I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This story begins with Walker locating Danny Cole who has been retired. Walker convinces Danny to do another job. The job is to ste up Slezak to help Walker. It seems Walker's son has a medical condition and Slezak jacked the price up for medication, so it was unaffordable.

The story jumps to L.A. where there is a serial arsonist torching cars. Walker and Sharpe were contacted late at night to investigate. Later another series of fires were set with the same M.O. Later, Walker and Sharpe were pulled off the initial investigation to look into a major fire which involved closing down a major highway. Once they got to the scene, they discovered that all of the evidence was taken away. The two then began trying to put the pieces together. After talking to individuals, they began to develop who was responsible.

Getting back to Danny, he made a plan to steal a specific item and entice Slezak to obtain it. Follow along and discover where the item was located and how Danny and his team were able to accomplish the task.

As time went by for Walker and Shape, they pinned the possible arsonist down and when they went to talk to him, he was dead. Walker after more information was discovered, he had a new suspect and he and Sharpe went to arrest him. Big Mike, the suspect started trying to flee.

The trap for Slezak and Big Mike came together at the same time, so Walker had to Eve in trying to aprehend Slezak.

To discover how it all worked out, then you need to read this book, you won't be disappointed!

A Compelling Novel Based On Another LA Fire

Danny Cole, whom Walter Sharpe arrested for arson in a Malibu fire, is recuperating in Japan after undergoing plastic surgery to alter his appearance. It doesn't work. While resting in a hot pool at a traditional Japanese retreat and spa, an American strode in like a Neanderthal and plopped himself down hard in the bath beside Danny, sending water sloshing all around. Andrew Walker compliments him on his looks for someone who burned to death. He is here to tell him to complete the job he tried to do by starting the Malibu fire. Cole sets the fire to have revenge on the rich man whom he blames for the death of his friend in an earlier fire. He was successful, but insurance made it only a minor inconvenience for that man. Walker wants him to destroy this man financially. Cole, who was unsure about his future and feeling depressed because he couldn't think of anything, was reinvigorated with a new mission.

The main storyline has three threads. The first one starts the novel and finishes the goals of the arson robbery from the last novel. Do not worry! This thread has adequate backfill to explain the motives of Walker and the criminal elements. Most of the fast-paced action occurs in this thread. All of it is needed to pull off a spectacular robbery. Trying to figure out how Cole would pull off this heist was a major contributor to capturing my attention to continue reading this novel. The second thread is a serial arson investigation. This thread introduces some lightness into the novel as there is a jurisdictional dispute between Sharpe and Walker and the Los Angeles City arson investigators. That dispute has an interesting solution. The third thread is a fictionalized arson investigation of the I-10 overpass fire. This investigation lands in the lap of Sharpe and Walker. When they arrive at the fire scene, they discover all the debris has been removed and taken to the dump. Sharpe has nothing to analyze. Now, Walker's experience gets this investigation moving and more. As in the previous novel, Eve Rodin and Duncan Pavone join the investigation. The dynamics of Walker with those two enhanced my reading enjoyment and solidified my interest in this novel.

The actions of the thieves in the first thread provide the reader with well-rounded and interesting characters. For Sharpe, he stays mostly in his arson investigation lane, consistent with his background. Walker's experience as a US Marshall is used extensively and provides much more of this side of his character. This novel also provides more background on Eve Rodin and the TV show based on her. From these aspects of the novel, I received more insight into the characters of Walker and Robin. Also, there is more to Sharpe's character in adapting to an investigation that starts without inspecting the debris, which is crucial to arson investigations. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel.

Some aspects that can cause some readers to stop reading are present. There are no intimate scenes. Vulgar and impious language is present but not excessive, in my opinion. Violence is more low-key. One stand-off scene can only be described as humorous. This novel is the third in this series, and the second is where Rodin and Pavone join the investigation. I believe this novel can be read without reading those previous novels.

Two aspects did not add to my reading enjoyment. First, Walker works with the criminal element to commit a crime. For me, the end does not justify the means. Second, the unprofessional investigation conducted by the LAFD arson investigators is not believable. On the positive side, I enjoyed how the author weaves all the characters' unique skills and traits into a compelling novel. There were not any loose ends. It took me a little longer to read this novel than this author's previous novels, but I can't contribute that to it.

I have read one standalone and seven from two series by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and highly recommend reading it. The author is in my Must-Read group. I already received a prepublication reading copy of his next novel, so I need to read a few more novels before reading it. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received this novel's free prepublication e-book version from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. My review is based solely on my own reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

This will be most enjoyed by those who have been following the series. That said, Goldberg does provide back story, It's a fast paced and topical thriller that sees a determined team of investigators looking for the villainous arsonist who has, well, no spoilers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. it's a page turner.

Sifting through the ashes may reveal the original spark of the flame.

That's almost biblical to Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker, two L.A. fire investigators. They've seen it all. Sharpe is near retirement, but he's the best in the business. Walker is a near newbie who used to capture the baddies while wearing his cowboy hat. Each brings a special talent to the table.

Now Hidden in Smoke can be read and enjoyed as a standalone. Lee Goldberg fills in the gaps. But like I always say, get in on the ground floor and catch the prior two books. You'll then get a feel of how this dynamic duo works. You'll also meet up with Eve Ronin and Duncan "Donuts" Pavone, two L.A. Sheriff's Department homicide detectives. Both previous books are beyond satisfying.

Someone in L.A. just hatched out of a serial arsonist egg. This individual has set fire to carports and vehicles within the same area at the same time. Sharpe notices just how this arsonist flicks the flame. But then the BIG one hits. The L.A. freeway has been set on fire causing a massive backup in traffic. The cause seems to be started from either small businesses that reside under the freeway or by the homeless encampments. Either way, it's a nightmare for Sharpe and Walker.

Lee Goldberg takes the next exit ramp and we find ourselves with Walker in Japan. This leg of the road is highly intriguing. What exactly is Walker up to? Stay tuned.

Goldberg brings heavy duty crime to the page. At the same time, he fills his novels with spurts of laugh-out-loud humor and snarky dialogue. In addition, Goldberg does his research and it certainly shows. Seriously saying, this is a stand-out series ripe for the pickin'. Do yourself a favor and grab this series with both hands.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Lee Goldberg for the opportunity.

Sharpe and Walker are back in this third adventure. Someone is setting cars on fire threatening the apartment buildings near them. While they are traveling between fires, someone sets a fire beneath a freeway overpass which threatens the city. Sharpe and Walker turn over their car fires to another pair of investigators and concentrate on the freeway fire.

However, the State and city have already hired a construction firm to get the freeway back open and they discover that major cleanup has already happened. It's hard to investigate when all of the debris has been moved to landfills.

Meanwhile, Walker has gone to visit master thief Danny Cole in Japan to ask for a favor. Walker's two-year-old son has epilepsy and only one medication helps. However, Roland Slezak has bought the company and raised the yearly cost from $10 thousand to $150 thousand. Danny and Walker had a previous encounter with Slezak, and both are still unsatisfied how it resolved. Danny plans a sting to get his final revenge on Slezak which will also help Walker.

I liked the way the two different plots were interwoven. I liked the way Goldberg found a way to bring in Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone from another of his series. The characters are all interesting and the action was intense.

Somehow, in the past few years, Lee Goldberg has made his way onto my list of reliable/favorite authors…you know, the ones that when you see they have a new book, you think, “YES! Definitely gotta get THAT one!” In 2022, there was Movieland, in 2023, Malibu Burning and Calico, in 2024 Dream Town and Ashes Never Lie, and now we have Hidden In Smoke. Having grown up in Southern California, I particularly enjoy the way he evokes the look, feel, and (dare I say?) the Southern California vibe. Other authors who do this well include T. Jefferson Parker, Robert Crais (I LOVE Elvis Cole and Joe Pike), and Michael Connelly. So while there is no shortage of authors who do a fine job with stories set in and around Southern California, Lee Goldberg has recently been on a real winning streak, and his latest, Hidden In Smoke, is unique in the way it touches something in the hearts of those of us for whom Santa Anna winds and wildfires form a part of our personal history (not to mention nightmares).

This one includes characters we have met in prior books: arson investigators Andrew Walker and Walter Sharpe are on the hunt for the arsonist responsible for the destruction of dozens of Hollywood apartment buildings (all in one night!) As if that isn’t enough, a major freeway is destroyed by a huge fire, and that case is added to their job. With all this, they need help! It isn’t only arson, this is now a homicide investigation, so they call on two other Goldberg-created characters: Detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone.

Being somewhat familiar with the kind of timeline involved in writing and releasing a book, I’m fairly sure that Lee wasn’t planning on having Hidden In Smoke come out while Southern California was still reeling from horrific fires.I do think that he is well aware of the seeming universal fear of what COULD happen to Southern California when it comes to fires. This book is more than a mystery around arson and murder; people are asking just HOW a fire could explode so quickly and grow so huge in a short time. The resulting crossover combines a traditional murder mystery with a fire investigation story.

One thing often pondered when there is a new entry in a series: does the reader need to have read the prior entries to appreciate this one? There is plenty of information on the main characters revealed to make it all comprehensible, but I suspect anyone who reads it will want to grab more of Goldberg’s books. It kept me up all night (in a good way) and also evoked several nights of dreams about the place I lived for the first 20+ years of my life. With HUGE thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley (and Lee Goldberg!) for providing a copy in exchange for this honest review, it’s highly recommended. Five stars.

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg is a very highly recommended investigative procedural following two different story lines and the third installment of the Sharpe & Walker series. Although you don't have to read the others in the series to enjoy Hidden in Smoke, Goldberg does suggest you might want to read the previous novels in this case.

The main story line follows Los Angeles County arson investigators Walter Sharpe and Andrew Walker as they are assigned to a series of arson fires at apartment buildings. When they are coming close to a suspect, a major fire breaks out under part of the I-10 Freeway and closes it down. Sharpe and Walker are pulled off their original investigation and put on the freeway disaster.

Complicating matter is that contractor George Petroni, who is experienced in repairing infrastuctures after a fire, has already cleared the scene in anticipation of repairs, thus destroying any forensic evidence. Sharpe and Walker, however, are not defeated and uncover clues indicating an even larger problem. They end up calling in homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone to assist them.

A second story line involves Danny Cole, the con man from Malibu Burning (2023), and a favor Walker asks him to do, after finding him. It involves wealthy businessman Roland Slezak and the increasing drug prices one of his companies is now charging. Danny calls in his cohorts and sets up an elaborate scheme to do this.

The action is fast-paced and the investigations are interesting, compelling, and multifaceted. Admittedly, sometimes you have to set disbelief aside and in other cases there is some dialogue that goes over the top, but when taken in all together this really is a satisfying , entertaining novel that held my complete attention throughout. The second plot line is much shorter so the focus is really on the arson investigations of Sharpe and Walker, joined in part by Ronin and Pavone.

All the characters are well known for those who follow their series. Their characters are established along with all of their various strengths, weaknesses, and piccadillos. It's always enjoyable to follow a well planned plot following a logical investigation with characters you know.

Hidden in Smoke is a perfect choice for those who enjoy procedurals. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Arson investigators Sharpe and Walker are back for their third case in Lee Goldberg's latest series. Who would have thought arson would be so interesting? A series of fires avenging the erasure of a graffiti artist's work, including one blaze that may have brought down one of L.A.'s busiest freeway interchanges, is woven in with some political intrigue, and it is quite fascinating how our heroes unravel the mystery.

But that's not all. There's also a murder, which they solve with the assistance of Eve Ronin and Duncan "Donuts" Pavone from one of Goldberg's other series about the former, a young LASD detective who is also a reluctant social media star. And there's also quite the caper happening apart from all the arson related crimes wracking L.A.

For a reviewer writing about the latest entry in a series, there is always the question one wants to answer on behalf of readers who have not read prior entries: Can you jump in here without starting at the beginning? This book is particularly interesting because the author himself warns us right at the start that the very first page contains major spoilers from an earlier entry.

Goldberg normally writes his series entries as standalone stories. While it is always a plus to already have prior character development under your belt -- especially because Goldberg writes well developed characters rather than just cardboard cutouts -- the story line itself stands on its own. That is the case here is as well, as the salient information from earlier work is well summarized.

Nevertheless, it is a different playing field for the reviewer than the author. We have to answer the question. While you could start here and not be worse off for it, I highly recommend going back and reading both previous entries, not only to get the full story on the spoiler that appears on page one, but also to see how Sharpe and Walker work with Ronin and Pavone, as they did in the second volume of their series.

Not an issue for those of us who have read the series to date. We're back for more because we liked what we already read. And the follow-up to the previous plot thread works really well alongside the new case that Sharpe and Walker are working. Plus, we already know how adept Goldberg is at spinning a story as well as developing character. We're all in.

Hidden in Smoke by Lee Goldberg, whom was a new author for me. Overall this was a decent read for me, if not a great one. I did enjoy the investigation side of it, although for me the story line was a little off the wall. Having said that I would still recommend this book to others, because not everyone enjoys the same styles of writing.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I doubt very much when Lee wrote this book he expected there to be a massive LA fire, that would take out such a huge swatch of the LA area, rather he was writing based on what everyone feared could happen, and what has happened in the past. So that is something to keep in mind when reading this book, though the visuals from the recent news, will play in you head as you read it. But it's more than just a fire story- its a mystery of how a fire got so big and why so many fires were set in one night- basic fire investigation (Sharpe and Walker's forte), but when they realize there may be a homicide link involved, it's time to call in their favorite LASO deputy, Eve Ronin. It's a great crossover- giving the reader both fire investigation and an off traditional homicide mystery. Like a fire, it builds small and then takes off, so be prepared to stay up late trying to finish this page turner! Great for fans of the 2 series, but also for new readers alike, as enough background is given on the main leads.

Excellent book. Best of the series so far. Love the crossover of Eve Ronin. The characters keep getting better and better

Clear your schedule because Goldberg has written another addictive mystery you won’t be able to put down.
His dialogue crackles like the Duraflame logs being used as an accelerant by an L.A. arsonist, and Goldberg juggles dual plots like a master, keeping readers equally engaged in both. A great read.

First of all, if you haven't read the first two books in the series do it now! This is a great new entry in the Walker & Sharpe series in which our hero arson investigators work a case in LA when several apartment garages are set on fire in the same night. While assigned to this case, the guys are hit with investigating a huge fire in downtown LA at the busiest freeway overpass, I-10. Are the fires related? As an added bonus, Eve Ronin and Duncan (Donuts) Pavone are on hand to assist with chasing after the arsonist. A great cast of well developed characters who, at this point, feel like old friends.

The reason you should read the other books first is that a couple of characters from the first book return in another plot in this book. It would be a spoiler to reveal what's going on, but let's say you'll get a thrill ride through a very odd and amusing Gallery of Curiosities in which an old adversary of Walker's plots revenge on a rich guy holding the cards on prices of certain pharmaceuticals. A truly audacious plot line and heist!

I love Lee Goldberg's books. Every one is a guaranteed escape for a weekend or a few days into the world of crime in LA. I have especially liked this series because I've learned so much about arson and arson investigations. And in this book, I learned that there are also numerous legitimate businesses located below freeway underpasses in LA. Who knew?

Goldberg has a long and storied career in Hollywood, and his books are always a a pleasure to read.

Another enjoyable book from the Eve Ronin universe. I'm thankful to say that she and Duncan cameo in this book as well.

There are two stories taking place in Hidden In Smoke and I actually found the secondary story more interesting. This book does spoil the ending of book one (it's still on my TBR but even knowing the whodunnit I'm still planning on reading it).

I really hope there are more books in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Thank you, Thomas & Mercer!

I enjoyed a lot of this book. The secondary plot starts off a bit slow and hard to work out how the crimes fit in with the storyline but you get there at the end. I do wish that Walker had faced some consequences though. Maybe in the next book. But Ronin and Sharpe both know he had some involvement and basically shrugged it off when they are supposed to really care about law and order.

You do get to see some character growth in their partnership as a result. Sadly none in Sharpe's views on homeless people and anything else progressive. Mr. I Know Everything About Arson misses a glaring clue early in the book but he at least admits he missed it later. They get the right people for the crimes in the end though, sadly not all of them getting the consequences they deserve but life is like that.

There is some humour mixed in to take away from it being too dark/serious. It is pretty fast paced and sets up the future of the series (and maybe a spinoff for "Brian"). This one would make a great movie/tv show but like Ronin says, it would be tough to reign in the ridiculousness.

3.5 stars
This series seems to be getting better with each installment. I enjoyed the plot of this one, we got to see a lot more of Sharpe's personality, and the ending was both fulfilling and set up a way for the series to continue. Perfectly satisfying for me. I love books like this so much.
I will recommend this to others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!

I read the ARC on Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This is an extremely well written fast paced thrilling arson investigation.

Sharpe and Walker are two arson investors who are called to solve it. They race against time to solve it. I finished reading it in record time.

Walker and Sharpe are back investigating fires and solving crimes. In this book they are tracking a serial arsonists, who sets up several car fires two nights in a row. Third night escalates the situation, when a major freeway is set on fire.

This book is Goldberg's trademark police procedural mixed with a healthy dose of humor. My other favorite pair, Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone also make an appearance in the story. Likable characters and tight situations top off the reading experience.

Another thrilling chapter in the Sharpe & Walker series! This time they’re investigating a series of fires set under cars in apartment building and under the freeway. But it’s not so simple as Arson. This story keeps your attention the whole way through with twists and turns and a few surprises from the past.

Hidden in Smoke is part of a series but I read it without reading all the other books in the series. With that being said, the story begins with references to past events from a former book. Someone is burning cars and buildings with them. Arson investigators Sharpe and Walker quickly close in on a suspect. Before making an arrest, the duo are pulled off the case and assigned a mess of case involving a freeway fire. Calling in homicide detectives Eve Ronin and Duncan Pavone, Sharpe and Walker have to find the link between cases and catch a serial arsonists. In the background, master thief is working behind the scenes to bring a pharmaceutical company owner to his knees. The story is suspenseful and the characters are memorable for an interesting whodunnit that I want to read more of. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.