Legendary Lee Goldberg has given us another fiery Sharpe & Walker adventure. It's a scorcher of a story. Of course, to be fair, we'd expect nothing less than that from Goldberg at this point. There are two different tales 'Hidden in Smoke' in this book which Goldberg deftly ties together at the end.
There are scenes of dramatic derring-do which will knock your socks off. The action is so hot it presents Goldberg with the perfect opportunity to reunite his fantastic foursome of Sharpe, Walker, Ronin, and Pavone. It's an exciting story bolstered by the usual charm, whimsy, and wit of Goldberg.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer & NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book has Danny Cole returning to help Walker and a second storyline with a freeway arson. The arson part was very good with very good deduction by both Sharpe and Walker in their ways. The Danny part was cinematic, forced and felt like an unnecessary appendage. While I liked the first book in the series with Cole where he was embedded in the plot here he is just sticking out.

I am so pleased that two of my favorite detectives, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, are working alongside two of my favorite arson investigators, Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker (although I honestly haven’t read any books with any other arson investigators) in this third mystery thriller in the series by the always entertaining Lee Goldberg. In this all too short story, Sharpe and Walker must find a serial arsonist after dozens of Hollywood apartment buildings are set on fire on a single night. The arson investigators begin the hunt on their own until a massive fire engulfs a freeway and Detectives Ronin and Pavone are assigned to the case. Now they must determine the cause of the freeway fire, catch the torcher who is out for revenge, and end his goal to endanger the city.
Hidden in Smoke is fast moving with clever dialogue and engaging characters. Walker is a stetson-wearing former US Marshall. Sharpe is the senior arson investigator who is assigned Walker when Walker transfers to the department as a rookie. Walker tries to win Sharpe’s respect and asks his new partner lots of questions about fires, fire fighting and fire investigation. They have learned how to work well together as a team since their first investigation together. Eve Ronin, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detective,is the main character in a series of her own. In the first book in which her character appears, she arrests a movie star and is rewarded with a promotion and, to her dismay, a TV show based on her exploits that brings her recognition and fame.
The action is exciting with twists and turns, the characters are engaging and likeable, the arson plot is interesting and adds the element of danger. Hidden in Smoke is a fun, quick read with a good story to tell. I look forward to the next Sharpe and Walker book as well as the next book centering on Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone.
I would like to thank Thomas & Mercer, Publishers as well as NetGalley for an advance copy of Hidden in Smoke.

My Best Read for the year comes at the end of 2024. Thank you Lee Goldberg, NetGalley and the Publishers for this early Christmas gift. All 3 books in the Sharpe and Walker series get a resounding 5 * from me. This is just perfect and hugely entertaining.
The author has written many series and I am amazed by his consistency of plot, characters and keeping up with the latest trends. It is well researched, and it was surprising to learn some things like the asthma inhaler with geo-locator. I first thought that the author had made it up. As always the plot is brilliant. There are 2 different tracks, one with the Sharpe and Walker investigating the carport arson and the freeway arson and the other one , the heist by Danny Cole, the con-artist. I was hold my breath through the daring heist. Eve and Duncan make and appearance, but they have a much smaller role than in the previous book "Ashes never lie". I am not complaining as this is Walker and Sharpe's story.

I can't wait for the next book by Lee Goldberg.

Someone’s starting a series of fires across part of Los Angeles including one that cripples a major freeway. Meanwhile, Walker asks a favour of an old ‘friend’. ‘Hidden in Smoke’ is another solid and thoroughly enjoyable page turner exploring the grey area of justice. It’s also a bit prescient given an American health insurer CEO was executed and people from both sides of the political spectrum think the man charged was justified.

I breezed right through this book with its tight plotting, naturalistic dialogue and well-paced action. I also love the banter between characters. Best of all Eve Ronin and her scene-stealing partner Duncan Pavone make a cameo.

Aside from the characters and mystery is also the strong sense of place in Lee Goldberg’s writing. As always Los Angeles is the star and I find my reading experience is enhanced searching street view. I also guessed immediately that MONA was the inspiration for a fictional Japanese museum (and sure enough confirmed in the author’s note).

When’s the next one, cause I’m looking forward to more!

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Having been a huge fan of the Eve Ronin series, I wasn't sure how she and Duncan would mesh would Sharpe and Walker, but quite frankly across 3 books, I think the author has done a fantastic job. This was very entertaining and I finished it in one sitting. I very much look forward to their next adventures. Likeable and relatable characters and interesting plot - great combination! 4-stars

My favorite arson investigators are back. While Sharpe and Walker are battling arson fires, Danny Cole is planning a big con. He needs closure from the last one. Slezak was still prospering. This series keeps me coming back for more. Witty dialog and elaborate cons make it a non-stop thrill ride. Love the crossovers when we get to see Eve and Duncan, too! Lee Goldberg is one of my must read authors!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

It's like Christmas every time I have a book by Mr. Goldberg on my TBR list and Hidden in Smoke was no exception! Someone is setting cars in carports on fire in Hollywood and Walker and Sharpe are called in to investigate. Just as they are starting to make a small dent into solving that crime, someone sets a huge fire under the overpass of one of the major freeways in Los Angeles undermining the safety of the overpass and shutting it down.

I enjoyed it tremendously when Eve and Duncan joined the investigation. (I'm still happy-dancing that Duncan chose not to retire, yet.) If that weren't enough, there was a side story that made me feel as though I had been plopped into a James Bond movie!

Hidden in Smoke is a great read that explores dealing with life-threatening situations, and the gray areas between good and bad. The characters are complex and interesting, plus there are many laughs, preventing the book from becoming too dark. I loved it and recommend it!

Huge thanks to #ThomasAndMercer for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This book is #3 in the Sharpe & Walker series and has an expected publication date of April 22, 2025.

#FireInvestigation #Crime #Mystery #LeeGoldberg

Hidden in Smoke by L. Goldberg, published by Thomas & Mercer, is book three in the Sharpe and Walker Series. The books are best read in order.
An intriguing, suspenseful book, a fast paced, action packed and drama laden story that had me on the egde of my seat right from the start. 5 stars.
Blurb: After dozens of Hollywood apartment buildings erupt in flames during a single night, arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are assigned to catch the serial torcher and end his spree. But then a catastrophic fire destroys a major freeway, crippling the city and forcing Sharpe and Walker to take on another massive case.
Desperate for help, they know exactly who to homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone. Together the four detectives must quickly figure out whether the freeway disaster was a tragic accident…or the work of a mastermind with a horrific plan.
As the investigations collide, an old foe with a revenge scheme enters the fray, igniting a race against time to stop a conspiracy of deception, corruption, and murder.

Another winner from Lee Goldberg. His books are always funny and exciting, and this one is no exception. I hope he keeps putting out fantastic books for years to come..

This book is exactly everything it's supposed to be...but. It kinda reads like the third in a series. I don't mean it doesn't work as a stand alone, because it completely does, it's just...it really vibes tv show installment, to be honest.

“Hidden in Smoke” by Lee Goldberg is the 3rd book in the Sharpe & Walker series and is just as much fun and well written as books 1 and 2!
In this book cars and carports are being set afire in Hollywood. At the same time a major underpass that intersects most of the main LA highways is also ablaze and Walker and Sharpe are called in to investigate. As an added fun element, we also find Eve Ronan and Duncan Pavone from Mr. Goldberg’s other great series called in to assist with the investigation. There is a well crafted subplot that takes us into the extreme world of expensive cars, watches, and wing-suit flying that will remind you of a James Bond movie that makes this book impossible to put down! This can be read as a standalone but anyone looking for a great thriller will enjoy the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Very intense story of Walker and Sharpe, LA Fire investigators, who
are assigned to a massive freeway fire that's shuts whose destruction shuts down a huge
part of the transportation system around LA.
Everyone from the governor down wants the arsonist found and Walker calls
in two homicide detectives to work with them when charred bodies are discovered
among the ruins.
Walker engages in personal side action with a former arson investigation target.
Really engaging and very suspenseful.
The characters are strong and the plot solid.
Good read.

Another enjoyable adventure with Arson Investigators, Walker and Sharpe. Walker gets a call about a car and structure fire but before he can get there more fires are reported in the Hollywood Hills. Arriving at the first report, he finds Sharpe inspecting the car and the damaged building above it. They continue to the next fire and find a similar MO. The surrounding fire departments are all called in to the various reports. The last fire they investigate is at the Towers, an abandoned high rise where a security guard is trapped on the upper floors and his vintage mustang is incinerated. Meanwhile a horrific fire happens under the I-10 freeway damaging the roadway and closing down the freeway at that point. They are immediately reassigned to find the arsonist. There is also another interesting story-line interwoven in the book. Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone , characters in one of the author's other series make an important appearance. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read several of the author's series and have always looked forward to the next book in each series.

The author is definitely on fire (pun intended) as he crafts a mystery with plots and sub-plots that keep the story moving at a fast pace. Characters are well-developed to move the story to excellence conclusion.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Hidden In Smoke" by Lee Goldberg.
This is the third in the "Sharpe & Walker" series, and as an added bonus, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone (from Mr. Goldberg's other great series) are part of this one, too - so a twofer!
The main storyline involves, of course, fire - to be specific, arson, as a number of cars are set fire in carports throughout Hollywood, and Sharpe and Walker are called in to investigate. It takes some time and investigation, but the reason and method of the fires is soon discovered; and the race is on to apprehend the perpetrator.
Simultaneously, there is a major underpass fire, affecting dozens of businesses (some very sketchy) and absolutely tying up traffic, as the overpasses are also unusable. The pair are called in on this one, also, and at first it appears that the same person may be responsible for the arson - all of the signs are there. But it soon becomes apparent to the investigators that there may be more to this than meets the eye, and the investigation takes a dark turn. This is where Eve and Duncan come into the picture.
In a subplot that runs through the entire book, Walker has made contact with a former adversary, to hatch a 'cunning plan'. Too many spoilers, so I'll just say it's a romp and a half!
Excellent story, well crafted and highly recommended. If you're new to the series, not a problem. This can be read as a standalone; but do yourself a favour and start from book one. You won't regret it.

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
9781662526466

I check NetGalley often waiting for the availability of a new novel by Lee Goldberg because I am certain it will be exciting and well written. Once again, he delivers a fast-paced entertaining novel with well-constructed characters and an intriguing plot. Multiple story lines are woven seamlessly. Best thing I can say about this book is I absolutely enjoyed it.

Reviewer: Nancy

This is the third in a series and another winner. It's fast-paced, with fun, colorful dialogue and rich characterization.

Sharpe and Walker are arson investigators, and following them around the greater Los Angeles area while they figure out who's setting fires really keeps you on your toes!

There are several subplots, or really more like three separate plots that are connected. It's fascinating to watch Sharpe and Walker work and see how they figure out the arsonists and killers.

It was easy to figure out who the main culprit was here, and I didn't find the heist or follow up to it totally convincing. But it was still wild to read and I enjoyed the next installment in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lee Goldberg, and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to review and advanced copy.

Three seemingly unrelated mysteries combine in Hidden in Smoke, third in the compelling, excellent Sharpe & Walker series. A series of random building fires plagues Los Angeles. Explosions and fire have shut down part of the city’s complicated freeway system, bringing traffic to a halt. In a strange, subterranean museum on an island in Japan, exhibits ranging from methods of death to weapons and timepieces draws the attention of a man presumed dead. As usual, multi-award winning author Lee Goldberg’s taut fiction teases these situations into a taut, thriller that is impossible to put down.

Hidden in Smoke reads like the screenplay for a movie. I only hope it will be. It has the best elements of James Bond thrillers - the glass bridge and wingsuit flying scenes are terrifying. There is a gritty Los Angles police procedural as Sharpe and Walker conduct meticulous searches and interviews to solve the freeway arson case. The politics of police work and the rivalry between police and firefighters is shown in the different techniques of investigation and interviews. Descriptions of expensive cars, clothing and watches add to the potential movie as do the easy and available (yes, really) spy techniques. I can’t give Lee Goldberg any less than 5 stars! He deserves every one.

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

I doubt you will find a book with a plot similar to this one, as this is truly original. You will find that this book is written by a professional, as the storytelling is great and the characters fantastic.