I thought the first book in this series, Malibu Burning, was a solid but safe thriller. The characters were fun, but nothing groundbreaking. Most of the draw in the book was the criminal. But there was something in the burgeoning friendship between the two mains. I'm happy to report that book two is better. Much better. Wow, this was a good one. I know Lee Goldberg also writes the Eve Ronin series, but I haven't gotten to that series yet. Eve plays a big part in this book, and I wasn't lost at all with all her back story. In fact, after finishing this, I'm going to make it a point to get to her series ASAP. This book was fun. The inter-connectivity of the two series made this city and world feel like a living breathing thing (much in the way Michael Connelly does nowadays). This LA isn't quite so harsh as that. More in the vein of Elvis Cole or Spenser (as he's mentioned several times in the book). This is a quick read with a good mystery and funny banter. I've read a couple Lee Goldberg novels but I think this is the first one that's really 'clicked' for me. I see what he's doing now. And I can't wait to journey back to this side of LA. More please!

Vacant homes in a new housing development are erupting into flames in broad daylight with no apparent cause. It’s a perplexing mystery for dogged arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his restless new partner, Andrew Walker, an ex–US marshal who craves action.But as they puzzle over the blazes, another home miles away burns to the ground, leaving a man’s corpse in the ashes and homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone demanding answers. The burn patterns and charred body tell Sharpe a bizarre story that only creates more questions for Eve. So the four detectives team up to find the answers. Their investigation into the two unrelated cases leads to one shocking discovery after another. Now they must gamble their lives to unmask a brilliant arsonist, crack open a massive swindle, track down a desperate fugitive with a terrifying secret, and race against time to save thousands of people from an agonizing death. Second in a series, this one is even better than the first. I love how the author adds characters from another series into this story. I will be waiting impatiently for the third.

I've always loved Mr. Goldberg's novels, so I was glad to see Eve and Duncan play such a significant role in this narrative. I enjoy how Sharpe and Walker's chemistry is developed further by the author. I'm interested to see how this series plays out because of the investigative work that goes into arson and the stories' settings around Los Angeles, which certainly make for lots of material.

Although Lee Goldberg’s Ashes Never Lie is the second novel featuring his arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker, the author manages to incorporate his other series characters, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, into this complex story. He adds a corpse at the scene of a fire, only to discover the foursome work well together. Walker, a former U.S. marshal, has been dying to get back into manhunting.

Sharpe and Walker are still learning to work together when they’re sent to a new development where a house caught fire. Sharpe’s convinced it’s arson, no matter what the fire department says. But, they soon have a more important case on their hands when a house goes up in flames, and a body is found inside. Ronin and Pavone, the cops assigned to the case could have called it suicide. But, Sharpe insists it was arson. And, the victim’s job leads them to another potential victim. With a dangerous arsonist on the run, Walker and Ronin realize they could hold the fate of the U.S. in their hands.

Ashes Never Lie skillfully blends several cases At the same time, Goldberg develops Walker’s character more, introducing his wife, and exploring their relationship. At times, the story seems to bog down a little with the number of storylines, but Goldberg ties them up beautifully. But, the best part of this latest book is the banter and the working relationship between the four investigators. Goldberg takes two pairs of partners, who no one else cares to work with, and blends them with humor and care.

Ashes Never Lie is the 2nd book in the Sharpe and Walker series, two arson investigators in Los Angeles. In this book, they are joined by homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone (from the Eve Ronin series) as they join forces to solve a series of arsons at a new housing development. While the plot is interesting, the pace suffers from some overkill on minute details, with a blow-by-blow description of a character getting a glass of soda, for one example, that doesn’t add anything to the scene. Unfortunately this is repeated throughout the book, which reads more like a screenplay than a novel. And while the character of Sharpe is known for his sarcastic wit, it comes across as more mean spirited in this book than sarcasm, and it detracts from the story. While I’m a huge fan of this author’s books (and both these series), this one felt a little off in too many places. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I started book 1 ‘Malibu Burning’ I wasn’t too sure what to expect. I did think it might have been a very male dominated, what with two male detectives investigating fires/arsons but I was pleasantly surprised. I don’t know why, I’ve liked Lee Goldberg’s other recent series of LASD detective. Malibu Burning’ was very entertaining, I loved Sharpe and Walker. So much so I jumped at the chance to read an arc of book 2 in the series. And got a nice surprise that Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone from Lee Goldberg’s ‘Eve Ronin’ series pop up in the book as well.
In ‘Ashes Never Lie’ arson detective Walter Sharpe and his relatively still new partner Andrew Walker are working on a bunch of cases where empty houses are burning down when they are called to another house fire, this time with a body discovered in it. As it’s a homicide, Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone are also called to the scene. And what turns from a simple case of a home burning down leads all 4 detectives on a massive manhunt for a crazy arsonist with an even crazier end game.
After reading 7 of his books over the past couple of years, I would say ‘Ashes Never Lie’ is a classic Lee Goldberg. It was a fast paced police procedural featuring some great characters and very witty banter. I think all 4 detectives should take their comedy act on the road.
Great read for me. 4 stars.

This was my initial encounter with a Lee Goldberg novel; however, it certainly won't be my final one! I found myself thoroughly engrossed and entertained by the captivating personas of Walker and Sharpe. The collaboration between Eve Ronin and these two skilled arson investigators proved to be seamless and effective. While this book is part of a series, it can effortlessly be enjoyed as a standalone piece. The narrative offered an abundance of thrilling action, making it a quick and riveting read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer Publishing for the ARC to read and review.

Arson investigation is genuinely not my bag. But. Goldberg delivers (as usual) with a bright, funny, sharply intelligent mystery/thriller/procedural with great characters and scenarios that are riding that line between plausible and exciting in a way that's so, so satisfying.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC..

Ashes Never Lie (Sharpe & Walker, Band 2) by Lee Goldberg is a riveting addition to the thriller genre, showcasing Goldberg’s knack for crafting intricate plots and multidimensional characters. Set against the backdrop of a city plagued by mysterious fires, the novel follows the journey of two dynamic investigative duos: Walter Sharpe, an astute arson investigator, and his partner Andrew Walker, an ex-US marshal with a thirst for action; alongside homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone.

Goldberg masterfully intertwines two seemingly unrelated cases: a series of inexplicable fires in a new housing development and a homicide case sparked by the discovery of a charred corpse. As the four detectives delve deeper, they uncover a web of deceit that threatens to consume the city. The narrative is propelled forward by the urgency to unmask a cunning arsonist, expose a colossal fraud, and track down a fugitive harboring a deadly secret.

The author’s expertise in blending high-stakes action with complex investigations shines through in this novel. The pacing is relentless, mirroring the ferocity of the fires consuming the homes and the intensity of the detectives’ pursuit of the truth. Goldberg’s prose is sharp and evocative, painting vivid scenes of destruction and the emotional toll of the chase.

What sets Ashes Never Lie apart is its exploration of the characters’ inner lives. Sharpe and Walker, along with Ronin and Pavone, are not mere caricatures of detectives; they are fleshed-out individuals with their own fears, motivations, and moral compasses. Their interactions and growth throughout the investigation add a layer of depth to the narrative, making the reader invested in not only the resolution of the cases but also the fates of the characters.

In conclusion, Ashes Never Lie is a testament to Lee Goldberg’s ability to fuse action, mystery, and character development into a cohesive and enthralling story. It’s a book that will not only satisfy fans of the genre but also appeal to those who appreciate nuanced storytelling.

RELEASE DATE: September 24, 2024
GENRE: mystery
TOPICS & THEMES: crime, fire, investigation, murder, detective story

this wasn't a story for me and i just couldn't care about the characters
i hope other readers have better experience with it
i like the writing

- thanks to the netgalley for the copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion

I came for the Ronin and stayed for the Walker. Witty banter and an enjoyable crime romp.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC

Ashes Never Lie by L. Goldberg, published by Thomas & Mercer is the second book in the Sharpe & Walker Series. The previous book is Malibu Burning and I recommend to read the books in order.
Arson investigator Walter Sharpe and ex-US marshall Andrew Walker are puzzling over an arson case where homes go up in flames. When a new arson case leaves a body behind they're about to run out of time.
A fast paced, complex story that had me on the edge of my seat. Twisty and full of twists and turns, suspenseful and angsty a great read.

I dove into this book solely because of the intriguing title, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The writing, characters, and storyline are top-notch and kept me glued to the pages!
If you're new to Lee Goldberg's series like I was, fear not! While " Ashes Never Lie" stands strong on its own, I'd recommend checking out "Malibu Burning" for the full experience and backstory. Trust me, it's worth it to dive deeper into this captivating partnership.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this opportunity. If you're looking for a thrilling read with great characters, give " Ashes Never Lie" a shot.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

This was a serviceable, expected mystery/thriller. There was nothing I didn't like, in particular, but neither did it keep me so engaged that I wanted to finish in one sitting.

Ashes Never Lie (Sharpe & Walker, Band 2) by Lee Goldberg. Another fully entertaining read, did enjoy having a four person team, especially Walker and Eve interacting together. Did learn quite few interesting facts about arson investigation. Looking forward to Mr Goldberg's next book in either series.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

This book was soo entertaining. I really enjoyed it. I did figure out who did one of yhe main crimes by a comment when the character was introduced, but it didn't ruin the story. This is very character driven and Sharpe and Walker were a kick. Eve is always fun.
I would highly recommend this to my friends Family. Great read.

Lee Goldberg has written a wonderful follow-up to his debut book in the Sharpe & Walker series with Ashes Never Lie. The veteran arson investigator Sharpe is still just as witty and beloved (or bemoaned depending on who he's talking to) and Walker still craves the action that he used to see as a US Marshal. In what starts as a seemingly mundane investigation of a house fire in an empty house in a new development, another house goes up in flames while they are there. The second house though isn't empty and has the owner in it, dead in his car in the garage. Two of Goldberg's other characters from his Ronin series, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, are there investigating if the dead body is from a murder or suicide. As they are investigating the body and the fires, they quickly realize that there is far more going on than an easy, open and shut case and that they need to get to the bottom of it quickly or else there are far more people in danger. This was a fast paced, read in one day book for me because just when I thought I was starting to figure things out, there'd be a twist that would change everything and hook me even deeper into the need to finish and know how it ended.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing the advanced copy of this book to read and give my unbiased review on.

Reading Goldberg's books always feels a bit like watching a really good movie. You can just completely lose yourself in the story with full faith that you will be entertained and completely satisfied with the ending (aside from the fact that it's ended, which is always disappointing). I can't say this of all authors, but I can always count on Goldberg for a completely engrossing read.

I was awaiting the arrival of Ashes Never Lie with great anticipation because the first in the series was a great read. Finding out it was a "crossover" with guest appearances from Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone created even more excitement. And the book did not disappoint! It was actually fascinating to see Ronin through the eyes of Walker and learn more about both characters in the process.

Solid storytelling, as usual! Definitely recommend.

In this second book in the series, Walker(the rookie) and Sharpe (the tenured arson investigator) are still learning to work together. Sharpe is trying to develop Walker's skills in evidence identification. After a year together, Walker is beginning to learn the trade, but his background is manhunting with the U.S. Marshals service and he misses the action. They are called to investigate a fire at an empty house in a new subdivision. Walker notices a heating element from a MR. Coffee in the remains of the house that should not be there. While they are investigating another house catches fire. In between they are called to a residential house where the fire includes a body. At this house the team meets homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone who are there to decide if it is a murder or a suicide. The two teams work together to bring the criminals in each case to justice. There is nonstop action and thrilling conclusions. Eve and Walker are active "out of the box" thinkers and nearly get in serious trouble with the other agencies involved. The author has done diligent research and writes with a cinematic quality that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I have read other books by this author and will continue to read his work.

wowww!!! lee goldberg does it again!!!!! his books are always such a pleasure to read!!! this was actually probably one of my favorites ever from him!!!!!