Member Reviews

I really liked this book and felt it was paced and with good plot and characters. Quick reads
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

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Although not necessary, you should read the first book in this series, Lost Hills, which was also very enjoyable. Eve Ronin is a homicide detective with the Los Angeles Sheriff Department, she was offered the position after a video of her arresting a movie star for assault on his girlfriend went viral. As a result she acquired the nickname Deathfist and the scorn of her fellow detectives, except for her partner “Donuts” Duncan. They are called to a scene where human bones have been found after a devastating wildfire has scorched the hills around Los Angeles. They eventually discover who the bones were, then quickly find another set of bones belonging to another person. This is a quick book, the events unfold in a linear fashion. My only quibble with the book would be the treatment of Eve at one point, she determines that other detectives either currently or previously working for the Sheriff’s office had assaulted women in the past. She wants to have them prosecuted, as a result she experiences a few personal attacks against herself and her property. Otherwise I enjoyed the banter between her and Donuts and seeing her grow as a detective in harsh circumstances. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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This is the second book in the series about Eve Ronin, a homicide detective ,often called "Deathfist" due to a You Tubed run-in with an abusive drunk celebrity. Many in the Sheriffs department of Lost Hills have little respect for her abilities because of her rise to homicide detective on the coattails of that incident. She feels she has something to prove everyday. She and her partner "Donuts" are assigned to a case involving bones found at the base of a canyon after a fire . The case presents that the girl was raped on the beach by young men with the same tattoo on their calves a few days before her death. The victim had reported the rape but didn't get much cooperation from the police. The evidence leads Eve on a face-paced and dangerous search for the truth and justice for the victim. This was an absorbing read, well plotted and executed, very difficult to put down.

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The second book in the Eve Ronin series finds Eve still struggling to fit in at the sheriff's department while investigating a new crime. A wildfire that burns the Santa Monica mountains soon exposes the bones of a woman who disappeared 6 years ago. As Eve and her partner Duncan dig deeper they discover that she was also the victim of a sexual assault. Even worse, they find out she may have been assaulted by law enforcement officers. Soon Eve's loyalty to the department is pitted against her unrelenting drive to get justice for the victim. The story was compelling but I found myself frustrated by the continued harassment of Eve by her co-workers. Hopefully the next book focuses more on her abilities than on how much her fellow cops resent her.

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Spiky female detective with lots to prove. Lots of twists in this fast moving story..Enjoyed the dialogue between the two detectives.

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I love this admittedly short series (I have to hope there will be many more additions to it). This novel has an extraordinarily evil persona committing cold-blooded murders and leaving few viable clues; a challenge to Eve that leaves her unsettled and scrambling. As the clock ticks with more murders very obviously on this monster's to-do list, the plot's twists and turns keep you engaged and enthralled. Highly recommended.

*I received this book as an ARC at no charge from the author/publisher in return for my honest review. My thanks to them for allowing me to participate in this program.*

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Another great book with Eve and Donuts, as they work through several cases, with many twists and turns. Can't wait for the next one.

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Thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Eve Ronin series!!! Can’t wait for book 3.

Thank you #netgalley and #thomasandmercer for this eARC.

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I love this series - Eve Ronin is a beast. She’s clever and not the typical sappy female character. She has grit. Never saw the ending coming!

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I am a huge Lee Goldberg fan. His in-depth knowledge of Los Angeles gives a lot of depth to his novels. His background in "the Industry" gives his books a good pace that motivates you to keep turning the pages. Bone Canyon is no exception and I read it in one sitting. Unlike a very prolific best-selling author (with origins in the publishing industry), Mr Goldberg's books contain well-written prose, well-developed characters and just enough extraneous plot information to fill out the story. In Bone Canyon, an example of this is Jen and Vince. Irrelevant to the plot, but a huge addition to the story.

I deducted a star because I was really unhappy with the resolution of this novel. I mean really really unhappy. Lots and lots of really great foreplay, perfect ambiance, great participants and a complete fizzle in the happy ending department. In case this review goes beyond the author and the publisher, I won't give a spoiler. But the resolution and the identity of the bad guy really sucked. It was lame, contrived and completely unbelievable because there was nothing in the preceding chapters to even hint at the possibility much less provide any clues to what might happen. In a nutshell, the ending was lazy on the part of Mr Goldberg and I feel cheated. I still give it four stars because it was extremely enjoyable to read up until the end. Having said that, I doubt that anyone who paid for the book would be as generous.

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Eve Ronin is investigating the discovery of a woman’s body, found after a fire sweeps through the Santa Monica Mountains. The woman disappeared years ago, and Eve, as the youngest homicide detective in the division has a lot to prove. As she investigates, Eve uncovers a story more perverted and twisted than anyone could have imagined. Goldberg does a fantastic job showing how hard it is for a female in law enforcement to prove herself. This one is a keeper

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Bone Canyon by Lee Goldberg -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Thomas and Mercer
ISBN: 9781542042710

Bone Canyon is fun to read. The pace of the plot is steady. The dialogue is often witty without being silly. There is just enough description of California and the cities in Los Angeles County to be interesting. The characters are the best part. They portray the culture of Los Angeles and Hollywood craziness. I have lived there. It is a unique place. Eve, the central character, grew up and lives in the world of the film industry. She is a strong young woman trying to stand by her principles of justice while being reminded of the video that got her the job and being encouraged to be the central character in a television series. Duncan is Eve’s partner who is nearing retirement. I hope he stays in the series. He is a support for Eve as a friend and wise mentor. I like him. Bone Canyon is more than a Hollywood story. There are bad people among the good in every profession. It is a strong and disquieting story that could have taken place in any city. The setting, however, did add to the entertainment.
There are authors whose books I enjoy so much that I anxiously await the next one to be published, Lee Goldberg is one of those. I thank him and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and enjoy this book.

Reviewer: Nancy

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Bone Canyon is the 2nd book in the Eve Ronin series, and Eve, the youngest detective in her department, is assigned a case where human remains are discovered after a wildfire. Author Lee Goldberg once again crafts a twisty whodunnit, mixing a police procedural with humor and sharp writing which has made the author a favorite of mine, This is a fast read, easy plot, and great characters, and you root hard for the lead character, as she battles forces both inside and outside the Department. Another great story from the author. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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This is a really solid installment in what is rapidly shaping up to be a favorite "smart without being ridiculous" series. It's sharp without beating you over the head with how sharp it is, if that makes sense.

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“The Bone Canyon” is book two of Lee Goldberg’s Eve Ronin police procedural series. It may be yet another LA-based police series, but Goldberg knows how to tell a compelling story and this one is hard to put down because the pages actually do turn themselves as your eyes 👀 stay glued to the book.

Based at the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station in The mountainous Los Angeles suburbs a canyon’s drive from Malibu and steps from the urban sprawl of the San Fernando Valley, it’s an area subject to huge sweeping brush fires 🔥 and this one threatens to end the world, but when the smoke clears, skeleton pieces are unearthed. And, to a trained anthropologist, these are not the remains of fire victims.

With precious little to go on, Eve Ronin and her partner Donuts 🍩 Duncan, who is counting down the days to retirement, open up a cold case that leads them places they didn’t imagine. The skeletons in the hillside are not the only ones unearthed and echoes of coverups and corruption from years past can’t be ignored.

A great series that has its own unique spin on police work. It’s a quick easy read but real worthwhile.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

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Cinematic and suspenseful second installment in Lee Goldberg's Eve Ronin series. The characters and their development will probably make more sense if you read the books in order.

A raging fire has uncovered human bones scattered across the charred hillside. Eve's investigation takes her to her own department. What else will be uncovered?

I like this series. Eve is a complex, flawed heroine, who treads the fine line between righteous and self-righteous and sometimes slips. Her partner, Duncan, is an absolute gem, the veteran, jaded detective counting down his days to retirement but still a steady and encouraging mentor. (There's also a wonderful running gag about the stains that Duncan accumulates on his clothes during meals.) The author knows how to build suspense and up the dramatic stakes. The scenes unfold like a movie.

A few things I didn't like: The forensic anthropologist rang too many "Bones" bells for me. And the final twist seemed tacked on, rushed, and implausible.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

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Enjoyed the protagonist once again and most of the story. Characters worked well, but the plot sort of sputtered, looking for a place to finish.

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I really like this series and I love Eve and Duncan. I hope a few more books come out before Duncan retires.

After fires burn a hillside charred bones show up. And then more. An anthropologist is brought in to collect the bones and to help identify. Murder? Accidents?

The first body is identified and she was definitely murdered. After she is identified, it turns out that she had reported being raped 2 days before her death. It's Eve's and Duncan's job to find out. All the while this is going on, Eve has physical therapy for her wrist that she broke on the last case.

This is all good until the end. I felt the ending was just sort of thrown together. While there were clues, the guilty party just didn't fit. Also the behavior of Eve's superiors at work. So while I enjoyed 95% of the book, the ending let me down.

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