Eve Ronin returns in another event filled thriller/mystery. True to form, there are several twists and turns that make this series such an enjoyable read. Lee Goldberg's "Fallen Star" is another winner.

A body found in a 55 gallon drum turns out to be a man involved in a local bribery scandal, so Duncan and Eve are sent to investigate. Later, when Eve is at home, she hears a loud noise and sees that a helicopter has been shot down nearby. The police arrive as does the NTSB to determine the cause--accidental or murder? The LA fire inspectors Walker and Sharpe (who have their own excellent series written by the author) are helping with the investigation. The helicopter passengers were some well-known local wheeler-dealers, and Eve will learn that some people will stop at nothing to cover up the cause in this exciting police procedural with great banter between Eve and Duncan. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Fallen Star is the latest instalment in Lee Goldberg’s Eve Ronin series. As a long-standing fan of Goldberg’s writing, I was really excited to be able to read this ARC, and find out what Eve was getting up to.

Eve Ronin is a standout protagonist. She’s smart, courageous, funny but not so perfect as to become irritating or smug. She’s that rare woman written by a man that actually feels credible as a human, rather than a pair of boobs with a story arc.

But back to the book. I was excited because the Ronin series is the perfect blend of humour, taut plotting, and action, all set against a glamorous California backdrop, and Fallen Star is no exception. Eve and Duncan are called to solve one murder, when 6 more drop in Eve’s backyard when a helicopter crashes into the hill below her house.

That would be enough on anyone’s plate, but Eve and Duncan also learn that a corrupt deputy they had helped force out of the department is still in fact working for their politically ambitious sheriff, leaving them facing questions about their own integrity at a time when their focus needs to be on the investigations at hand.

Fallen Star is a well-rounded book, with complex characters to balance out the action scenes. While the plot may feel more like it was written for Eve’s TV series than something an actual sheriff’s detective might face, that of course is all part of the things Eve must balance for herself, and it looks like she might also be making peace and learning to separate out the antics her TV alter ego from her own, if only other people will allow her to do so.

In all, the book is satisfying both in its own right as a cracking good story that is pure escapism, and as another building block in the series. I’m hoping acting Captain Beatie gets to drop the acting from her title and become a true mentor to Eve as she continues to fight crime in LA County, and I’m happy that Duncan’s consultancy work will keep him around to challenge Eve’s thinking and derail her eating habits.

I will definitely be recommending this book to people: 5 stars from me.

4 stars. I am a huge fan of the Eve Ronin series. This book is a lot of fun. There are a lot of Easter eggs for past books in the series, so that was a lot of fun. This book involves investigating a mysterious plane crash. The suspects are many in this one, and it is a very fun ride to get to the bottom of what happened. Hollywood and Lost Hills is a huge character in the story, as usual. If you are a fan of the series, please do not miss this one. You will love seeing all of the familiar, and also a few new characters, along the way.

"Fallen Star" is a blend of mystery and humor that pulls readers into the glamorous world of Malibu. The story centers around Detective Eve Ronin, a young investigator who gained notoriety for solving a high-profile case. With her experienced partner, Duncan Pavone, they are quickly involved in a murder investigation involving a local celebrity.
The narrative has sharp dialogue and witty banter, showcasing the author’s storytelling. As Eve and Duncan investigate further, they uncover layers of deception, betrayal, and fame. The book takes readers on a ride with twists and turns, but also offers a glimpse into the personal struggles of the detectives, making them relatable.
With its strongly developed characters, and a perfect mix of suspense and humor, "Fallen Star" is a must-read for fans of crime fiction looking for an exciting read about the glitzy yet dangerous landscape of Hollywood.

As always, very nice to read. And also, as always, Duncan was a gem of a person. It was also great to see Sharpe and Walker in this part.

I am not sure if there will be another part following this one... I hope so.

The author said you can read this as a standalone... I'm not sure about that... I read the hole serie and the Sharpe and Walker serie. And sometimes it was hard to follow the plot refering to previous books...

Lee Goldberg hits perfection again with Book 6 in this series.
This book may be read as a standalone and you won’t miss
anything. Most everyone returns for a high level, stressful
challenge that I did not see coming! Which I LOVE.
I recommend this book to severyine!
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer for the download copy
for review purposes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

Another solid addition to the Eve Ronin (and Duncan!) series. Eve and Duncan are working to solve the case of a local political fix it man who was murdered. Add to it a helicopter crash in her backyard and there are lots of murders to solve. I love Eve even if her moral code can get her into trouble. Duncan Pavone is one of my favorite characters. Please keep the books coming!

In the opening sequence of the latest Eve Ronin novel, our heroine deduces that a crime is about to happen and intervenes in dramatic fashion to block dozens of brazen shoplifters from making a getaway. (Cue the 007 theme!) In one scene we have chaos, drama, popular acclaim for doing something about a crime spree no one else had been able to stop—and of course, cell phone cameras everywhere to document it all and add to Eve’s growing legend. We’re launched right into a summer blockbuster and reminded of how much we’ve missed Eve Ronin’s wild adventures. This one sometimes feels over the top and isn’t my favorite of the Ronin books, but it’s so much fun to have a crossover episode featuring arson investigators Sharpe and Walker from the author’s other series. Looking forward to the next adventures of these teams.

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

Wow. There were 3 cases in this one! And the main one started nearly halfway through the book! This was another fun adventure starring Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan, featuring Sharpe and Walker from their own series and a surprise cameo of Beth McDade from Calico(!!) to round it out. I really thought this was all going to be about the dead body in the oil drum that washed up on the beach and was shocked when the helicopter crash happened and everything turned. I love the cast of characters that Goldberg has assembled in this universe and it's always fun to see what they're up to. I was a little bit worried that the Eve Ronin series would be abandoned, since Goldberg published a standalone and two Sharpe and Walker sequels featuring Eve in the time passed since the last Ronin book, which I read nearly two years ago now. This makes 20 consecutive Goldberg books I've read now. He continues to get me with his books, and I will continue to support him and read everything he publishes. Thank you to the publisher and author for this ARC. I loved it.

The Eve Ronin series isn't my favorite of Lee Goldberg's, but even with that said, I will still devour these books in days and be left feeling empty and sad that they ended.

As usual, Goldberg's story parallels actual events in fascinating ways, this time with a helicopter crash on a foggy day. The twists along the way to discovering what happened are unpredictable as ever, and the cast of characters along the way (both old and new) lend depth to the story in the best ways.

Eve Ronin will probably always have a prickliness and naiveté that irritate me, but it's a credit to Goldberg that I'll continue to read her story.

As always, 5 stars!

I love this series and the character of Eve Ronin and hope to be able to follow her adventures for many years.

The storyline in this book, the 6th in the series, is one of my favorites. Where there is trouble, we are sure to find Eve Ronin not far behind.

The author does a great job of developing all of the characters and showing their personalities in a way that makes this read exciting and a bit hard to put down.

I can't wait for the next installment of Eve's story. I look forward to each exciting story!

I appreciate receiving an ARC for my opinion of the book - many thanks to the Author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity.

This is one of my favorite authors, and this series is my absolute favorite, reading about Eve Ronin and Duncan 'Donuts' Pavone is always entertaining and this sixth book in the series doesn't disappoint. A plastic industrial size barrel has washed up on a local beach and in the barrel is the body of a man who was involved in a bribery scandal that may touch Eve as well. Eve is a straight shooting gal, she calls it as she sees it, even if it means investigating officers she works with and having them charged, which puts her at odds with most of the people she works with and is a constant source of anxiety when she has to call for help, will it actually come? As the investigation gets underway a helicopter crashes not far from where she lives and she's first on the scene, the helicopter was carrying people that were also involved in the bribery scandal, because the helicopter exploded she asks Walker who specializes in fire investigations. Things get a bit busy with a number of people being interviewed and leads pulling them all over. It wraps up very nicely, as usual, and I look forward to the next installment. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

This is Eve Ronin #6, so if you’ve read the previous five action thrillers (not totally necessary), you come away thinking of her as very superwoman-ish. So, it’s adorable when the book opens in the Calabasas Trader Joe’s with her shopping with her boyfriend who is trying to introduce her to all the multicultural foodie wonders in the freezer aisle while she only wants Kraft grilled cheese on Wonder Bread. She seems almost normal until she single-handedly stops the flash mob robbery at the Ulta next door that results in 37 arrests, recovery of all the stolen property and the stolen cars the criminals drove up in. And for that she gets suspended. But, in a flash, she’s reinstated and rewarded with a stinky 55 gallon blue barrel floating in the Malibu Lagoon.

Goldberg’s Eve Ronin series is my version of popcorn thrillers: always exciting, terrific characters, evil bad guys who (usually) get their due (if not now, then probably in a future book), multi-layered coworkers, and quirky family members. There are always incredible action scenes (the opening one is just a tease) that take your breath, and often Eve’s, away. This installment drags a bit in the middle as the corrupt political players get sorted out and references to Eve’s earlier adventures are heavily referenced. Eve is still uncomfortable balancing her fame with her place in the sheriff’s office hierarchy. I’m happy that she has that misunderstood superhero persona even if she isn’t comfy with it. I’d be the pink Lululemon woman cheering her on! 5 stars!

Bonus: Sharpe and Walker (the arson investigators from Goldberg’s other terrific series) make an appearance!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO No eye colors mentioned.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO, the author, who also lives in an area always threatened by fire, always has a sharp eye when describing the volatility of the desert landscape.

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

I LOVE this series and excitedly devour each Eve Ronin book. Eve is the cool girl we all want to be and have as a friend.

Is it believable that she's shot at, attacked, a victim of countless injuries, etc.? Absolutely not, but who cares because it's so much fun reading about her getting into these scrapes and fighting her way out of them.

Making this series even better are the more minor characters. They're just as fun and rogueish as Eve. My hope is that Duncan will still play an active role in Eve's next adventures. On to the next!

Another great read in the Eve Ronin series. I always enjoy these thrillers, and can't wait to see where they go. They have great characters, great story, and great pacing. Plus humor and action mixed great together. Can't wait for the next in the series. #FallenStar #NetGalley

LASD Detectives Eve and Duncan are investigating the death of a man stuffed in a fifty-five gallon that washed up in a Malibu Lagon. Meanwhile a helicopter crashes in the hillside below her Calabasas home, bringing with it questions that are connected to her past.
This is book 6 of the Eve Ronin series.

Fallen Star is the most fun you can have while being immersed in a murder investigation. It’s a deadly serious and dangerous investigation juxtaposed with sarcasm, humor and tasty cuisine. Lee Goldberg delivers once again, crafting an unputdownable police procedural containing wonderfully constructed characters engaged in deception and political maneuverings within a pulse-racing plot.

LASD homicide detectives Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan “Donuts” Pavone are called to Malibu to investigate a dead body found in a fifty-five-gallon drum on the beach. They quickly recognize the victim as a key player in an ongoing bribery and corruption scandal involving local politicians and businessmen. And if that’s not enough, a helicopter crashes on the hillside behind Eve’s home that is connected to both the corruption case and Eve’s past. Leading Eve and Duncan on a twisting and turning investigation that will have far reaching ramifications. Including putting Eve’s life in mortal danger.

All Lee Goldberg does is churn out exceedingly entertaining books that you plow through like Duncan Pavone at a Las Vegas buffet, leaving you full, satisfied and with a smile on your face upon completion. Fallen Star is just the latest example. It’s chock full of intrigue, politics, crime, shady characters, misdirection, investigative twists, ethical dilemmas, and food. Oh, and Eve continuously ignoring the sage advice of her partner, Captain and everyone else around her, resulting in putting herself in harms way time and time again. But while her actions are questionable, her instincts are undeniable and she gets results. Along with some scrapes and bruises.

This has been a fantastically fun series and there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon. It will be exciting to see where it goes next. In the meantime, if you’re not already reading about Eve Ronin’s exploits with the LA Sheriff’’s department, you need to rectify that immediately. And if you have, then do not miss this latest installment. It’s excellent!

Another can't put down winner from the author. Goldberg never disappoints, but this has to be one of his best books

This was actually my very first Lee Goldberg novel which is part of the Eve Ronin series but if you’re jumping right in, no worries - it’s meant to be a stand-alone so you won’t be confused.

I went in completely blind and think this type of series is well suited for those that love detective themes or law and order-type shows. The writing was well done, but my preference would be more thriller vibes. Still a good read overall.