Bone Canyon (Eve Ronin Book 2)

Script writer and novelist Lee Goldberg rocketed into the New York Times Bestseller list with the successful series Fox & O'Hare, co-authored by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum, Knight and Moon). Along with successful titles like Monk, Charlie Willis, and Ian Ludlow, Goldberg has recently concentrated his efforts on Eve Ronin, a crime-fiction title that began in 2019 with Lost Hills. I read and reviewed the novel and found it to be an exciting, high-quality start to the series. In 2021, the second Eve Ronin novel, Bone Canyon, was published. It's available in physical, digital, and audio editions.In Lost Hills, Goldberg introduced Eve, a rookie homicide detective working for the Robbery-Homicide division of the Lost Hills Sheriff's station, a mid-sized city in South-Central California. Eve is despised by most of her fellow officers for short cutting the seniority climb. After an off-duty arrest of an intoxicated, disorderly celebrity, Eve discovered that the incident was captured on video and released to social media. The incident and footage made her the local hero and a political pawn utilized by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office. Needing the positive image, they promoted Eve, a prior patrol cop, to homicide detective. In the debut novel, Eve solidifies her local hero status by valiantly solving a triple murder.What makes Eve a different type of hero is how much she avoids fame and fortune. After a second video becomes viral, her media status escalates. A Hollywood agent wants to sign her for a television deal, endless reporters want an exclusive, and her mother and sister both want her to look glamorous for her newfound spotlight. But Eve doesn't care about anything other than her job. She's resilient and steadfast in her mission to serve the people. She repeatedly declines TV deals and interviews and continues working cases with her soon-to-be retired partner Duncan “Doughnuts” Pavone. Eve is Duncan's mentor, a relationship that transcends from student and master to something more akin to a niece and uncle.In Bone Canyon, Eve and Duncan are called to investigate the remains of a human skull found in the Santa Monica Mountains. During the search for more bone fragments, Eve is introduced to a bookish, yet charismatic anthropologist named Daniel. The two immediately have a chemistry and Eve relies on Daniel's experience to piece together a fragmented skeleton. In doing so, Daniel locates more skeletal remains of another individual. This discovery expands the examination into two cases that are possibly unrelated.Through trials and tribulation, Eve and Duncan face physical and emotional adversity. There's political upheaval when the two detectives trace the clues back to a fraternity of officers within the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Eve's mental fortitude is put to the test when she carefully walks a balance beam of time-management, health, and her eroding camaraderie with her co-workers. In addition to the work stress, her family life continues to be a burden. Her mother, a comical whirlwind, remains persistent in belittling Eve's career choices. In an important side-story, Eve's sister introduces her to a physical therapist in hopes that it paves the way to romance.Bone Canyon is superb procedural fiction, complete with action, suspense, and an exhilarating pace. Every page means something. Aside from the twists and turns of the case, readers are thrust further into Eve's personal life, with a more dynamic awareness of her love life, personal attrition, media stardom, and her inevitable future without the veteran experience of Duncan.This novel is a real cornerstone of the series, one that places Eve at the proverbial crossroads – fight for the truth despite the deadly risk or find solace by gratifying the corruption. Her against-the-grain attitude and determination makes her one of the most independent characters in ages. Her decisions are hers alone to make, and even Lee Goldberg has no say in the matter. She's doing it her way, and her way is what readers will love. I can't wait for the next one.

Another clever, Goldberg quick-paced fun read. Eve Ronin is a worthy lead in this LA based series of detective procedurals.

The story moves along well, and is difficult to spot the end before you are there. I think I can recommend this to anyone.

A recent wildfire in the Santa Monica mountains has had a surprising side effect. The bodies of several people dead for many years have started to be found since the brush that’s been hiding them is no longer around. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detective Eve Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone, have landed the most recent one of these cold cases. Their case proves to be complicated when they identify the body as that of a twenty-something who vanished several years before. As they begin to investigate, they make several startling discoveries. What exactly lead to her murder?I enjoyed the first book in this series, and I wasn’t disappointed with this one in the slightest. Part of the fun is learning the twists of the case as they unfold, and then watching Eve try to make sense of it all. There is plenty of action on the way to a wonderful climax. Eve is a strong main character, and I enjoyed getting to know her better here. I did feel like a few of the supporting players could be stronger, but maybe that was my reaction to their poor attitudes which aren’t fully explained. While the overall tone of the book is serious, as it should be given the case, there are some very fun moments, most of them coming at the expense of Hollywood. This isn’t one of my typical cozies, so there is language, sex, and violence; be prepared before you pick up the book. I’m glad I picked up this fast paced, twisty mystery.

Perfect extension of Book 1, even though this second installment is a good standalone read. Author, Lee Goldberg, brings LA Sheriff Homicide Detective, Eve Ronin, back with a stronger story of crime investigation and law-enforcement politics.This story centers around human bones recovered in the aftermath of another out-of-control Southern California fire that left whole neighborhoods in rubble and ashes. Although Detective Ronin is a renegade who likes working alone, the story is complemented well with her mentoring partner, soon-to-be retired Homicide Detective Duncan, whose wiser investigative and departmental experiences help shape and restraint Eve's impulsive and compulsive workstyle.As the body count grows, Eve Ronin's intuitive mind quickly identifies sees lots of culprits, but her lack of experience makes her vulnerable to too many rookie mistakes. Tensions grow for Eve, as family and work pressures create impossible situations and conflicting situations, making things only worse.Found this crime procedural an enjoyable and entertaining read with lots of surprises and unexpected plotline twists. It's a fast-paced story perfect for a distracting escape read when you've got a long afternoon and want a quick diversion.I enjoyed the underdog storyline that drives Eve's motivates Eve to take risks and make choices a more-experienced detective might avoid, creating multiple catastrophes with too many unintended consequences. The story follows Even as she tries overcoming the barriers thrown at her amid her untiring efforts to solve the crimes with her unorthodox, brash, and provocative approach. I like her strong and abrupt style.Although the book was definitely satisfying with engaging storytelling and true-to-life dialogues it almost has a shaggydog ending, it was still a fun reading experience.I added Audible's narration to enhance my reading with some supportive personality characterizations, adding drama.I also ordered Book 3 and look forward to the next installment.

When wildfires spread their destruction over miles of the Santa Monica Mountains they also expose a multitude of bones some of which are identified as the victims of gangland violence. Others however, are far more mysterious Eve Ronin, a newly promoted Los Angeles Sheriff's Department homicide detective, and her soon to retire partner, Duncan Pavone are assigned to the investigation to discover both their identities and how they died.Finding herself involved in a cold case which could have serious repercussions not only for her but also the department isn't how Eve hoped her second murder case would pan out. With her unconventional rise through the ranks causing mistrust and dislike amongst her colleagues Eve struggles to find the balance between the need for a clear impartial approach and her inherent headstrong personality. As the threat to herself increases she knows only solving everything will be enough to bring her back to some sort of normality.I haven't read the first of the two Eve Ronin books but it wasn't any kind of a hindrance. This can easily be read as a standalone and is very good. It's obvious Mr Goldberg knows the area of Los Angeles featured here and how the Sheriff's department works. The peripheral characters give the story a strong background and help Eve become a more sympathetic main protagonist. It isn't clear if there will be another book in this series but I definitely hope there will be.I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a very good read.

The author captures the locations and characters perfectly. Duncan and Eve make a formidable team and it is ironic that part of the plot evolves around whether Eve will allow Hollywood to make a series out of her exploits, whilst at the same time I was thinking to myself, what a great Netflix series the books would make.My only niggle was her fling / relationship with the archaeologist. I felt it wasn't necessary and for me detracted from the plot. Thankfully, those elements were kept to a minimum and I hope the new Eve Ronin novel steers clear of repeating this strand of the plotline.

The 2nd book in the Eve Robin defective procedural even Better than the first. Eve gets herself into many difficulties with her single- minded pursuit of justice, There are hints of romance, engaging dialogue -particularly with her partner and comic interludes whenever her mother makes an appearance. I am now a fan and will be moving on to the next instalment soonest!

Another fast and enjoyable ride with Eve Ronin. The story telling is good, the story interesting but the whole 'family trying to make Eve a TV star' thing is just plain irritating this time around. I'm fully primed that in one book, we'll step back and find the whole thing is actually a TV series but who knows. And just one final point, it's impossible to eat a Big Mac and drive!Still four stars for entertainment value though.

Eve Ronin is a young woman who short-cut her advancement to homicide detective - read to book to find out how - and is hated by her colleagues because of this... and when her next murder case seems to implicate other deputies at her sherriff's station life just gets harder. She is determined to solve the case and with the help of her soon to retire partner and a few others she makes progress.I look forward to the next in the series.