I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own

After reading the first chapter, I was worried that I really needed to read the first 4 books to enjoy Dream Town. Don't worry, you really don't. I love this story and the characters a fun crime mystery that is entertaining from beginning to end. I did, however, go pick up Lost Hills this morning

Lee Goldberg returns with the eagerly anticipated (at least by me) fifth installment of the Eve Ronin series. Like the previous entries in the series, this one gives Eve and company a great mystery to solve as all the threads comes together amid the backdrop of Hollywood. The story itself unfolds quickly and the fast pace translated to me turning the pages as fast as could, trying to keep up with the investigation. I love returning to this world with these amazing characters from the big to the small. I have long had a cycle that with certain authors and their long-running series, I will devour their latest book in a matter of days and then have wait a year (or more) for the next one, this one cements the Eve Ronin series as one of those book series. I will keep reading these as long as Mr. Goldberg wants to keep writing them. And here's hoping for another one very soon.

Special Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

This was an entertaining read. Eve has her hands full investigating the murder of a reality tv star in a posh gated community while dealing with her life being turned into a police tv show.
I did not like this one as much as dome of his other books, but it was an easy, fun read.

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Dream Town (Eve Ronin, Book 5) by Lee Goldberg
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 295 / Genre: Police Procedural
Audiobook Narrator: Nicol Zanzarella / Duration: 8 hours, 47 minutes

This fifth book in the Eve Ronin series focuses primarily in Hidden Hills, a private community for celebrities in L.A. When reality TV star Kitty Winslow is gunned down in her Hidden Hills home, LASD detective Eve Ronin is called in to investigate. The top suspects in the murder include a gang of Chilean refugees who have been robbing houses in the area and Kitty’s ex-boyfriend and former gang-member-turned rap star. But nothing is what it seems in this privileged world where normal rules don’t always apply.

This one would really make an excellent primetime TV show. I think this is my favorite book in this series so far.

And best of all, Dream Town is available for free with #KindleUnlimited and includes the audiobook narration with the ebook so you can listen and/or read at your convenience. I got an advanced copy of this book but waited for the narrated version and am glad I did. Nicol Zanzarella did great job narrating.

Thank you @NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Lee Goldberg can always be counted on to:

1. Make me laugh out loud.
2. Write an entertaining story!

We are back in the world of Eve and Duncan, they end up having to investigate a burglary turned murder for a reality tv family in Hidden Hills. The community is full of celebrities and operates under a law that is all its own. Of course, Eve immediately starts making friends (I say with all the sarcasm) as she starts the investigation, and ends up on a wild chase across their jurisdiction to find the answers. As she is trying to untangle reality from fiction when dealing with this family that lives such a scripted life, she is facing the same problem in her own life thanks to the continued filming of the show about her life. I really enjoyed this read and look forward to more stories with these characters.

Dream Town by Lee Goldberg is amazing! Once I finally got to sit down and read it, I couldn't put it down.

Will Eve and Duncan find Kitty's murderer?

The Detectives
Eve and Duncan are on another high-profile case. This time, Eve is dubbed the celebrity detective. Duncan finds it appropriate, and Eve hates the name.

Duncan enjoys being involved with the Ronin television series, while Eve finds that it gives her vertigo. She doesn't like that her life is being filmed with another person's spin. Especially when that spin seems like it may be more accurate than Eve wants it to be.

I like that Eve is making changes in her life for the better. She is listening to Duncan's philosophy about doing police work. Some of it is working, and some not so much. I also like her relationship with Daniel. The two of them are alike enough that they fit well. The weird part for me is her father's new role in her life. It makes me wonder if he will wear her down. Vince has me on the fence about whether he is genuinely interested in his daughter or looking out for himself.

The Cases
There are multiple cases in which Eve and Duncan are working, like cops in the real world. We start with bones found in the park and move on to a couple of murders. The first murder is of a reality star, and the next is that of a rap star. Eve knows the two newest murders are connected; she must figure out how to find the truth. Duncan agrees with her. Eve and Duncan split up a few times throughout the story, and Eve learns a few new things from other agencies.

I like it when Eve realizes what really happened. It's like a lightbulb goes on, and she knows the truth.

Five Stars
My rating for Dream Town by Lee Goldberg is five stars. I love this series. The characters are entirely realistic. The mystery plots are right out of the news but with a witty twist. It feels like you are watching a television series.

I highly recommend this book and the series if you haven't started it already.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Dream Town by Lee Goldberg.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

Dream Town is the 5th book in the Eve Ronin series and while I really liked the first books this one took me a while to get into it. I felt like 45% into the book there wasn't really anything happening and was getting bored just listing to Eve complain about life. So powering through I did enjoy how it is all brought together but this was not my favorite in the series. I do suggest reading these books in order.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Dive into the gripping world of Lee Goldberg's Eve Ronin thriller, where Hidden Hills, a seemingly idyllic town for the megarich, transforms into a nightmarish crime scene. As LASD detective Eve Ronin untangles the threads of reality and illusion following the murder of reality superstar Kitty Winslow, she finds herself on a perilous journey. The blurred lines between fact and fantasy, coupled with a music industry war and a ruthless gang, make for a riveting narrative. Eve's struggle to navigate the chaos, all while her own life becomes a scripted cop show directed by her estranged father, adds layers of suspense. A thrilling tale where the inescapable truth is death, closing in on Eve.

Goldberg's latest if full of suspense, action, laughs, and plenty of twists! I did not see the ending coming at all! There is great character development and the plot flows effortlessly, reeling you quickly into the story. I couldn't put this one down! I've honestly not read the first 4 books in this series, and I immediately added them to the top of my ever-growing TBR pile. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was a really great book, although I wasn't familiar with the series, this made me stop to find out I needed more ba kground and needed to include this author in my check out authors

If you like delving into the ins and outs of TV Hollywood and the latest influencers, you'll love this fast action dive into policing robbery/homicide vs the imaginary sort both old and new.

3 stars

A solid read in the fifth novel for a female detective and her cases. For me it’s the type of novel good for an easy beach read. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for a DRC.

Lee Goldberg is back with his fifth book in the Eve Ronin series. Eve and her partner, Duncan (nicknamed Donut – get it?) are LASD detectives who often become involved in unusual cases. This time they are investigating several, included the discovery of bones buried in a canyon behind an upscale neighborhood, as well as the murder of an actress who starred alongside her family in an extremely popular reality show. Already you can tell there will be plenty of characters populating this mystery.

I enjoy Mr Goldberg’s books and this one is no exception. It seems to me that the directional information (street names, directions, etc), so prevalent in previous books, has been toned down quite a bit, which is a big plus for me. in addition, the dialogue seems snappier and the wit is a bit sharper. Definitely big improvements and these factors contributed to my overall enjoyment of Dream Town. NetGalley provided an advance copy.

Eve Ronin is back, investigating the murder of a reality TV star who bears no little resemblance to a famous real-life reality TV star and her family.

Complicating matters: the ongoing filming of a new TV series based on her own life, the presence of her secret boyfriend who is also a forensic anthropologist digging up more dead bodies in the desert near the primary murder site (when dogs aren't digging them up), a famous rapper who may have committed some murders of his own, a gang of Chilean burglary tourists (you'll have to figure that one our for yourselves), a sheriff's deputy who fancies himself an old west marshal, and her fellow cops ranging from her ever-hungry partner to all the others who have it in for her because of her fame.

Much of that is built up from past entries in Lee Goldberg's Eve Ronin series, this being the fifth entry. The original one, Lost Hills, was not my favorite Goldberg book -- which I should qualify by adding that most of his novels are among my favorite Goldberg books. But in contrast to most series, which get increasingly repetitive, this one keeps growing, keeps getting better. This episode may very well be the best so far, with the hazy reality of reality TV adding layers of symbolism as Eve tries to manage her own increasingly surreal life as a quasi-celebrity while investigating the surreal death of a quasi-celebrity.

Kudos to Mr. Goldberg for another great novel in what has grown into another great series. Keep them coming, sir!

LASD Detective Eve Ronin didn’t want to be famous, but unfortunately, an “incident” brought her instant fame and her father, a director, has turned her life in to a proposed television series. Eve and her partner Duncan “Donuts” Pavone are called to the scene of a murder in Hidden Hills, an exclusive area for the wealthy. The gated community is overseen by a man who calls himself Marshal Amos Tatum who believes that he has total law enforcement control for the area. Eve quickly points out, to him, that he does not! The murdered woman is from a famous television family and they believe this was a home invasion by a Chilean gang. Soon there is a second case, as during the search nearby three bodies are found in shallow graves. Are the two cases connected? When other bodies are located, how long has the area been used as a dumping ground and by who? Eve will not rest until she solves the cases, no matter to the threat to her own life. The characters are unique and the so enjoyable witty dialog between she and Duncan makes for a thrilling and fast-paced mystery! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

In this fifth book of the Eve Ronin series, Eve and her partner Duncan Pavone investigate a murder of a reality star Kitty in Hidden Hills private celebrity gated community.

The beginning was a little slow. Eve has bought a new home from another gated community and is organizing a housewarming party for family and friends. The tv show based on Eve's life is being filmed on actual locations near her. The pace soon picks up and Eve is investigating Chilean burglary tourism as well as bones found near Hidden Hills. The mystery is good and kep me guessing.

I like the all the descriptions of Calabasas and the surrounding areas. It felt like I was there on location while reading. I'm getting better acquainted with Eve now and maybe I even understand her better . When I read the first book I was not even sure if I liked her at all, but she's definitely growing on me. My favorite character is Eve's partner Duncan. He's always hungry and also has all the best lines. I found myself highligting most of his conversations with Eve.

This ended up being a great read. This is the fifth book in the series and these books should absolutely be read in order since previous events from earlier books are often referenced in this one.

Los Angeles sheriff deputy Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone are back in the fifth installment of this series, and I think this might be the best one yet. The new Hollywood IT girl, Kitty Winslow, is murdered in her home for her huge diamond engagement ring she recently received from her boyfriend and showed off on instagram. Kitty, along with her stepmother, father, and half siblings film a very popular reality television show. Their home is in an exclusive western themed neighborhood with its own law enforcement in the form of a permanent LA sheriff deputy named Amos Tatum. Eve and Duncan must rush to solve the crime while dealing with Tatum’s unusual forms of justice before the trail goes cold.

Dream Town is a suspenseful thrill ride of a book which kept me constantly on the edge of my seat. I love Eve’s character development throughout these five books and the amazing chemistry she shares working with Duncan. The ending surprised me and I love it when a book can do that. Whenever I’m in the mood for a mystery or thriller, I search out a Lee Goldberg book, because I’m always sure it’ll be a satisfying journey and this one was no exception.

Very interesting read! Several twists that kept me guessing and even believing the wrong outcome until the end when you are shocked at what actually happened. Definitely recommend this one!

Lee Goldberg’s latest book, Dream Town, is a thrilling read full of action, twists and turns. This is the fifth novel starring Eve Ronin. This book finds Eve as she is trying to cope with her newfound fame and the new tv series based on her when she is called upon to investigate the murder of a reality star who lives in a gated community for the rich. The crimes and clues pile up as Eve and her partner Duncan work to solve the case. The part that I enjoyed the most was the interaction between Eve and Duncan which was full of good insight, wit and just the right amount of comedy. I hope that these two are able to keep partnering up.

When bones are found in a state park, and a reality star is killed in her home located in an exclusive gated community neighboring the state park, Eve and her partner Duncan are assigned both cases. There are still those in her department who feel she didn’t deserve her promotion, which is being recreated for a television series about her career—filming in the area and directed by her estranged father—adding to the tension.

I did figure out the ending beforehand, but I learned a great deal about the very real world-unto-itself city of Hidden Hills, which I found fascinating. And while the author provides enough background information to jump in and read this without reading the first four installments, I think readers will gain a better understanding of the protagonist’s prior cases and personality by reading them in order, and I look forward to seeing what Eve does next!

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