Calico Trail

By: David R. Lewis

Narrated by: David R. Lewis

Length: 6 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

When old money and older entitlement invade Missouri, Ruben Beeler is dispatched by the Federal Marshals Service to investigate complaints from small farmers and ranchers that a wealthy Englishman is taking over an entire county. Rube leaves his wife and their baby at home, and enters into a conflict where might is right, and Sir Merrit Treadstone is prepared to do whatever is necessary to establish the Calico Cattle Company and his new American kingdom. With Marion Daniels and Homer Poteet, Ruben faces poison, arson, and murder as he struggles to put down a British invasion and stay alive, on The Calico Trail.

©2013 David R. Lewis (P)2013 David R. Lewis

Oh No, There's Only 4 "Trail" Books Left!

#3 in Lewis' s Trail series, this one was just as great as the previous two (Deer Run and Nodaway Trails.) These books are great fun for a long car ride, making the hours fly by and the stiffness from too much sitting hardly noticeable. But please don't think you have to limit these books to a car trip. Just about any time you need a good laugh (many good laughs, actually), start this series, relax and enjoy! As I noted in my other two reviews, it would be more fun if you started with book 1. AND, you don't have to be a fan of westerns--I'm not.

Lewis narrates his own books. He is amazingly good and you would NEVER want anyone else to narrate this series. The boys are all back for this adventure--Reuben, Homer, and Marion. In my household, we are on a first name basis! This time they need to set straight a power hungry, greedy, and ruthless Englishman who is attempting to take over the county by any and all means. As usual, lots of biscuits, beans, and bacon abound. Shoot-em ups, family time, baths at the barber shop, trusty horses--they're all here, too.

If you haven't tried this series, you owe it to yourself to jump in and give it a go. It comes very highly recommended by me. See my two earlier reviews if you're not convinced. It is the kind of series that makes me fret and worry that there are only 4 more books left to get (7 in all). It makes me not want to read them too fast or too often, so I always will have one to look forward to.

Get busy, Mr. Lewis. Please?

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Best series ever!!

Any additional comments?

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so far. Each and every book is a gem. I LOVE the main characters including the horses and mule. The author is so good at detailing characters that you believe they are real. The same with animals. He gives the animals personalities that are distinctive. The stories have some sorrow, lots of action, and very much humor. I laughed out loud so often. The dialog coming from Reuben, Marion, Homer and Arlis (the gunsmith) is terrible witty. They often crack up each other and when they do, I crack up too. In this book the guys head out to bust up the Calico Cattle Ranch which is operated by an aristocratic Englishman and is taking over the county. The Englishman is determined to have his way and will stop at nothing to keep the good guys from thwarting him. The funniest scene to me was when Reuben and Marion go to the sheriff's office (the sherif is one of the Englishman's henchmen) to challenge him. There you will learn the difference between management and labor.

Not only is the author an extremely talented writer, he is the best narrator possible for this book. He is EXCELLENT. He could not have hired anyone else in the world that cold have done as good a job as he did.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

I LOVE LITTLE BILL, AS MUCH AS I LOVE HIS MAMA

A FELLER THAT AIN'T GOT NO RESPECT FOR ANIMALS, AIN'T GOT NO RESPECT FOR PEOPLE
Warm, Sweet, Loving, and Funny are good ways to describe this book and the series. These books can be read in any order, they are all great. I would suggest starting with book 6, Killdeer Trail. This is my third, having read book 1, than 6, and now three. LIFE AIN'T ALL SUGAR, COOKIES AND RAINBOWS, but this series comes close. At times it is down right Laugh Out Loud funny. If your are thinking about not trying the series, than all I got to say is, I KNOW YOUR DUMB, THE QUESTION IS HOW STUPID ARE YOU.

A NAME THAT AIN'T YOUR NAME CAN GET TO BE YOUR NAME IF ENOUGH PEOPLE SAY IT ENOUGH
You don't have to be from Missouri, to enjoy this, but it brings even more pleasure to me, as most of these towns exist and I deliver to them once a week. Jefferson City, Mexico, Columbia, Sedalia and Centralia. Now I have not heard of Calico or Dunkstan, Mo. in which a lot of action takes place. It may be he needed to use fictitious names. I did find a small town, called Callao, Mo, which is in Macon County and which would be the right area. I also found that in Eldon, Mo, several Dunstan's live and that is the right area. He also mentions the rich green grass and it is still that way today.

I AIN'T LIVED THIS LONG BY BEING FAIR, BOY
This is the best author narrator you will find. He could not have paid anyone, who could have done it better.

I TAKE A CHANCE IF I HAVE TO, BUT I DON'T NEVER GIVE ONE.

65 of 86 people found this review helpful

Profoundly hilarious

If you could sum up Calico Trail in three words, what would they be?

Refreshing and honest

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rube is probably my favourite - he goes from an awkward "aw shucks" to a hard no-nonsense man in control of any situation. He has a gentleness that is very endearing, and a strength that is very reassuring.

What about David R. Lewis’s performance did you like?

Loved Lewis' deep gravelly voice and his seemingly genuine way of telling his story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Lawmen who get the difficult jobs done efficiently but with side-splitting humour.

Any additional comments?

This author needs to produce more books.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A western that will keep you laughing

A good story line, but enhanced by characters the keep you laughing to the end. I really enjoyed this book. Try it, you'll like it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A western story with some very good humor.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I liked the story, I didn't like the accent of the guys but as the book went on I liked them very much and it was well done.

What did you like best about this story?

The humor

What about David R. Lewis’s performance did you like?

Good story and I could see it really happening.

Any additional comments?

Thank you, I was entertained and could not stop listening until it was done.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Loved it

Third in the series of gently righteous Western written by David Lewis who generously adds his own voice to the stories and each character. I find myself drawling like Reuben, the modest hero for hours after listening to his colorful tales.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Back on the trail of justice

The three pard's are off on another trail to write a wrong and maintain some type of order in the Wild West. This one reminded me a bit of the movie (The Magnificent Seven). A tycoon is ready to do what ever it takes to take over the land surrounding a meek town that is not able to stand up to this tyrant. Marion, Rube and Homer are not what he was expecting and he poorly underestimated them. Another great addition to this great series partnered with an exceptional narration.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Outstanding

Best narration I've ever listened to, the entire series is a gem. I wanted to lite a schuck and out with those old cobs more than once.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent

My favorite western series. I hope the author continues writing more trail episodes. 5 Stars across the board.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful