Gated Prey (Eve Ronin, #3) By Lee Goldberg

MarilynW

Gated Prey (Eve Ronin #3)
by Lee Goldberg, Nicol Zanzarella (Narrator)

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective Eve Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone have been working a case that involves home invasions in ritzy gated communities. After they set up a sting operation in a vacant home and end up with the bodies of three home invaders, Eve and Duncan's superiors label the case closed. But Eve has never had an order from a superior that she has followed so she is not about to stop investigating the home invasion scheme.

Eve's getting a bit pudgy, what with having gotten very banged up during her last two cases and not being able to ride her bike as much. It doesn't help that she's eating with Duncan aka Duncan Donuts everyday. This guy likes his food full of fat, grease, and sugar and it's hard to watch what one eats while watching Duncan eat all the "good" stuff.

It looks like there is going to be a TV show called Ronin, featuring a character that is based on Eve. As much as she has tried to ignore and squash that project, she now sees the best thing to do is get in on the ground floor and at least make money for something that is going to happen anyway. Hopefully she can also control some of what goes into the program.

Duncan is funny as always. But there is more to Duncan than his ability to eat massive amounts of food. He's also a wise and smart man and Eve is lucky to be mentored by him and partnered with him. He has less than three months before he retires and I'm hoping he makes it to retirement without Eve scuttling his plans.

Pub October 26, 2021

This is a Kindle Unlimited selection.

PamG

Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg is the third book in the Eve Ronin police procedural and crime thriller series and is set in and near Calabasas, California. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Homicide Detective Eve Ronin and her soon to retire partner Duncan Pavone are playing a rich couple renting a house in a gated community. They are hoping to attract the gang responsible for a series of violent home invasions and robberies. The trap works, but who lives and who dies? Eve’s bosses want the case closed immediately, but she has a lot of unanswered questions.

Eve is an energetic and compelling main character and definitely someone you can root for. She works tirelessly, makes a few rookie mistakes while learning her job, but has clear goals and good instincts that influence the plot. Her motivations seemed believable, with well-drawn and appropriate emotions. As a reader, we begin to understand how Eve’s past affects her actions and emotions on this case. She is still not liked by most of her peers or superiors. The way she challenges things sets others on edge and impacts them and her. The reasons can be found by reading the first two novels in the series. Duncan’s character has more depth in this novel. While the case is not straight-forward, Eve and Duncan move forward with seeking justice. Then they get called to the scene of another death in a gated community. What is happening in this unusual case? Note: This second case could be difficult for some readers.

Overall, this is a tense, gritty, and engaging novel with wit, suspense, action, and some great twists as well as some violence. It is gritty, fast-paced and action-packed. The visual and auditory imagery came through vividly. If you enjoy excellent crime thrillers and police procedurals, then I recommend that you check out this one. This series should be read in order since Eve’s background and prior cases are important. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars. I am looking forward to finding out what happens on Eve’s next case.

Thomas & Mercer and Lee Goldberg provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for October 26, 2021.

Liz

This is the third in the Eve Ronin series and I’ve enjoyed all of them.
Eve and Duncan are on an undercover sting operation, trying to catch some home invaders. The sting goes wrong and all three of the perpetrators end up dead.
While still investigating the robberies and whether there was an accomplice, they get called to what should be a routine stillbirth.
This is a fast paced story that kept my interest. There’s some well done humor here, but also some dark scenes. I love the partnership between Duncan and Eve. Duncan is determined not to become the cliche of a cop killed right before he retired. Eve is on the other end of the experience spectrum and is disliked because of her fast track into the detective ranks.
It’s also an interesting parallel that while Hollywood wants to make a tv series based on Eve’s career, this book reads like a tv series, with well imagined scenes and lots of little cliffhangers. But then, the About the Author section reminded me that Lee Goldberg writes tv scripts, so it all makes perfect sense.
I was convinced from early on that I could see how the home invasion plot was going to roll out. As usual, I was only partially right.
This is a series that needs to be read in order. Eve’s background is alluded to but not recapped in any detail.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

Matt

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Lee Goldberg, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having discovered the world of Lee Goldberg a few years ago, I have been pulled into the middle of this great series. The reader is sure to remain on the edge of their seat throughout. Goldberg’s television background shines through in the narrative, providing a story that would be perfect for the small screen. Eve Ronin is a detective used to fame, though she’s had to struggle with how that stardom has strained the relationships she has with colleagues. Goldberg does a masterful job in short order with a police procedural sure to tug on the heartstrings.

Eve Ronin has had a meteoric rise within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, having made detective faster than anyone else in recent memory. This comes with some issues, as many believe that she leapfrogged over others who have been putting in time and effort. While she’s happy with her position, it is still a daily struggle to be recognised as worthy.

Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone, are working undercover to capture some violent home invaders in a honey trap, who have been targeting rich couples within gated communities. When the sting yields a band of bandits, things go sideways and the suspects’ bodies lay in pools of blood. Surely not what Ronin and Pavone had in mind.

While some would call this an open and shut case, Ronin is not so sure. The targets might be part of a larger crime ring and Ronin is determined to get some answers. Working inside the gated community, she stumbles upon a young woman who gives birth to a stillborn. What seems like a horrible, yet simple, situation soon gets more complicated when the M.E. makes a startling discovery.

As Ronin digs a little deeper on both cases, she cannot help but wonder if this is a trap and whether someone’s targeted her directly. She’s trying to stay focussed, but even Pavone cannot lock Ronin into being positive. Something’s got to give as Ronin tugs on numerous threads in order to get to the heart of justice.

Lee Goldberg does well with his storytelling, leaving the reader to feel as though they are part of a great television drama. Strong writing with just enough humour to keep the reader from getting too bogged down, this series is coming into its own and flows extremely well. One can hope that Goldberg will keep things moving for the foreseeable future, as there’s something special about what he’s started.

Eve Ronin continues to dazzle and show her gritty side as she progresses in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. Squabbles aside, her rise in the ranks has been helpful for her, as she makes a name for herself and slowly earns the respect of her superiors. Her dedication to the job is apparent and she’s surrounded with some strong supporting characters, some of whom have made appearances in the previous two books. Goldberg has a wonderful way of developing his characters so that they seem quite relatable to the reader.

In a story that seems ripped from television, Goldberg keeps the energy high throughout. A strong narrative that keeps gaining momentum throughout, Goldberg is able to spin a tale that can easily be visualized by the attentive reader. Shorter chapters push the story forward and begs the reader to ‘try just a little more’ before putting it down. This is a great series and I can only hope that Goldberg has more in store for Ronin in the coming months.

Kudos, Mr. Goldberg, as you continue to impress me with what you publish.

Be sure to check for my review, first posted on Mystery and Suspense, as well as a number of other insightful comments by other reviewers.

https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/ga...

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:

http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Linda

Like a bucket of housepaint dropped to the ground. Its sudden surge finds nooks and crannies in which to spill its colorful contents. Nothing seems to quite stay within that bucket.

Detective Eve Ronin and her soon-to-be-retiring partner, Duncan Pavone, follow the law, but their pursuit of it may travel in different directions entirely. Their latest case is taking them undercover parading around in Calabasas County as an over the top rich couple renting a McMansion and driving around in a white Rolls-Royce with all the trimmings.

Ronin is the youngest female detective in the LA County Sheriff's Department. Pavone is clocking out time until he's poolside in retirement. His ties reflect every meal and snack that he's eaten for years. Ronin is a gifted analytical detective, but her personal life is a disaster. Her condo is being remodeled after a dead body was found there and her Subaru still hasn't passed the sniff test after garbage and dog feces were gifted inside. Hollywood is knocking on her door to create a series based on her wonky life. Eve hesitates to even crack that door a tiny bit.

The sting operation goes into chaos mode when the McMansion is subjected to a home invasion. The LASD has had homes in the area under surveillance for some time. Ronin and Pavone never bargained for the body count in the aftermath. Case closed? Not so fast.....

Lee Goldberg adds a true case (Read Author's Notes at the end) in the next encounter with Ronin and Pavone. A woman has just given birth to a stillborn while in her home alone one evening. Our detectives are called out as the paramedics get there. This is one case that will certainly get your attention. Some unexpected happenings......

Gated Prey is the third book in the Eve Ronin Series. (Get in on the ground floor already.) It does read as a standalone. This series has a wide scope of humor, sharp-ended dialogue, crazy chase scenes, and some deadly serious situations as well. Lee Goldberg is sculpting the character of Eve Ronin in all the right directions. I shutter to think what will happen to Duncan Pavone when his dance card is filled with retirement. Who can ever replace him? Let's see what Goldberg has up his sleeve in the next one.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to Lee Goldberg for the opportunity.

Carole

Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg is the third instalment of the Detective Eve Ronin series but it reads well as a stand-alone. Detective Ronin is partnered with Duncan Pavone, a detective who has only a few weeks to work until retirement. This police procedural takes place within the purview of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department. Most of the action occurs in gated communities in the area. Eve and Duncan’s relationship adds much to the story: the odd pair provides the reader with many funny and touching moments. The action is unrelenting and two storylines dominate in the mystery. The pages just fly by and the unexpected is consistently around every corner. It’s always interesting and more realistic when the protagonists have personal problems and flaws. It makes the characters more relatable. I thoroughly enjoyed Gated Prey and I look forward to reading more of Lee Goldberg’s novels. If you like police procedurals with a difference, this one is for you. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Andrew Smith

This is the third book in the series featuring female homicide detective Eve Ronin. We’ve previously learned that Eve earned her promotion to detective through an act, caught on video, that the ambitious but beleaguered Los Angeles County Sheriff publicly utilised to create some positive press at time the department was beset by scandal. This made her unpopular amongst the rank and file and this antipathy was later further fuelled by her exposure of a destructive secret clan within the ranks. So we reach this point with the young detective looking over her shoulder wondering who has her back and who might be willing to stab her in the self-same place.

Each episode has thus far taken place in the space of a few months and so the wounds of the past – both physical and mental – are still fresh ones. Eve’s partner, a seasoned veteran who is most definitely on her side, is due to retire shortly and this is both a blessing and a curse: on the upside he’s keen to pass on as much of his accumulated wisdom as time will allow but the offset is that at the first sniff of anything vaguely dangerous he’s quick to beat a hasty retreat, leaving his inexperienced partner to face the music. The action takes place in and around the Californian city of Calabasas, an enclave for the rich and famous, close to their costal playground of Malibu.

This time we follow Eve as she investigates two cases: a series of robberies carried out in gated communities populated by wealthy homeowners and a strange event involving a still born baby. The set-up will be familiar to readers of Michael Connelly’s Bosch series, in that its lead character is a pushy, devoted (some might say obsessional) cop who has regular clashes with authority. The fact that it’s set close to Bosch territory further accentuates the similarities. And I don't view this as necessarily a bad thing as Ronin is an interesting character in and of herself and each of the cases here are intriguing in their own right.

As it happens, I did work out the answer to one of the key mysteries early on but truthfully this didn’t diminish my enjoyment. For me crime fiction is always about the people, their interactions and the dialogue first and foremost, everything else is a secondary consideration. And I do believe that therein lies the strength of this series. I really hope that Goldberg will be able to keep it going for some time, but my doubts about how long the core concept of a rookie detective (who seems to shoot often and takes too few prisoners) and her eve of retirement partner can be sustained does cause me to ponder whether this can be achieved. Either way this book and its forerunners are worth catching – not quite Bosch, but close enough.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Pat

While I enjoyed the first two books I did think this third book was a lot of ‘more of the same’. Detective Eve Ronin is still hated by most of the deputies at the LASD and she is still running headlong into danger and getting walloped for her efforts.

This book starts with Eve and her partner Detective Duncan Pavone (now only 90 days from retirement) setting up a sting to try and capture a gang of thieves breaking into houses in wealthy gated communities. They have cameras set up inside a rented mansion so back up should be only 5 minutes away. When the thieves do take the bait there is no backup. One of the thieves jumps from a window when Eve announces she is police but misjudges his jump and dies. One thief is shot by Duncan and the third legs it, carjacks a vehicle and tears away. Eve gives chase but this guy ends up getting shot by a store security guard. What a mess!

Eve is furious that the deputy supposed to be watching the camera feed neglected to call back up and thinks he did it deliberately. I’m not sure that I believe such a broad and sustained campaign against a fellow officer is plausible.

Then we have the case of the stolen baby. I won’t go into detail but again, even though the CSI people have been through the house in question with a fine tooth comb it is Eve who has the “Eureka” moment.

The Eve Ronin TV series is now a definite and I dread to think about it. I have the next book so will read it but my enthusiasm is waning a little.

fleurette

This is the third book in the great series about Eve Ronin and her partner Duncan Pavone. And it is as good as the previous ones.

With this series by Goldberg, I have already got used to the fact that the seemingly simple cases that Eve and Duncan work on turn out to be in fact much more complicated, and therefore of course fascinating. And also this book will surprise you in a few moments, and the ending is very satisfying. I was having a lot of fun.

I like where the main characters are going and how they develop. While Eve doesn't have much experience as Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective yet, she isn't naïve. She has a fairly good understanding of the rules governing departmental work and the motives that guide her superiors. She has no illusions that certain things only matter in the context of the image of the Sheriff's office and her superiors. I also like how Duncan supports her in all her decisions and that he truly is her mentor she can always count on. They make a remarkably interesting and surprisingly matched pair and do a great job in guiding us through this story.

The fetal abduction case that Eve and Duncan are working on is very interesting and unusual. I don't think I've come across anything like it in other books. It was for sure something new, and once you've read a number of books in this genre it's really hard to find something original and fresh. I really appreciate that. Though this topic can be a bit difficult for more sensitive readers as it deals with violence against a pregnant woman.

I have read the previous two books in this series, but it is really not necessary to enjoy this book. Although, of course, there is a certain part of the plot that directly continues the events of the previous books, so knowing what happened is more fun. Either way, I definitely recommend this book and the entire series. I am already waiting for the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Terence M - [back to abnormal :]

2.5-Stars ^ 3.0-Stars
"It Was Better Than OK, and I Nearly Liked It"
The rating I gave Eve Ronin #1, was 4.0-Stars, with both positive and negative comments. I was looking forward to book #2.
The rating I gave Eve Ronin #2, was 3.5 ^ to 4.0-Stars, with positive and negative comments. I was looking forward to book #3.
The rating I gave Eve Ronin #3, was 2.5 ^ to 3.0-Stars, and I won't be looking forward to book #4.

This was easy enough to listen to and I could quite easily have finished it earlier, but there's a few reasons why I was slow to finish, particularly regarding the credibility of the character, Eve Ronin, and the plausibility of the narrative about her.

I was a touch dubious in the earlier books about her "promotion to Homicide, over the heads of more senior (more respected, more worthy) detectives". Now we have the Sheriff, the 'capo dei capi' of the entire police force, supporting Eve, saying he has "Eve's back", while demoting captains and moving other officers around, all to protect his own position and his future election.

The officers in the homicide division are outspoken about how much they despise her and go out of their way to undermine her, but Eve rises above all this and becomes so special that she has a famous Hollywood agent desperate to make a TV series about her exploits.

The whole Hollywood thing pissed me off in the previous books, particularly when Eve's whiny mother became involved. Fortunately Eve's Mother did not have much say in this episode, but Eve's sister was there, as was the slimy, 'gray-haired', agent who was pressuring Eve to read 'an outline of the TV series ' to be written about her ... sigh ...😒.

"Gated Prey" appeared to have reached its climax when there was still about ninety minute's listening time remaining on my Audible copy. Thought I, "oh, that is probably because ...💨💨💨💨... hasn't happened yet", (no spoilers -🙄), and yes, that is exactly what it was, but no DNF for this little brown duck - I listened to it right through to it's fairly unsatisfactory conclusion.

The narration by Nicol Zanzarella was good, and she had quite some mastery of the various vocalisations she devised, although because I am an Aussie with little knowledge of US accents, I can say that with undeserved confidence😊.

Dave

Gated Prey is the third book in Goldberg's exciting Eve Ronin police procedural series following in the wake of Lost Hills and Bone Canyon. Set in Calabasas and Lost Hills, upscale enclaves west of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Eve Ronin is based at the Lost Hills Station. Her meteoric rise to Detective, leapfrogging other deputies who have put in their time, has not earned her too many friends in her station. She's definitely not part of the old boy's network. It hadn't helped matters either that everything she touches becomes a media frenzy. Now a show is being written based on her famed exploits and that's making lots of friends in the Department too.
 Once again, she's partnered with one of her few friends, the portly Detective Donuts Duncan who is always just a few months from retirement and again skirting the line between fantasy and reality, they are operating undercover as a wealthy old man and his young trophy wife. The idea is to sting home invasion robbers they are turning the gated neighborhoods of Calabasas Park into their private shopping mall.
 Rather than be an atmospheric crime story, this series is filled with pounding action, shootouts, chases, and puzzling crimes. Action-packed might be the word used here. 

The Cats’ Mother

Gated Prey is the third book in the Eve Ronin series, about a young LA County Sheriff’s Department detective who is popular with the public, but resented by most of her colleagues after being fast-tracked in her career thanks to a viral video, then uncovering major corruption amongst the local deputies. I’ve enjoyed all of the series to date, and this one delivers another well paced thriller featuring a likeably flawed heroine. This would work fine as a stand-alone as you get all the backstory you need, but the previous books are great, so you might as well start from the beginning.

Eve and her partner Duncan Pavone, who is months from retirement, are conducting an undercover sting operation, posing as a nouveau riche couple to catch a gang of armed home invaders targeting the wealthy inhabitants of Calabasas’ exclusive gated communities. When the thieves take the bait, a deliberate failure of back-up by Eve’s enemies leads to fatalities. The top brass are keen to move on, but Eve suspects there’s more to it, then another case in the same development catches her attention. Can Eve and Duncan outwit the publicity-hungry wannabe politicians, untrustworthy deputies and cunning criminals before anyone else is killed?

This is a fun police procedural series, nothing too dark although one of the cases is unexpectedly twisted. I liked the relationship between Eve and Duncan - although I don’t recommend reading this if you’re trying to diet - they are constantly eating super-yummy and highly calorific-sounding food. There’s humour and an unpredictable mystery and enough action to keep things moving very nicely. I commented in my reviews of the previous two instalments that they payed a bit too much homage to the Harry Bosch books, so was pleased that this one avoided imitation and works just fine without it. The subplot about plans to make a TV series based on Eve’s career - and her complicated feelings about it, added an extra layer of interest and I look forward to seeing where Goldberg takes the series next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Gated Prey is published on October 26th.

Liz

This is the third in the Eve Ronin series and I’ve enjoyed all of them.
Eve and Duncan are on an undercover sting operation, trying to catch some home invaders. The sting goes wrong and all three of the perpetrators end up dead.
While still investigating the robberies and whether there was an accomplice, they get called to what should be a routine stillbirth.
This is a fast paced story that kept my interest. There’s some well done humor here, but also some dark scenes. I love the partnership between Duncan and Eve. Duncan is determined not to become the cliche of a cop killed right before he retired. Eve is on the other end of the experience spectrum and is disliked because of her fast track into the detective ranks.
It’s also an interesting parallel that while Hollywood wants to make a tv series based on Eve’s career, this book reads like a tv series, with well imagined scenes and lots of little cliffhangers. But then, the About the Author section reminded me that Lee Goldberg writes tv scripts, so it all makes perfect sense.
I was convinced from early on that I could see how the home invasion plot was going to roll out. As usual, I was only partially right.
This is a series that needs to be read in order. Eve’s background is alluded to but not recapped in any detail.
My thanks to netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of this book.

Linden

Eve and her partner Duncan are trying to find out who is behind a series of home invasions in a wealthy gated community in Southern California. Eve is still at odds with her superiors in LA, enduring sexist treatment and anger for exposing some departmental corruption, and trusts very few of her fellow officers. If you enjoy gritty police procedurals like those written by Michael Connelly, give this series a try. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Jim

“The people who live in these places think the gates protect them from all the crime and misery that’s out there, but it doesn’t. It just locks them in with it.”
― Lee Goldberg, Gated Prey

Detective Eve Ronin and her partner, Duncan "Donuts" Pavone, are working undercover at a McMansion in a gated community of palatial homes in Calabasas. They are setting a trap for violent home invaders who have been terrorizing the community. The trap works but not without casualties. Three home invaders are killed. For Eve and Duncan it was a close call. Could it be because of Eve’s exposing a clique of corrupt deputies? She has made enemies in the department.

With three bad guys dead Eve's bosses are readly to declare the case closed but Eve isn't so sure. There are too many unanswered questions. Eve wants to get answers. Duncan is counting the days until retirement but Eve is his partner and he supports her. They aren't going to fire him but Eve has her career in front of her so he offers her advice.

There is a side story here too that revolves around a still birth that may not be routine. There are women who are desperate to get pregnant and a missing maid. This story is based on actual events as noted by the author at the end of the book.

Lots of humor that I have come to expect from the author. Eve's continued investigation into the home invasions pays off and the leader of the gang is revealed and her questions answered. I am looking forward to the next book in the series,
Movieland due out in June.

Shereadbookblog

This is the third in the Detective Eve Ronin series; it is the second one I have read and really enjoyed.

Eve is a minor celebrity, as some of her actions in the past were caught on video, went viral, and, much to the consternation of some in the LA County Sheriff Department, led to her early promotion to detective. While she has some supporters within the department, there are still others out to get her. Eve is relentless in her pursuit of criminals, while somehow maintaining a sense of humor and resonance with the reader. Her quick thinking and ability to read clues indicate she is well deserved of her promotion. I enjoy the caricature of Duncan, Eve’s partner; I will miss him when he finally retires.

This book was well written and fast moving with good character development. I read a lot of mysteries/police procedurals; this series seems to be a cut above so many others. This reads well as a standalone, but it should encourage readers to seek out the first two books in the series.

Note: I do not usually provide a synopsis of a book in my reviews; you can read that on Goodreads or Amazon. You can read my other reviews at
http://vickieonmarco.blogspot.

Mackey

I'm a huge fan of Lee Goldberg, his television series and now this series, but this addition to the series felt a bit off to me or perhaps repetitive is more the word. The witty, sarcastic back and forth between the team members grew tiring. I just wanted the book to be over. I truly hope that this was a one time slump or perhaps a grumpy mood on my part because I did enjoy the first two books in this series so much.

Monnie

Police procedural. Female detective who has background issues that impact her life on and off the job. Likable, soon-to-retire partner who offers sensible advice based on a long and stellar career. A couple of murders that need solving that threaten the lives of the aforesaid detective and her partner. There you have it: this book has checked all the boxes that make a book a real treat for me to read.

As were, I hasten to add, the first two in the series featuring Los Angeles County Sheriff's detective Even Ronin ("Lost Hills" and "Bone Canyon"). No surprise, then, when I had a chance to get a pre-release review copy of this one (thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley), I didn't hesitate to take it. And for the record, it takes more than just the above-mentioned list to get a 5-star review from me; the story also must be well-written and entertaining. All rightee, then, make that two more boxes checked.

Eve, the youngest homicide detective in department history, has made enemies among a number of her co-workers for her actions in the previous books. Her partner, Duncan Pavone, isn't among them; clearly, he's got her back all the way (well, at least until his retirement in a couple of months, after which Eve hopes he'll become a technical adviser on an in-the-works TV series about her life). As the story opens, the pair are working undercover to catch whoever has been robbing residents of a gated community of hoity-toity homeowners in Calabasas. Their plan works but goes sideways fast - resulting in three dead bodies (not to worry - none is Eve or Duncan).

Department honchos want nothing more than to shove the case into a closed folder never to be opened again, but Eve and Duncan aren't so sure that's where it belongs so they vow to follow up on their own. Then, the partners are sent to check on a woman who reported having a late-term miscarriage (standard department procedure for such events). It turns out, though, that it's far from a "standard" event; this one, too, raises far more questions than answers (and, BTW, might be upsetting to squeamish readers).

Everything gets resolved in the end - with a twist or two - except for a few intriguing issues that no doubt will be carried over to the next-up book. Soon, please?

Valleri

Big thanks to Thomas and Mercer, as well as NetGalley, for the ARC.

What a fun read!! #3 in the Eve Ronin Series has an engaging, action-filled plot from the very beginning. I loved how it combined police procedures with the rather interesting lifestyles of the rich. What should have been a simple sting operation ended up taking tragic twists and turns. The story then became even more complicated by a second plot regarding a baby that appears to have been stillborn.

Eve and Duncan make such a fabulous team! Eve is a rookie who is smart, resourceful, and has a strong work ethic. Duncan is older and is every bit as smart as Eve is. He is also about to retire and I will miss him in future books! I love how he gently guided Eve, with respect and humor.

This is the first book I've read in this series and I feel it can be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend Gated Prey!!

Abibliofob

Eve Ronin is undercover. A series of burglaries in gated communities has left the police baffled, who is doing it and how do they enter? Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg is the third book in this series. The trap seems to work but it soon turns into two cases, one about the robberies and one about a still born baby. Oh, I must not forget the usual problems Eve has with her colleagues. I find this series entertaining and am glad to have found another strong female main character. It is also interesting that Goldberg uses cases that has happened as a base for this series it makes it a lot more interesting and also frightening. I must as usual thank @netgalley and #ThomasAndMercer for giving me this advance copy of #GatedPrey and @leegoldberg007 for writing it. If you haven't tried his books you really should, they are great.

Dee

What an explosive 🧨 ending

This one was more gruesome than the rest and it was filled with lots of humor too, I guess it was the author’s way of softening the blows 😂, it worked .
I can’t wait for the next book

Donna

4.5 stars.

Book #3 - LA County Sheriff's Detective Eve Ronin and her soon-to-retire partner Duncan Pavone are working undercover as an older man and his trophy wife. Duncan is enjoying the Rolls Royce, designer clothes, huge mansion and the flashing of cash more than Ronin is. They are trying to attract the gang that is responsible for multiple home invasions in an exclusive gated community.

Well, they got their wish and are attacked. Of course, backup does not arrive as it should - yes, that's a story from past books. The three home invaders are dead. Their boss is quick to close the case but Ronin has many unanswered questions.

While still working this case, they get a call about a stillbirth in a home. That doesn't turn out to be the real story.

I like both Ronin and Duncan more and more as these books continue. Ronin is young and not too experienced yet but she is quite competent and totally committed to the job. I like the way Duncan has her back.

The author does a good job of recapping events that arose in previous books but it's still superficial and I would recommend starting with book #1. This story contains humorous situations and witty dialogue. The story was very good and so was the ending. I think this one is best of the series so far.

Kathryn

Whenever I read a Lee Goldberg book, I’m always entertained. This one is no exception. We begin the book with an undercover assignment for Eve and Duncan trying to solve a series of home invasions. What I actually found more intriguing was the side investigation. Eve and Duncan are called to the home of a woman that apparently delivered her baby stillborn. Whenever such a thing happens, it’s routine for homicide to get called in. Up until this point, I was actually finding Eve to be quite irritating. I have to tell myself that she’s young and lacks the experience of life to influence her behavior. Though I don’t agree with how many of her coworkers in the department treat her, she does and says things that just continue to fan the flames. She certainly needs to learn to pick her battles. I agree 100% with the advice she received from Duncan toward the end of the book. He continues to be a great mentor and maybe even the father figure Eve never really had. I sure am going to miss him when he retires (and so will Eve!) I sincerely hope Goldberg can eek out a few more books in this series before that happens. Definitely a great read for anybody that enjoys the mystery genre!

Rich

This is the third boo in the series that I have read and I thought it was pretty goood. I do not think it was the best one in the series but it was a good read. I liked all the main charcter and the secondary charcters and the story flowed at a pretty good pace never really got boged down. I do however think for the series to move forward the main character is going to have to evolve or the series will run it course. I though thought the book had a decent end and I say go ahead and give this one spin. I also say read the series in order they were written

Lisa

I'm enjoying this series featuring Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective Eve Ronin and her soon-to-retire partner, Duncan Pavone.
It's a bit OTT and Eve is not always likeable (she is like a bull in a china shop) but I love the dynamic between her and Duncan (Father/Wayward child? Mentor/Know-it-all student? Either way they're cute).
It's mostly action fun, although there are sensitive issues touched on with a little bit of gruesome. I wouldn't put this in the cosy mystery category.

3 no 7

Missing evidence, mother and child, hidden agenda, undercurrent of distrust,
Southern California has a plethora of exclusive neighborhoods designed to provide anonymity and security, but a lot goes on behind those security gates. Gated Prey” is part of the continuing “Eve Ronin” series. Previously Detective Ronin made a few enemies within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and there are unfinished matters that need to be reconciled. Regular readers will hit the ground running with Ronin and the team, and new readers will find that Ronin’s complicated backstory and unique relationships come out as the story progresses. Ronin optioned her life story as a TV series based on past work-related events, and this causes friction for her on the job. She has to juggle department politics, work several difficult current cases, and control her Hollywood agent, all at the same time

“Gated Prey” opens as Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone, are running an undercover operation as the result of ongoing home invasion crimes in gated communities. Ronin is professional and dedicated with depth and purpose. Pavone is retiring soon, and that gives him a temporary “superpower;” he can do no wrong. Ronan and the entire team have several open cases to work, and events unfold quickly over just a few days. The investigations are professional, planned, and organized despite the undercurrent of dislike among coworkers. Some cases are clear cut; some are filled with complex twists and turns, and others come to dramatic and tragic ends which make headline news everywhere.

“Gated Prey” gives readers a feel for the landscape, culture, and varied geography in the greater Los Angeles area. Of course, there is that “only in LA” car chase and Dr. Hoggly Woggly’s BBQ. (My personal favorite) I received a review copy of “Gated Prey” from Lee Goldberg, and Thomas and Mercer Publishers. The book is well written, quick to read, and filled with fascinating characters in unusual situations. I recommend the entire series; there is a continuing thread of characters and relationships throughout the books, but each story stands alone.

Mark Baker

LA Sherriff’s detective Eve Ronin and her partner, Duncan Pavone, are undercover in a gated community hoping to set a trap for the people behind a string of home invasion robberies. However, when the trap is sprung, Eve is left with more questions. Under pressure from their superiors to wrap up the case, Eve and Duncan find themselves called to a stillborn death. Only, it doesn’t turn out to be as simple as they thought at first. Can Eve wrap up either case to her satisfaction?

I wasn’t surprised to find two cases in the pages of this book, but I was surprised at how the book was divided, with Eve focusing on one case at a time instead of them weaving in and out of each other. They might have needed another twist or two, but overall, they were highly entertaining and I had to keep reading to find out if my theories were right. Eve is an interesting main character. I think her rigidness is beginning to soften, which I like. There are many references to the events of the last book, which makes sense given how it will impact her life going forward, so know that before you pick up the book. Since this isn’t a cozy, it has more language and violence than the books I typically read, so keep that in mind. It’s always a pleasure to visit Eve, and I’m looking forward to visiting her again soon.

Read my full review at
Carstairs Considers.

Andreas Tornberg

I just finished Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg, the third book in the Eve Ronin series. The first two books are short, fast paced and funny and Gated Prey is no exception. Eve Ronin is such a strong and likable character and she makes a perfect team with Duncan Pavone. Lee Goldberg captures the locations and characters perfectly and his funny and witty dialogue is sometimes hilarious. If you enjoy a good and funny crime story then you'll like this. You don't need to have read the previous books but you will enjoy this more if you do. I highly recommend this book and series and also other books by Lee Goldberg.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Andreas Tornberg

I just finished Gated Prey by Lee Goldberg, the third book in the Eve Ronin series. The first two books are short, fast paced and funny and Gated Prey is no exception. Eve Ronin is such a strong and likable character and she makes a perfect team with Duncan Pavone. Lee Goldberg captures the locations and characters perfectly and his funny and witty dialogue is sometimes hilarious. If you enjoy a good and funny crime story then you'll like this. You don't need to have read the previous books but you will enjoy this more if you do. I highly recommend this book and series and also other books by Lee Goldberg.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

Javier

Review published in:
https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....

Gated Prey is the third installment in the Eve Ronin series about a Homicide Detective promoted after a viral video. Despite solving several cases and uncovering corruption inside the force, she’s still resented my most of her colleagues, but she has the support of her soon-to-retire partner, Duncan Pavone, and that of the public.

Ronin and Pavone are working undercover on a series of home invasions within gated communities. When their honey trap gets hit things quickly go sideways and, although her superiors consider the case closed, she’s convinced there’s something more behind and soon her tenacity will prove her right.

This is such a fun police procedural series. The author’s background in television shows in each and every single page, so while reading it you feel as if you’re watching an episode of a hit tv-show. I love the Hollywood vibes the wholes series has! Despite some violence and death, it is not a dark read as the story is laced with some humor to lighten the mood.

Eve is such a great character. Despite some of her flaws one can’t help to root for her. She’s dedicated to her work and has proven herself more than once so seeing how she’s is still disrespected by most of her colleagues makes me so mad!

This time there were two different investigations that, although not related per se, have some commonalities that will help Eve to solve both cases.

The pace flows nicely from the start and short chapters help to keep turning pages without even noticing.

Although it can be read as a stand alone as it gives enough background, it is a really enjoyable series so I would recommend starting at the beginning.

I can’t wait to see how this story progresses. How will she manage once Duncan retires? Will the tv-show about her life impact her career in the Sheriff’s Department in a positive way? I’m counting the days until the fourth book in the series comes out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title	:	Gated Prey (Eve Ronin, #3)
Author	:	Lee Goldberg
Rating	:
ISBN	:	-
Language	:	English
Format Type	:	Kindle Edition
Number of Pages	:	268
Publication	:	First published October 26, 2021

Gated Prey (Eve Ronin, #3) by Lee Goldberg

Gated Prey (Eve Ronin, #3) Reviews

Gated Prey (Eve Ronin, #3) Reviews

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