Fallen Star - (Eve Ronin) by Lee Goldberg

Book Synopsis

A spiraling case of betrayal, corruption, and murder could destroy Eve Ronin if she exposes it in a gripping thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg.

A fifty-five-gallon drum washes up in the Malibu Lagoon stuffed with the corpse of Gene Dent, the key player in a bribery scandal that ensnared several local politicians. LASD detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone know the case--and all the likely suspects--well. Just as they begin their investigation, the sheriff publicly reveals evidence linking the crime to LA's mayor.

But Eve and Duncan realize the bombshell allegation, true or not, arises from corruption within the sheriff's own office...because they helped cover it up years ago. If the sheriff goes down, so will they.

Eve is agonizing over her moral dilemma when a helicopter crashes in the hillside below her Calabasas home. It's not a coincidence. Eve soon discovers among the twisted wreckage and dead passengers shocking connections to her own past...and they lead straight to a fight for her life.

Review Quotes

"Whether Fallen Star is your first time reading Eve or your sixth doesn't matter. In either case, Goldberg has done it again with a compelling and complex mystery." --FirstCLUE

Praise for Lee Goldberg

Dream Town

"Old bones, paparazzi, rappers, sex tapes, the whole nine yards--topped off with a surprisingly Big Reveal." --Kirkus Reviews

"Fans of fast-paced police procedurals will enjoy Goldberg's trademark humor and his insight into the entertainment world in his latest Eve Ronin novel (following Movieland)." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Goldberg overtly offers sly, knowing commentary on the state of today's media, even as he spins an engaging and exciting police procedural." --Deadly Pleasures

"Lee Goldberg consistently writes entertaining and engaging stories with relatable characters and plots that feel recognizable, yet fresh. Dream Town is the perfect continuation of the Eve Ronin series--an equal mix of Hollywood theatrics, personal/family drama, criminal mayhem, and investigative prowess." --Steve Netter, Best Thriller Books

"Goldberg has created a terrific character in Eve Ronin, and he knows how to write a fast-paced thriller mixed with humor and inside jokes with no fluff." --FirstCLUE

Movieland

"Goldberg's compelling follow-up to Gated Prey is a fast-paced, riveting police procedural influenced by actual events in California. A character-driven series entry that skillfully depicts Hollywood corruption." --Library Journal (starred review)

"The fourth book in Lee Goldberg's series is his most ambitious and best realized yet...Movieland is crime writing of the highest order. Goldberg's style touches on both Michael Connelly and Robert Crais, in whose company he now squarely belongs." --The Providence Journal

"Movieland, Lee Goldberg's fourth novel featuring Ronin, is every bit as good as the first three. The characters, including victims, suspects, and an assortment of lazy, hardworking, honest, and corrupt cops, are quirky and well developed. The depiction of police procedures feels authentic. The writing is vivid and precise. And with startling twists around every corner, the suspenseful tale unfolds at a furious pace." --Associated Press

"Lee is fantastic at combining clever plotting, humor, and thrills in his stories." --Boyd Morrison, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"LA noir is real; so is Malibu noir, and no one does it better than Lee Goldberg." --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author

"Finished this on the plane home. Typically classy police procedural from Lee Goldberg--giving Michael Connelly a run for his money." --Ian Rankin

Gated Prey

"The seamy side of California dreaming...Goldberg not only ties up...but links some of Eve's investigations in ways as disturbing as they are surprising." --Kirkus Reviews

"Lively descriptive prose enhances the tight plot of this episodic crime novel, which reads like a TV show in narrative form. Columbo fans will have fun." --Publishers Weekly

"A great series...Eve Ronin continues to dazzle and show her gritty side as she progresses in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department." --Mystery and Suspense Magazine

"Goldberg finds the perfect balance of treachery and resolve in the strong female character of Eve Ronin. She is a force to be reckoned with that all criminals will hate to come face-to-face with and one that is deserving of the big screen." --Chris Miller, Best Thriller Books

"Violent crimes and desperate criminals and homicide detectives, oh my! Lee Goldberg delivers an intriguing, fast-paced, satisfying novel in Gated Prey." --Steve Netter, Best Thriller Books

"This is going to be a must-read series for me year after year. Eve is such a badass character who will stop at nothing to see that justice is done." --Todd Wilkins, Best Thriller Books

"Another suspenseful, fast-paced yarn with engaging characters." --Associated Press

"I whipped my head back and forth reading Gated Prey. So twisty, so funny, and so LA--a few of my favorite things. After zooming through these pages, I'll ride shotgun with Lee any day!" --Rachel Howzell Hall, bestselling author of And Now She's Gone

Bone Canyon

A Mystery and Suspense Magazine 2021 Best Book of the Year Selection

"Goldberg follows Lost Hills with a riveting, intense story. Readers of Karin Slaughter or Michael Connelly will want to try this." --Library Journal (starred review)

"Goldberg knows how to keep the pages turning." --Publishers Weekly

"Lee Goldberg puts the pro in police procedural. Bone Canyon is fresh, sharp, and absorbing. Give me more Eve Ronin, ASAP." --Meg Gardiner, international bestselling author

"Wow--what a novel! It is wonderful in so many ways. I could not put it down. Bone Canyon is wrenching and harrowing, full of wicked twists. Lee Goldberg captures the magic and danger of the Santa Monica Mountains and the predators who prowl them. Detective Eve Ronin takes on forgotten victims, fights for them, and nearly loses everything in the process. She's a riveting character, and I can't wait for her next case." --Luanne Rice, New York Times bestselling author

"Bone Canyon is a propulsive procedural that provides high thrills in difficult terrain, grappling thoughtfully with sexual violence and police corruption, as well as the minefield of politics and media in Hollywood and suburban Los Angeles. Eve Ronin is a fantastic series lead--stubborn and driven, working twice as hard as her colleagues both to prove her worth and to deliver justice for the dead." --Steph Cha, author of Your House Will Pay

Lost Hills

"A cop novel so good it makes much of the old guard read like they're going through the motions until they can retire...The real appeal here is Goldberg's lean prose, which imbues just-the-facts procedure with remarkable tension and cranks up to a stunning description of a fire that was like 'Christmas in hell.'" --Booklist

"An energetic, resourceful procedural starring a heroine who deserves a series of her own." --Kirkus Reviews

"This nimble, sure-footed series launch from bestseller Goldberg...builds to a thrilling, visually striking climax. Readers will cheer Ronin every step of the way." --Publishers Weekly

"The first book in what promises to be a superb series--it's also that rare novel in which the formulaic elements of mainstream police procedurals share narrative space with a unique female protagonist. All that, and it's also a love letter to the chaos and diversity of California. There are a lot of series out there, but Eve Ronin and Goldberg's fast-paced prose should put this one on the radar of every crime-fiction fan." --National Public Radio

"This sterling thriller is carved straight out of the world of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner...Lost Hills is a book to be found and savored." --BookTrib

"Lost Hills is Lee Goldberg at his best. Inspired by the real-world grit and glitz of LA County crime, this book takes no prisoners. And neither does Eve Ronin. Take a ride with her and you'll find yourself with a heroine for the ages. And you'll be left hoping for more." --Michael Connelly, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Lost Hills is what you get when you polish the police procedural to a shine: a gripping premise, a great twist, fresh spins and knowing winks to the genre conventions, and all the smart, snappy ease of an expert at work." --Tana French, New York Times bestselling author

"Thrills and chills! Lost Hills is the perfect combination of action and suspense, not to mention Eve Ronin is one of the best new female characters in ages. You will race through the pages!" --Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Twenty-four-karat Goldberg--a top-notch procedural that shines like a true gem." --Craig Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of the Longmire series

"A winner. Packed with procedure, forensics, vivid descriptions, and the right amount of humor. Fervent fans of Connelly and Crais, this is your next read." --Kendra Elliot, Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author

"Brilliant! Eve Ronin rocks! With a baffling and brutal case, tight plotting, and a fascinating look at police procedure, Lost Hills is a stunning start to a new detective series. A must-read for crime-fiction fans." --Melinda Leigh, Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author

"A tense, pacy read from one of America's greatest crime and thriller writers." --Garry Disher, international bestselling author and Ned Kelly Award winner