What an intriguing book... definitely unique!

I enjoyed the fact it was addictive, fast paced and kept you OK the edge of your seat.

The characters were great and I enjoyed learning about them and seeing what happens as the story progresses. I really did enjoy meeting Beth!

The story was incredibly different and well planned out so it kept you hooked!

I have memories of reading the book and thinking how clever Lee Goldberg had been in coming up with such a convoluted plot that took us into the past and then back to the present. Maybe, I can find the time to re-read it in the future.

I do know that it was a brilliant very convoluted plot which kept me entertained.

I am a big fan of Lee Goldberg's other detective books.
This one if full of history, redemption and second chances.
The setting is the desert - bleak and empty.
The perfect setting for a second chance.
Recommended for fans of the Eve Ronin series.

A Quirky Cat and a Detective’s Dilemma: Exploring “Calico” by Lee Goldberg Lee Goldberg, known for his witty and fast-paced crime novels, takes us on a delightful journey in “Calico.” It’s not your typical detective story, though.

Instead of a hardened cop, we meet “Calico” Jack, a lovable, if slightly eccentric, feline who becomes entangled in a case that’s as puzzling as it is hilarious. Imagine, if you will, a cat who’s as much a crime solver as he is a purring cuddle bug. Jack, a calico with a keen eye for detail and an insatiable curiosity, is the unlikely hero of Goldberg’s novel. He stumbles upon a murder scene, his nose twitching with a mix of curiosity and feline instincts.
This discovery sets in motion a series of hilarious and unpredictable events as Jack teams up with a human detective named Max, a somewhat grumpy but ultimately good-hearted man who’s just trying to do his job. Goldberg’s writing is as clever as Jack himself. He seamlessly blends humor and suspense, creating a story that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.

We see the world through Jack’s perceptive eyes, a world full of hidden clues and quirky characters. Max, initially skeptical of his furry partner, gradually learns to trust Jack’s intuition. Together, they unravel a web of secrets and deceit, facing off against a cunning killer who’s more than a match for the average human detective. “Calico” isn’t just a fun read; it’s a reminder that even the most unexpected heroes can rise to the occasion.

It’s a story about friendship, trust, and the importance of looking beyond appearances. If you’re looking for a light-hearted yet clever mystery with a unique twist, “Calico” is definitely worth a read. Just be prepared to have your heart warmed by a cat who’s much smarter than he looks and a human detective who learns that sometimes the best partner in crime-solving is a purring, paw-tapping calico named Jack.

Calico by Lee Goldberg is a genre-bending mix of contemporary police procedural and science fiction. A crime novel unlike anything I’ve ever read before this is a bone chilling and gripping tale that, as a fan of both science fiction and crime novels, really did blow me away. Brilliantly written, it is a tense and compelling mystery with the kind of jaw dropping twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout.

Split between two timelines, Calico is a combination of contemporary thriller, police procedural and western adventure, with the added element of science fiction thrown in for good measure – and it really does work, making for an exciting, page turner of a read that once started I did not want to put down!

The book begins with what appears to be a straightforward case of a vagrant who has been knocked over and killed by a distracted motorhome driver during a lightning storm. But it turns out to be anything but straightforward and Beth McDade soon finds herself caught up in a case that will take her beyond anything she could ever have imagined…

Lee Goldberg’s writing is intense as Beth begins to make discoveries that force her to confront not only her own past…but also a past that’s not her own. I don’t want to say too much more for fear of spoilers but make no mistake, this is a gripping read that really did have me in its thrall from beginning to end.

A compulsive and atmospheric thriller that doesn’t pull its punches, Calico is a multilayered thriller that keeps the shocks and surprises coming as the story moves forward towards a conclusion that is as thrilling as it is satisfying.

A gripping combination of the genres that appeal to me the most, Calico is a book that captured my imagination and refused to let go. Powerful and intense, it is a book that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

This was a very different type of read for me, its a definite mash up of genres, police procedure, time travel, sci-fi to name a few.
I have to say I really enjoyed it, a very interesting read & clever plot covering two time periods, it was a fun read with lots of mystery, suspense and twists.

This one is not for me. I could not get into the story, once the first big twist hit, I was just not into it. I am a big fan of Lee Goldberg, but I could not connect with this story. It happens, you are not going to like everything someone writes. Don't let me dissuade you from reading this book. If it sounds interesting to you, go for it.

This is a crazy novel! I went into the book expecting one thing, and was very surprised by the outcome. What I have come to expect from Lee Goldberg and his previous novels was a kick ass female cop or detective who was tasked with solving a murder. Goldberg writes very visually driven novels where the reader can easily picture the surroundings and the action, similar to a tv plot. It is honestly why I really enjoy reading his books.

However Goldberg threw the audience a curve ball with Calico by adding a bit of science fiction time travel and historical fiction into the plot as well. Being described as a "genre-bending" type of novel it has a little bit of everything thrown in. Calico is a very interesting read, but does ot follow the same mold as Goldberg's previous works.

Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for the opportunity to read this book.

This story, centered on time-shifting, demands significant investment to suspend disbelief and can be confusing to track characters across different centuries. While well-written, the unlikely premise may leave readers questioning its purpose. Beth, a disgraced detective, seeks redemption through an improbable opportunity. Ultimately, the story feels unconvincing.

Rated 4 1/2 stars on my blog - Bookmarks and Stages
Who'd have thought it, a mystery and western combined actually works and Goldberg writes it seamlessly. It runs with 2 different time-frames as 2 bodies are discovered. One has died in the present day and the other bones are discovered to be from at least 100 years earlier. It's an intriguing case for former detective Beth McDade to investigate. She, herself is a compelling character to read about. Everyone of course has a past, but she has one that is just as interesting to uncover as the investigation into the deaths. 
Encompassed into the story is also the silver rush over a century ago and more about what was happening in the socio-economic sphere and this gives it even more body and gravitas. It's well-written so readers can instantly get a feel of the context as well as setting.

Calico is certainly very different and one that I feel I'd recommend to readers to give a go. It's well-worth getting caught up in this world of history, humour and crime. Investing in the characters is time well-spent as revelations appear and its easy to get caught up with their lives from past and present day in this very twisty book where you don't see what's coming next, until it happens...

uhhhmm...this book was amazing! I had no idea Goldberg wrote for tv and it definitely shows in the writing. It was soi descriptive. I loved the weirdness of the story - and it was hard to put down once the story gets started. I absolutely loved the character of Beth and hope there are some sequels that come out. The ending was such a fun twist and feel like he left the ending open for more...please please please!

I received an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Severn House, and the author Lee Goldberg.
I loved this! Such a strange premise that really wasn't my usual vibe (detective thriller + time travel?) but this unique idea really worked, and was gripping and involving. I enjoyed it a lot!
My first experience with this author and I look forward to reading more. Would highly recommend, would be perfect on holiday. 5 stars.

What a genre mash-up this turned out to be! I started this expecting a police procedural with a twist, especially since the synopsis mentions a mystery over a century in the making. To say I was surprised is not even half of where this novel goes to. The main character becomes swept up in a crime scene that transcends time, a coverup by marines, witty side characters and world building that is easily recommended.

Not normally a huge fan of time travel-sh books, but this was my first Lee Goldberg book, and I SUPER enjoyed it. I hope there's more, this deserves to be a series unto its own.

Another great read from Lee Goldberg. This one crosses genres, which makes it even more enjoyable. The plot was great, the pacing was great, and the characters were great. Can't wait for the next read from lee Goldberg. #CalicoBook #NetGalley

An entertaining and well crafted mystery. Having not read the blurb, I was expecting a crime thriller. Altough time travel stories are not that appealing to me, I enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and interesting and the location was a character unto itself. I love the author's writing style; the pacing and descriptions are like a movie playing in your head while you read.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn House

We meet Homicide detective Beth McDade as she winds up in a dead-end job following a fall from grace in LA. Beth is growing increasingly bored and frustrated, until some unexpected though seemingly related cases land on her desk following a strange lightning storm one night.

Both cases are also seemingly linked to Ben Cartwright, a man that lived in the nearby mining town of Calico over a century earlier. As Beth begins to uncover how, she finds herself at the receiving end of some unwanted attention meaning she must solve the case before the evidence vanishes.

When I worked out where this story was going, I was so disappointed. However, as I read more, I found myself enjoying and then absolutely loving it! It is such a fun mash-up of genres – police procedural meets the American frontier, with some classic cultural references thrown in for good measure.

The characterisation is great, and the pacing is just right. I loved the author’s descriptiveness and I really could picture Calico in the 1880s. I appreciated this book way more than I thought I would, and I will be seeking out more from this author.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

This book packs a punch, fast paced with suspense and mystery, you won’t want to put it down!
The storyline moves back and forth, taking the characters on a wild ride. Investigations spanning time and distance add to the intriguing plot, the police work is methodical but tricky.
The characters and depth of the story are gripping with complexity and history. There’s so much to this book that will keep you interested and wondering.

Thanks so much to Severn House, NetGalley and the talented author for the opportunity to read a review this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Suspend belief, accepting that the world as we know it is not the full story. No spoilers just enough information to titillate the senses and prepare the reader for a story unbelievably unique yet retold numerous times in the past using different formats. Flawed characters involved in a thrilling mystery that defies objectivity yet as the chapters roll allow our protagonist’s to face increasing danger and difficulties with resilience and tenacity. A complex story line involving two time frames a hundred years apart with , evidence suggesting a totally unbelievable link that one deeply flawed police officer is intent on solving the mystery and answer too. A five star read offering humour, historical content, an exciting storyline and satisfying conclusion. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the ARC and introduction to this unusual and gifted author.

In Barstow, California, a decaying city in the scorching Mojave desert, there's a saying: "The Interstate here only goes in one direction: Away." For ex-LAPD detective Beth McDade, who experienced a staggering fall from grace, Barstow is the only place where she could secure another badge and a shot at redemption.

Calico, a struggling mining town just a few miles further into the bleak landscape, holds its own history of a desperate stranger who sought a second chance over a century ago. The destinies of this mysterious stranger and Beth become intertwined when she investigates an old skeleton unearthed in a shallow, sandy grave. Simultaneously, Beth works to identify a vagrant run over by a distracted motorhome driver during a lightning storm.

As Beth delves into the disturbing clues and shocking discoveries, she's forced to confront not only the troubled past of the town but also her own. The investigation leads her to a revelation that could change the world, linking the past and present in unexpected ways. "The Interstate" is a tale of redemption, mystery, and the interconnectedness of lives across time in the harsh landscape of the Mojave desert.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.