Eve Ronin has just been promoted to the robbery-homicide department in the Greater Los Angeles area police because of a viral video of her arresting a famous and violent actor. The other detectives don't like that she got there in that way, and Eve knows she has to prove herself. When she and her partner are sent to look over a blood soaked house, it's clear that multiple murders happened here, but that's all they have to go on. No bodies, no DNA. Eve, along with the task force she's heading for the first time, must find enough evidence before they can make a case of who did it.
This is the first of the Eve Ronin series, written by the author who wrote the best of the Monk novels, and the characters here briefly discuss the show. This is a gritty crime story, with both children and animals faring badly, but I'd like to continue with the series. ( )

Eve Ronin is a novice homicide investigator. Much to the consternation of many in the LA County Sheriff Department, she was promoted to her position when a video of her taking down and arresting a movie star for abusing a woman went viral. She is partnered with Duncan “Donuts” Pavone who is counting the days until his retirement. While investigating a missing mother and her two children, they find the victims’ blood splattered home to be the scene of a horrific crime, but the bodies are not there. Although her quick thinking, ability to read clues, and dogged determination indicate she is well deserved of her promotion, Eve still has a lot to learn.

This is the first in the Eve Ronin series and has been on my TBR for a long time as I have read all the subsequent ones, having somehow missed this one. I have enjoyed all of the books. They are well written, fast moving, with good character development. Eve’s heroics at the end of this story had me on the edge of my seat.

I would recommend this series to fans of mysteries/thrillers/police procedurals, especially those featuring personable main characters. All of the books do work as stand alones. ( )

A nice short screenwriter's novel. 3.5* ( )

This was my first mystery by Lee Goldberg and it is the start of the Eve Ronin mystery series. I am excited to read the following books.
In this one, Eve is newly assigned to Robbery Homicide following a video of her arresting a celebrity superhero for abusive behavior. She and her partner, Duncan, are called out to investigate a dead man with his throat cut. When Eve realizes that the truck has been moved into their jurisdiction, they leave to investigate another call. This time, they find a bloody massacre, but no bodies. It seems that a mom and her 2 children have been killed. As Eve investigates, she relies on her instincts to follow clues.
I liked the movie industry references and the old fashioned police work. I liked the strong nature of Eve. I look forward to following her career. ( )

This is a very quick read, a lot like if you were watching a 2 -3 episode of this story on TV.
Some of the characters are rather cliched but none the less likable.
The story clips alone smoothly and it even references how Hollywood use non existent science and operates outside of common timelines to wrap up stories- similar to how fast this book wraps up.
Still it is an enjoyable book to read, and really isn’t that the whole point of books like this? ( )