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Sharpe & Walker #2
Ashes Never Lie
The secrets hidden in smoldering ashes hold the fate of a city in an explosive thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg.
Vacant homes in a new housing development are erupting into flames in broad daylight with no apparent cause. It’s a perplexing mystery for dogged arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his restless new partner, Andrew Walker, an ex–US marshal who craves action.
But as they puzzle over the blazes, another home miles away burns to the ground, leaving a man’s corpse in the ashes and homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone demanding answers. The burn patterns and charred body tell Sharpe a bizarre story that only creates more questions for Eve. So the four detectives team up to find the answers. Their investigation into the two unrelated cases leads to one shocking discovery after another.
Now they must gamble their lives to unmask a brilliant arsonist, crack open a massive swindle, track down a desperate fugitive with a terrifying secret, and race against time to save thousands of people from an agonizing death.
Vacant homes in a new housing development are erupting into flames in broad daylight with no apparent cause. It’s a perplexing mystery for dogged arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his restless new partner, Andrew Walker, an ex–US marshal who craves action.
But as they puzzle over the blazes, another home miles away burns to the ground, leaving a man’s corpse in the ashes and homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone demanding answers. The burn patterns and charred body tell Sharpe a bizarre story that only creates more questions for Eve. So the four detectives team up to find the answers. Their investigation into the two unrelated cases leads to one shocking discovery after another.
Now they must gamble their lives to unmask a brilliant arsonist, crack open a massive swindle, track down a desperate fugitive with a terrifying secret, and race against time to save thousands of people from an agonizing death.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 17, 2024
1526 people are currently reading
4347 people want to read
About the author
Lee Goldberg
158 books2,111 followersLee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over forty novels, including Malibu Burning, Calico, Lost Hills (the first novel in his acclaimed "Eve Ronin" series), 15 "Monk" mysteries, five "Fox & O'Hare" adventures (co-written with Janet Evanovich), and the new thriller Ashes Never Lie, the second in his "Sharpe & Walker" series.. He's written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk and he co-created the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 397 reviews
September 6, 2024
If you enjoy crime action thrillers and well-done series cross-overs, then look no further than
Ashes Never Lie
by Lee Goldberg. Vacant homes going up in flames, a dead body, and plenty of suspense are just the beginning of an action-packed story. This is the second book in the Sharp and Walker series, but it also features Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone.
Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are arson detectives with the same department. Sharpe is brilliant at his job, methodical, observant, and self-confident. However, he tends to speak his mind and isn’t diplomatic when dealing with others, Walker craves action and the independence he had as a US Marshal. He’s bored and uses humor and honesty to gain trust. Ronin likes action and excitement and tends to be impatient. She’s also not afraid to take on the establishment. Pavone hasn’t retired so he can look out for and protect Ronin.
The author’s writing style continues to hook me quickly with a twisty plot combined with humor, great characters, and excellent world-building. The plot is absorbing and intriguing with a storyline that packs a punch. The fast pace and sense of urgency kept me rapidly turning the pages.
Overall, this is a tense, gritty, atmospheric, and engaging novel with wit, suspense, action, and some great twists as well as some violence. It is fast-paced and action-packed. If you enjoy excellent crime thrillers and police procedurals, then I recommend that you check out this one.
Thomas & Mercer and Lee Goldberg provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 17, 2024.
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My 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are arson detectives with the same department. Sharpe is brilliant at his job, methodical, observant, and self-confident. However, he tends to speak his mind and isn’t diplomatic when dealing with others, Walker craves action and the independence he had as a US Marshal. He’s bored and uses humor and honesty to gain trust. Ronin likes action and excitement and tends to be impatient. She’s also not afraid to take on the establishment. Pavone hasn’t retired so he can look out for and protect Ronin.
The author’s writing style continues to hook me quickly with a twisty plot combined with humor, great characters, and excellent world-building. The plot is absorbing and intriguing with a storyline that packs a punch. The fast pace and sense of urgency kept me rapidly turning the pages.
Overall, this is a tense, gritty, atmospheric, and engaging novel with wit, suspense, action, and some great twists as well as some violence. It is fast-paced and action-packed. If you enjoy excellent crime thrillers and police procedurals, then I recommend that you check out this one.
Thomas & Mercer and Lee Goldberg provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 17, 2024.
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My 4.41 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
September 12, 2024
Arson investigation might seem to be a fairly stodgy subject at first glance, sifting through the ash and grime of a fire scene. But Ashes Never Lie, the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series by Lee Goldberg, is a completely absorbing crime thriller that had me flying from one page to the next.
Newly built houses in a new property development are suddenly going up in flames. The firefighters believe the cause is faulty wiring, Walter Sharpe is not so sure and, in his typically acerbic way, lets the firies know that he thinks they’re wrong.
Nearby, there’s a house fire that contains a dead body. It could be murder but, when Sharpe and Walker arrive on the scene, their investigation points to a suicide. Goldberg fans are going to be very pleased by the fact that also on the scene were homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, crossing over from their own series. They wind up teaming up to conduct a thorough investigation complete with the wit and banter that have made the Ronin series so popular. But the dead body is actually hiding a far more disturbing secret, one that could impact not only the rest of the suburb but, quite possibly, the rest of the world.
Faulty wiring and a straightforward suicide appears to make both of these cases look simple. But the digging done by our investigators reveals that, in both cases, there’s far more at play here and this makes for a couple of very interesting mysteries.
The events of Ashes Never Lie come one year after the heist drama enjoyed in Malibu Burning and the story is equally as upbeat, fast-paced and wholly enjoyable. Sharpe and Walker have been working together for some time now and they’ve discovered they make a pretty good team. There’s plenty of light-hearted banter to provide amusing moments as they make their way through the ash and charred remains of various fires.
A thoroughly intriguing mystery, the story is very well plotted employing some well concealed twists to keep you on your toes. The tension is built to dramatic levels at times, often dispersed in imaginative ways using the talents of each of the four main characters to their best effect. The interplay between each of them is one of the strong points of the story.
Ashes Never Lie is a strong police procedural that moves along at a great pace. This is looming as another crime series in which I’ll be looking forward to the release of each new volume.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC which allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Newly built houses in a new property development are suddenly going up in flames. The firefighters believe the cause is faulty wiring, Walter Sharpe is not so sure and, in his typically acerbic way, lets the firies know that he thinks they’re wrong.
Nearby, there’s a house fire that contains a dead body. It could be murder but, when Sharpe and Walker arrive on the scene, their investigation points to a suicide. Goldberg fans are going to be very pleased by the fact that also on the scene were homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, crossing over from their own series. They wind up teaming up to conduct a thorough investigation complete with the wit and banter that have made the Ronin series so popular. But the dead body is actually hiding a far more disturbing secret, one that could impact not only the rest of the suburb but, quite possibly, the rest of the world.
Faulty wiring and a straightforward suicide appears to make both of these cases look simple. But the digging done by our investigators reveals that, in both cases, there’s far more at play here and this makes for a couple of very interesting mysteries.
The events of Ashes Never Lie come one year after the heist drama enjoyed in Malibu Burning and the story is equally as upbeat, fast-paced and wholly enjoyable. Sharpe and Walker have been working together for some time now and they’ve discovered they make a pretty good team. There’s plenty of light-hearted banter to provide amusing moments as they make their way through the ash and charred remains of various fires.
A thoroughly intriguing mystery, the story is very well plotted employing some well concealed twists to keep you on your toes. The tension is built to dramatic levels at times, often dispersed in imaginative ways using the talents of each of the four main characters to their best effect. The interplay between each of them is one of the strong points of the story.
Ashes Never Lie is a strong police procedural that moves along at a great pace. This is looming as another crime series in which I’ll be looking forward to the release of each new volume.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC which allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
May 2, 2025
Vacant homes in a new housing development are erupting into flames in broad daylight with no apparent cause. It’s a perplexing mystery for arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his newish partner, Andrew Walker, an ex–US marshal who craves action. Another home miles away burns to the ground, leaving a man’s corpse in the ashes and homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone looking for answers. The four detectives team up and their investigation into the two unrelated cases leads to one shocking discovery after another.
This is the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series by this author and I'm very tardy in reading and reviewing it plus I'm already late in reading and reviewing the third book. Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, stars of their own series by this author, make an appearance in this episode and the characters seem to meld together really well. I've read a few of the books in the Eve Ronin series as well and they were excellent. I was glad this story didn't involve any out-of-control wildfires as there's too much of that going on in real life. This one has a very twisty and unusual plot and I enjoyed the banter amongst the characters. It's easy to imagine this as a television series. I was also glad that Eve emerged unscathed from the events in this installment. The books I've read by this author are easy reading and I highly recommend them. I look forward to getting to Hidden in Smoke soon. This book would work well as a standalone.
NOTE: At one point Walker is complaining about showering with the water pressure so low as mandated by law in California to conserve water. He'll be happy that Mr. Trump has restored shower freedom!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, via Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this novel. My apologies for the lateness of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
This is the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series by this author and I'm very tardy in reading and reviewing it plus I'm already late in reading and reviewing the third book. Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, stars of their own series by this author, make an appearance in this episode and the characters seem to meld together really well. I've read a few of the books in the Eve Ronin series as well and they were excellent. I was glad this story didn't involve any out-of-control wildfires as there's too much of that going on in real life. This one has a very twisty and unusual plot and I enjoyed the banter amongst the characters. It's easy to imagine this as a television series. I was also glad that Eve emerged unscathed from the events in this installment. The books I've read by this author are easy reading and I highly recommend them. I look forward to getting to Hidden in Smoke soon. This book would work well as a standalone.
NOTE: At one point Walker is complaining about showering with the water pressure so low as mandated by law in California to conserve water. He'll be happy that Mr. Trump has restored shower freedom!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer, via Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this novel. My apologies for the lateness of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: September 17, 2024
September 23, 2024
This second book in his new Sharpe and Walker series is a winner. As always, Lee Goldberg has written a page turner with wonderful characters you want to root for.
Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are arson investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Walker used to be a US Marshal but now, due to work-related injuries and a baby at home, he is determined to pursue what he figured would be a safer line of police work. Sharpe is an experienced arson investigator and has taught Walker a lot in the year or so that they’ve been partners.
In this book, Goldberg has Sharpe and Walker team up with Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan (the main characters in his also-wonderful Eve Ronin series), to figure out a series of arsons, some of which have been ruled accidental, and at least one of which includes a death. Walker and Ronin seem to really understand each other! We also get more with Walker’s wife, Carly, a psychologist. I’m hoping she continues to be included in future books.
I’ve learned quite a bit about fires and about arson in these two books, but Goldberg makes the learning easy - he avoids the dreaded “info dump.”
There are a number of twists and turns as they try to figure out who is responsible for the seemingly unrelated acts of arson. Note: If you’re a Star Wars fan, you will appreciate quite a few references to the Star Wars “universe”, especially The Mandalorian.
Another note: You can definitely read this as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are arson investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Walker used to be a US Marshal but now, due to work-related injuries and a baby at home, he is determined to pursue what he figured would be a safer line of police work. Sharpe is an experienced arson investigator and has taught Walker a lot in the year or so that they’ve been partners.
In this book, Goldberg has Sharpe and Walker team up with Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan (the main characters in his also-wonderful Eve Ronin series), to figure out a series of arsons, some of which have been ruled accidental, and at least one of which includes a death. Walker and Ronin seem to really understand each other! We also get more with Walker’s wife, Carly, a psychologist. I’m hoping she continues to be included in future books.
I’ve learned quite a bit about fires and about arson in these two books, but Goldberg makes the learning easy - he avoids the dreaded “info dump.”
There are a number of twists and turns as they try to figure out who is responsible for the seemingly unrelated acts of arson. Note: If you’re a Star Wars fan, you will appreciate quite a few references to the Star Wars “universe”, especially The Mandalorian.
Another note: You can definitely read this as a standalone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
November 29, 2024
When a new house burns down before the new owners can move in, the fire department is ready to chalk it up to faulty wiring. But arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker think something else is going on. Before they can fully investigate that case, they are pulled to another arson, but the evidence just points to a bigger mystery. Teaming up with homicide detective Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, can the four figure out either case?
As a fan of Lee’s other books, I really enjoyed seeing Eve and Duncan pop up in this book. If you haven’t met them before, no need to worry, you’ll easily follow their characters here. Meanwhile, it was nice to get to know Sharpe and Walker more in their second case, this time told from Walker’s third person point of view. Something about the set up didn’t quite work for me, but once the book got rolling, I was hooked all the way to the over the top but still fun climax. We get a little bit of language and crude humor here, but it is kept to a minimum. On the other hand, there are lots of jokes and teasing that I did enjoy. Overall, this is another winner you’ll have a hard time putting down.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
As a fan of Lee’s other books, I really enjoyed seeing Eve and Duncan pop up in this book. If you haven’t met them before, no need to worry, you’ll easily follow their characters here. Meanwhile, it was nice to get to know Sharpe and Walker more in their second case, this time told from Walker’s third person point of view. Something about the set up didn’t quite work for me, but once the book got rolling, I was hooked all the way to the over the top but still fun climax. We get a little bit of language and crude humor here, but it is kept to a minimum. On the other hand, there are lots of jokes and teasing that I did enjoy. Overall, this is another winner you’ll have a hard time putting down.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
March 19, 2024
Walker and Sharpe are back with another southern California fire investigation. A new housing development has just had a house catch fire before the buyer moves in. Walker and Sharpe find that someone has jury-rigged an IED made from a Mr. Coffee. Could it be the homeowner that sued the developer? Or maybe the contractor who was fired for theft? The inspectors are working with detective Eve Ronin, who is the protagonist in another of Goldberg's excellent LA based series. When they learn that many of the fires involve insurance fraud, they set a trap. Then there is another story line about an unstable, disturbed man who has disappeared with a vial of a deadly chemical. Thanks, Netgalley for allowing me to review this advance copy.
August 10, 2024
Lee Goldberg has been around for years, writing novels and television scripts, but it’s only recently that I’ve caught up with him, reading a number of his more recent books. I’d become hooked on his Eve Ronin series, featuring a young, attractive cop who leaps to fame after taking down a well-known film actor she witnessed striking his girlfriend. This act, filmed by a passing onlooker, made her famous overnight and prompted her premature promotion to homicide detective. Her partner is Duncan ‘Donuts’ Pavone, a rotund pen pusher who deals with the admin whilst Eve does the physical stuff.
Even more recently, I enjoyed the first book in another new series, featuring Walter Sharpe, a Walter Matthau lookalike, and experienced arson investigator. Sharpe is a dour character who boasts that he’s never failed to solve a case. Sharpe’s partner is Andrew Walker, an ex-U.S. Marshal, who just loves the chase, and who is easily bored. He’s only found himself in this job to appease his wife, who is fed up with the danger and subsequent injuries that seemed part and parcel of his previous role. As in the Eve Ronan series, the relationship between the lead characters is brilliantly developed and adds some great humour to what are explosive, fast moving tales.
In this story, all four meet up after being called in to investigate the aftermath of a house fire, a body having been found in the ruins of the property. Goldberg then contrives a series of events that result in Ronin and Walker teaming up to attempt to chase down a villain who poses a significant national threat. The story does include elements that are a little hard to swallow and a conclusion that is somewhat telegraphed, and yet it still kept me hooked throughout. The main attraction for me being the brilliantly written interactions between well fleshed out and intriguing lead characters.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Even more recently, I enjoyed the first book in another new series, featuring Walter Sharpe, a Walter Matthau lookalike, and experienced arson investigator. Sharpe is a dour character who boasts that he’s never failed to solve a case. Sharpe’s partner is Andrew Walker, an ex-U.S. Marshal, who just loves the chase, and who is easily bored. He’s only found himself in this job to appease his wife, who is fed up with the danger and subsequent injuries that seemed part and parcel of his previous role. As in the Eve Ronan series, the relationship between the lead characters is brilliantly developed and adds some great humour to what are explosive, fast moving tales.
In this story, all four meet up after being called in to investigate the aftermath of a house fire, a body having been found in the ruins of the property. Goldberg then contrives a series of events that result in Ronin and Walker teaming up to attempt to chase down a villain who poses a significant national threat. The story does include elements that are a little hard to swallow and a conclusion that is somewhat telegraphed, and yet it still kept me hooked throughout. The main attraction for me being the brilliantly written interactions between well fleshed out and intriguing lead characters.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2024
*** 7/23/24 *** Enjoyable book with significant Eve Ronin involvement (LA sheriff living in Calabasas with a TV show deal based on her life). All about 2-man fire investigator team looking into questionable house fires with a few red herrings and side plots, and then a final successful conclusion. The only problem with these types of series is you know as a reader that the main characters are never really in any mortal danger and that they will almost certainly get the bad guy. I do like books written in major metro cities with reasonably authentic landmarks that connect the reader to the material a little more. 4-stars for a lighter-toned police procedural. Thank you NetGalley for the pre-release ARC to read and review.
*** 7/21/24 *** Got approved for the NetGalley ARC for this September 2024 Lee Goldberg release that is set in my community! Makes it a lot of fun to read. These series are all a step up from cozy mystery and a step below hard core thrillers. Just a good entertaining mystery with characters you get to know in a community I already know (NW corner of Los Angeles). Review coming soon......
*** 7/21/24 *** Got approved for the NetGalley ARC for this September 2024 Lee Goldberg release that is set in my community! Makes it a lot of fun to read. These series are all a step up from cozy mystery and a step below hard core thrillers. Just a good entertaining mystery with characters you get to know in a community I already know (NW corner of Los Angeles). Review coming soon......
July 22, 2024
If you like arson investigator Andrew Walker or homicide detective Eve Ronin, then you are in luck. Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg is a new book with them both, together with Sharpe and Pavone, we get a quartet of wondeful characters created by this author. I have yet to read a book by this author I didn't like, they are all great. In this book we start out with a fire that could be suspicious. It soon turns out that there is more going on and soon the two dynamic duos have several cases at the same time. The book is as always well written and I really like the dialogue between characters, it's witty and filled with humor. I can really recommend this. I also thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.
July 1, 2024
Any new book by Lee Goldberg gets into my TBR by default. And I am so happy that NetGalley has given me the opportunity to read the ARC of his last 3 books (Dream Town, Calico and Ashes Never Lie). Thanks a lot, to NetGalley, the Publisher and the Author for this privilege.
Though this says Sharpe and Walker #2, it has Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone also as major characters. Goldberg manages to maintain a fine balance without messing up the plot.
While Sharpe and Duncan are good at analyzing clues, Walker and Ronin are best when they are on the move, tracking fugitives, cutting through red tapes, going undercover...
I loved the ending when Sharpe pulls up an elaborate and unnecessary stunt to arrest a criminal, having learnt from Walker and Ronin to 'do it in style'!
I have read all 5 books in the Eve Ronin series, but I couldn't picturize her. Now thanks to this book, Eve Ronin will always be played by Gal Gadot in my head 🙂
One wee complaint- the motive for some of the crimes was not convincing enough. Also one loose thread of a charred get-away vehicle. What was it about the bank robbery? Did I skip some pages? Or do we get the conclusion in the next book?
However, everything else was flawless. Though the plot had over the top scenarios, they were all backed by a thorough research. Not only about fires, arson, detective work, but also about the locations, environmental considerations, comic characters, crazy fans for Star Wars and superheroes.
This was very entertaining from the start to the end.
Another big plus for Goldberg's detective story is that the detectives are not the cliched portrayal of the fictional detectives. They don't suffer PTSD (even if they have seen many deaths and may even have caused some deaths). They are not always drunk, brooding and miserable loners. Thank you, Lee Goldberg, for not adding more detectives as psychiatric case studies.
These are pure detective stories, just the way I like them!
Though this says Sharpe and Walker #2, it has Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone also as major characters. Goldberg manages to maintain a fine balance without messing up the plot.
While Sharpe and Duncan are good at analyzing clues, Walker and Ronin are best when they are on the move, tracking fugitives, cutting through red tapes, going undercover...
I loved the ending when Sharpe pulls up an elaborate and unnecessary stunt to arrest a criminal, having learnt from Walker and Ronin to 'do it in style'!
I have read all 5 books in the Eve Ronin series, but I couldn't picturize her. Now thanks to this book, Eve Ronin will always be played by Gal Gadot in my head 🙂
One wee complaint- the motive for some of the crimes was not convincing enough. Also one loose thread of a charred get-away vehicle. What was it about the bank robbery? Did I skip some pages? Or do we get the conclusion in the next book?
However, everything else was flawless. Though the plot had over the top scenarios, they were all backed by a thorough research. Not only about fires, arson, detective work, but also about the locations, environmental considerations, comic characters, crazy fans for Star Wars and superheroes.
This was very entertaining from the start to the end.
Another big plus for Goldberg's detective story is that the detectives are not the cliched portrayal of the fictional detectives. They don't suffer PTSD (even if they have seen many deaths and may even have caused some deaths). They are not always drunk, brooding and miserable loners. Thank you, Lee Goldberg, for not adding more detectives as psychiatric case studies.
These are pure detective stories, just the way I like them!
March 23, 2024
What I'm saying is, there is no escaping risk.
Mr. Goldberg is one of my very favorite authors, as in "I'll bet even his grocery lists are interesting and funny to read!" I was so, so happy when I read that Malibu Burning was going to become the first in a new series!! Ashes Never Lie is a fantastic sophomore follow-up!
This time out, newly built vacant homes are mysteriously bursting into flames, challenging detective partners Sharpe and Walker. Then another home miles away burns to the ground, with a dead man found in the ashes, sitting in his recliner. Can they be related? THEN they stumble upon an arson-related swindle! Not to worry. All of the storylines were fascinating as well as easy to keep track of. I did my happy dance when Ronin made her appearance. She and Walker made the perfect comedic/detective team!
The amount of research into arson the author had to have made in order to write Ashes Never Lie must have been staggering!!
Now I must leave and and see if I can find one of those grocery lists I was referring to...
HUGE thanks to both #ThomasAndMercer and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #AshesNeverLie. This is the second book in the #SharpeAndWalker series, with the expected publication date of September 24, 2024.
#LeeGoldberg #WalterSharpe #AndrewWalker #EveRonin #Arson
Mr. Goldberg is one of my very favorite authors, as in "I'll bet even his grocery lists are interesting and funny to read!" I was so, so happy when I read that Malibu Burning was going to become the first in a new series!! Ashes Never Lie is a fantastic sophomore follow-up!
This time out, newly built vacant homes are mysteriously bursting into flames, challenging detective partners Sharpe and Walker. Then another home miles away burns to the ground, with a dead man found in the ashes, sitting in his recliner. Can they be related? THEN they stumble upon an arson-related swindle! Not to worry. All of the storylines were fascinating as well as easy to keep track of. I did my happy dance when Ronin made her appearance. She and Walker made the perfect comedic/detective team!
The amount of research into arson the author had to have made in order to write Ashes Never Lie must have been staggering!!
Now I must leave and and see if I can find one of those grocery lists I was referring to...
HUGE thanks to both #ThomasAndMercer and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #AshesNeverLie. This is the second book in the #SharpeAndWalker series, with the expected publication date of September 24, 2024.
#LeeGoldberg #WalterSharpe #AndrewWalker #EveRonin #Arson
July 15, 2024
Veteran arson investigator Walker and his fairly new partner, former US Marshall Sharpe are back in action chasing down vacant homes being incinerated, a burned body that may be suicide or murder, an insurance scam, and a possible lethal scourge. Both Walker and Sharpe, nicknamed Shar Pei because of his uncanny resemblance to one, are unique characters, a bit unconventional, but full of wit and intelligence. Best of all in this book, they have some opportunities to team up with Eve Ronin, a detective from one of Goldberg’s other popular series of which I am a fan.
With a few storylines, this is a fast paced thrill ride through southern California. I really enjoy the humorous wise cracks throughout the book and the relationship between the partners. It is a bit over the top at times, but is an entertaining read. An added bonus is insight into the investigative process involved in arson. A unique take on crime fiction/mystery/thriller.
I did read the first book in this series, but this would work as a standalone.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #ThomasandMercer for the DRC.
September 17, 2024
Two series by this author have become favorites of mine: those featuring arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his newish partner Andrew Walker and those with Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Homicide Detective Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone. What a treat it is, then, to find all four in one book!
As the fire-related title suggests, it is Sharpe and Walker who get more of the page time here; they lead off by looking into a fire in an in-progress housing development blaze thought to be accidental, but a common object found in the ruins sparked the investigators' notion that arson may be the case. No one was living there at the time, though, so why would anyone want to torch it?
Shortly thereafter, Sharpe and Walker head to another home devastating home fire - this one with a body inside and Ronin and Pavone outside. The same question arises - accident or arson - until they learn where the dead man worked. Using their best investigative skills, Sharpe and Walker come to some frightening (and subject-wise, timely) conclusions that have great and far-reaching implications far beyond their little part of Los Angeles County.
Of course, I always advise starting any series with the first book - especially since they're all very good - but this one stands on its own quite well. I'm already looking forward to the next installments, so bring 'em on! Meantime, many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.
As the fire-related title suggests, it is Sharpe and Walker who get more of the page time here; they lead off by looking into a fire in an in-progress housing development blaze thought to be accidental, but a common object found in the ruins sparked the investigators' notion that arson may be the case. No one was living there at the time, though, so why would anyone want to torch it?
Shortly thereafter, Sharpe and Walker head to another home devastating home fire - this one with a body inside and Ronin and Pavone outside. The same question arises - accident or arson - until they learn where the dead man worked. Using their best investigative skills, Sharpe and Walker come to some frightening (and subject-wise, timely) conclusions that have great and far-reaching implications far beyond their little part of Los Angeles County.
Of course, I always advise starting any series with the first book - especially since they're all very good - but this one stands on its own quite well. I'm already looking forward to the next installments, so bring 'em on! Meantime, many thanks once again to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.
September 26, 2024
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Lee Goldberg novel and I must say, this was not one of my favorites. Every time I though it was going to ‘get there’, it didn’t. It doesn’t stop me from looking for more of Lee’s books to read. Could it be because he is a mainstream author I have high expectations?
The dialogue seemed forced. The back and forth banter seemed mean spirited, by the tone of the writing. I know it wasn’t meant that way.
We seemed to be all over the place and there was more than one bad guy doing bad things.
We have the politics of different police forces trying to run things, and that read true.
Gotta remember this is an ARC and there may be changes made, writing tightened up. The characters and mystery were fleshed out but it had an amateur feel to it, maybe a rushed feeling that I sure don’t expect from a mainstream author. That being said, I’ll still have my eye out for more of his work.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
The dialogue seemed forced. The back and forth banter seemed mean spirited, by the tone of the writing. I know it wasn’t meant that way.
We seemed to be all over the place and there was more than one bad guy doing bad things.
We have the politics of different police forces trying to run things, and that read true.
Gotta remember this is an ARC and there may be changes made, writing tightened up. The characters and mystery were fleshed out but it had an amateur feel to it, maybe a rushed feeling that I sure don’t expect from a mainstream author. That being said, I’ll still have my eye out for more of his work.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg.
See more at http://www.fundinmental.com
August 9, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Lee Goldberg, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I have always liked the writing of Lee Goldberg, as he gets to the heart of the matter while keeping the reader fully entertained. When a number of houses go up in flames, LA Sheriff Department arson investigators arrive to handle the scene. What they discover leads them to believe that there is more than accidental flames engulfing properties, but they will need to dig a little deeper and get some help from the homicide department. In a chilling story that takes over the reader’s full attention, Goldberg delivers and keeps things on edge throughout.
After a number of empty homes in a new housing development erupt in flames for no reason, many remain baffled. LA Sheriff Department Arson Investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are at the front of that line, unsure how to make sense out of it all. Sharpe is a veteran working arson, though his young protégé, Walker, has a few tricks up his sleeve. Still, they have no answers as they sift through the ashes.
While Sharpe and Walker try to make sense out of it, another house erupts, this time with the body of a man inside. LASD Homicide Detective Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone arrive to investigate at the scene, but are baffled. It appears similar to the other fires, with an obvious pattern in place. That body adds a new and troubling element. The four investigators take their seemingly independent cases and put them together to get some solid answers.
As Sharpe and Walker begin putting the pieces together, they discover a makeshift trigger for the fires, one that could easily explain everything. Working to find the person responsible while also bot blowing their cover, Walker and Sharpe will have to liaise with the LASD to ensure they do things by the book. A fiery tale that is as addictive as it is riveting. Goldberg does well to keep the reader on the hot seat.
It is quite apparent that Lee Goldberg has experience in the television writing business. His books have a life fo their own and provide the reader with something visual as well as entertaining the read. The narrative flow moves from scene to scene with ease, while always keeping things on edge from the start until the final page turn. A strong California setting propels the Tory forward in a variety of ways and provides the reader with something well worth their time. Momentum builds and the story finds itself getting more mysterious until a reveal allows things to finally fall into place. Characters throughout the book emerge to offer their perspectives and flavourings, while never entirely stealing the spotlight from Sharpe and Walker. Great use of crossover appearances by Ronin and Pavone bridge two of Goldberg’s recent series and permit his fans to bask in this double dipping of sorts.
Plot points prove highly important here, as they springboard the plot from one position to the next. There is an obvious development here and I cannot help but love how Goldberg does things, leaving a few questions to linger before tackling the largest issue at hand. I am eager to see where things are headed and how the series will progress.
Kudos, Mr. Goldberg, for another successful novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have always liked the writing of Lee Goldberg, as he gets to the heart of the matter while keeping the reader fully entertained. When a number of houses go up in flames, LA Sheriff Department arson investigators arrive to handle the scene. What they discover leads them to believe that there is more than accidental flames engulfing properties, but they will need to dig a little deeper and get some help from the homicide department. In a chilling story that takes over the reader’s full attention, Goldberg delivers and keeps things on edge throughout.
After a number of empty homes in a new housing development erupt in flames for no reason, many remain baffled. LA Sheriff Department Arson Investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are at the front of that line, unsure how to make sense out of it all. Sharpe is a veteran working arson, though his young protégé, Walker, has a few tricks up his sleeve. Still, they have no answers as they sift through the ashes.
While Sharpe and Walker try to make sense out of it, another house erupts, this time with the body of a man inside. LASD Homicide Detective Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone arrive to investigate at the scene, but are baffled. It appears similar to the other fires, with an obvious pattern in place. That body adds a new and troubling element. The four investigators take their seemingly independent cases and put them together to get some solid answers.
As Sharpe and Walker begin putting the pieces together, they discover a makeshift trigger for the fires, one that could easily explain everything. Working to find the person responsible while also bot blowing their cover, Walker and Sharpe will have to liaise with the LASD to ensure they do things by the book. A fiery tale that is as addictive as it is riveting. Goldberg does well to keep the reader on the hot seat.
It is quite apparent that Lee Goldberg has experience in the television writing business. His books have a life fo their own and provide the reader with something visual as well as entertaining the read. The narrative flow moves from scene to scene with ease, while always keeping things on edge from the start until the final page turn. A strong California setting propels the Tory forward in a variety of ways and provides the reader with something well worth their time. Momentum builds and the story finds itself getting more mysterious until a reveal allows things to finally fall into place. Characters throughout the book emerge to offer their perspectives and flavourings, while never entirely stealing the spotlight from Sharpe and Walker. Great use of crossover appearances by Ronin and Pavone bridge two of Goldberg’s recent series and permit his fans to bask in this double dipping of sorts.
Plot points prove highly important here, as they springboard the plot from one position to the next. There is an obvious development here and I cannot help but love how Goldberg does things, leaving a few questions to linger before tackling the largest issue at hand. I am eager to see where things are headed and how the series will progress.
Kudos, Mr. Goldberg, for another successful novel.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 1, 2024
Ashes Never Lie is the second book in the Sharpe & Walker series about a pair of unconventional arson investigators with the LA Sheriff’s Department. I had enjoyed the first one, with some reservations, but absolutely loved this one, probably because the author’s other regular series character, Eve Ronin, plays a major role. I don’t think you need to have read any of the books from either series to jump into this one as you get all the relevant backstory.
Former US Marshall Andrew Walker is feeling restless because his role always follows the action rather than being in the thick of it, so when he meets Detective Ronin and her colleague Duncan Pavone at the site of an unusual house fire, he’s only too happy to team up to investigate whether the dead body inside died by suicide or murder. Meanwhile brand new houses on a nearby development keep bursting into flame - is it faulty wiring, angry environmental protesters, or someone seeking revenge? Walter Sharpe is the one man who will always find the truth in the ashes.
As confirmed in his afterword, the author has done a ton of research into arson investigation, and I really liked the way all the details show the various clues which reveal to our heroes what happened.
I also adore the bickering but grudgingly respectful relationship evolving between curmudgeonly Sharpe and cocky Walker, and I definitely appreciated the lack of any sexual element to Walker’s new friendship with Eve. He loves his wife and isn’t even tempted by his hot co-worker - so refreshing!
There are separate cases here which didn’t all have to be linked, with plenty of clever twists and just the right amount of suspense, and all the plot arcs got wrapped up very satisfactorily.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Ashes Never Lie is published on September 17th.
Former US Marshall Andrew Walker is feeling restless because his role always follows the action rather than being in the thick of it, so when he meets Detective Ronin and her colleague Duncan Pavone at the site of an unusual house fire, he’s only too happy to team up to investigate whether the dead body inside died by suicide or murder. Meanwhile brand new houses on a nearby development keep bursting into flame - is it faulty wiring, angry environmental protesters, or someone seeking revenge? Walter Sharpe is the one man who will always find the truth in the ashes.
As confirmed in his afterword, the author has done a ton of research into arson investigation, and I really liked the way all the details show the various clues which reveal to our heroes what happened.
I also adore the bickering but grudgingly respectful relationship evolving between curmudgeonly Sharpe and cocky Walker, and I definitely appreciated the lack of any sexual element to Walker’s new friendship with Eve. He loves his wife and isn’t even tempted by his hot co-worker - so refreshing!
There are separate cases here which didn’t all have to be linked, with plenty of clever twists and just the right amount of suspense, and all the plot arcs got wrapped up very satisfactorily.
4.5 stars rounded up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Ashes Never Lie is published on September 17th.
October 13, 2024
This is a fantastic follow-up to Malibu Burning, even more exciting than the first! The Odd Couple arson investigating team of Walker and Sharpe have developed a good rapport given their vast differences in working cases. When they arrive at a burned out home containing a body, they’re met by LASD homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone. Their working dynamics are similar to that of Sharpe and Walker and when they end up working a case together, it makes for quite the page-turner. I loved it and look forward to the next one in both series!
August 29, 2024
I'd been waiting for 'Ashes Never Lie' to come out ever since I finished the first Sharpe & Walker book, 'Malibu Burning' in August 2023. I had the book on pre-order for its release on 17th September 2024 so when I got the opportunity to read an ARC in advance of the release date, I dived in.
I had great fun with 'Ashes Never Lie'. I'm a Lee Goldberg fan but even so, this book exceeded my expectations. It was fast-paced, action-packed and completely engaging. Perhaps best of all, it has an Eve Ronin crossover that results in Walker and Ronin teaming up in a spectacular takedown that results in another viral Eve Ronin video, this time with her dressed as Wonder Woman.
I love the humour and the larger-than-life characters in Lee Goldberg's books but what I admire most are the clever, surprising but reality-based plots that drive the action. There's a lot going in 'Ashes Never Lie'. More happens in the first half (140 pages) of the book than most writers manage in a 500-page novel and yet it didn't feel rushed or confusing.
Sharpe and Walker investigate two very different arson-related crimes in 'Ashes Never Lie'. One has an epic, "unleash the apocalypse "scope worthy of a Michael Chrichton novel, The other has a domestic focus but has a lot more fireballs and explosions along the way to finding the guilty party. Both cases have scary, off-beat but believable bad guys and both bring Sharpe and Walker and Ronin and Pavone together to solve them.
Both plots benefit from Lee Goldberg's usual attention to the technical details. Both rapidly escalate from well-grounded (and in once case quite gruesome) starting points to something dangerous, explosive and unexpected.
Teaming up Walker and Ronin in these scenarios is like throwing gasoline on the fire. You know you need to stand well back and enjoy the show. Even then, I wasn't prepared for the tense, cinematic finale which kept me on the edge of my seat, grinning with amusement while still caught up in the action.
Will somebody PLEASE, PLEASE. PLEASE make this into a TV series? It would be so good (although I bet the books would still be better).
Anyway, If you're a Lee Goldberg fan, you're in for a treat with 'Ashes Never Lie'. This is Lee Goldberg at his best.
I had great fun with 'Ashes Never Lie'. I'm a Lee Goldberg fan but even so, this book exceeded my expectations. It was fast-paced, action-packed and completely engaging. Perhaps best of all, it has an Eve Ronin crossover that results in Walker and Ronin teaming up in a spectacular takedown that results in another viral Eve Ronin video, this time with her dressed as Wonder Woman.
I love the humour and the larger-than-life characters in Lee Goldberg's books but what I admire most are the clever, surprising but reality-based plots that drive the action. There's a lot going in 'Ashes Never Lie'. More happens in the first half (140 pages) of the book than most writers manage in a 500-page novel and yet it didn't feel rushed or confusing.
Sharpe and Walker investigate two very different arson-related crimes in 'Ashes Never Lie'. One has an epic, "unleash the apocalypse "scope worthy of a Michael Chrichton novel, The other has a domestic focus but has a lot more fireballs and explosions along the way to finding the guilty party. Both cases have scary, off-beat but believable bad guys and both bring Sharpe and Walker and Ronin and Pavone together to solve them.
Both plots benefit from Lee Goldberg's usual attention to the technical details. Both rapidly escalate from well-grounded (and in once case quite gruesome) starting points to something dangerous, explosive and unexpected.
Teaming up Walker and Ronin in these scenarios is like throwing gasoline on the fire. You know you need to stand well back and enjoy the show. Even then, I wasn't prepared for the tense, cinematic finale which kept me on the edge of my seat, grinning with amusement while still caught up in the action.
Will somebody PLEASE, PLEASE. PLEASE make this into a TV series? It would be so good (although I bet the books would still be better).
Anyway, If you're a Lee Goldberg fan, you're in for a treat with 'Ashes Never Lie'. This is Lee Goldberg at his best.
May 16, 2024
Ashes Never Lie is the 2nd book in the Sharpe and Walker series, two arson investigators in Los Angeles. In this book, they are joined by homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone (from the Eve Ronin series) as they join forces to solve a series of arsons at a new housing development. While the plot is interesting, the pace suffers from some overkill on minute details, with a blow-by-blow description of a character getting a glass of soda, for one example, that doesn’t add anything to the scene. Unfortunately this is repeated throughout the book, which reads more like a screenplay than a novel. And while the character of Sharpe is known for his sarcastic wit, it comes across as more mean spirited in this book than sarcasm, and it detracts from the story. While I’m a huge fan of this author’s books (and both these series), this one felt a little off in too many places. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2024
Sharpe and Walker are arson investigators, Sharpe with years of experience and Walker, a former US Marshal, has been working and learning from Sharpe for one year. When a suspicious fire breaks out in a unfinished home in a fairly new development, the investigators strongly suspect arson. When a second home starts burning the investigators know they have an arsonist at work. There is actually three different cases going on at once, which in the end connects two of the cases together.
It was great to have police Detective Eve Ronin join the cast of characters in this fast paced book.
Arson, murder, and catching the bad guys is a great way to keep all the readers on a very fast paced thrill ride.
It was great to have police Detective Eve Ronin join the cast of characters in this fast paced book.
Arson, murder, and catching the bad guys is a great way to keep all the readers on a very fast paced thrill ride.
February 1, 2025
In Ashes Never Lie, worlds come together as Sharpe and Walker meet Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone in an incredibly fun and entertaining novel that juggles multiple mysteries brilliantly. I think a lot of these reviews are just me praising author Lee Goldberg at consistently and quickly turning out quality novel after quality novel, as he's done it again. I love this fictional universe, and all the players have become favorites in a short time. So excited to see where we go next, I'll be there.
Special Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
Special Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
January 4, 2025
This was a totally entertaining detective story, with great characters and twists and turns until the end. Very humorous dialogue and tons of info on the nature of fire. Loved it.
March 12, 2025
This was a solid read. It kept me engaged start to finish, and I liked the characters enough that I cared about what happens to them. There were some fun twists in an otherwise pretty predictable plot, and the writing was exceptional!
March 23, 2024
When Lee Goldberg created his new great LA Sheriff’s department team of arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker, I had no idea he would have them meet his other great team of LASD detectives, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone. What a brilliant collaboration! We met veteran Sharpe and his newish partner Walker (a former US Marshal, 20 years younger than Sharpe) in “Malibu Burning” and the Stetson-wearing Walker has now experienced a year under the older man’s tutelage.
Eve Ronin (who has now starred in 5 books, most recently “Dream Town”) and Duncan Pavone are sort of similar — Pavone postponed retirement to stay partnered with the young, but very celebrated Ronin (she’s the inspiration for a TV show named “Ronin”). Her encounter with Sharpe/Walker is her first fire death investigation, and typical of Eve, she’s eager to learn more.
As is usual in Goldberg’s depictions of rural Los Angeles County, there are multi-jurisdictional considerations (bordering counties, cities, federal lands, Indigenous sacred grounds, environmental protection areas), but it’s a suspicious fire death in LA County that brings the two teams together. Was the death of an employee of an ultra-secretive bio-engineering company a suicide or a murder?
What’s incredibly great and entertaining: the “kids” (Walker and Eve) get to team up (including scenes where Eve poses as Walker’s wife’s “wife” and the two of them are in San Diego at a comic-con dressed as the Mandalorian and Wonder Woman).
But there are serious investigations of arson, insurance fraud, murders, and fugitive chases, plus discussions of the aches and pains of their jobs (Walker has a bum knee and irritated back; Eve always tends to end up in the ER).
The author has definitely done extensive research on arson investigation, offering up knowledge like there are “no Velcro clasps anywhere on their uniforms or on the bags they carried, because the static electricity that the fasteners could spark might ignite flammable gasses or explosives.” I was entertained by the terrific banter between all four characters that I didn’t want the book to end! 5 stars! Bring on another chapter of both LASD teams soon!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO After having three sets of green eyes in “Malibu Burning,” there are none in this book.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO There is the endangered snoot-whistle flower (home of the globby twizzle gnat) to consider…. Oh, you don’t put roses in window flower boxes. But kudos again to Mr. Goldberg for his extensive and accurate portrayal of the California desertscape.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Eve Ronin (who has now starred in 5 books, most recently “Dream Town”) and Duncan Pavone are sort of similar — Pavone postponed retirement to stay partnered with the young, but very celebrated Ronin (she’s the inspiration for a TV show named “Ronin”). Her encounter with Sharpe/Walker is her first fire death investigation, and typical of Eve, she’s eager to learn more.
As is usual in Goldberg’s depictions of rural Los Angeles County, there are multi-jurisdictional considerations (bordering counties, cities, federal lands, Indigenous sacred grounds, environmental protection areas), but it’s a suspicious fire death in LA County that brings the two teams together. Was the death of an employee of an ultra-secretive bio-engineering company a suicide or a murder?
What’s incredibly great and entertaining: the “kids” (Walker and Eve) get to team up (including scenes where Eve poses as Walker’s wife’s “wife” and the two of them are in San Diego at a comic-con dressed as the Mandalorian and Wonder Woman).
But there are serious investigations of arson, insurance fraud, murders, and fugitive chases, plus discussions of the aches and pains of their jobs (Walker has a bum knee and irritated back; Eve always tends to end up in the ER).
The author has definitely done extensive research on arson investigation, offering up knowledge like there are “no Velcro clasps anywhere on their uniforms or on the bags they carried, because the static electricity that the fasteners could spark might ignite flammable gasses or explosives.” I was entertained by the terrific banter between all four characters that I didn’t want the book to end! 5 stars! Bring on another chapter of both LASD teams soon!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO After having three sets of green eyes in “Malibu Burning,” there are none in this book.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO There is the endangered snoot-whistle flower (home of the globby twizzle gnat) to consider…. Oh, you don’t put roses in window flower boxes. But kudos again to Mr. Goldberg for his extensive and accurate portrayal of the California desertscape.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 12, 2024
Someone is setting houses on fire in broad daylight, and arson officers Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are into the case. As they investigate the string of blazes, another house miles away goes up in flames. However, things take a darker turn when they discover a charred body inside. The situation escalates quickly when the burned body is linked to something sinister, something that could change the course of human history. What began as two seemingly unrelated cases unravels into a series of shocking discoveries. 'Ashes Never Lie' is a gripping, unputdownable story of a race against time and probably the doom of humankind.
'Ashes Never Lie' is the second book in the 'Walker Sharpe Band' series and my first experience with these two ingenious, humorously witty arson officers. The gripping story follows multiple plots, carefully balancing both plot and character development. Initially, the book was a bit slow for me, but it picked up pace in the middle. As the officers begin their investigation, shocking revelations start to tumble out. At first, the plot seems to be going haywire, but things slowly come together, and suddenly it all starts to make sense. I love the narrative, it's pacey, thrilling, not the kind of thriller I wanted but definitely interesting to read. While the beginning was a bit boring and monotonous, I grew to like the characters. Overall, it was a fun, enjoyable read. If you love detailed police work with a bit of humor and wit sprinkled in, definitely pick up this book.
'Ashes Never Lie' is the second book in the 'Walker Sharpe Band' series and my first experience with these two ingenious, humorously witty arson officers. The gripping story follows multiple plots, carefully balancing both plot and character development. Initially, the book was a bit slow for me, but it picked up pace in the middle. As the officers begin their investigation, shocking revelations start to tumble out. At first, the plot seems to be going haywire, but things slowly come together, and suddenly it all starts to make sense. I love the narrative, it's pacey, thrilling, not the kind of thriller I wanted but definitely interesting to read. While the beginning was a bit boring and monotonous, I grew to like the characters. Overall, it was a fun, enjoyable read. If you love detailed police work with a bit of humor and wit sprinkled in, definitely pick up this book.
January 26, 2025
Things that are getting on my last nerve:
Dude, we know Walker drives a Tahoe. Why must you constantly remind us of this? In Chapter 18, for example: Walker parked the Tahoe; they got out of the Tahoe; they reached the Tahoe; Sharpe got inside the Tahoe; the A/C was running in the Tahoe. And that's all in the first five pages of the chapter! In the first sentence of Chapter 19, they used the LASD computer in the Tahoe. I guess that was mentioned just in case we forgot all the mentions of it in the previous chapter.
Mr. Goldberg, your product placement is getting out of hand. It's tedious and annoying.
Let's see if I can finish the last 70 pages without being bombarded with too many more Tahoes. Unfortunately, I think it's inevitable.
Dude, we know Walker drives a Tahoe. Why must you constantly remind us of this? In Chapter 18, for example: Walker parked the Tahoe; they got out of the Tahoe; they reached the Tahoe; Sharpe got inside the Tahoe; the A/C was running in the Tahoe. And that's all in the first five pages of the chapter! In the first sentence of Chapter 19, they used the LASD computer in the Tahoe. I guess that was mentioned just in case we forgot all the mentions of it in the previous chapter.
Mr. Goldberg, your product placement is getting out of hand. It's tedious and annoying.
Let's see if I can finish the last 70 pages without being bombarded with too many more Tahoes. Unfortunately, I think it's inevitable.
March 24, 2024
“Ashes Never Lie” by Lee Goldberg was another super fun, action packed book. I am a true fan of this author and this book brings together detective Eve Ronin from her series with Sharpe and Walker LASD arson investigators in this series. The story opens with a man found dead in a burning home in a hilltop development on the outskirts of Los Angeles. There is a well researched arson/murder investigation that touches on bio terrorism and Star Wars. The twists and turns in this story lead to unexpected thrills and danger, that will have you hooked from the very first page!
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 2, 2024
Great plot, good characters, fun humorous remarks
This book checked all the boxes for a great read!
Walter Sharpe is an experienced arson investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. His partner Andrew Walker is rather new to arson investigation but as a former US marshal is not new to law enforcement. In Ashes Never Lie they investigate two strange situations. In one case they discover a home in flames and the owner’s body dead in the ashes. In the second a series of fires in a housing development under construction raises questions about what or who is behind all the fires. As the pair begin their investigations it becomes clear that neither is a straightforward situation, and the more they investigate the more complicated it gets.
The plotting is well done. The findings are interesting, not predictable in any way, but credible. I was hooked and did not want to put the book down. There are several “Wow”s in my marginal notes.
Adding to the enjoyment provided by the plot were the characters. Sharpe and Walker are nicely drawn and likable. I could imagine them living down the street. As the investigation seems to be leading to more than simple arson, they are joined by homicide detective Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone, and it is fun to see the interaction between the cooperating but also competitive pairs. If the name sounds familiar, Eve Ronin is the protagonist in another series by Goldberg. Walker’s wife Carly, a psychologist, has a cameo role in the book and offers some interesting perspective on a suspect.
Despite the bleak details of the cases Sharpe and Walker are investigating, Ashes Never Lie provides plenty of opportunities to smile and occasionally laugh out loud, especially in the interplay between the characters. A good example occurs when Walker comments on a fairly harsh act by Sharpe, who says, “I am not doing this job to be loved”, to which Walker responds, “Then you’re succeeding brilliantly”. There was even humor in the Author’s Note at the end.
After I was impressed by the enjoyable book I was also impressed to read in the Author’s Note about the EXTENSIVE research Lee Goldberg did on arson investigation. Goldberg apparently did not stint on accuracy just because he was writing fiction for pleasure reading.
This is the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series. I have not read the first (but certainly plan to after reading this one), but I did not feel at any disadvantage, so feel free to jump in at number 2.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer.
This book checked all the boxes for a great read!
Walter Sharpe is an experienced arson investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. His partner Andrew Walker is rather new to arson investigation but as a former US marshal is not new to law enforcement. In Ashes Never Lie they investigate two strange situations. In one case they discover a home in flames and the owner’s body dead in the ashes. In the second a series of fires in a housing development under construction raises questions about what or who is behind all the fires. As the pair begin their investigations it becomes clear that neither is a straightforward situation, and the more they investigate the more complicated it gets.
The plotting is well done. The findings are interesting, not predictable in any way, but credible. I was hooked and did not want to put the book down. There are several “Wow”s in my marginal notes.
Adding to the enjoyment provided by the plot were the characters. Sharpe and Walker are nicely drawn and likable. I could imagine them living down the street. As the investigation seems to be leading to more than simple arson, they are joined by homicide detective Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone, and it is fun to see the interaction between the cooperating but also competitive pairs. If the name sounds familiar, Eve Ronin is the protagonist in another series by Goldberg. Walker’s wife Carly, a psychologist, has a cameo role in the book and offers some interesting perspective on a suspect.
Despite the bleak details of the cases Sharpe and Walker are investigating, Ashes Never Lie provides plenty of opportunities to smile and occasionally laugh out loud, especially in the interplay between the characters. A good example occurs when Walker comments on a fairly harsh act by Sharpe, who says, “I am not doing this job to be loved”, to which Walker responds, “Then you’re succeeding brilliantly”. There was even humor in the Author’s Note at the end.
After I was impressed by the enjoyable book I was also impressed to read in the Author’s Note about the EXTENSIVE research Lee Goldberg did on arson investigation. Goldberg apparently did not stint on accuracy just because he was writing fiction for pleasure reading.
This is the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series. I have not read the first (but certainly plan to after reading this one), but I did not feel at any disadvantage, so feel free to jump in at number 2.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer.
September 28, 2024
Ronin and Pavone Join Sharpe and Walker
Sharpe and Walker arrive at the scene of a car fire in the Chatsworth Nature Preserve. Sharpe goes to inspect a burnt Camry. Walker and the fire captain joke about the protected species that will require reports to numerous environmental and endangered species agencies. The fire chief gives Walker the license plate, who runs it. Sharpe looks around. He says that it is arson. Gas was splashed around the inside and lit with a road flare. The gas can is right over there. Sharpe tells Walker that there are only three reasons that a car is set on fire: revenge, profit, or involvement in a crime. Walker tells him that it was reported stolen this morning by the owner. It was used a short time later in a bank robbery. Sharpe states that this is an FBI case now. They see smoke in the distance and decide to investigate.
This novel has three interwoven threads. The first is the Twin Lakes arsons, in which finished homes become fully engulfed in flames shortly after the power is turned on. A second arson crime spree is discovered during the Twin Lakes arsons. The last thread involves a strange arson suicide. The significant positive of this novel was the joining of Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone in the investigation of the strange arson death. Their participation was not limited to this thread. This thread trips across National Security, and the FBI takes over the investigation. Walker does not understand the meaning of no in pursuing this investigation, which leads to much interagency conflict. Twin Lakes investigation is complex, and every advancement seems like finding a jigsaw puzzle piece that does not seem to fit anywhere. All these elements grabbed and held my attention until the end.
Walker and Ronin are like two peas in a pod. Their interactions form a B-storyline. As Walker transitioned to being an arson investigator from being a US Marshall, in his heart, he enjoys interviewing people and chasing criminals. He bonds with Ronin, and the two start to work together. At the arson scenes, Walker takes on the role of teacher to Ronin to explain what the scene is telling them. The reader will see that Shape does more than investigate arsons and argue with a fire captain. When Ronin and Pavone were introduced, it made me smile. The smile stayed until I finished the novel.
This novel has a few aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading. Intimate scenes are nonexistent. Vulgar and rude language is present but at a low level. Some scenes could erupt in violence, but none of them do so. This is the second novel in this series, and the Ronin and Pavone series has five novels, so all these characters come with much background. I have read them all but found nothing to stop someone from reading this novel first.
The most significant reason I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel was the addition of Eve Ronin and Dunkin Pavone to the storyline. I could not stop reading. The next novel in this series is already listed on Amazon, and I am going to have a hard time waiting. I highly recommend reading it. I rate this novel with five stars.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas and Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas and Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Sharpe and Walker arrive at the scene of a car fire in the Chatsworth Nature Preserve. Sharpe goes to inspect a burnt Camry. Walker and the fire captain joke about the protected species that will require reports to numerous environmental and endangered species agencies. The fire chief gives Walker the license plate, who runs it. Sharpe looks around. He says that it is arson. Gas was splashed around the inside and lit with a road flare. The gas can is right over there. Sharpe tells Walker that there are only three reasons that a car is set on fire: revenge, profit, or involvement in a crime. Walker tells him that it was reported stolen this morning by the owner. It was used a short time later in a bank robbery. Sharpe states that this is an FBI case now. They see smoke in the distance and decide to investigate.
This novel has three interwoven threads. The first is the Twin Lakes arsons, in which finished homes become fully engulfed in flames shortly after the power is turned on. A second arson crime spree is discovered during the Twin Lakes arsons. The last thread involves a strange arson suicide. The significant positive of this novel was the joining of Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone in the investigation of the strange arson death. Their participation was not limited to this thread. This thread trips across National Security, and the FBI takes over the investigation. Walker does not understand the meaning of no in pursuing this investigation, which leads to much interagency conflict. Twin Lakes investigation is complex, and every advancement seems like finding a jigsaw puzzle piece that does not seem to fit anywhere. All these elements grabbed and held my attention until the end.
Walker and Ronin are like two peas in a pod. Their interactions form a B-storyline. As Walker transitioned to being an arson investigator from being a US Marshall, in his heart, he enjoys interviewing people and chasing criminals. He bonds with Ronin, and the two start to work together. At the arson scenes, Walker takes on the role of teacher to Ronin to explain what the scene is telling them. The reader will see that Shape does more than investigate arsons and argue with a fire captain. When Ronin and Pavone were introduced, it made me smile. The smile stayed until I finished the novel.
This novel has a few aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading. Intimate scenes are nonexistent. Vulgar and rude language is present but at a low level. Some scenes could erupt in violence, but none of them do so. This is the second novel in this series, and the Ronin and Pavone series has five novels, so all these characters come with much background. I have read them all but found nothing to stop someone from reading this novel first.
The most significant reason I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel was the addition of Eve Ronin and Dunkin Pavone to the storyline. I could not stop reading. The next novel in this series is already listed on Amazon, and I am going to have a hard time waiting. I highly recommend reading it. I rate this novel with five stars.
I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Thomas and Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas and Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
December 15, 2024
I enjoyed reading this fast-moving and action-packed story.
Sounds like a review for a movie more than for a book.
The story follows fire inspectors who check out fires that look like arson.
Along the way, they uncover insurance fraud and a fire that killed a scientist. The problem they encounter with this fire is that there is also one scientist who has faked his death in a fire and has a vile of a deadly virus that he stole from the lab where he worked.
If the virus is released it will have devastating results for all of America.
Fast read and now I'm off to read another of Mr. Goldbergs' books.
Sounds like a review for a movie more than for a book.
The story follows fire inspectors who check out fires that look like arson.
Along the way, they uncover insurance fraud and a fire that killed a scientist. The problem they encounter with this fire is that there is also one scientist who has faked his death in a fire and has a vile of a deadly virus that he stole from the lab where he worked.
If the virus is released it will have devastating results for all of America.
Fast read and now I'm off to read another of Mr. Goldbergs' books.
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