In keeping with his fiery and fast-moving writing style, Lee Goldberg delivers an electrifying adventure in Malibu Burning. California wildfires are out of control and the homes aren’t going to save themselves, and neither are the valuables inside of them.

As California is on fire, firefighters from all over the state are attempting to extinguish or at least contain them. This includes the Department of Corrections light security fire teams, who just happen to have some criminals with a little bit of thievery left in them. Detective Walter Sharpe and newly acquired partner Andrew Walker are part of the department that focuses on arson investigations and are there to assist in any fire related manner to put the criminals behind bars.

As Sharpe and Walker fight through their Type A relationship battling for dominance, Danny Cole, a former criminal caught by Walker years past, is putting together a heist of relative ease and epic proportions. There is just one little issue plaguing the heist, Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker. The team must fight through their differences and personalities to prevent wildfires from ravaging even more land and the loss of homes and valuables.

This is classic Goldberg as he immerses you into a quick-paced, action-packed adventure with no letting off the gas. I’ve always enjoyed his books because they easily hold your attention, drive themselves, and have so may characters with measurable depth. The detail is just enough to enable you to picture the scenes playing in your own head while constantly grabbing you and begging you to read the next page. His ability to place intrigue in places you wouldn’t expect is outstanding. I found myself time after time thinking, is this something I should really jot down in the memory bank, because I know that Lee has done something like this before.

Lee Goldberg has effortlessly become one of my favorite storytellers with his vast creativity and the ability to drop fascinating characters in my lap time and time again. As for the duo of Sharpe and Walker, I’m excited to see where these two continue to go. Malibu Burning is a must-read for everyone.

Danny Cole is a con man and master thief who, fresh off his stint on an inmate firefighting crew, is ready to harness the California wildfire season to pull off a massive heist and exact his revenge for the death of a fellow inmate firefighter years before. Meanwhile Walter Sharpe is an arson investigator breaking in his new partner, Andrew Walker, a former US Marshal who previously busted Cole, looking for a less dangerous job at his pregnant wife's urging and Sharpe and Walker are uncovering Cole's master plan a bit at a time.

I thoroughly enjoyed Malibu Burning. It's a fast-paced read with an interesting plot and characters. Goldberg has a very reader-friendly writing style, the characters were interesting, and the plotline ties in well with recent events. My only real criticism is that the book is the first in the Sharpe and Walker series and it mainly centers around Danny Cole, who I found to be the more compelling of the three characters. I actually wish there was a full series focused solely on Cole and his hijinks. 4/5 stars and I will read future installments of this series.

Bestselling author Lee Goldberg has written another fast-paced thriller. Every fall the Santa Ana winds fan the flames of wildfire that ravage the southern California hills. Danny Cole is a theif and a con man who can plans to use the fires to implement the perfect crime. Danny is a brilliant tactician; his only problem is that he cares too much about people and that always somehow gets in his way. Arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his new partner, former U.S. Marshal Andrew Walker suspect that the latest wildfires are not accidental. The heist and the investigation put everyone in the path of the firestorm in this exciting novel. Goldberg has written three interesting main characters. Sharpe is a rumpled investigator nearing retirement who focuses on solving crimes. He has just been paired up with a hot shot cop who loves the thrill of the hunt and lives for the chase and the chance to get his man. The bad guy in the story is not really such a bad guy after all. The one thing that I sometimes dislike about a thriller is that I spend too much time in the mind of someone despicable. But the character of Danny Cole is so well rounded that the reader likes this character too. Goldberg’s characters are matched in descriptive detail by the setting that he paints. His words put the reader in the middle of the fire. The author balances out the action with humor along the way.

I love Goldberg’s books and was thrilled to read an advanced reader copy courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I recommend this book for Goldberg fans and thriller aficionados.

Lee Goldberg brings us all the danger and suspense of an expertly-written thriller, with a bonus procedural-type element as we follow arson investigators on the trail of the people who set the latest raging wildfires in Southern California. Count on Goldberg to tell a suspenseful story populated with strong characters—from the investigators to the bad guys—and add in some funny only-in-California touches having to do with the extravagant houses and crazy behavior of the local superrich. The story is fast-paced and well-told, with a satisfying ending.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital advance review copy.

new-series, first-in-series, federal-agents, crime-fiction, thriller, suspense, working-partners, firefighters, prisoners, wildfires, political-corruption, police-detectives, arson-investigators, banter, snarky, territorialism, physics-of-fire, action, retribution, procedural, California, ex-US-marshal, thievery, con-artist*****

Another thrill ride from the master of fast action where it's hard to tell who are the bad guys in the mix!
Con artist Danny Cole went to prison where he signed on to volunteer to fight wildfires. When one of his own and a whole lot of low rent civilians died because of one entitled rich fool, he gathered some of his own to make the fool pay, and supply funds to the widow as well as his cohorts. Echoes of The Heist. Former US Marshal Andrew Walker transfers to the arson squad and is veteran investigator Sharpe’s new partner. High energy parallel activity right to the end and beyond!
I requested and received an EARC from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. Thank you!

Lee Goldberg is an author that is simply just easy to read. The way he writes allows the reader to understand every step of the story without confusion.
Malibu Burning was the start of a new series. I felt that it was just a bit similar to the Eve Ronan series, but was still enjoyable nonetheless. I would recommend Goldberg’s books to anyone who enjoys police procedural’s with a little heart and some grit mixed in.

Three distinct characters are introduced in Malibu Burning. Each has an interesting backstory that will land all three of them in the same spot at the same time in the middle of a California wildfire. I've been through a few of these fires. They take on a life of their ownly quickly and destroy everything in their path. As the fire crews work together to save lives and property, the investigators must identify how this fire became the major threat it is. The 3 MC must decide how to enforce the law while giving 100% to fighting the fire. Awesome 5 stars

Malibu Burning is a propulsive, heartfelt tale of the courage, cowardice, and sacrifice of an unlikely group of thieves, cops and firefighters brought together in a terrifying situation when the indomitable human spirit is measured against the catastrophic power of nature.

Told with Goldberg’s piercing wit, wisdom, and exquisite insight into the human condition and filled with often tense, yet immensely entertaining, situations as men race to control the uncontrollable in this most unusual heist tale.

Just know that Goldberg has a definite talent for immersing the reader into the narrative in such a powerful way that they can often forget they are reading at all.

Tense, action packed and fast paced. An excellent thriller featuring well rounded characters and a gripping plot that kept hooked.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A great fast paced thriller with lots of different characters and locations, but it all fits perfectly together.

The characters are all likeable and you'll even find yourself rooting for the bad guy.
Lots of action in the pages & a few laughs along the way, I actually learned a thing or two about arson investigation.

I'm looking forward to reading what comes next from this author.

A really good book that first opens with a bank robbery and U.S. Marshall Andrew Walker shows up with the FBI not wanting him there. When they escape from the robbery it is perfect because it takes place in Ventura, CA and a bike event is going so they blend in. That is until someone gets injured and master thief Danny Cole is caught. He is sentenced but not as severely because he helped and they ripped off the cartel. Danny works with his attorney to get lower custody so he can get on a fire crew through the prison system. When he makes it to one you follow along with his team with them fighting fires and losing one member. Marshall Walker has left the Marshalls and has joined the L.A. County Sheriff dep. Arson investigative branch. Walter Sharpe is the lead investigator and his teacher and a very good character. The story goes along until you have a fire in Malibu and all of the characters connecting because Danny has been paroled and has gotten his crew back together plus a few extras all have connections to him or fires. This is a good story with many different characters and locations but it all works for me. A very good book.

Malibu Burning is a fast paced thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg. Sometimes it's just fun to root for the honorable bad guy and this fit the bill perfectly.
Every Fall the fires come flaming into Southern California on the Santa Ana winds. They blow at close-to hurricane strength and ignite almost unstoppable wildfires along the way. And they're exactly what Danny Cole needs to pull off his next big heist.
Danny has decided that he's going to use those flames to right some wrongs, on several fronts. That's if Los Angeles’ arson investigators, Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker don't sabotage his plans, first.

What happens when an experienced arson investigator and his new, somewhat unconventional partner and former US Marshall are caught up in a series of fires that are only suspicious to them? This is the premise of Lee Goldberg’s latest book, Malibu Burning. But there’s much more to the story, including a criminal element that adds suspense and heightened tensions to the story.

Lee Goldberg is an entertaining writer and he always delivers. His characters have interesting and well-defined personalities and the plots are well-designed. I enjoy the settings of his novels, which are most often in the Los Angeles area. It’s obvious Mr Goldberg is familiar with this part of California.

However, he seems to know it a bit too well and shares all this information with his readers. For me, there is too much “directional” dialogue which includes cross streets, the names of most, if not all, the roads that are travelled, and the relationships between all the areas. Some of this adds to the story but too much slows the pace. If I lived in the area it would probably more enjoyable but as it is, I find it distracting and unnecessary.
NetGalley provided an advance copy.

A US Marshall turned arson investigator finds himself up against a con man from his past, This is a fast paced story that I devoured in less than 36 hours. The characters were likeable, even the criminals who seem to follow an ethical code. There was plenty of action and few chuckles along the way.

I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Danny Cole is an ex-con with a conscience who spent his prison sentence as a member of the prisoner firefighting unit in Los Angeles County and planning the ultimate retribution heist, and now that he’s out, it’s time to gather his crew and put his plan into action.

Andrew Walker is the US Marshall that helped put Danny behind bars, and now that he is about to become a father, he has decided to take on the less risky job of arson investigator. He is partnered with senior arson investigator Walter Sharpe who suspects that the multiple wildfires currently consuming thousands of acres across Los Angeles were intentionally set.

This book starts out slow as the author builds the foundation, which is to be expected in the first book in a series, but then it takes off in a big way. The heist is a bit over the top, but overall it’s both entertaining suspenseful, especially for L.A. residents who know what happens when on-going drought, Santa Ana winds, and wildfires mix. This is a great start to this series and I’m looking forward to the next installment!

Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley kindly provided me an ARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Malibu Burning is the first entry in Lee Goldberg’s new series, Sharpe and Walker, and it is a well-honed investigative procedural set in the stunning mountains of Malibu, California.
Master thief Danny Cole is just released from prison and focused on a revenge caper with a group of former associates and prisoners. Seasoned arson investigator Walter Sharpe is on the case, joined by Stetson-wearing former U. S. Marshal Andrew Walker. Their at-first reluctant partnership solidifies during the investigation of devastating, arson-induced fires that are threatening Malibu area land, homes and residents. The action mounts relentlessly, building to an exciting multi-chapter, life-and-death denouement in the final 25% of the novel.
There is some very interesting information sprinkled throughout the story about how fires “work” and travel, as well as factoids about incendiary devices, which was key to the story. I like this information because, as a resident of semi-rural Northern California, I live with the daily reality of possible devastating wildfires, especially in the dry season.
The characters are well-drawn and the camaraderie of the investigators entertaining, as well as some clever repartee among the cops and among the gang of thieves. This has all the elements of an excellent action movie, not surprising as Goldberg is a seasoned screenwriter, journalist, author, and publisher with several popular television mystery series in his extensive bibliography.
I recommend this book as an exciting, well-paced thriller, and definitely look forward to more novels featuring Sharpe and Walker!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Fires are burning in the hills around Los Angeles. Arson investigator Walter Sharpe thinks something else is going on but he can’t figure out what. This story is full of action and suspense that kept me turning the pages. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

US Marshal Andrew Walker had been chasing conman Danny Cole for years, but he has finally caught him. Sentenced to prison, Danny requests to be sent to a prison with a convict firefighting team. He and other convicts are defending a fire near a rich man’s house when one of them is badly injured and dies. As the dead man’s family are still paying for his crimes and are even more financially devastated, Danny plans his revenge and his next score for when he is released. Years later, Andrew is now a sheriff’s deputy. Age has caught up with him and he is married with a child on the way. He is working with seasoned arson investigator Detective Walter Sharpe. Wildfires are raging through California, but Sharpe is concerned that some fires were labeled accidental when he believes otherwise. Can they figure out how the fires are starting, Danny’s plans for revenge and the con he is working before it is too late? The discussions between Andrew and Sharpe as they investigate as well as the witty banter between Andrew and his wife adds a touch of humor and sarcasm to this fascinating and complex mystery. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

#FirstLine ~ Two federal law enforcement agents, one from the FBI and one from the DEA, were coordinating the stakeout of the Golden State Bank in Ventura, California, from a vacant third-floor office in the Erle Stanley Gardner Building across the street.

"Malibu Burning" by Lee Goldberg introduces readers to a riveting new series featuring a dynamic duo of arson investigators. In this thrilling novel, Walter Sharpe, a seasoned expert in uncovering the origins of fires, takes center stage as a modern-day Sherlock Holmes of arson. His new partner, Andrew Walker, adds depth to the story, a former U.S. Marshal transitioning into this safer yet equally challenging role, driven by a promise to his expectant wife.

Lee Goldberg, a renowned thriller author, once again showcases his storytelling prowess in weaving a tale that combines suspense, investigative prowess, and the human element. Together, Sharpe and Walker form a captivating investigative team, and their journey into the heart of fire-related mysteries is bound to keep readers on the edge of their seats. "Malibu Burning" promises an enthralling mix of character development and intense suspense, making it a must-read for fans of Lee Goldberg and thrilling crime fiction.

This book starts a new seriesin introducing arson investigators Sharpe and Walker. Sharpe has years of experience investigating fires. Walker is a former US Marshall, expecting his first child and wanting, read his wife wanting, a safer job where his life would not be in danger all the time. Little do they know. Danny Cole is an old aquaintance of Walker, fresh out of jail where he attended the convict firefighters program, and planning a new heist. I've never heard of convict firefighters before, but I googled it and apparently it is a real thing in California.

I learned a lot about arson and fire and some of the investigation methods that are used. The technique that was used to set the fires sounded unbelievable, but was actually tested while the author did a research for this book. Fortunately not everyone has access to the Icarus drones.
The writing style was fun and I generally liked the characters and could understand the reasons for acting like they did. It was great to follow how the heist was planned and how it succeeded. For all the build up I do think the ending was a little rushed, but enjoyable all the same. I look forward to reading more books from this series.