Publication Date September 1, 2023
Last year, I read Movieland, my first novel by Lee Goldberg. In my review, I said “I tend to enjoy stories where the setting is a character on its own, if you know what I mean (think Jane Harper’s novels set in arid Western Australia. Oh, and BTW, if you enjoy mysteries, you really should check her out — start with The Dry). In Lee Goldberg’s Movieland, while Malibu Creek State Park is both a beautiful location for campers, tourists, and hikers, it’s also a great setting for murder.”
I was totally looking forward to reading Goldberg’s next two books, both scheduled for publication in the last quarter of 2023: Malibu Burning and Calico. When I read that Calico was a combination of mystery and western, I decided to read it first. TBH, I never would have picked it had I read more carefully and seen “Sci-Fi” used to describe it. Not just Sci-Fi, but time travel. For me, that’s not something I have ever really enjoyed. (I think I’m either lacking in imagination or just too analytical or something.) I had enjoyed Movieland so much, I just decided to go for it. I followed it with Malibu Burning (which seemed along the lines of Movieland in terms of setting).
Just as in Movieland, setting is truly a character on its own in Malibu Burning. This time it is the Southern California of my vivid childhood memories, complete with Santa Ana winds, those hot dry spells that are notorious for making people crazy. Master thief Danny Cole wants a huge fire to be a diversion while he pulls off a huge robbery.
As devastating firestorms in burn the hills surrounding Malibu, arson investigator Walter Sharpe and his new partner, Andrew Walker (former US marshal) both suspect that someone set the huge fires intentionally. But why?
The story rolls along, circling around Danny, Walker, and Sharpe. There’s a ton of action and, as was the case in Calico, the other Goldberg book scheduled for release in the last half of 2023, the book seems written with the idea of a move in mind. (And, like Calico, if done right, it should be great). Suspend your disbelief, settle in, and enjoy the wild ride…especially that ending. Wow. Four solid stars, and thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing a copy in exchange for my honest review.