Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone are back in Gated Prey, the third in this compulsively readable series by Hollywood veteran Lee Goldberg.

Duncan is counting the days to retirement when he and Eve begin a complicated sting in an exclusive gated community in Calabasas, hoping to make an arrest after a stint of robberies. The sting goes spectacularly wrong (a loaned Rolls Royce is wrecked), several people are shot and Eve and Duncan’s lives are threatened. While unraveling the aftermath of that case, another assignment leads them deeper into the world of the super rich who think they are safe behind their secured gates. They don’t realize the danger comes from within.

Lee Goldberg, producer, TV writer and novelist, has delivered a satisfying mystery which combines police procedure with Hollywood glamor. Eve Ronin is both likable and flawed. I’m hoping her fictional, soon to be TV series “Ronin” really happens because I want to watch it! I’m also hoping that Duncan doesn’t retire and that the fourth book in this series is in the works!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Lee Goldberg for this ARC.

Book 3 in the Eve Ronin series. I have read the first two and this a solid addition to the series. Nothing special, but a solid police procedural. Easy read, likeable characters, solid writing.

Thank you #netgalley and #thomas&mercer for the eARC.

An absolutely wonderful series. I can't remember when I last looked forward so much to the next title in any mystery/thriller series.

Lee Goldberg has always been a solid writer, but I think in Eve Ronin he's finally found the right combination of characters, locations, and narratives to rise above solid to the rarified atmosphere of the truly outstanding. Surely he's not really going to let Duncan Pavone retire, not even after talking endlessly about it for three books now. He wouldn't seriously break up the greatest team in contemporary California cop novels would he? Tell me he wouldn't. Please?

I don't know if Lee Goldberg is "expecting applause" but he should be. The pleasant surprise of a new entry in the 'Eve' Ronin' series was made even sweeter by the fact it's another terrific thriller. A simple sting operation takes tragic twists and turns which send the dynamic duo of Ronin and Duncan Pavone down roads they never dreamed they'd travel. Those paths intersect with a diabolical fetal abduction. Goldberg's perfect marriage of serious crimes and witty dialogue is on full display again. This series is the very definition of a page turner. You start reading and, before you know it, you've finished one of the most rewarding reads you've ever had. This series has become one of the most enjoyable in the genre. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. #GatedPrey #NetGalley

I had just read the first book in the series when I saw this novel.on Netgalley. Even so, the book was very easy to get into. Reading this series is a bit like watching Law and Order on TV, a bit predictable but satisfying if you like this genre.

Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
ISBN: 9781542029346

I read the first two books in the Eve Ronin series. I enjoyed them and so was delighted to receive an advance copy of the third book from Netgalley. There are so many good things about these books. Best of all are the characters. Eve is relentless and driven, working twice as hard as her colleagues to make sense of the twists in a case. Duncan is her partner and mentor. He brings the right amount of humor and witty dialogue while offering wise and insightful guidance. He is just days away from retirement. I hope he will be a presence in future books. California and the craziness of the entertainment industry add a unique setting and flavor. The plot is smart with twists and surprises. It never slows. The best praise I can offer is I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. I look forward to more books in this series.

Reviewer: Nancy

Thank you to both #NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me an advance copy of Lee Goldberg’s latest crime thriller, Gated Prey, in exchange for an honest review.

#GatedPrey is the third installment in the Eve Ronin series, which focuses on a young homicide detective who solves crimes in the Los Angeles area with her senior partner, Duncan Pavone.

The third book is a refreshing surprise in comparison to the absolute disaster that was book one, Lost Hills. I never bothered reading the second novel in the series, Bone Canyon, after my unpleasant experience with the first one, but I am glad I gave the series another chance.

As far as I can tell, you do not need to read the second book to understand the plot of #GatedPrey since they involve separate crimes. I would, however, recommend reading the first installment in the series because it establishes the characters and is alluded to often.

From a technical aspect, the author’s writing has improved immensely since I read Lost Hills. The pacing is quicker, and the dual plotline is engaging enough to provide a thoroughly entertaining page-turner.

Despite the improvement, there are three elements that could still use some fine-tuning. First, the dialogue and character descriptions are atrocious. Second, the fact that the book blurb barely mentions the case that serves as the main plotline. Third, the infamous hallmark of most crime writers—the elaborate descriptions of the jurisdictional bounds of various groups of law enforcement. As a bonus, though this may not bother every reader, the perps are fairly obvious.

As for the story itself, the primary plot is engaging and the one mentioned in the book blurb is a red herring. While both are eventually solved, the “deadlier secret” is the more gruesome and overarching case. Without spoiling too much of the book, it involves the second wife of a film distributor, a stillborn, and a maid.

Additionally, #GatedPrey continues the increasingly tiresome thread of a young female protagonist in law enforcement hated by her male colleagues. I do think this is an important issue to highlight, however, I am not sure how much longer the author can drag this out for without completely derailing her career at some point. Perhaps, the next installment readers will learn that Eve left the force to consult on her TV series.

In sum, if you are looking for a brief distraction, say for a flight or a day at the beach, then I would recommend this novel for mindless entertainment.

I've read several books by this author and have always enjoyed everything I've read, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I must say it didn't disappoint. This book was easy to read and fast paced and kept me wanting to read more. I highly recommend this book.

Gated Prey is the third book in Goldberg's exciting Eve Ronin police procedural series following in the wake of Lost Hills and Bone Canyon. Set in Calabasas and Lost Hills, upscale enclaves west of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Eve Ronin is based at the Lost Hills Station. Her meteoric rise to Detective, leapfrogging other deputies who have put in their time, has not earned her too many friends in her station. She's definitely not part of the old boy's network. It hadn't helped matters either that everything she touches becomes a media frenzy. Now a show is being written based on her famed exploits and that's making lots of friends in the Department too.
Once again, she's partnered with one of her few friends, the portly Detective Donuts Duncan who is always just a few months from retirement and again skirting the line between fantasy and reality, they are operating undercover as a wealthy old man and his young trophy wife. The idea is to sting home invasion robbers they are turning the gated neighborhoods of Calabasas Park into their private shopping mall.
Rather than be an atmospheric crime story, this series is filled with pounding action, shootouts, chases, and puzzling crimes. Action-packed might be the word used here.

Good book! This book had quite a few twists and turns! I was shocked at some of the storyline! It was very interesting! This book had intrigue, suspense, action and a light who done it! I definitely recommend reading this book! It was unique and a very interesting story! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!