The second in a series featuring two arson investigators who collaborate with two detectives from another of the authors series. The writing is excellent but I could not engage with the characters.

I have read this series and each book is better than the last. While we have the return of super murder cop Eve Ronin,
I was most enthralled by the continuing talents of Walker, former US Marshall, who has been hoping for a bit more
excitement in his new job. He gets it, and more. When a new housing development has brand new, unoccupied homes
exploding into flames, ir makes no sense to the LASD. Add super cop Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, LAPD making
the investigation a race to solve. Eve cannot stay off the spotlight, but her colleagues clearly get her talents…
During an intense investigation, things become more complicated
until an interesting approach leads Sharpe, and Ronin to each have different ideas that all come together in an
unbelievable conclusion. Walker is delighted to FINALLY get some action; Sharpe, is happy to be alive and Duncan and
Eve are on slightly better terms…. I cannot wait for the next book! My thanks to Publisher Thomas and Mercer, via Net
Galley, for the download copy of this book for review purposes.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg. I loved Malibu Burning, but this installment of the Sharpe and Walker series didn’t really grab me. Sadly, it started with the lackluster title that wouldn’t have inspired me to pick this up unless I already loved the author. I liked the suspense of the mystery, and how I learned so much about arson and fires. I’m glad Eve Ronin got involved (but why was there focus on her body and how she looked in that costume?) because I didn’t find Sharpe and Walker compelling this time. I didn’t hate this book, but didn’t love it either. 3 stars

4 stars for a fun mystery set in Los Angeles County. This is book 2 in the Sharpe & Walker series. I did not read book 1 but now plan to do so, It worked as a stand alone, but there were events that happened in book 1 that are referenced in this book. Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker are Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. arson detectives. Sharpe is twenty years older than Walker, but in better physical shape, because of Walker's on duty injuries when he was a US marshal.
They go to the scene of a fire in a housing development. The fire took place in a just finished unoccupied house. Sharpe suspects arson. How they solve this case and two other cases makes for an interesting fun mystery with some humor. I recommend this book.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#AshesNeverLieSharpeWalkerBand2 #NetGalley.

*** 7/23/24 *** Enjoyable book with significant Eve Ronin involvement (LA sheriff living in Calabasas with a TV show deal based on her life). All about 2-man fire investigator team looking into questionable house fires with a few red herrings and side plots, and then a final successful conclusion. The only problem with these types of series is you know as a reader that the main characters are never really in any mortal danger and that they will almost certainly get the bad guy. I do like books written in major metro cities with reasonably authentic landmarks that connect the reader to the material a little more. 4-stars for a lighter-toned police procedural. Thank you NetGalley for the pre-release ARC to read and review.

*** 7/21/24 *** Got approved for the NetGalley ARC for this September 2024 Lee Goldberg release that is set in my community! Makes it a lot of fun to read. These series are all a step up from cozy mystery and a step below hard core thrillers. Just a good entertaining mystery with characters you get to know in a community I already know (NW corner of Los Angeles). Review coming soon......

If you like arson investigator Andrew Walker or homicide detective Eve Ronin, then you are in luck. Ashes Never Lie by Lee Goldberg is a new book with them both together with Sharpe and Pavone we get a quartet of wondeful characters created by this author. I have yet to read a book by this author I didn't like, they are all great. In this book we start out with a fire that could be suspicious. It soon turns out that there is more going on and soon the two dynamic duos have several cases at the same time. The book is as always well written and I really like the dialogue between characters, it's witty and filled with humor. I can really recommend this. I also thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.

FULL. BLOWN. CROSSOVER.

I loved this book. I didn't know what to expect from a Sharpe and Walker sequel. Malibu Burning was as much about Danny Cole and his heist as it was about the arson investigators, and I loved the way Goldberg structured that book, with each storyline following its own independent timeline as we followed Sharpe and Walker's race against time while Cole's story rapidly caught up to theirs. So my question was: how could Goldberg follow that up with something similarly satisfying without repeating the same beats and making it so similar to the first that it couldn't stand on its own? I was also a little sad that his next book was going to be a Sharpe and Walker sequel instead of the sixth Eve Ronin book.

Goldberg solves both questions in chapter 3, when a dead body in a house fire prompts homicide detectives Ronin and Pavone to join arson investigators Sharpe and Walker.

Walker ends up spending a good chunk of time working with Eve, as she becomes involved with two of the three cases this book focuses on. It was really fun to see Eve from another perspective, and Goldberg does a fantastic job of keeping this organized as a Sharpe and Walker book with a prominent Eve Ronin feature. As a fan of hers, it was a relief to see she now has another friend in the department in Walker and an ally in Sharpe.

It felt so realistic how the three (three!) cases in this book intersected each other as the arson detectives worked on multiple leads at a time and discovered one case while investigating another, largely because they were so well plotted and interwoven by the author.

It's no secret I'm a huge Lee Goldberg fan, having read each of his last 16 novels now, but I can't recommend him enough. His books are consistently fun and smart, with characters you want to root for. There is action and comedy with thrills, twists, and surprises throughout. I get excited every time I see a new book of his is coming out. Can't wait for the next one.

Lee Goldberg’s smooth and alluring storytelling talent is on fill display in Ashes Never Lie, an irresistible tale of arson, murder and fraud that locks you in early and keeps you riveted to the end.

Newly constructed homes in a housing development are catching fire with no obvious cause but thankfully with no fatalities. Miles away another home burns to the ground, but this one contains a dead body and lots of questions. In the pursuit of answers to the seemingly unrelated cases, arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker team up with homicide detectives Even Ronin and Duncan “Donuts” Pavone. What follows is a series of eye-opening revelations and undercover operations to catch an arsonist, stop a long-running scam, and save thousands from unbearable pain and certain death.

This book is all-gas, no breaks. Including multiple events and dangerous situations that propel the story forward at high speeds with the heat of a five-alarm fire. And containing investigations that twist, turn, and require every bit of skill, creative thinking and unsanctioned initiative from the venerable law enforcement team of Sharpe, Walker, Ronin and Pavone. A partnership that is a brilliant combination of personalities and capabilities that effortlessly leverages the strengths of each member and is entertaining as hell to witness. Especially as they go after incredibly well-devised characters with complex criminal personas that would excite and fascinate any psychologist, let alone a thriller enthusiast. In other words, this book has everything you could want in an unputdownable action/mystery novel.

Lee Goldberg is an automatic must read and Ashes Never Lie is just the latest example of why. He yet again delivers an exhilarating plot filled with intriguing, well-developed characters contained within a smooth-flowing, well-written and enthralling story. Not to be missed by anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Book Title: Ashes Never Lie
Series: Sharpe & Walker Book #2
Author: Lee Goldberg
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery Thriller,
Pub Date: September 17, 2024
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up in appreciation of the research that Lee Goldberg did!
Pages: 288

This is second in this series with [book: Malibu Burning] the first. I am a big [author: Lee Goldberg] fan and embarrassed to said that although I had “Malibu Burning" on my want to read list I somehow missed it.
In that story Andrew Walker has just made the switch from US Marshall to arson investigator with the LA County Sheriff’s Department. He’s being trained by a senior investigator, Walter Sharpe.

In this story our Walker and Sharpe are back with another Southern California fire investigation.
They are joined by homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone as they join forces to solve a series of arsons at a new housing development. A new housing development has just had a house catch fire before the buyer moves in. In fact, other newly built vacant homes are mysteriously bursting into flames. Additionally another home miles away burns to the ground and a man is found dead sitting in his recliner.
(BTW: I was delighted Eva Ronin has a significant role in this as I totally love that series!


I have read many Lee Goldberg novels but didn’t appreciate his wit and humor before "Calico". However that story had me laughing out loud!
I wasn't laughing in this story as is all too real. I live in Southern California and trust me fires are a constant threat. Our hot dry weather and winds make it easy for a fire to spread. There was a situation a couple years ago when a young couple held a ‘gender reveal party ' with pink or blue sparklers. Sparks caused a terrible fire. So when the fires are arson it is the worst as not only so much destruction to property and our environment but lives are lost.

In Lee Goldberg’s 'Author’s Note' he tells us about his inspiration for writing this fictional story. He tells us of his extensive research. True there is some fiction because truth isn’t as much fun as fiction.

I am a serous person especially when it comes to fire so and found this difficult and not an enjoyable read. However, I truly am looking forward to my next Lee Goldberg story.

Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 17, 2024.

Veteran arson investigator Walker and his fairly new partner, former US Marshall Sharpe are back in action chasing down vacant homes being incinerated, a burned body that may be suicide or murder, an insurance scam, and a possible lethal scourge. Both Walker and Sharpe, nicknamed Shar Pei because of his uncanny resemblance to one, are unique characters, a bit unconventional, but full of wit and intelligence. Best of all in this book, they have some opportunities to team up with Eve Ronin, a detective from one of Goldberg’s other popular series of which I am a fan.

With a few storylines, this is a fast paced thrill ride through southern California. I really enjoy the humorous wise cracks throughout the book and the relationship between the partners. It is a bit over the top at times, but is an entertaining read. An added bonus is insight into the investigative process involved in arson. A unique take on crime fiction/mystery/thriller.   

I did read the first book in this series, but this would work as a standalone.

This book has so many plots some complete, others incomplete which I felt was a drawback. While the first instalment was a full on fun ride this one was veering off every other way. Some parts of the book were unnecessary and unbelievable. The author seems to have been concentrating more on striking a balance between Sharp Walker duo and Eve Duncan pair. The tightness of the plot has suffered because of that.

This fast-moving police procedural mystery is a light enjoyable read. Two Los Angles arson detectives are vexed by several homes suddenly burning down, one of them with a charred body inside. The two detectives are a ying and yang of old school methodical and modern hard-driving action which leads to conflict on how to examine evidence. What stands out is witty sarcasm of the characters picking on each other as they rush from various crime scenes. That said, there is quite a bit of substance to the story with red herrings all over the place. I admired the way the author introduced complexities of arson investigation in repartee dialogue without the science coming across as lectures. Some readers may roll eyes about the slapstick, cinematic finale, but that is forgiven due to Lee Goldberg being the author of several mysteries turned into television series including the Mr. Monk mysteries. Ashes Never Lie falls in line with those popular episodes.

Ashes Never Leave is the second book in a series by Lee Goldberg involving Arson Investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker. I had not read the first book in this series but didn’t feel like it hurt my comprehension of the characters who are not traditional arson investigators. What I really enjoyed was the appearance of LA Detective Eve Ronin and partner Duncan Pavone. The pairing of these two partners was fun to read about and I am hoping that they will meet again. The story is really intertwining several arson events that involves all the characters, it reads like a script for television, which I can foresee happening.

This is the second book in the Sharpe and Walker series, two arson detectives in Los Angeles that investigate suspicious fires. They are at the scene of one where a car has burned and a body has been found it in, since the car was also involved in a robbery, the case becomes one for another agency. They are soon called out to another arson in a new sub division, a house has burned almost totally and while they are investigating another one starts, but they, mostly Sharpe, are able to put it out before too much damage is done. This leads them to discover that someone had rigged IEDs connected to electrical outlets throughout the house that, when ignited, burn through insulation that had been packed around the devices. At yet another house fire elsewhere, Sharpe and Walker meet up with Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan, because not only was the house damaged there is a body found inside. This gives Walker, a former Marshal, to do something he sorely misses, investigate, he and Ronin team up and are able to find out where the fellow worked, that he was having an affair and the lady he was having an affair with is missing. Walker and Ronin are an incredible team, especially when Ronin goes undercover as the wife to Walkers' wife, that part was funny. Two two story lines do come to a very satisfactory conclusion and I would highly recommend this and any other book the the author. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Thomasmercer for the ARC.

Ashes Never Lie is the second book in the Sharpe & Walker series about a pair of unconventional arson investigators with the LA Sheriff’s Department. I had enjoyed the first one, with some reservations, but absolutely loved this one, probably because the author’s other regular series character, Eve Ronin, plays a major role. I don’t think you need to have read any of the books from either series to jump into this one as you get all the relevant backstory.

Former US Marshall Andrew Walker is feeling restless because his role always follows the action rather than being in the thick of it, so when he meets Detective Ronin and her colleague Duncan Pavone at the site of an unusual house fire, he’s only too happy to team up to investigate whether the dead body inside died by suicide or murder. Meanwhile brand new houses on a nearby development keep bursting into flame - is it faulty wiring, angry environmental protesters, or someone seeking revenge? Walter Sharpe is the one man who will always find the truth in the ashes.

As confirmed in his afterword, the author has done a ton of research into arson investigation, and I really liked the way all the details show the various clues which reveal to our heroes what happened.
I also adore the bickering but grudgingly respectful relationship evolving between curmudgeonly Sharpe and cocky Walker, and I definitely appreciated the lack of any sexual element to Walker’s new friendship with Eve. He loves his wife and isn’t even tempted by his hot co-worker - so refreshing! There are separate cases here which didn’t all have to be linked, with plenty of clever twists and just the right amount of suspense, and all the plot arcs got wrapped up very satisfactorily. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily.
Ashes Never Lie is published on September 17th.

This is my first book from the author.
My thanks to the publisher, NetGalley and the author Lee for this review copy. This review is based on my completing this book and is my honest opinion about how the book worked for me.

This is the second book in the series but the story works well as a standalone. Detectives Sharpe and Walker investigate arsons in California. Newly developed empty houses bursting into flames for no apparent reason brings the duo in to understand why. While they are mulling over the puzzle and a possible insurance swindle, Lee Goldberg effects a crossover from another of his older series with homicide duo Eve and Duncan investigating a arson-homicide with the corpse in the ashes. The dead person happens to be a scientist and there is a military bio-weapon complex in the vicinity with a reported leak.
The two incidents are happening just a few miles apart and the two investigating duo band together to crack the case(s).
The characters are cut and dried and the discussions between the principal characters is enjoyable. Lee seems to have set his mind upon a future rights tie-up on TV/OTT platforms and I could almost visualize the scenes.
Enjoyable and gripping. Recommended.

Ashes Never Lie is the second installment of Lee Goldberg's Walker and Sharpe series. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline as much as the first book in the series, Malibu Burning. Eve Ronin, a character in Goldberg's other series, joins forces with Walker and Sharpe to solve arson and murder cases in Southern California. I love the interaction between the characters and how the author brings the setting, characters, and storyline to life. I hope that the author continues to bring these characters together in future stories. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC!

Earlier this year, Lee Goldberg’s novel Dream Town was published, and I was incredibly eager to read it. It was #5 in the Eve Ronin series, and I had read and enjoyed 1-4 (Lost Hills, Bone Canyon, Gated Prey, and Movieland). Then, last August, I attended Bouchercon in San Diego, and became a rather rabid fan. So, I was ecstatic to receive a copy of Ashes Never Lie from Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. This book is the second in the series featuring arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his partner, former U.S. Marshal Andrew Walker, and I loved the first book in the series, Malibu Burning.

While this book is identified as #2 in The Sharpe and Walker series, some might think of it as another in the Eve Ronin series, because she and her partner Duncan Pavone are here again! It isn’t necessary to have read any of the earlier books in either series to enjoy this one, but Anne at Books Of My Heart provides information that helps readers just getting to know Eve, described as “a new homicide detective in a misogynistic, political department in Los Angeles California. She became famous in the first book for arresting a tv star behaving badly, which helped her get the promotion.” She also noted that “…focus is on the police procedural, with a small background of personal life but the Hollywood scene is almost a character itself.”

So, we’re back in Southern California, where I was born and raised. That might be part of why I love Goldberg’s books so much, but I have recommended them to many people who have no ties to SoCal, and they loved them (almost) as much as I did. The book presents two different LA County-based fires: one in a new housing development, which arson investigators Sharpe and Walker are working, and another which has homicide detectives Ronin and Pavone investigating the death of someone whose corpse was found in the ashes of another home several miles away.

In a clever strategy, Goldberg has all four (Walker, Sharpe, Ronin and Pavone) team up to investigate the crimes. It’s a complex, entertaining plot, and many readers will be absolutely salivating over the prospects for any and all of the books featuring these four characters being made into movies or (even better) multi-part series by a quality production company (hey, it’s working for Bosch, right?)

Highly recommended for fans of mysteries, thrillers, female protagonists, arson and/or homicide investigators, LA-based stories, and particularly refugees from Southern California. Five stars. Keep it up, Lee!

This is the first book I am reading of Lee Goldberg and the book simply blows me away. The story begins with a fire in a couple of new houses in a new housing couple and Sharpe and his partner as arson investigators take up the investigation. They are joined by Eva Ronin a detective who investigates the murder of a scientist inside the house. This led them to a secret military bio-weapon complex with a reported leak of a deadly bioweapon. The investigation leads to another story about an insurance swindle. The story is expertly written with a new twist in every chapter. What I liked the most was the easy banter among the partners Sharpe and Walker and Walker and Walker and Eva. The conversations between them are superb and you can easily associate yourself with a similar situation when you are among friends you trust. On the whole, a wonderful read that is worth the time spent.

Ashes Never Lie is a pulse-pounding thrill ride by master story-teller, Lee Goldberg. This book is non-stop action almost from the first page right up to the end of the book, combining two different series, the Sharpe and Walker series and the Eve Ronin series. Just when the reader think they have the plot figured out, Mr. Goldberg throws in another twist, causing the reader to pause and do a double take, to make sure they didn't miss anything the first time they read through the book, and by the time you've completed the book you've probably read it two or three times over, if not more in certain parts. The writing is descriptive, and very easy to get lost in, even if it's for a quick weekend read.