Split Screen

Eve Ronin’s week goes from bad to worse in Goldberg’s latest. A new sheriff has blackmail material on the LA detective, forcing her to embrace the social-media spotlight that comes with being the only cop with her own fictional TV show. The actress behind that show, Erin Casey, has ridden the role of Ronin to a career revival, and she’s arranged to shadow her real-life counterpart for a dose of authenticity. The moment Casey climbs into the car, everything unravels: a famous actress turns up dead from an apparent overdose, a previously unknown half-sister surfaces with mob connections and a body in tow, and Ronin finds herself quietly working to save her partner’s job while dodging threats from criminals and colleagues alike. Goldberg has a gift for blending humor with gritty violence and suspense, and his characters feel real enough that readers can’t help rooting for them. Genre fans will also appreciate the nods to Goldberg’s other projects and winks to fellow authors scattered throughout. The ending leaves Ronin’s world thoroughly upended, and the wait for the next installment will not be an easy one.—Jeff Ayers