Great plot, good characters, fun humorous remarks
This book checked all the boxes for a great read!
Walter Sharpe is an experienced arson investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. His partner Andrew Walker is rather new to arson investigation but as a former US marshal is not new to law enforcement. In Ashes Never Lie they investigate two strange situations. In one case they discover a home in flames and the owner’s body dead in the ashes. In the second a series of fires in a housing development under construction raises questions about what or who is behind all the fires. As the pair begin their investigations it becomes clear that neither is a straightforward situation, and the more they investigate the more complicated it gets.
The plotting is well done. The findings are interesting, not predictable in any way, but credible. I was hooked and did not want to put the book down. There are several “Wow”s in my marginal notes.
Adding to the enjoyment provided by the plot were the characters. Sharpe and Walker are nicely drawn and likable. I could imagine them living down the street. As the investigation seems to be leading to more than simple arson, they are joined by homicide detective Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone, and it is fun to see the interaction between the cooperating but also competitive pairs. If the name sounds familiar, Eve Ronin is the protagonist in another series by Goldberg. Walker’s wife Carly, a psychologist, has a cameo role in the book and offers some interesting perspective on a suspect.
Despite the bleak details of the cases Sharpe and Walker are investigating, Ashes Never Lie provides plenty of opportunities to smile and occasionally laugh out loud, especially in the interplay between the characters. A good example occurs when Walker comments on a fairly harsh act by Sharpe, who says, “I am not doing this job to be loved”, to which Walker responds, “Then you’re succeeding brilliantly”. There was even humor in the Author’s Note at the end.
After I was impressed by the enjoyable book I was also impressed to read in the Author’s Note about the EXTENSIVE research Lee Goldberg did on arson investigation. Goldberg apparently did not stint on accuracy just because he was writing fiction for pleasure reading.
This is the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series. I have not read the first (but certainly plan to after reading this one), but I did not feel at any disadvantage, so feel free to jump in at number 2.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer.

Sharpe and Walker are back in book #2! They are investigating a couple high end house fires in a new neighborhood. This case end up being anything but easy to solve. While they try to solve this series of house fires, another home is buring with a body inside. Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone respond to this one and the four team up to solve the fires and murder.

I loved that Eve and Duncan showed up to work with Sharpe and Walker! Two books into this series and I am hooked! Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC!

I read most of Lee Goldberg’s books and love the Eve Ronin series. I received this book and hadn’t read the first in the Sharpe and Walker series, so I read that one first and enjoyed it immensely. The second book was just as good.

Sharpe and Walker and comedic gold and adding in an appearance by Eve and Duncan took it to the next level. Multiple mysteries are happening in this one, arson for the fun of it, arson for profit, and arson for due to a lie.

The procedural aspects of the book provide all the information you need without being dry and boring. Sharpe is an arson-investigating genius and his interactions with firemen are gold. Walker’s wife Carly is also immensely entertaining.

I look forward to seeing more of Sharpe and Walker and the trouble they will get into next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Lee Goldberg for the eARC.

This was gripping from the moment I started the book. This story follows 3 law enforcement officers as they take down several tangled webs across LA. This book has fantastic police work and a wonderful world in which they operate in. I could not put this book down. There is such riveting descriptions of fires, what can be used to cause them, and even how to put them out. This was like all the best police shows in one.

I'd been waiting for 'Ashes Never Lie' to come out ever since I finished the first Sharpe & Walker book, 'Malibu Burning' in August 2023. I had the book on pre-order for its release on 17th September 2024 so when I got the opportunity to read an ARC in advance of the release date, I dived in.

I had great fun with 'Ashes Never Lie'. I'm a Lee Goldberg fan but even so, this book exceeded my expectations. It was fast-paced, action-packed and completely engaging. Perhaps best of all, it has an Eve Ronin crossover that results in Walker and Ronin teaming up in a spectacular takedown that results in another viral Eve Ronin video, this time with her dressed as Wonder Woman.

I love the humour and the larger-than-life characters in Lee Goldberg's books but what I admire most are the clever, surprising but reality-based plots that drive the action. There's a lot going in 'Ashes Never Lie'. More happens in the first half (140 pages) of the book than most writers manage in a 500-page novel and yet it didn't feel rushed or confusing.

Sharpe and Walker investigate two very different arson-related crimes in 'Ashes Never Lie'. One has an epic, "unleash the apocalypse "scope worthy of a Michael Chrichton novel, The other has a domestic focus but has a lot more fireballs and explosions along the way to finding the guilty party. Both cases have scary, off-beat but believable bad guys and both bring Sharpe and Walker and Ronin and Pavone together to solve them.

Both plots benefit from Lee Goldberg's usual attention to the technical details. Both rapidly escalate from well-grounded (and in once case quite gruesome) starting points to something dangerous, explosive and unexpected.

Teaming up Walker and Ronin in these scenarios is like throwing gasoline on the fire. You know you need to stand well back and enjoy the show. Even then, I wasn't prepared for the tense, cinematic finale which kept me on the edge of my seat, grinning with amusement while still caught up in the action.

Will somebody PLEASE, PLEASE. PLEASE make this into a TV series? It would be so good (although I bet the books would still be better).

Anyway, If you're a Lee Goldberg fan, you're in for a treat with 'Ashes Never Lie'. This is Lee Goldberg at his best.

Book Review: "Ashes Never Lie" by Lee Goldberg

I just wrapped up Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg, and it was exactly the boost I needed. After a bit of a reading slump, this book was a breath of fresh air. The writing is smooth and easy to follow, making it perfect for getting completely absorbed in the story. The characters are all likable, adding a lot of warmth to the mystery. I found myself genuinely chuckling at some of the witty dialogue and twists. It was so engaging that I couldn’t help but look up more of Goldberg’s work before I even finished this one. If you’re in the mood for a mystery that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, this book is definitely worth picking up. Did I mentioned I read it almost completely overnight but had to force myself to go to bed (at 2am?)

Arson investigators Andrew Walker and Walter Sharpe are kept very busy investigating suspicious fires. The first they investigate is a burnt-out car which was used in a robbery and was burned in an area that is a jurisdictional nightmare.

While they are looking at that one, they follow the fire department to another suspicious fire at a new housing development which has been dealing with protests from various environmental groups. The fire chief says it was a fault in the electrical system, but Sharpe disagrees.

The third fire has a body which brings in Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone which leads to Ronin and Walker working together to discover why the victim committed suicide in such a thorough manner.

Then there is a second spectacular fire at the housing development which leads to the discovery that quite a few of the houses had been set up with bombs in the walls. There are suspects in that case including a disgruntled homeowner who went bankrupt and a shady contractor who was stealing supplies.

Meanwhile the spectacular suicide leads to a company making biological weapons of mass destruction and the possibility of a very unplanned release of the virus. Ronin and Walker are pushed aside by the FBI, Homeland Security and a number of other government entities, but they continue to investigate on their own even going so far as to attend ComicCon in costume.

This was a fast-paced and engaging thriller. I enjoyed the witty dialog and the strong relationships between the partners. I liked the way Walker is getting used to his new job as an arson investigator and I liked the chance to visit Eve Ronin again.

I love crime fiction, it’s the perfect palate cleanser and I will enjoy most of these books just because I love the mystery built within them. This series is my first arson type, and I’m hooked. I love Sharpe and Walker together, they have the perfect partnership because they give each other shit, but their skills balance out so well.

Walker and his wife are adorable, I hope we see more of Carly and her psychology background in future books. The introduction of Eve was perfect to add a feminine touch to the boys partnership, but also to the investigation.

The arson storyline running along the dangerous biohazard release was good, I had never seen two separate storylines running concurrently in a mystery book but this one did it well. Can’t wait to see what comes next from Lee Goldberg!

Lately, I've been reading everything Lee Goldberg writes, so I couldn't pass up the chance to dive into the second installment in the Sharpe and Walker series. These books are always a fantastic ride, and <i>Ashes Never Lie</i> was no exception.

Once again, Goldberg delivers exactly what I expected—an exhilarating blend of humor and suspense. I genuinely enjoy Goldberg's style, which balances lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek storytelling with a robust, well-crafted plot. The story doesn’t take itself too seriously, with the protagonists constantly exchanging witty banter, yet the plot itself is anything but superficial. This combination makes for an ideal reading experience.

The plot is intricate and thoroughly engaging. Veteran arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his partner Andrew Walker find themselves probing the origins of several fires in California. What starts as seemingly unrelated incidents soon weaves into a more complex investigation. Adding to the excitement, we see the return of another beloved detective duo from Goldberg's universe—homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone. The meeting of these two pairs was inevitable, yet somehow I never saw it coming. They fit together so perfectly that their collaboration was an absolute highlight. The friendship that develops between Walker and Eve is especially wholesome, and now I'm craving a series featuring all four characters. There's so much potential in this team!

In this book, Sharpe and Walker truly shine, with their characters fully fleshed out beyond what we saw in the first book. While their dynamic might remind me a bit of Eve and Duncan, that's not a bad thing—it speaks more to their relationship than their individual personalities. And I have to say, I absolutely adore Walker's wife, Carly. I hope she continues to play a significant role in future investigations.

The pacing is fast and full of twists, just as Goldberg has accustomed us to. The story ramps up to a great climax, showcasing the full potential of the main characters. Every thread is tied up in a satisfying conclusion, leaving you eager for more.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping story with humor and plenty of action. While reading the first book in the series isn’t strictly necessary, familiarity with the Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone series will boost your enjoyment—seeing them pop up in this story is a real treat. However, the book also works well as a standalone.

Rating - 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - June 18, 2024
Publication Date - September 17, 2024

*I received an E-ARC of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @leegoldberg007, @amazonpublishing and @netgalley!

When reading this book, I enjoyed learning facts about fires and the thought process during arson investigations. I also found that Ashes Never Lie has very descriptive language that was easy for me to visualize. It felt like I was part of the team! This book highlighted how different emergency services work and do not work together, which was really interesting to see. Sharpe has some good comebacks! It was very sharp of him 😋 At one point, I felt my heart racing when Walker made a discovery. That really showed me how invested I was in the story! By the end, Walker grew on me but I still liked Sharpe more. There were many crimes and mysteries to solve throughout the book but it did not feel difficult for me to switch between them. Also, I found it so fun to find the title within the book, it’s like an Easter egg hunt!

If you like mystery and arson investigations, you should give Ashes Never Lie a try!

Get excited to read Ashes Never Lie, available September 17! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

There's a wonderful surprise in Lee Goldberg's second entry in his Sharpe & Walker series. The two LASD odd couple arson investigators are joined by the star of another of Goldberg's LASD series, Eve Ronin, and her partner Duncan "Donuts" Pavone, who still hasn't stopped eating.

First they investigate a fire that seems to be a suicide tied to a biological research station. Then they investigate a series of house fires in a new real estate development that are meticulously planned. And that leads them to another series of fires that seem to be part of an ongoing fraud scheme. Not to mention the threat of a possible pandemic!

Goldberg's fast-pace plotting, rapid-fire repartee, and crack character development, combined with his highly credible research into arson investigation, make for a great read -- as is usually case with this reliable and accomplished author. And it all leads up to a very entertaining climax at San Diego Comicon, with Walker dressed as The Mandalorian and Eve as Wonder Woman. Great stuff!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advance reading copy of this book.

Several years ago I was a transcriber for an arson investigator. This book was a true representation of what can occur during a fire and was very interesting and resonated with me.
Fire investigators, Sharpe and Walker are involved in several house fires occurring one after the other. With several individuals who were quickly identified as possible culprits, it was only through the dogged investigation of Sharpe and Walker was the real arsonist captured. There is also another sideline story within this book involving Walker which gives him the thrill of being in the thick of things that he finds missing from his days as a U.S.Marshall. An excellent book and this review is my personal opinion. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Mercer Publishing for the early copy. A thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more of this stand alone series.

This was the second book in the series - and I just love these characters.

Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker return, investigating fires in the LA county area. When new unoccupied homes are engulfed in flames in a subdivision, the pair need to figure out what is happening.

Walker, the ex-US Marshall, is craving some excitement. This new job is much safer than his previous job, but it lacks the thrill of the chase. Sharpe starts to give him some leeway in investigating the people involved - and that helps, although Walker tries to keep the more exciting parts of his job quiet from his wife.

We bring in Eve Ronin and Duncan Pravone from the author's other series, and the cross over works very well. Ronin and Walker have similar personalities, and are both driven to 'get their man'. I hope we see more crossovers between the two teams in the future.

I particularly enjoyed the part where Walkers wife teams up with Eve to go undercover. I also enjoy the very dry sense of humor from Sharpe and Walker, and Duncan too.

All in all a quick paced and humorous novel, combining two great teams from this author.

Mystery Thriller Police Procedural following a dogged LA arson investigator and his new partner team up with two sheriff's detectives to investigate their seemingly unrelated cases.

5/5 stars: This is the second entry in Goldberg's Sharpe & Walker series which is a Mystery Thriller Police Procedural that features a dogged Los Angeles arson investigator and his new ex-US marshal partner as they team up with two sheriff's detectives to investigate their seemingly unrelated cases. They'll gamble their lives to unmask a brilliant arsonist, uncover a massive swindle and track down a desperate fugitive before he unleashes a deadly virus. As always Goldberg's written a fast-faced action-packed procedural exploring arson and criminal investigations with plenty of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I really appreciate how Goldberg's plot unfolds and the deft way the two investigattions weave together. This is a very cinematic read, which isn’t surprising since Goldberg's a veteran TV writer. Additionally, Goldberg's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex. Sharpe and Walker are a great team and I really love catching up with the two of them. And the humor's spot on and adds just enough levity to balance the darker elements. Plus I loved getting to see Sharpe & Walker working with homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone. I'm always a fan of a good crossover and this one's excellent. (Start the Eve Ronin series with Lost Hills.) Goldberg's touch on some very serious topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Malibu Burning.

I received this eARC thanks to Thomas & Mercer in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

When vacant, newly built homes in a housing development suddenly erupt in flames, Arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his new partner, Andrew Walker, face a puzzling situation. Shortly after they begin their investigation, another home, a far distance away from the housing development, burns to the ground, and a male body is found in the ashes. This becomes a different case, and homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone join the investigation, anxious for an answer
As the four detectives work together to gather evidence in the two cases, they soon face a third crisis. They are now involved in a desperate attempt to capture one of their suspects, who has the means to kill an entire population.

This book is part of the Sharpe and Walker series but it brings in characters from another series. The characters don’t exactly follow the rules and have a knack of getting in the middle, sometimes not appreciated by fellow law enforcement agencies.. They make a really good team and are highly successful in solving crimes. There is plenty of suspense, a little humor and a good story line. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Arson investigators Sharpe and Walker investigate multiple arsons in this second book in the series. One of the cases pairs them with Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone from the Eve Ronin series, which is so awesome. Sharpe concentrates on what he knows best, the details of the fire and how it was started. Walker wants more action, even though he took the safer option as arson investigator to appease his wife, who was concerned of him being on the line of fire most of the time.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I learned more about arson investigation, enjoyed the criminal investigation and just my kind of humor. We get to know Walker's wife Carly better also. I really like Goldberg's writing style. It's just my cup of tea.

ASHES NEVER LIE - I have enjoyed reading books by this author for years, including his teaming up with Janet Evanovich. ANL is an intriguing and entertaining story with interesting story lines, good characters and plenty of technical details. No drama queens but realistic dialogues and actions, and some humor, made for an easy immersion and hard to put down reading. Source: Netgalley. 5*

Humorous, lively, entertaining! Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg was an enjoyable arson mystery with twists and turns to carry the story along. Various characters and situations are interspersed with witty lines and fun scenes. A good read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Lee Goldberg has been around for years, writing novels and television scripts, but it’s only recently that I’ve caught up with him, reading a number of his more recent books. I’ve become hooked on his Eve Ronin series, featuring a young, attractive cop who leaps to fame after taking down a well-known film actor she witnessed striking his girlfriend. This act, filmed by a passing onlooker, made her famous overnight and prompted her premature promotion to homicide detective. Her partner is Duncan ‘Donuts’ Pavone, a rotund pen pusher who deals with the admin whilst Eve does the physical stuff.

Even more recently, I enjoyed the first book in another new series, featuring Walter Sharpe, a Walter Matthau lookalike, and experienced arson investigator. Sharpe is a dour character who boasts that he’s never failed to solve a case. Sharpe’s partner is Andrew Walker, an ex-U.S. Marshal, who just loves the chase, and who is easily bored. He’s only found himself in this job to appease his wife, who is fed up with the danger and subsequent injuries that seemed part and parcel of his previous role. As in the Eve Ronan series, the relationship between the lead characters is brilliantly developed and adds some great humour to what are explosive, fast moving tales.

In this story, all four meet up after being called in to investigate the aftermath of a house fire, a body having been found in the ruins of the property. Goldberg then contrives a series of events that result in Ronin and Walker teaming up to attempt to chase down a villain who poses a significant national threat. The story does include elements that are a little hard to swallow and a conclusion that is somewhat telegraphed, and yet it still kept me hooked throughout. The main attraction for me being the brilliantly written interactions between well fleshed out and intriguing lead characters.