Malibu Burning

by Lee Goldberg, Eric Conger (Read by)

Overview

For a professional criminal and a relentless arson investigator, fear and revenge spread like wildfire in an incendiary thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg.

Hell comes to Southern California every October. It rides in on searing Santa Ana winds that blast at near hurricane force, igniting voracious wildfires. Master thief Danny Cole longs for the flames. A tsunami of fire is exactly what he needs to pull off a daring crime and avenge a fallen friend.

As the most devastating firestorms in Los Angeles’ history scorch the hills of Malibu, relentless arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his wild card of a new partner, Andrew Walker, a former US marshal, suspect that someone set the massive blazes intentionally, a terrifying means to an unknown end.

While the flames rage out of control, Danny pursues his brilliant scheme, unaware that Sharpe and Walker are closing in. But when they all collide in a canyon of fire, everything changes, pitting them against an unexpected enemy within an inescapable inferno.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781978699366
Publisher:	Brilliance Audio
Publication date:	09/01/2023
Series:	Sharpe & Walker , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 6.75(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award finalist and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels, including the Eve Ronin series, the Ian Ludlow series, and the first five books in the Fox & O’Hare series, which he coauthored with Janet Evanovich. He has also written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk, and is the cocreator of the Hallmark movie series Mystery 101. As an international television consultant, he has advised networks and studios in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands on the creation, writing, and production of episodic series. You can find more information about Lee and his work at www.leegoldberg.com.

Editorial Reviews

A Deadly Pleasures Best Thriller of the year

Praise for Lee Goldberg

Malibu Burning

“Goldberg is a master of his craft, creating vibrant characters brought to life through Eric Conger’s voice-acting talents. Perfect for audiences who enjoy a good action-adventure story and lovers of heist films like Ocean’s Eleven and The Italian Job. A nail-biting thriller that will have listeners on the edge of their seat.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“The author of the Eve Ronin mysteries returns with a fast-paced, over-the-top caper that entertains while keeping readers guessing.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Goldberg returns to the wildfire he memorably chronicled in Lost Hills (2020) from a strikingly new angle….A businesslike thriller that shows how rewarding it can be to revisit the same story from a new point of view.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Goldberg’s well-drawn characters will keep readers rooting for both crooks and cops, and he hangs everyone’s fates on a clever, complicated con. The result is as explosive as a wildfire.” —Publishers Weekly

“Action-packed and captivating, Malibu Burning is a scorching hot and fast-moving thriller that will have you sweating as if you’re in the middle of a five-alarm fire. Once again, Lee Goldberg delivers a fast-paced, entertaining novel with well-constructed characters and an intriguing plot...” —Best Thriller Books

“Both fans and newcomers to Goldberg’s work will enjoy the fast-moving, at times terrifying, tale and its close look at firefighting and arson-investigation techniques.” —FirstCLUE

“Hilarious and touching, exciting and endearing. Highly recommended.” —Deadly Pleasures

“Lee Goldberg is one of the best thriller authors in the business and proves it again with Malibu Burning. He keeps things racing along at such a pace, and in such smooth prose, that it’s almost impossible to stop reading in this novel.” —Rough Edges

“If Malibu Burning was a wine, we'd describe it as rich and full-bodied, with tasty top notes of humor and light-heartedness, a robust blend of experience infused with enormous heart.” —The Thriller Zone

“Lee Goldberg writes a scorching hot thriller with his Malibu Burning that delivers on all the heat. Fast paced, the plot moves relentlessly to an unexpected climax.” —Montecito Journal

“Lee Goldberg knows how to write entertaining novels. His latest thriller, Malibu Burning, is a prime example. He creates a diversity of characters, throws them into some impossibly dangerous situations, and ratchets up the tension and suspense. Like a wildfire storming through the woods, I was racing to get to the novel's ending.” —Gumshoe Review

“This splendidly entertaining tale unfolds at a cinematic pace. Goldberg blazes new ground in his already storied career, treading on the territory of the great Don Winslow. Not to be missed for crime-thriller aficionados.” —Booktrib

“Malibu Burning is a blistering thrill ride full of Southern California thieves, cops, and firefighters, all facing high stakes and imminent danger. Superbly researched and told, fast-paced, and downright fun, this is Lee Goldberg at his best!” —Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Gray Man series

“Malibu Burning is great fun. Think Bosch meets Dortmunder.” —Linwood Barclay, #1 international and New York Times bestselling author

“By turns tense and rambunctious, wildly entertaining, and breakneck-paced, Lee Goldberg’s splendid Malibu Burning is pure storytelling pleasure from beginning to end.” —Megan Abbott, Edgar Award–, Anthony Award–, Thriller Award–, and Los Angeles Times Book Prize–winning author of The Turnout

“A well-written, fast-moving crime novel. Highly recommend. Lee did his work, and it shows. The plotting is perfect, the characters are fully drawn, and the dialogue is leavened with Lee’s wicked sense of humor.” —Brendan DuBois, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Malibu Burning is classic Lee Goldberg at the top of his game: a fast-paced, funny, and deeply satisfying page-turner.” —Jess Lourey, Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Quarry Girls

“An inventive, twisty, and funny caper from one of crime writing’s true pros. Elmore Leonard and Donald Westlake would’ve loved this wild heist.” —Ace Atkins, New York Times bestselling author of Robert B. Parker’s Bye Bye Baby and The Heathens

“This is a book I couldn’t put down. Lee Goldberg is a master when it comes to building tension and writing heart-pounding action scenes. Malibu Burning is a roundhouse kick of a thriller, a true nail-biting race against time.” —Simon Gervais, former RCMP counterterrorism officer and author of The Last Protector and Robert Ludlum’s The Blackbriar Genesis

“Superb characterizations and pacing, a tight-as-a-drum plot, and bold pops of humor make this cinematic tale a scorching (can’t resist) page-turner.” —Vannessa Cronin, Amazon Editor

“The heist mystery—when the theft is the most overriding plot point—is having a resurgence, and among the leaders of this venerable subgenre is Lee Goldberg. The prolific Goldberg melds the heist with the procedural into a solid plot with fully realized characters in the highly entertaining Malibu Burning, which launches a new series.” —Oline Cogdill, South Florida Sun Sentinel

Movieland

“Bestseller Goldberg’s strong fourth Eve Ronin mystery…[has] assured prose [that] matches the tight plot.” —Publishers Weekly

“Goldberg’s compelling follow-up to Gated Prey is a fast-paced, riveting police procedural influenced by actual events in California. A character-driven series entry that skillfully depicts Hollywood corruption.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“A tense, gritty, and engaging novel with wit, suspense, action, and some great twists.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine

“Murder, politics, and deception in the heart of Hollywood…oh my! Movieland brings the heat and packs a punch like a shotgun blast to the face.” —Steve Netter, Best Thriller Books

“Well-written, page-turning pacing and relatable characters make this a must-read series.” —J. Todd Wilkins, Best Thriller Books

“The fourth book in Lee Goldberg’s splendidly compelling Eve Ronin series.” —Mystery Scene magazine

“An intelligently written series with memorable characters and intriguing plots. Lee Goldberg is one of those authors with natural-born storytelling gifts.” —Deadly Pleasures

“Movieland, Lee Goldberg’s fourth novel featuring Ronin, is every bit as good as the first three. The characters, including victims, suspects, and an assortment of lazy, hardworking, honest, and corrupt cops, are quirky and well developed. The depiction of police procedures feels authentic. The writing is vivid and precise. And with startling twists around every corner, the suspenseful tale unfolds at a furious pace.” —Associated Press

Gated Prey

“The seamy side of California dreaming…Goldberg not only ties up…but links some of Eve’s investigations in ways as disturbing as they are surprising.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Lively descriptive prose enhances the tight plot of this episodic crime novel, which reads like a TV show in narrative form. Columbo fans will have fun.” —Publishers Weekly

“A great series…Eve Ronin continues to dazzle and show her gritty side as she progresses in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine

“This is going to be a must-read series for me year after year. Eve is such a badass character who will stop at nothing to see that justice is done.” —Todd Wilkins, Best Thriller Books

“Another suspenseful, fast-paced yarn with engaging characters.” —Associated Press

Bone Canyon

A Mystery and Suspense Magazine 2021 Best Book of the Year Selection

“Lee Goldberg proves again that he is a master storyteller with this piece. His ability to develop strong plots and use a fast-paced narrative keeps the reader on their toes as things progress. Poignant characters also help keep things enthralling until the final reveal for the attentive reader.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine

“Goldberg follows Lost Hills with a riveting, intense story. Readers of Karin Slaughter or Michael Connelly will want to try this.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Goldberg knows how to keep the pages turning.” —Publishers Weekly

Lost Hills

“A cop novel so good it makes much of the old guard read like they’re going through the motions until they can retire…The real appeal here is Goldberg’s lean prose, which imbues just-the-facts procedure with remarkable tension and cranks up to a stunning description of a fire that was like ‘Christmas in hell.’” —Booklist

“[The] suspense and drama are guaranteed to keep a reader spellbound.” —Authorlink

“An energetic, resourceful procedural starring a heroine who deserves a series of her own.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This nimble, sure-footed series launch from bestseller Goldberg…builds to a thrilling, visually striking climax. Readers will cheer Ronin every step of the way.” —Publishers Weekly

“The first book in what promises to be a superb series—it’s also that rare novel in which the formulaic elements of mainstream police procedurals share narrative space with a unique female protagonist. All that, and it’s also a love letter to the chaos and diversity of California. There are a lot of series out there, but Eve Ronin and Goldberg’s fast-paced prose should put this one on the radar of every crime-fiction fan.” —National Public Radio

“This sterling thriller is carved straight out of the world of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner…Lost Hills is a book to be found and savored.” —BookTrib

From the Publisher

04/24/2023

In this twisty crime yarn from bestseller Goldberg (Movieland), a cop and a criminal match wits in the California heat over the course of eight years. U.S. Marshal Andrew Walker apprehends master thief Danny Cole after Danny fleeces a cartel boss for a million dollars. Instead of sitting in prison, though, Danny becomes part of California’s volunteer convict firefighting program and lives in a low-security camp in the woods. While working a fire one day, his best friend on the team is killed. Eight years later, Walker has joined the L.A. County Sheriff’s arson department, and Danny, having served his time, hits the streets with a plan to avenge his friend’s death and pillage mansions left vulnerable during wildfire season. He gets his old gang of criminals back together, sets the plan in motion, and soon finds himself on a collision course with Walker and his relentless new partner. Goldberg’s well-drawn characters will keep readers rooting for both crooks and cops, and he hangs everyone’s fates on a clever, complicated con. The result is as explosive as a wildfire. Agent: Amy Tannenbaum, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

★ 04/01/2023

Master thief Danny Cole has a fatal flaw: He doesn't want to see anyone innocent get hurt during one of his cons. That's what landed him in prison in California, where he worked in the inmates' wildfire-fighting program. He's out now and is determined to avenge the needless death of a fellow prison firefighter. Danny pulls together his old crew to take advantage of October and the wildfires that make that season hell in Southern California. Danny plans to aim the firestorm at one rich, entitled man's neighborhood. During the chaos, he will steal invaluable possessions, destroy the houses, and provide for a widow. What's standing in his way? Arson investigator Walter Sharpe, who knows every trick when it comes to arson. And Sharpe's new partner, former U.S. Marshal Andrew Walker, knows all of Danny's tricks. Walker is able to put together a few clues, and he recognizes a Danny Cole plan. None of the three realizes that the flames will trap all of them with several innocent teens and a deadly enemy. VERDICT The author of the Eve Ronin mysteries returns with a fast-paced, over-the-top caper that entertains while keeping readers guessing.—Lesa Holstine

Library Journal

2023-04-12
Goldberg returns to the wildfire he memorably chronicled in Lost Hills (2020) from a strikingly new angle.

Not many con men are also trained firefighters. But when Danny Cole was convicted of a typically bold con eight years ago after a heroically unselfish act derailed his escape, he volunteered for service as a convict firefighter alongside a crew of other convicts that included car-leasing scammer Arnie Soloway. Arnie’s death fighting a fire around the extravagant home of millionaire Roland Slezak, who leaned on his connections to make sure the blaze spared his home at a high cost to others, has made Danny hunger for vengeance, if possible with substantial financial profits on the side. So he comes up with a staggeringly audacious plan: to persuade underwater real estate developer Levi Brisker, Slezak’s neighbor, to host his surviving cohort while they set a fire that will burn down every home in the area but Brisker’s, whose value will accordingly skyrocket. As Danny methodically lays the groundwork for his coup once he's released from prison, LA County arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his new deputy, former U.S. Marshal Andrew Walker, who Sharpe aptly says “could make delivering pizzas a high-risk job,” learn of an Icarus drone that’s gone missing from CAL FIRE and trace its theft to Danny. While heroes and villains race against the clock and each other, Goldberg creates such a maelstrom of loyalties that it’s hard to know who to root for. Could Danny possibly get his revenge even while justice is done in a technical sense as well?

A businesslike thriller that shows how rewarding it can be to revisit the same story from a new point of view.

Kirkus Reviews