Calico by Lee Goldberg

Calico by Lee Goldberg
UK Publication: November 2023
Reviewed by: Book Worm
Rating: [★★★★]

This ARC was provided by Severn House (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Three word review – weird and wonderful.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 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.

My Thoughts: I will admit at first that Beth McDade as a character didn’t work for me. A sex addicted female cop whose sexual misconduct has landed her in the dead end world of Calico I mean come on. That just doesn’t ring true a woman in a man’s world knows she has to work harder to prove herself so why throw it all away for of all things Sex?

Once I got over that and the story started moving along I was hmm, ok, getting better, hell yeah I am along for this ride.

I loved the setting of 1880s Calico and the silver prospecting, that tarts with hearts, the drunken judge and rest of the community. These characters and their struggles felt real. I didn’t have the same affection for the modern day characters but the crossovers and the playing with words made this an enjoyable read.

This is a quirky little mystery with dual timelines and there is not much more I can say without spoilers. So if you want to know what is really happening in Calico I suggest you get your hands on a copy of this book!

Who would like this? I would recommend this to those who like things weird and wonderful in their fiction.

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