Eve Ronin’s partner Duncan Pavone is waiting out his final two weeks until retirement when a shooting at Malibu Creek State Park forces him to reopen prior similar cases. This time, a news blogger and her partner are shot at close range by a shotgun. The partner is killed instantly but the blogger begins her own investigation, listing all the people who wanted her dead. It’s a who’s who of Hollywood: producers, MeToo suspects, politicians, environmental activists who all seem to have alibis. Meanwhile, Duncan blames himself because of the many reports of shotguns fired in the park that have gone unreported. Why? Tourism is the park is all important and the Park Superintendent has refused to believe that there could be a serial killer in the area. But then another killing makes the police play a desperate game of catch up and Eve finds herself leading the investigation. She’s threatened by danger in the park and in her own department.

Once again, award winning author and screenwriter Lee Goldberg has delivered an unputdownable thriller that combines a police procedural with Hollywood drama and Malibu history. This series just keeps getting better. I hope it will become a TV show as it is sure to be a hit. And one of the other fictional shows mentioned, “Playing Doctor”, is intriguing. I hope Goldberg has another series in mind! 5 stars.

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

Coming out in June 2022, Movieland is the fourth novel in Lee Goldberg’s Eve Ronin police procedural series. It features an oddly matched pair of detectives. Eve is a 26-year-old youngster with a knack for making headlines and whose success was helped by viral videos. With a tv series loosely based on her work, her promotions in the Sheriff’s Department have generated animosity from the old boy’s club there. She is partnered with Duncan, an overweight thirty-year veteran, always about to retire. The rest of the Department resents her and wants to sabotage her. The novels are set in and around the Lost Hills Station on Las Virgenes Road, near Malibu Creek State Park and the ultra-wealthy enclaves of Calabasas.

This particular novel draws its storyline around a series of shotgun shootings in and around the park, seemingly disconnected. It weaves a story of environmental activists pitted against wealthy developers and corruption. It is eminently readable, but not a standout in the series, lacking a bit of the excitement of the previous novels

Picking up a book by this author is a guaranteed good time.. Spending time with these characters is enjoyable as the approach the task at hand with an excellent mix of creativity, expertise, seriousness, and levity. I especially appreciate random references to pop culture, making them seem more realistic.

"I'll be back" utters our heroine and every reader will be hoping it'll be soon after finishing Movieland! Lee Goldberg is the gift that keeps on giving. The 'Eve Ronin' series is so much fun-- especially because of the chemistry between her and partner Duncan Pavone. Where else will you find sidesplitting discussions about In-N-Out Burger or Ironside in the same book?!?! And, the cherry on the cake is the fact Goldberg's mysteries are cleverly crafted. Eve Ronin 4 is no exception! This book is a joy to read and you won't put it down until you reach the satisfying conclusion. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. #Movieland #EveRonin