Friday, February 8, 2019
Beth met Selma Neary, head of the San Bernardino County historical
society, in her office at the county museum in Redlands. The tiny office
was filled with books, overflowing from sagging shelves and in stacks that
had collapsed into a giant pile. There was barely room for a desk, two
chairs, and the two women.
‘You’re a homicide detective?’ Neary asked.
‘That’s right,’ Beth said. ‘We found a dead body in a hundred-year-old
grave on land in Newberry Springs that was once home to the Cartwright
family.’
Neary smiled, her pearl necklace disappearing in the folds of her neck.
‘It’s a little late to bring the felon to justice.’
‘This man was killed a week ago and buried in an old casket,’ Beth said.
‘I’m wondering if there might be some connection between the victim and
the Cartwright family or at least that bit of land.’
‘Unfortunately, Calico burned to the ground twice, destroying most of the
legal records, and almost every issue of the Calico Print newspaper, so
much of the town’s history, outside of the mining activity, is lost. What
little we know about the daily lives of any individuals comes from
letters, a few diaries, and a dozen surviving issues of the Calico
Print.’
‘Anything you can tell me will be helpful,’ Beth said.
Beth is determined to make conclusions based on the facts of her
investigation, but this time the facts are a little hard to believe.
Official synopsis:
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.
This was definitely different from the author’s previous works, but in this
reader’s opinion, they nailed it! Beth was a reasonably successful LAPD
detective, but bad choices led to her disgraceful exit from the department.
In Barstow, the biggest risk to her career may be dying from boredom, but
she still tries to do her best to uphold the law, especially for the victims—they deserve the truth, and justice.
A missing person case from the LAPD seems to leave a trail right through
Beth’s Barstow jurisdiction, so she’s determined to find out what really
happened, no matter how unlikely that story seems to be. She knows her
career (and maybe her sanity) are at stake, so she needs to not just uncover
the truth, but have solid proof.
This unique cross between a sci-fi sort of story with a built in police
procedural was an excellent read. It earned 5 out of 5 stars and should be
shared immediately with those who enjoy a realistically-told science fiction
story. Could it be true? It’s up to each reader to decide whether they think
it could be possible.
{click here to
purchase on Amazon - affiliate link}
Becki Bayley is a Gemini who enjoys theater, reading, and a mid-afternoon
nap in the sun. Check out what else she’s reading and her family’s
adventures on her blog, SweetlyBSquared.com.
GIVEAWAY:
One of my lucky readers will win a copy of Calico!
Enter via the widget below. Giveaway will end on
Monday, December 11th, at 11:59pm ET, and the winner will be notified
via email the next day, and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate
winner will be chosen.
U.S. residents only, please.
Good luck!
Calico, by Lee Goldberg
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