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Eve Ronin #7
Split Screen
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26Reality and fiction collide in shocking violence for Detective Eve Ronin in a propulsive thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg.
When Erin Casey, the actress who plays LASD detective Eve Ronin on TV, is gunned down after a ride-along, the intended target is the real Eve. What isn’t obvious is why.
As Eve hunts the shooter, her world fractures into more deadly reflections. The new sheriff forces Eve to exploit her fame to burnish his image—or he’ll destroy her partner, Duncan. And a reckless half sister Eve never knew she had pulls her toward a criminal conspiracy that’s already dumped a corpse in a Topanga Canyon ravine.
To save Erin, protect her half sister, and survive herself, Eve must find the killers before they strike again—and before her enemies inside the department finish the job for them.
When Erin Casey, the actress who plays LASD detective Eve Ronin on TV, is gunned down after a ride-along, the intended target is the real Eve. What isn’t obvious is why.
As Eve hunts the shooter, her world fractures into more deadly reflections. The new sheriff forces Eve to exploit her fame to burnish his image—or he’ll destroy her partner, Duncan. And a reckless half sister Eve never knew she had pulls her toward a criminal conspiracy that’s already dumped a corpse in a Topanga Canyon ravine.
To save Erin, protect her half sister, and survive herself, Eve must find the killers before they strike again—and before her enemies inside the department finish the job for them.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Lee Goldberg
136 books2,206 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Once again, thank you to Lee Goldberg for the ARC. I’ve read almost all of his series except Diagnosis Murder and the Jury books, and with his consistent track record, he sits right at the top of my favorite authors list. This was another absolute win.
What I enjoyed most was how multiple murders that initially seem unrelated are slowly and intelligently tied together. On the surface, there are obvious suspects who could easily have been convicted, but it’s the combined work of Eve, Duncan, Sharpe, and Walker that uncovers the truth. The investigative work here is sharp, efficient, and very satisfying. Duncan is especially impressive as a damn good detective, particularly compared to Eve’s impulsive style. The way he zeroes in on the two shooters so quickly really stood out.
All the characters fit seamlessly into the story. The new media-savvy sheriff manipulating Eve into playing along with his agenda adds an interesting dynamic. Eve knows she is being used and feels like a sellout, but she goes along with it to protect the people she cares about. Her personal life, especially with the introduction of her half-sister, is handled without ever feeling like filler.
There is a lot happening here, from multiple murders, Eve's personal life, yet the book remains tight, fast-paced, and incredibly efficient. It avoids the usual filler and heavy backstory while still giving enough depth to Eve’s relationships and conflicts. I never felt the need to skim. This is exactly the kind of crisp, engaging storytelling I prefer over long, overly descriptive novels that feel like classics. Easily my favorite read of 2026 so far.
What I enjoyed most was how multiple murders that initially seem unrelated are slowly and intelligently tied together. On the surface, there are obvious suspects who could easily have been convicted, but it’s the combined work of Eve, Duncan, Sharpe, and Walker that uncovers the truth. The investigative work here is sharp, efficient, and very satisfying. Duncan is especially impressive as a damn good detective, particularly compared to Eve’s impulsive style. The way he zeroes in on the two shooters so quickly really stood out.
All the characters fit seamlessly into the story. The new media-savvy sheriff manipulating Eve into playing along with his agenda adds an interesting dynamic. Eve knows she is being used and feels like a sellout, but she goes along with it to protect the people she cares about. Her personal life, especially with the introduction of her half-sister, is handled without ever feeling like filler.
There is a lot happening here, from multiple murders, Eve's personal life, yet the book remains tight, fast-paced, and incredibly efficient. It avoids the usual filler and heavy backstory while still giving enough depth to Eve’s relationships and conflicts. I never felt the need to skim. This is exactly the kind of crisp, engaging storytelling I prefer over long, overly descriptive novels that feel like classics. Easily my favorite read of 2026 so far.
June 11, 2026
Well, that was a roller coaster. Review to follow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Lee Goldberg and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
Lee Goldberg's "Split Screen," the seventh in the LASD Detective Eve Ronan series is a fun, funny, quality entry into the Eve Ronin universe. It is a compelling page-turner, while remaining typically light and easy to read. You can enjoyably read this mystery as a stand-alone, or as an update to Eve Ronin's life and career, if you are already a fan. There is a lot going on this mystery!
Without getting into any spoilers, a former child actress ODs on ketamine (hints of Matthew Perry) and soon thereafter the TV and real-life worlds of Eve Ronin collide; young actress, Erin Casey, who plays the fictionalized version of Eve in the hit television show based on Eve's life, is given a week of ride-alongs with Eve, much to Eve's consternation, who grows even more negative when Erin is gunned down in Calabasas—and Eve quickly deduces that she was the intended target.
Meanwhile, there is a new LA Sheriff, and much humor evolves as he pressures Eve to use her television fame and join him in his social media onslaught of Southern California. Duncan "Donuts" Pavone, Eve's ever-loyal partner, is back again and sidelined to desk duty; he maintains his terrible eating habits and painful one-liners. There is another sideplot about Eve's half-sister Lauren and their estranged father, and Lauren's mysterious job working nights and bringing in lots of cash ... there are Russian hitmen and Israeli mobsters and angry deputies and cute coroners ...
Buckle in. "Split Screen" is an enjoyable ride!
Lee Goldberg's "Split Screen," the seventh in the LASD Detective Eve Ronan series is a fun, funny, quality entry into the Eve Ronin universe. It is a compelling page-turner, while remaining typically light and easy to read. You can enjoyably read this mystery as a stand-alone, or as an update to Eve Ronin's life and career, if you are already a fan. There is a lot going on this mystery!
Without getting into any spoilers, a former child actress ODs on ketamine (hints of Matthew Perry) and soon thereafter the TV and real-life worlds of Eve Ronin collide; young actress, Erin Casey, who plays the fictionalized version of Eve in the hit television show based on Eve's life, is given a week of ride-alongs with Eve, much to Eve's consternation, who grows even more negative when Erin is gunned down in Calabasas—and Eve quickly deduces that she was the intended target.
Meanwhile, there is a new LA Sheriff, and much humor evolves as he pressures Eve to use her television fame and join him in his social media onslaught of Southern California. Duncan "Donuts" Pavone, Eve's ever-loyal partner, is back again and sidelined to desk duty; he maintains his terrible eating habits and painful one-liners. There is another sideplot about Eve's half-sister Lauren and their estranged father, and Lauren's mysterious job working nights and bringing in lots of cash ... there are Russian hitmen and Israeli mobsters and angry deputies and cute coroners ...
Buckle in. "Split Screen" is an enjoyable ride!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Goldberg’s Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy Eve Ronin series, he explores the interactions between fact and fiction so endemic of Los Angeles. “It was always jarring for Eve to be in the make-believe version of her real world.” Ronin is a young homicide detective whose exploits have been so over-the-top that a television series has been made about her.
In this split screen version of Eve’s life, worlds collide. That specifically means her real world and the fantasy make believe works of television about her collide. The sheriff forces her to allow Erin who plays Eve on the tv show to ride along for a day.
Erin, though, comes prepared for the part down to the T, dressing like Eve and driving an identical car to Eve’s car. In addition to making it a bit confusing to crime scene investigators, it puts Erin in the cross-hairs of an assassin gunning fir Eve, but who follows Erin from the sheriff station to a restaurant in old Calabasas.
What this means is that Eve gets a bulletin announcing she’s been shot, maybe killed. The first responders apparently didn’t even know which Eve got hit until they could clear the blood away as the resemblance was so uncanny.
Eve puts out a tik tok announcement though stating the killer missed her and she’s coming after him with everything she’s got.
Once again, Goldberg dies a great job showing how at least in Los Angeles fact and fiction blend into each other.
In this split screen version of Eve’s life, worlds collide. That specifically means her real world and the fantasy make believe works of television about her collide. The sheriff forces her to allow Erin who plays Eve on the tv show to ride along for a day.
Erin, though, comes prepared for the part down to the T, dressing like Eve and driving an identical car to Eve’s car. In addition to making it a bit confusing to crime scene investigators, it puts Erin in the cross-hairs of an assassin gunning fir Eve, but who follows Erin from the sheriff station to a restaurant in old Calabasas.
What this means is that Eve gets a bulletin announcing she’s been shot, maybe killed. The first responders apparently didn’t even know which Eve got hit until they could clear the blood away as the resemblance was so uncanny.
Eve puts out a tik tok announcement though stating the killer missed her and she’s coming after him with everything she’s got.
Once again, Goldberg dies a great job showing how at least in Los Angeles fact and fiction blend into each other.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lee Goldberg brings us back to the world of Eve Ronin for a 7th time with “Split Screen”. I know. I know. You are hoping that Eve has finally learned how to win friends and influence people. Or at least, you are probably hoping she has learned how to control her impulses. In “Split Screen”, I do believe she isn’t trying to destroy relationships and her career. Or even the career of others. It just seems to happen when she’s involved. Sigh
This time around, we have a dead actress. We have a dead doctor. Oh, yeah, has anyone mentioned the mafia? Or two mafia groups? There are a lot of people for Eve to tick off in this one.
So, besides Eve being in trouble, the only other constant in this series is the incredible writing of Lee Goldberg. He never fails to put a smile on my face no matter what book of his I am reading.
I’m not going to spoil anything, but the ending of the book has me salivating for the next installment. This is going to be a new season in Eve’s life and career, and I for one am all for the chaos. Ooops. I meant, “all for it.”
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
This time around, we have a dead actress. We have a dead doctor. Oh, yeah, has anyone mentioned the mafia? Or two mafia groups? There are a lot of people for Eve to tick off in this one.
So, besides Eve being in trouble, the only other constant in this series is the incredible writing of Lee Goldberg. He never fails to put a smile on my face no matter what book of his I am reading.
I’m not going to spoil anything, but the ending of the book has me salivating for the next installment. This is going to be a new season in Eve’s life and career, and I for one am all for the chaos. Ooops. I meant, “all for it.”
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you love a great Hollywood like police procedural, Lee Goldberg’s latest Eve Ronin book, Split Screen, is it. This time, reality and fiction collide in the most chaotic way when the actress playing Eve on TV gets shot, kicking off an investigation that Eve insists on being part of..
Loved:
The Sharpe & Walker Crossover: I am a sucker for a shared universe, and having Ron Sharpe and Nicolas Walker (from Goldberg's arson series) team up with Eve was great. Their fraud/arson angle mashed up perfectly with Eve’s homicide drama, and the banter between the two worlds was top-tier.
The Michael Connelly Nods: Goldberg’s dry, meta-sense of humor is on full display here. I absolutely loved the playful shoutout to The Lincoln Lawyer. Instead of Mickey Haller rolling around in a sleek Lincoln Town Car, we get a budget-conscious, grounded defense attorney. It’s a hilarious, reality-check twist on classic LA crime tropes.
Come for the great crossover and clever meta-humor, stay for Eve Ronin absolutely standing her ground against a flock of family vultures.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. #SplitScreen #NetGalley
Loved:
The Sharpe & Walker Crossover: I am a sucker for a shared universe, and having Ron Sharpe and Nicolas Walker (from Goldberg's arson series) team up with Eve was great. Their fraud/arson angle mashed up perfectly with Eve’s homicide drama, and the banter between the two worlds was top-tier.
The Michael Connelly Nods: Goldberg’s dry, meta-sense of humor is on full display here. I absolutely loved the playful shoutout to The Lincoln Lawyer. Instead of Mickey Haller rolling around in a sleek Lincoln Town Car, we get a budget-conscious, grounded defense attorney. It’s a hilarious, reality-check twist on classic LA crime tropes.
Come for the great crossover and clever meta-humor, stay for Eve Ronin absolutely standing her ground against a flock of family vultures.
Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. #SplitScreen #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Lee Goldberg has never written a book that I haven’t enjoyed reading —- although I miss the Solomon/Lord books. This novel is the latest installment in the Eve Ronin series and it is one of his best. Despite a new sheriff in charge, Eve is still shunned by many of her jealous colleagues. The actress playing the TV character of Eve Ronin figures prominently in this book as do her parents and a half sister she never knew existed. The novel is replete with murders, drugs, Israeli mobsters, Russian mobsters, explosions, etc. and is hard to put down. This book is highly recommended for anyone who reads mystery/thrillers and I thank NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to publication.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
OMG! I've just realized I'm one of the Evies (and proud of it). I can't get enough of the Eve Ronin adventures! That makes me an Evie, right? Of course, it's all Lee Goldberg's fault. He's the one who gifted us this scintillating series. Split Screen is another treat. The action is fast and furious as Goldberg deftly juggles multiple storylines. It works because Goldberg is a master. Split Screen showcases changes in both Eve's personal and professional lives. I don't want to spoil the plots but I promise you'll be entertained from start to finish. How can you not like an Eve Ronin story that finds a way to bring back Sharpe and Walker? Bravo, Lee Goldberg!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The usual excellent storytelling and characters, and as the plot seems a bit trivial at first, it's really very well constructed. The book is easy to read and very entertaining, and the dialogue is the best part: quick and funny.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I enjoy Eve’s character and how she stands up to all of her male co-workers in the Sheriff/Police Department. The book had many entertaining chapters.
The ending had a nice twist - good book!
The ending had a nice twist - good book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Great idea, well executed (as ever). The only thing about Goldberg that is predictable is that he's reliably so damn good.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews