Calico Audiobook By Lee Goldberg cover art

Calico

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Calico

By: Lee Goldberg
Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella, Eric Conger
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About this listen

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.
Genre Fiction Mystery Police Procedurals Thriller & Suspense Westerns Scary

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

Unexpected Twists • Captivating Storyline • Excellent Narration • Clever Time Travel • Engaging Performances
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I love Lee Goldberg, and expected to be like other books in the different series. However, this one certainly was a mix of sci-fi and crime solving. Took me a few minutes to get my head centered around something different, but once I did, I actually enjoyed it quite well. I do like the back-and-forth in narration. Definitely know that I am happy to have been born during this time, rather than than the 1800s! 

Not usually my type of thing, but… 

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This story goes from a bit crazy to insane to the past and every time in between. Some parts are a bit over the top but it doesn't take a way from the story. Enjoy!

What a ride!

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the relevance of the back and forth that's all folks an an an an a.

everything

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Very interesting idea, well told, and I love how the end came full circle to the start. Narration was excellent.

Back to the future cop mystery 

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I should state that I enjoy mystery-thrillers, I love time travel stories, and I enjoy a good western. Calico combines all three genres! This begins like a traditional cop mystery, except the protagonist is Beth, a female detective who is addicted to cheap bars and one night stands. It was good enough to keep my interest but felt mundane. It is when the time travel element entered the story in the 1880's in a western desert mining town that this picked up. The last third focuses on Beth figuring out the mysterious appearances and disappearances, and trying to figure out how to proceed while being pressured to be silent. It becomes addictively fun, like Back to the Future. This is not a great novel, but the second half was hugely entertaining to a time travel fan like me. This was a solid 4.5 star story to me!

really fun!

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Loved the surprise ending! Made me laugh. Did get a little tired of the continued Calico narrative, Seemed like a Mark Twain story in the middle. Interesting hard life details of desert miners though. Overall, it’s another exciting story from you!

Great plotting!!!

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I thought this would be just another police procedural when I started reading. But it was so much more. The story was a fun read and the narration excellent.

It was really enjoyable

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Fantastic narration. The story really had me on the edge of my seat even if you don’t think you like science fiction/time travel stories, this will suck you in. Fantastic.

Gripping!!

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This title came up as a ‘daily special.’ I glanced at the description and saw it was a combination of western and police procedural. When I clicked ‘buy,’ I had no idea that was about to enjoy on of the best listens of my life!
Excellent characters and locations, a great mystery, and a dual plot line that just wouldn’t quit— and with surprises right to the last sentence.
Lee Goldberg is an author we probably have all enjoyed— but never knew. Now, I know (and I can’t wait for more!!)

A total surprise

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I have read all of the Jack Reacher books and loved them. So I got this one because I do love a good mystery. I also love a good fantasy, so this was a very pleasant surprise for me. Well done.

Unexpected and delightful

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