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.

When I started book 1 ‘Malibu Burning’ I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I did think it might have been a very male dominated, what with two male detectives investigating fires/arsons but I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t know why, I’ve liked Lee Goldberg’s other recent series of LASD detective. Malibu Burning’ was very entertaining, I loved Sharpe and Walker. So much so I jumped at the chance to read an arc of book 2 in the series. And got a nice surprise that Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone from Lee Goldberg’s ‘Eve Ronin’ series pop up in the book as well.
In ‘Ashes Never Lie’ arson detective Walter Sharpe and his relatively still new partner Andrew Walker are working on a bunch of cases where empty houses are burning down when they are called to another house fire, this time with a body discovered in it. As it’s a homicide, Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone are also called to the scene. And what turns from a simple case of a home burning down leads all 4 detectives on a massive manhunt for a crazy arsonist with an even crazier end game.
After reading 7 of his books over the past couple of years, I would say ‘Ashes Never Lie’ is a classic Lee Goldberg. It was a fast paced police procedural featuring some great characters and very witty banter. I think all 4 detectives should take their comedy act on the road.
Great read for me. 4 stars.

This was my initial encounter with a Lee Goldberg novel; however, it certainly won't be my final one! I found myself thoroughly engrossed and entertained by the captivating personas of Walker and Sharpe. The collaboration between Eve Ronin and these two skilled arson investigators proved to be seamless and effective. While this book is part of a series, it can effortlessly be enjoyed as a standalone piece. The narrative offered an abundance of thrilling action, making it a quick and riveting read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing for the ARC to read and review.

Arson investigation is genuinely not my bag. But. Goldberg delivers (as usual) with a bright, funny, sharply intelligent mystery/thriller/procedural with great characters and scenarios that are riding that line between plausible and exciting in a way that's so, so satisfying.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC..

Ashes Never Lie (Sharpe & Walker, Band 2) by Lee Goldberg is a riveting addition to the thriller genre, showcasing Goldberg’s knack for crafting intricate plots and multidimensional characters. Set against the backdrop of a city plagued by mysterious fires, the novel follows the journey of two dynamic investigative duos: Walter Sharpe, an astute arson investigator, and his partner Andrew Walker, an ex-US marshal with a thirst for action; alongside homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone.

Goldberg masterfully intertwines two seemingly unrelated cases: a series of inexplicable fires in a new housing development and a homicide case sparked by the discovery of a charred corpse. As the four detectives delve deeper, they uncover a web of deceit that threatens to consume the city. The narrative is propelled forward by the urgency to unmask a cunning arsonist, expose a colossal fraud, and track down a fugitive harboring a deadly secret.

The author’s expertise in blending high-stakes action with complex investigations shines through in this novel. The pacing is relentless, mirroring the ferocity of the fires consuming the homes and the intensity of the detectives’ pursuit of the truth. Goldberg’s prose is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes of destruction and the emotional toll of the chase.

What sets Ashes Never Lie apart is its exploration of the characters’ inner lives. Sharpe and Walker, along with Ronin and Pavone, are not mere caricatures of detectives; they are fleshed-out individuals with their own fears, motivations, and moral compasses. Their interactions and growth throughout the investigation add a layer of depth to the narrative, making the reader invested in not only the resolution of the cases but also the fates of the characters.

In conclusion, Ashes Never Lie is a testament to Lee Goldberg’s ability to fuse action, mystery, and character development into a cohesive and enthralling story. It’s a book that will not only satisfy fans of the genre but also appeal to those who appreciate nuanced storytelling.

RELEASE DATE: September 24, 2024
GENRE: mystery
TOPICS & THEMES: crime, fire, investigation, murder, detective story

this wasn't a story for me and i just couldn't care about the characters
i hope other readers have better experience with it
i like the writing

- thanks to the netgalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion

I came for the Ronin and stayed for the Walker. Witty banter and an enjoyable crime romp.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC

Ashes Never Lie by L. Goldberg, published by Thomas & Mercer is the second book in the Sharpe & Walker Series. The previous book is Malibu Burning and I recommend to read the books in order.
Arson investigator Walter Sharpe and ex-US marshall Andrew Walker are puzzling over an arson case where homes go up in flames. When a new arson case leaves a body behind they're about to run out of time.
A fast paced, complex story that had me on the edge of my seat. Twisty and full of twists and turns, suspenseful and angsty a great read.

I dove into this book solely because of the intriguing title, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The writing, characters, and storyline are top-notch and kept me glued to the pages!
If you're new to Lee Goldberg's series like I was, fear not! While " Ashes Never Lie" stands strong on its own, I'd recommend checking out "Malibu Burning" for the full experience and backstory. Trust me, it's worth it to dive deeper into this captivating partnership.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this opportunity. If you're looking for a thrilling read with great characters, give " Ashes Never Lie" a shot.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

This was a serviceable, expected mystery/thriller. There was nothing I didn't like, in particular, but neither did it keep me so engaged that I wanted to finish in one sitting.

Ashes Never Lie (Sharpe & Walker, Band 2) by Lee Goldberg. Another fully entertaining read, did enjoy having a four person team, especially Walker and Eve interacting together. Did learn quite few interesting facts about arson investigation. Looking forward to Mr Goldberg's next book in either series.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This book was soo entertaining. I really enjoyed it. I did figure out who did one of yhe main crimes by a comment when the character was introduced, but it didn't ruin the story. This is very character driven and Sharpe and Walker were a kick. Eve is always fun.
I would highly recommend this to my friends Family. Great read.

Lee Goldberg has written a wonderful follow-up to his debut book in the Sharpe & Walker series with Ashes Never Lie. The veteran arson investigator Sharpe is still just as witty and beloved (or bemoaned depending on who he's talking to) and Walker still craves the action that he used to see as a US Marshal. In what starts as a seemingly mundane investigation of a house fire in an empty house in a new development, another house goes up in flames while they are there. The second house though isn't empty and has the owner in it, dead in his car in the garage. Two of Goldberg's other characters from his Ronin series, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, are there investigating if the dead body is from a murder or suicide. As they are investigating the body and the fires, they quickly realize that there is far more going on than an easy, open and shut case and that they need to get to the bottom of it quickly or else there are far more people in danger. This was a fast paced, read in one day book for me because just when I thought I was starting to figure things out, there'd be a twist that would change everything and hook me even deeper into the need to finish and know how it ended.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing the advanced copy of this book to read and give my unbiased review on.

Reading Goldberg's books always feels a bit like watching a really good movie. You can just completely lose yourself in the story with full faith that you will be entertained and completely satisfied with the ending (aside from the fact that it's ended, which is always disappointing). I can't say this of all authors, but I can always count on Goldberg for a completely engrossing read.

I was awaiting the arrival of Ashes Never Lie with great anticipation because the first in the series was a great read. Finding out it was a "crossover" with guest appearances from Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone created even more excitement. And the book did not disappoint! It was actually fascinating to see Ronin through the eyes of Walker and learn more about both characters in the process.

Solid storytelling, as usual! Definitely recommend.

In this second book in the series, Walker(the rookie) and Sharpe (the tenured arson investigator) are still learning to work together. Sharpe is trying to develop Walker's skills in evidence identification. After a year together, Walker is beginning to learn the trade, but his background is manhunting with the U.S. Marshals service and he misses the action. They are called to investigate a fire at an empty house in a new subdivision. Walker notices a heating element from a MR. Coffee in the remains of the house that should not be there. While they are investigating another house catches fire. In between they are called to a residential house where the fire includes a body. At this house the team meets homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone who are there to decide if it is a murder or a suicide. The two teams work together to bring the criminals in each case to justice. There is nonstop action and thrilling conclusions. Eve and Walker are active "out of the box" thinkers and nearly get in serious trouble with the other agencies involved. The author has done diligent research and writes with a cinematic quality that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I have read other books by this author and will continue to read his work.

wowww!!! lee goldberg does it again!!!!! his books are always such a pleasure to read!!! this was actually probably one of my favorites ever from him!!!!!

In their second outing, action-hungry Walker and his crotchety senior partner, Sharpe, have settled into a camaraderie involving continual light mockery from both parties. Things start out as essentially a well-researched procedural about arson investigation with a bantering investigative duo, and then things get crazy. One of their calls brings Walker and Sharpe to the scene of a death being investigated by none other than Eve Ronin and Duncan, another odd couple who have figured out their working partnership. This unexpected bonus leads to a welcome collaboration between the action-oriented team members Walker and Eve, in which they alienate the Feds, go up against a secretive and evil biotech company, try to stop a possibly devastating virus, chase socially inept bad guys, have run-ins with wannabe law enforcement official, and find a reason to wear sci-fi costumes. In short, suddenly it’s an amalgam of about 6 different fan-favorite TV tropes, each of which would normally be its own episode—all great fun and all completely ridiculous. Oh, and it’s a Lee Goldberg novel, so there are entertaining observations about real estate and home improvement in Southern California. This one includes an extra little treat for mystery buffs: pitch-perfect dialogue imitating and gently poking fun at the Spenser/Susan Silverman relationship in Robert Parker’s novels. I enjoyed this fast-paced, over-the-top crossover adventure but found myself wishing maybe the all-plots-at-once wackiness could be toned down a notch, because piling on much more into a single story risks getting a little shark-jumpy, and where do you go from there? I’m a big fan of both of these excellent series, each of which started out with solid procedurals featuring appealing investigators, told with humor and a Hollywood insider’s perspective. Out of self-interest, i hope both continue for many more books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital advance review copy.

Sharpe and Walker are at it again trying to solve what caused the fire in the home in the new housing development. AS they are working on this case, another home near by also burn. A body is found inside. As they try to get to the bottom of these cases, they engage with Ronin and Donuts. The story is spectator! It kept me turning the pages and engaged to the last page. Lee Goldberg is defiantly on my "just buy the book" list and I believe he should also be on yours! What a great story teller.

"This is the way."

I love Goldberg's Eve Ronin series so imagine my delight that she and Duncan are in this book. It's clearly stated in the synopsis that they're part of things but this was an auto-read for me as soon as I saw the author's name (plus I love the cover) so I was very much caught off guard.

I haven't read the first book in the series and had no trouble jumping in. I will go back and read book one now though.

Ashes Never Lie was fast-paced and super enjoyable! I'm looking forward to more books in this series (as well as Eve's series).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer.

this was a great sequel in the Sharpe & Walker series, it had everything that I was looking for. It had everything that I enjoyed from Lee Goldberg. It had that element that I've come to expect from other books from Lee Goldberg's writing. The characters were everything that I was looking for and glad I was able get to go on this journey with them. I hope there is more in this series and from Lee Goldberg.