What do you think?
Rate this book
Lena Gamble #2
The Lost Witness
With his novel CITY OF FIRE, Robert Ellis debuted a dynamic new character in Los Angeles detective Lena Gamble, but also captured a vivid picture of the city of Los Angeles. Readers and critics made CITY OF FIRE an instant phenomenon, as the book became a Los Angeles Times bestseller and was named a top summer read by People Magazine, USA Today, and The New York Times.
Now Lena Gamble is a cop held in disgrace by department higher-ups for the explosive way the Romeo case played out, though she's still hailed as a hero by her colleagues for catching the killer. For her punishment, she hasn't handled a real murder investigation in eight months. When the chief finally tosses her a case, she's thrilled until she gets a look at the crime scene and realizes he’s probably setting her up to be exiled once and for all: the victim is unidentified, and there are no witnesses, and no leads. Just the body of a young woman, chopped into pieces and tossed in a dumpster—gruesome enough to ensure that once again the media will be following Lena’s every move.
Robert Ellis delivers another high-speed, commercial, powerful read, featuring one of the most engaging and vibrant police characters on the shelf today. This novel received STARRED REVIEWS from Publishers Weekly and Booklist.
Now Lena Gamble is a cop held in disgrace by department higher-ups for the explosive way the Romeo case played out, though she's still hailed as a hero by her colleagues for catching the killer. For her punishment, she hasn't handled a real murder investigation in eight months. When the chief finally tosses her a case, she's thrilled until she gets a look at the crime scene and realizes he’s probably setting her up to be exiled once and for all: the victim is unidentified, and there are no witnesses, and no leads. Just the body of a young woman, chopped into pieces and tossed in a dumpster—gruesome enough to ensure that once again the media will be following Lena’s every move.
Robert Ellis delivers another high-speed, commercial, powerful read, featuring one of the most engaging and vibrant police characters on the shelf today. This novel received STARRED REVIEWS from Publishers Weekly and Booklist.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
105 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Robert Ellis
14 books198 followersRobert Ellis is the bestselling author of Access to Power and The Dead Room, as well as two critically acclaimed series--the Lena Gamble novels, City of Fire, The Lost Witness, and Murder Season, and the Detective Matt Jones Thriller Series, City of Echoes, The Love Killings, The Girl Buried in the Woods, and City of Stones.
Born in Philadelphia, Robert moved to Los Angeles and worked as a writer, producer, and director in film, television, and advertising. After ghostwriting the final draft of Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, Robert wrote his first novel, Access to Power, a national bestseller. His books have been translated into more than ten languages and won praise from authors as diverse as Janet Evanovich and Michael Connelly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
November 27, 2021
In this second book in the 'Lena Gamble' series the detective investigates a particularly gruesome crime. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Los Angeles robbery-homicide detective Lena Gamble is on the outs for embarrassing her bosses, but is nevertheless assigned the case when the chopped up body of an unidentified young woman is discovered in a dumpster. The victim is found to be Jennifer McBride, a hooker who may have been blackmailing one of her clients.
Lena's job is made more difficult by police higher ups who are interfering with her investigation and bugging her home, apparently in an attempt to hobble her career.
Several persons of interest are involved in the case including a haughty doctor, a spoiled rich kid and his detestable father, and a missing witness.
Lena uncovers greed and corruption at all levels and, as she pushes to solve the case, dead bodies pile up everywhere. For me the climax of the story was too drawn out; by the end I wanted it to be wrapped up quickly. Nevertheless I enjoyed the book and recommend it to thriller fans.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
July 1, 2020
I thought the plot was great, and I loved Lena. But the gratuitous violence in this was way over the top. (This is the second book of a trilogy.) 4/5 stars.
September 11, 2017
Erste Sätze
Mit einem entnervten Aufstöhnen warf sie einen Blick auf den Bildschirm ihres iPhones. Es war Punkt 22:17, genau drei Minuten und einundzwanzig Sekunden, seit sie das letzte Mal nachgesehen hatte.
Klappentext
Ihre Kollegen feiern Lena Gamble, Detective bei der Mordkommission von Los Angeles, als Heldin, weil sie einen brutalen Frauenmord aufgeklärt hat. Aber bei ihrem Chef ist sie wegen ihrer unkonventionellen Art in Ungnade gefallen. Deshalb überträgt man ihr einen hoffnungslosen Fall: Das Opfer ist nicht identifiziert, es gibt keine Zeugen und keine Spuren. Es gibt nur die Leiche einer jungen Frau, die zerteilt und in einen Müllcontainer geworfen wurde. Die Medien lecken sofort Blut und folgen Lena Schritt auf Tritt. Doch ihre Vorgesetzten behindern ihre Ermittlungen …
Die toughe Polizistin Lena Gamble kämpft gegen ein Mordkomplott in den eigenen Reihen.
Meine Meinung
Das Buch ist aus der Sicht eines auktorialen Erzählers geschrieben und berichtet aus der Sicht verschiedener Personen, allen voran Lena Gamble.
Lena Gamble ist Detective bei der Mordkommission in Los Angeles. Lena ist keine Frau, die sehr auf ihr Aussehen bedacht ist. Sie ist ehrgeizig, klug und weiß, wie schwer es ist, als Polizistin neue Wege zu gehen, denn genau deshalb darf sie seit Monaten die unliebsame Papierarbeit machen, obwohl man weiß, was für eine fähige Ermittlerin sie ist. Als sie doch einen Fall bekommt, weiß sie, dass sie auf die Probe gestellt wird und es vielleicht ihre letzte Chance ist, Detective in Los Angeles zu bleiben.
Im Laufe der Geschichte merkt man, was für eine starke Frau und fähige Ermittlerin sie ist. Sie lässt sich nur selten unterkriegen und versucht das Bestmögliche in den Situationen zu machen. Lena entwickelt sich weiter, gerät an ihre Grenzen und wächst über sich hinaus. Ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzen und fand ihre Gedanken und Handlungen nachvollziehbar.
Die Geschichte spielt einige Monate nach dem letzten Band, auch wenn dieser nur am Rande eine Rolle spielt, merkt man doch, wie sehr sich danach alles verändert hat. Der Fall ist auf seine eigene Art und Weise ähnlich dem anderen Fall wie auch unähnlich. Er fordert Lena und ihre Freunde und Kollegen. Das Buch konnte mich wieder von Beginn an fesseln und mitreißen. Es gibt einige überraschende Wendungen und Entwicklungen, weshalb es nicht unbedingt offensichtlich ist, worum es eigentlich geht. Der Schreibstil des Autors ist angenehm und flüssig zu lesen.
Bewertung
Eine gelungene Fortsetzung mit einem anderen Fall, der aber genauso solide ist wie sein Vorgänger und mich genauso unterhalten konnte, deshalb gibt es auch diesmal
4 von 5 Würmchen
Mit einem entnervten Aufstöhnen warf sie einen Blick auf den Bildschirm ihres iPhones. Es war Punkt 22:17, genau drei Minuten und einundzwanzig Sekunden, seit sie das letzte Mal nachgesehen hatte.
Klappentext
Ihre Kollegen feiern Lena Gamble, Detective bei der Mordkommission von Los Angeles, als Heldin, weil sie einen brutalen Frauenmord aufgeklärt hat. Aber bei ihrem Chef ist sie wegen ihrer unkonventionellen Art in Ungnade gefallen. Deshalb überträgt man ihr einen hoffnungslosen Fall: Das Opfer ist nicht identifiziert, es gibt keine Zeugen und keine Spuren. Es gibt nur die Leiche einer jungen Frau, die zerteilt und in einen Müllcontainer geworfen wurde. Die Medien lecken sofort Blut und folgen Lena Schritt auf Tritt. Doch ihre Vorgesetzten behindern ihre Ermittlungen …
Die toughe Polizistin Lena Gamble kämpft gegen ein Mordkomplott in den eigenen Reihen.
Meine Meinung
Das Buch ist aus der Sicht eines auktorialen Erzählers geschrieben und berichtet aus der Sicht verschiedener Personen, allen voran Lena Gamble.
Lena Gamble ist Detective bei der Mordkommission in Los Angeles. Lena ist keine Frau, die sehr auf ihr Aussehen bedacht ist. Sie ist ehrgeizig, klug und weiß, wie schwer es ist, als Polizistin neue Wege zu gehen, denn genau deshalb darf sie seit Monaten die unliebsame Papierarbeit machen, obwohl man weiß, was für eine fähige Ermittlerin sie ist. Als sie doch einen Fall bekommt, weiß sie, dass sie auf die Probe gestellt wird und es vielleicht ihre letzte Chance ist, Detective in Los Angeles zu bleiben.
Im Laufe der Geschichte merkt man, was für eine starke Frau und fähige Ermittlerin sie ist. Sie lässt sich nur selten unterkriegen und versucht das Bestmögliche in den Situationen zu machen. Lena entwickelt sich weiter, gerät an ihre Grenzen und wächst über sich hinaus. Ich konnte mich gut in sie hineinversetzen und fand ihre Gedanken und Handlungen nachvollziehbar.
Die Geschichte spielt einige Monate nach dem letzten Band, auch wenn dieser nur am Rande eine Rolle spielt, merkt man doch, wie sehr sich danach alles verändert hat. Der Fall ist auf seine eigene Art und Weise ähnlich dem anderen Fall wie auch unähnlich. Er fordert Lena und ihre Freunde und Kollegen. Das Buch konnte mich wieder von Beginn an fesseln und mitreißen. Es gibt einige überraschende Wendungen und Entwicklungen, weshalb es nicht unbedingt offensichtlich ist, worum es eigentlich geht. Der Schreibstil des Autors ist angenehm und flüssig zu lesen.
Bewertung
Eine gelungene Fortsetzung mit einem anderen Fall, der aber genauso solide ist wie sein Vorgänger und mich genauso unterhalten konnte, deshalb gibt es auch diesmal
4 von 5 Würmchen
December 31, 2009
When someone has ascended to the top of a profession, others are compared to them, some deservidly, some not.
With "The Lost Witness," Robert Ellis has been compared to Michael Connelly, and I believe that the comparison is correct.
In this story, Lena Gamble, L.A. detective is given a case of a dismembered body found in a dumpster. Lena is disliked by her superiors because of a previous case where a police officer was involved. The result was that for the last six months, Lena has been doing administrative work. Now she gets a new case and she wonders if she is being set up.
As she is investigating the murder, she is sent a drivers license identifying the Jane Doe as Jennifer McBride. Unfortunately, when she attempts to notify the next of kin, the woman tells Lena that her daughter has been dead for two years. Lena now has to find out who the Jane Doe is and why she stole Jennifer's identity.
Lena and detective Rhodes follow the leads to a doctor who made a number of calls to the victim. They know that the doctor is hiding something but they're warned by their superiors to tread lightly.
Ellis describes the hunt for the killers by having Lena weave through the clues until she knows what really happened. Throughout these pages there is excellent tension. Lena discovers the corruption and deceit within her department and fears that she might be the next target of those attempting to keep the facts from going public.
I enjoyed the plot and the characters and recommend the novel strongly.
With "The Lost Witness," Robert Ellis has been compared to Michael Connelly, and I believe that the comparison is correct.
In this story, Lena Gamble, L.A. detective is given a case of a dismembered body found in a dumpster. Lena is disliked by her superiors because of a previous case where a police officer was involved. The result was that for the last six months, Lena has been doing administrative work. Now she gets a new case and she wonders if she is being set up.
As she is investigating the murder, she is sent a drivers license identifying the Jane Doe as Jennifer McBride. Unfortunately, when she attempts to notify the next of kin, the woman tells Lena that her daughter has been dead for two years. Lena now has to find out who the Jane Doe is and why she stole Jennifer's identity.
Lena and detective Rhodes follow the leads to a doctor who made a number of calls to the victim. They know that the doctor is hiding something but they're warned by their superiors to tread lightly.
Ellis describes the hunt for the killers by having Lena weave through the clues until she knows what really happened. Throughout these pages there is excellent tension. Lena discovers the corruption and deceit within her department and fears that she might be the next target of those attempting to keep the facts from going public.
I enjoyed the plot and the characters and recommend the novel strongly.
February 22, 2009
This is a diabolical story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing all through the book. Just when you think you have it all figured out the author pulls another trick out of his ass. Nevertheless, everything is consistent. Lena Gamble is a cop investigating the murder of a girl who was dismembered. As she tries to find out who killed the girl, she finds herself thwarted by big money interests and by the police that she is working for but she never stops poking around and we follow the story all the way through.
A really hard hot story it is.
Read it
A really hard hot story it is.
Read it
January 22, 2023
Det. Lena Gamble isn't much liked by the higher-ups after the last case she solved, even if the rest of the police department admire her. After months of doing officer-involved shooting work, she is finally given a homicide, and immediately comes to think she has been set up to fail. A woman's body has been cut up into pieces and left in the garbage. Lena and other members of her squad must figure out the woman's identity. In doing so, they uncover a deadly conspiracy.
This was a decent police thriller, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, because the last 100 pages or so deliver plot twist after exciting plot twist. The proceedings up until then aren't boring as such, though the pacing did seem to flag now and then as the police procedural elements came to the forefront, and I am always wary of police plots involving politics between detectives and their higher-ups. However, that actually played an important part of the story. The biggest drawback was the overly lengthy descriptions of rooms, and more annoyingly, excessive descriptions of the roads taken to get somewhere, a huge pet peeve of mine.
Otherwise, this was an engaging police detective thriller. The final third is really exciting and went in unexpected directions.
This was a decent police thriller, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4, because the last 100 pages or so deliver plot twist after exciting plot twist. The proceedings up until then aren't boring as such, though the pacing did seem to flag now and then as the police procedural elements came to the forefront, and I am always wary of police plots involving politics between detectives and their higher-ups. However, that actually played an important part of the story. The biggest drawback was the overly lengthy descriptions of rooms, and more annoyingly, excessive descriptions of the roads taken to get somewhere, a huge pet peeve of mine.
Otherwise, this was an engaging police detective thriller. The final third is really exciting and went in unexpected directions.
September 16, 2021
Robuster
To be honest I didn’t have a lot of hope for the book when I ordered it from Amazon. The price was inexpensive and the author was one I had no idea of.
But I was desperate for a book.
So I took a chance and hit the lottery!
Imagine my surprise when less than thirty pages in I realized the hook was great , the writing top notch and the editing was the best part .
I didn’t start with the first book of the series . Now I must back up and find the threads of the protagonists back story to fill in the pieces of this one.
Excellent book , well written . The price point was amazing.
It’s the best of this genre I’ve read all year. This is a gritty story . Blood , guts and gore. It was wrote for an adult audience. Has adult themes and story lines.
Well worth my time , my money and my effort.
To be honest I didn’t have a lot of hope for the book when I ordered it from Amazon. The price was inexpensive and the author was one I had no idea of.
But I was desperate for a book.
So I took a chance and hit the lottery!
Imagine my surprise when less than thirty pages in I realized the hook was great , the writing top notch and the editing was the best part .
I didn’t start with the first book of the series . Now I must back up and find the threads of the protagonists back story to fill in the pieces of this one.
Excellent book , well written . The price point was amazing.
It’s the best of this genre I’ve read all year. This is a gritty story . Blood , guts and gore. It was wrote for an adult audience. Has adult themes and story lines.
Well worth my time , my money and my effort.
November 10, 2018
Every now and then, you read a book that is written so well that you never lose interest for a moment, and you while you think the author is letting you in on secrets that the characters themselves have yet to discover, you are repeatedly surprised by new twists. Every character is rich, and feels real, with their own issues and agendas.
My poor review can't do this book justice, so simply put, The Lost Witness is a fantastic novel. If you have any interest in homicide detective thrillers, you'll want to read these Lena Gamble novels.
My poor review can't do this book justice, so simply put, The Lost Witness is a fantastic novel. If you have any interest in homicide detective thrillers, you'll want to read these Lena Gamble novels.
December 1, 2017
Lena is a homicide detective whose captain doesn't like her because she showed him up. Why does this always seem to happen? She is handed a murder case that she suspects was given to her because it's unsolvable and she will look bad. There are lots of twists and turns but she solves the case with a couple of weird twists. Not a bad book, but I think it could have been improved with better editing.
May 13, 2018
Lena Gamble is so good at her job in Robbery Homicide in LA. Book #2 has her feeling the pressure of how the Romeo murder investigation went down, embarrassing the LAPD brass. She's mostly on her own when the Chief of Police assigns her a horrible murder case where a young woman is abducted and cut into pieces. Lena must use all her smarts to follow the trail of who did what (a billionaire, the spoiled son, the Chief of Police and his right hand man....) Satisfying case and great ending.
October 23, 2025
I thought this book would have a predictable ending.
Suddenly in the third quarter everything became really unpredictable in the plot, and I found myself unable to put this book down until I discovered how all the pieces fit together.
I found the conversation between Lena and a male colleague at the end particularly moving.
This book felt a little slow paced at the beginning, but the ending was worth the wait.
Suddenly in the third quarter everything became really unpredictable in the plot, and I found myself unable to put this book down until I discovered how all the pieces fit together.
I found the conversation between Lena and a male colleague at the end particularly moving.
This book felt a little slow paced at the beginning, but the ending was worth the wait.
December 6, 2016
Lena Gamble my new favorite Detective
I just finished books 1 and 2 of the series and as soon as I'm done with this review I'll buy the third. Ellis keeps the action and suspense in overdrive from start to finish with an intelligent plot and interesting characters. He knows how to write women, Lena is believable.
I just finished books 1 and 2 of the series and as soon as I'm done with this review I'll buy the third. Ellis keeps the action and suspense in overdrive from start to finish with an intelligent plot and interesting characters. He knows how to write women, Lena is believable.
December 23, 2018
This book follows well after the first Lena Gamble book of the series. I am still a huge fan. Fast paced, lots of twists & turns. Why 4 stars instead of 5? The story was a bit too convoluted this time. I’ve already started the last book of the series & will settle in with Lena in an all day reading marathon. What a great way to recuperate from surgery & settle in with a good book!
June 27, 2024
The last witness, book 2, by Robert Ellis
Good read. I would recommend. Though I somehow one from reading the book for a whole, that Cava was the main murder. I liked the twists and turns it took. This is my second book by this author and have more of his waiting to be read, and can not wait to read the next one by Robert Ellis. His first book had me hooked..
Good read. I would recommend. Though I somehow one from reading the book for a whole, that Cava was the main murder. I liked the twists and turns it took. This is my second book by this author and have more of his waiting to be read, and can not wait to read the next one by Robert Ellis. His first book had me hooked..
May 24, 2017
Ok as a "Guess Who" drama, who 'really' did it, who's a friend or foe, a brain-teaser. The writing is cheesy, the police chief is camp and so many twists, traitors & double crosses it's hard to keep up.
September 19, 2017
Hello. The story was an interesting read. I did not appreciate Mr. Ellis interjecting his personal climate change beliefs. If they were actually part of the plot, OK. But they were gratuitous.
I will be skeptical of reading any future books.
I will be skeptical of reading any future books.
December 31, 2018
Terrific!
Satisfying page-turner. LOVED this book. LOVE Lena Gamble, who is one keen & gutsy broad. Looking forward to her next book, but already sad it will be the third & last in this series...wish this character-driven story line would continue!
Satisfying page-turner. LOVED this book. LOVE Lena Gamble, who is one keen & gutsy broad. Looking forward to her next book, but already sad it will be the third & last in this series...wish this character-driven story line would continue!
February 1, 2021
Excellent; Continuing character: Lena Gamble; when a prostitute is brutally murdered, Lena is given the case as punishment; she quickly learns that there is hardly anyone she can trust and that corruption and body counts continue to climb
July 26, 2021
He has arrived!
Really good. I've waited for this book for a while and I am happy to say it is very much worth the wait. Mr. Ellis is getting better and is now in the ranks with the best crime fiction has to offer, IMHO.
Really good. I've waited for this book for a while and I am happy to say it is very much worth the wait. Mr. Ellis is getting better and is now in the ranks with the best crime fiction has to offer, IMHO.
July 1, 2022
Robert Ellis never disappoints.
The story was easy to read and held my interest throughout. I really like his style and the plot kept me anxious to read more. I'm ready for book 3!
The story was easy to read and held my interest throughout. I really like his style and the plot kept me anxious to read more. I'm ready for book 3!
November 29, 2022
This is the second book of the Lena Gamble series and I don't feel a connection with the characters. It's a quick read with no substance which is fine if that's what you want. The plot twists at the end irk me.
March 11, 2023
Amazing writing as always. Engaging from the start to the very last page. Love the Lena Gamble trilogy and sad it's over but a wonderful read.
If you love crime thrillers then this series is one you should read. You won't regret it as every book is a page turner.
If you love crime thrillers then this series is one you should read. You won't regret it as every book is a page turner.
May 20, 2017
Interesting
He goes into her 3motions while solving the crime. The people around her are also plotting As well and it keeps the story line going
He goes into her 3motions while solving the crime. The people around her are also plotting As well and it keeps the story line going
December 22, 2017
Great book!
This series is turning out to be most enjoyable. Anyone who loves crime novels should read Roger Ellis. His books are truly gripping. Can't put it down!
This series is turning out to be most enjoyable. Anyone who loves crime novels should read Roger Ellis. His books are truly gripping. Can't put it down!
March 29, 2018
Another supremely smart police procedural from one of my favorite mystery authors. Great ending.
April 19, 2018
Great reading
Great reading. Lots of plot twists you don’t see coming. Very convincing bad guy who is final judge and jury
Great reading. Lots of plot twists you don’t see coming. Very convincing bad guy who is final judge and jury
June 30, 2018
I listened to this book while on a road trip. It was a well written story that kept my interest, and made the drive go by fast. I plan to go back and read the first book in this series.
September 6, 2018
This was a solid book - built slowly, but never boring, kept me entertained on the bus. Moving on to the next in the series.
September 18, 2018
Leading character obsessed with coffee. Looking for coffee, coffee moved, needs coffee, coffee is good, coffee is bad, coffee, coffee and more coffee. Plus thinking about cigarettes in glove box!
October 27, 2018
A real page turner
Once again a masterpiece that I could not put down! Kiddos to the author for another set of wonderful characters.
Once again a masterpiece that I could not put down! Kiddos to the author for another set of wonderful characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews