump start she needed to get back in the game as the solid detective she was.
Lee Goldberg is a new to me author, but if the depth of background and description he gave to this region of the Mojave and the history of Calico not to mention his main characters is his usual, I really must take in his whole backlist. The rich history and culture of the area was another character in the story. It was all I could have wanted when I spotted the title and wanted to read a story set there.
I will be vague about the sci-fi element and the narrative line of the second main character because it is a wonderful surprise to readers to see it unfold as Beth conducts her investigation. The reader gets a bigger picture and works it out before Beth, but it still had some great twists and surprises.
In summation, my impulse grab of Calico paid off and I thought this a fabulous read from start to finish that I can highly recommend to other sci-fi thriller lovers.
About Lee Goldberg
#1 New York Times Bestselling author Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award nominee whose many TV writing and/or producing credits include “Martial Law,” “SeaQuest,” “Diagnosis Murder,””Hunter,” “Spenser: For Hire,” “Nero Wolfe,” “Missing.” “Monk” and “The Glades.” He’s also the co-author of the Fox & O’Hare series with Janet Evanovich (The Heist, The Chase, The Job, The Scam, The Pursuit etc), “The Walk,” “Watch Me Die,” “King City,” the “Dead Man” series, as well as the “Diagnosis Murder” and “Monk” series of original mystery novels.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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Thanks for reviewing this, I’ve been so curious. I grew up near Barstow, and I remember this book caught my attention when I read the blurb😁
Barstow is featured, Tammy. I suspect you’d get even more out of his descriptions than I did. Good stuff! 🙂
Thank you for your lovely review, Sophia – I was so impressed that I’ve nicked across to Netgalley and got hold of a copy:)).
Woohoo! Glad to tempt you. Hope you like it. 🙂
Calico sounds wonderful! I like the mix of sleuthing with sci-fi. I’m eager to read this one. Wonderful review, Sophia!
Oh yeah, it was a total surprise and I loved the blend of several elements that went into this one.
I don’t normally read thrillers, but the addition of a sci-fi element intrigues me. This one sounds good. Thanks!
Yes, it was an interesting blend of a few elements and the thriller part wasn’t too intense so it was right in my wheel house.
I’ve been to Barstow and the Calico ghost town in California and don’t remember any ghosts. lol The Calico ghost town was fun to go to and I can see some long forgotten ghosts being there. lol This sounds great.
Haha, I didn’t encounter any ghosts at Calico when I visited, either. You’d probably appreciate this one since you’ve been in the area, Mary.
OOOooOOOOoo I am intrigued by the surprise!
It is a great surprise, Carole. 🙂