My thriller Calico, out this week in a new paperback and deeply discounted ebook editions, is both a contemporary police procedural…and a traditional western set in 1883. What the two storylines share is a body, buried in a shallow grave in California’s desolate Mojave desert.
I’d been thinking about the story for years… but put off writing it because I had too many contractual commitments and not enough time in-between them to do it. Those are lies, of course, excuses I told myself to justify not writing the book.
The truth is, the story terrified me. Thrillers are hard enough to write without trying to balance two time-lines and, on top of that, two wildly different genres (actually, three genres, but talking about that would be a spoiler).
The challenge of telling two connected stories, one in the past and one in the present, is making sure the reader isn’t ahead of the characters in either time-line. Because if you fail, it will kill the suspense and the mystery. There will be no surprises. Yet, you also don’t want to withhold information from the reader, because that would be cheating. The trick is knowing when to cut away from on time-line to the other, so the reader is never quite sure how much they really know. Maintaining that delicate balancing act throughout the story is the sweet spot because, if you can pull it off, it creates a palpable tension that generates excitement… the thrill in thriller.
You also have to create two protagonists, one in each time-line, that the reader will find equally compelling and that will anchor the reader so they can endure the shifting POVs. In Calico, those characters are Beth McDade, a disgraced ex-LAPD cop, seeking redemption as a San Bernardino County Sheriff’s detective in the Mojave Desert in present day…and, in 1882, it’s unskilled wanderer Ben, desperately trying to survive in a silver mining camp located in a scorching, dry, desolate hell-scape. Ben’s choices in the past will have a profound impact on Beth’s life over 135 years later, when a homicide investigation will either redeem her… or destroy her.
I created a spreadsheet to track the two time lines…as well as the key plot moves/reveals which, if given away too soon or too late, could ruin the entire book. I also used the spread sheet to get a sense of the pacing, of when it would be the right time, emotionally or thematically, to shift time periods, to keep the narrative momentum moving at warp-speed.
Beyond telling a two-track story, I wanted to take the two genres (actually three) and, while delivering on the familiar tropes, also subvert all the baked-in cliches and expectations. So, I gave myself another delicate balancing act to perform: delivering a true police procedural and a western (and that other genre I’m not revealing), while also de-constructing them to create something new.
And if you’re crossing genres, and time-lines, it’s essential that you maintain the same tone and pacing across them both, so it doesn’t feel like two different books, but one relentlessly engaging thriller.
Calico was the hardest book I’ve ever written (out of nearly 40) but, in some ways, it’s been the most creatively rewarding. I’m glad I took the risk. Because I believe if I don’t occasionally scare or challenge myself, I’m going to fail anyway – because my writing will become formulaic and complacent.
I hope you’ll read Calico… and that you’ll let me know if my high-wire act worked…or if I hit the ground with a sickening splat.
Yes, it worked. I think Calico is far and away the best book of yours that I ever read. I particularly liked the fact that you left the door open at the end to further adventures of Beth McDade, and I hope to see her return in some other genre-bending story.
Wow — I’m extremely flattered. Thank you, Mark.
Great Book!
Couldn’t put it down.
We live in the Inland Empire, where the UFO sightings are very common.
(Reminded me of the UFO that “sat” on the runway of Norton Airforce Base for quite a while in the late 1960’s?)(1971, 1973)(You can Google it, read all about it).
Loved the story, the plot line, the twists and turns–wish this was a series!
Started the book after we saw you on a panel at Bouchercon last week–had to read it.
Thanks for all your great books–I’m Binge-reading all your books now.
Thank you, Susan!
It was awesome! so creative. I couldn’t get over how smoothly it flowed.
Listened to it twice on Audible. I’ve recommended to all my friends.
Thank you so much, Margaret. I loved the job Eric Conger and Nicol Zanzarella did on CALICO so much, I insisted they reteam again for my new novel ASHES NEVER LIE. Eric is the principle narrator on that one, but Nicol “guest stars” to play Eve Ronin…because she’s narrated my five Eve Ronin novels to date. They will reteam again in April 2025 for HIDDEN IN SMOKE and again in Oct 2025 for FALLEN STAR, Eve Ronin #6
Terrific book as usual! I read the hard copy. Only one little error. When you ride a horse, you guide him with reins; when you drive a single horse on a buggy or team of horses on a wagon, you guide them with lines.
You are a fantastic writer and I have read most of your books and I enjoy your events and book signings.
This was so different, but I loved it and couldn’t put it down!
I’ve talked to people who love your books, but didn’t think a western was for them. I told them a little bit about Calico, and I believe I changed their minds.
I enjoy all of your books very much, especially the Eve Ronin series, since I live in Calabasas and everything happens around there.
Thank you, Francee!
Ok, I have yet to read the book, but may I say, Lee, that I really enjoyed reading how you set up your overlapping storylines, plot turns, etc. (via spreadsheet of all methods! )? I honestly enjoy reading about your writing process as much as I do reading your actual finished product. Yes, you’re a great writer, but you also have a unique ability and willingness to share your knowledge of your craft with others. The way you flesh out a story is fascinating, and your methods are more interesting than those taught by any screenwriting course I have taken over the years. Congrats on the success of the book. You deserve it.
Thank you, Helen. I share my approach to writing, and any struggles I may overcome along the way, because I was hungry for information like this when I was starting out. My hope is that I’m helping some writer out there find their own way.
We’ll discuss Calico on Tuesday evening on Zoom at our SinCLA Mystery Book Club. I can safely say Calico is unlike anything any of us have read before, and it’s a highly entertaining book.
I love how you use real places to your advantage, and I find myself trying to figure out what is true and what you’ve made up. I especially liked the hasty drive through Forest Lawn and Glendale Galleria, where I’ve shopped, and the connection you drew between Gerry Irwin and Fort Irwin. What an imagination you have.
I picked up an uncorrected proof of your book at Bouchercon last year and hadn’t gotten around to reading it until now. At 10:00 this morning I sat down with it , about halfway through, as a break from putting my condo back in order after a very messy holiday weekend. I couldn’t put it down. The house is still a mess, but I finished your book.
Thanks so much for a great read.
I remember that… it was startling because two people in one day recognized me (so did a lady at Ralph’s). I almost never get recognized by anyone unless I am at a conference. I’m delighted that you are enjoying CALICO. It was a fun book to write.