by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Detective Eve Ronin is still adjusting to her fame after arresting a movie star and then becoming the inspiration for a television series, to the point where she wonders if she isn’t becoming the fictionalized version of herself. Her shooting out tires to prevent a smash-and-grab robbery at an Ulta Store is exactly what the TV character would do, but it costs the real Eve Ronin her badge and has her captain giving the same reprimanding speech that has become a Hollywood cliché.

Her unemployment proves to be temporary though, as Los Angeles County Sheriff Richard Lansing has his eye on the mayorship and sees Eve’s latest viral fame as his ticket to the office. That means that she will be leading the investigation of a body found in a plastic barrel and dumped in the Malibu Lagoon, a corpse quickly identified as Gene Dent, a fixer to wealthy developers. Dent was going to play a large role in a corruption case involving an LA councilman and powerful businessmen, so that means that Eve and her partner Duncan “Donuts” Pavone will be confronting suspects not used to being questioned and who will definitely complain to the detectives’ bosses about it. A helicopter crashing near Eve’s home adds another active investigation to her plate. Eve soon discovers among the twisted wreckage and dead passengers shocking connections to her own past. There’s no question that Eve is a very capable and intelligent detective, but the choices she made in a past case have her questioning her own right to be an investigator and whether she has acted to protect the LASD or her own career.

Few authors portray Los Angeles as accurately as Lee Goldberg, who depicts the traffic, landmarks, and especially the disparate communities that exist in the city. Real life events are mirrored in the novel as the author’s research ensures that even the most absurd occurrences resonate and feel all too plausible. Longtime fans of the series will be rewarded as plots from earlier installments play a crucial role in this sixth novel featuring Eve Ronin, but new readers are quickly caught up as well and will enjoy being immersed in her exploits. Arson investigator Andrew Walker – from Goldberg’s Sharpe & Walker series – makes a welcome appearance, and his rogue, shoot-from-the-hip tendencies perfectly match Eve’s as they prioritize justice over political relationships and bureaucracy.

The author deftly satirizes Los Angeles’s entertainment business as Eve finds herself feeling used by and yet benefiting from her fame and the clout that allows her to bypass rules and escape the expected repercussions. Die-Hard references, GPS data that allow new cars to basically narc on their drivers, and paparazzi drones all make this a very LA novel that exploits the setting and its unique dangers. This is a series that itself could easily be transported directly to the big (or small) screen, as it is filled with witty banter, explosive action, and twists and turns that demand attention and come together so brilliantly by the end.

Editor’s note from Lorie Lewis Ham: The books are actually being made into a TV series and I can’t wait! Keep up with all things Eve Ronin on Lee’s new Facebook page for the series. I was blessed with an audiobook copy of Fallen Star, and even though I’m only half way through, I can already tell you it’s just as good as the rest of the series, and I totally concur with everything that Cynthia said. This is my favorite of Lee’s series, and they always end up on my best books of the year list! And the audiobook performances are always great as well.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of Fallen Star, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “fallen star” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 22, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.