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Calico, in the sense of a mottled or variegated color pattern, describes the novel itself. For it combines the traditional Western with mystery and romance in an unusual but satisfying mix. But the title actually refers to its hero, Calico Ramsey, who has one brown eye and one blue. The unusual pairing saved his life as a child when his wagon train was set upon by Native Americans and everyone else was killed. Thus orphaned, he was taken in and reared by rancher Dan Overholt. Now in his 27th year, Calico has always led a generally placid life. All that is to change quickly. Dan receives news that his dead brother has named him, rather than Dan's niece, to become guardian of his 17-year-old orphaned grandchildren, the Howard twins. who live in Chicago. No sooner has Dan announced their imminent arrival than he is ambushed and killed. Calico realizes he has no choice but to meet the twins at the railroad station and escort them to their aunt's Colorado ranch since she is their only relative. New dangers, both natural and human, immediately present themselves. Calico must quickly train his charges to adapt to outdoor life if they are to survive. For the first time in their sheltered existence the twins sleep outside, the girl learns to ride Western style, and the boy has his own gun. Both Sarah and Josh Howard rise to meet each challenge squarely. Simultaneously, Calico must also adapt to changing circumstances as diverse as spending his own first night in a hotel to finding his heart stirred by emotions he has long kept at bay. Four outlaws trail the trio, directing a series of deadly assaults against them. They survive a hotel fire, a range fire, a stampede, a landslide, Sarah being kidnapped, both men being wounded, and a showdown in a small Western town. As Calico learns new facts about the death of the twins' parents, killed in a mysterious blaze that engulfed their Chicago home while the aunt to whom he is taking them was visiting, he becomes convinced that she holds the key to the numerous mysteries. But he cannot be sure of anything until he gets the twins to her home, even though, for all he knows, he may be riding into a trap set by any number of people. A natural bond exists among the three orphans. But from the time Calico first sees Josh he is also aware they share a deeper passion. He tries to suppress his feelings, while Josh, as a result of the barrage of perils, openly declares his own for Calico. Josh stresses that he is just days from being 18 and thus legally of age. Though Calico is aware that the emotional territory he is treading poses risks almost as great as the actual terrain they are riding across, he increasingly dares to open his own heart a little at a time. In the showdown with the villains in town he finds an unexpected ally. Young Joe Potter admires Calico's pluck and inventiveness in saving themselves. He is not bothered in the slightest by the emotions he discerns flowing between the two men. Joe himself feels a similar attraction to Sarah, one which is obviously reciprocated. Their romance is not delineated in as much detail as Calico and Josh's, but it forms an important element in the climax. There is no sex in the novel, however, and only the most chaste of kisses. Calico works from what facts come to him rather than actively seeking clues to solve the mysteries that threaten them. As a result, the novel may not be as satisfying to readers who are fans of the author's Dick Hardesty, PI, series. But this new venture on the author's part makes for a darn good read; the middle section, about the trek across the perilous Colorado range country, is especially a page-turner. Though already available as an e-book, it is good to have this revised published version.
Reviewed by Drewey Wayne Gunn, August 2006
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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