Bone Canyon (Eve Ronin, #2)

by Lee Goldberg

I loved this even more than the first book. The mystery was just as good but this was a lot funnier as well. Eve and Duncan settled into a more comfortable banter and I'll be sorry to see him retire. Eve's not much of a team player but I'm glad that she's starting to see there are people she could come to trust. Or something like that. I didn't see the twist at the end coming I sort of kept feeling that the serial numbers on their plates was important but couldn't quite get there. but it was extremely enjoyable nonetheless.

Eve is a great character. I liked that she was unwilling to compromise on justice but her hesitancy in playing politics annoyed me a bit - felt like a contradiction. I mean she leapfrogged everyone to get into homicide and it feels a bit like a betrayal to back away from that and say she's not interested or aware of politics - because that's a lie. On the other hand it was kind of pure Eve - she's a flawed individual with her own problems and insecurities and perceptions of what a good person should and shouldn't be - so maybe it actually fit her to a t. I liked that she was willing to own up to her mistakes and admit to not knowing things but trying her best to learn and adapt and improve. Besides Duncan sums her up best.

“But he didn’t. That’s all that matters. You’re always going to make mistakes in an investigation, especially when you’re new. It’s called ‘learning from experience.’ I’m not worried about your skills as a detective. You’ve got a gift. I’m worried about your skills as a person.” “You’re saying I’m a terrible person?”
“You’re not evil,” Duncan said. “You’re just self-destructive and not very likable.”
“Gee, thanks.”

Goldberg, Lee. Bone Canyon (Eve Ronin) (p. 263). Thomas & Mercer. Kindle Edition.

I liked her embrace her looks towards the end with the help of Burnside (who I also really liked) and will be interested to see where that goes in the next book. I did like that it was explained why she was so against the idea of a tv show - she doesn't want her parents to 'win' - if she does a show - they'll be involved and that's their dream - even though they've made her life hell. Frankly - I liked the pettiness of it. Eve tries to be a good person but she's not an angel - she has thoughts and feelings. I adored Jen (Eve's mother) and her meddling. Her ideas on acting and politics and Eve's behaviour is hilarious.

The mystery was interesting. For all Sabrina Morton is dead, Goldberg really sold her as a fully formed person.
Eve put the phone away. “What did Sabrina do with the drawing?”
“She went to Topanga Beach, Surfrider Beach, Zuma . . . showing the tattoo to every surfer she could find, hoping somebody would give her a name. She was only at it an hour or so before a deputy got word somehow, pulled her over, and told her what she was doing was stupid and dangerous. Sabrina told him to fuck off, that if the cops weren’t going to do anything about it, she would,” Josie said, smiling at the memory. “That was Sabrina. But it was all bravado. She came home and cried for three hours. She felt helpless.”
Sabrina wasn’t helpless, Eve thought. Far from it. She was unwilling to be a silent victim and fought for herself, loud and strong, not just against her attackers, but against the detective who didn’t believe her.

Goldberg, Lee. Bone Canyon (Eve Ronin) (p. 66). Thomas & Mercer. Kindle Edition.
Josie was sidelined a bit but she was also smart and cunning, even when she wasn't quite ready to face her attackers. Keeping her clothes as an insurance policy was brilliant.

Daniel was alright - the romance between them didn't escalate to extremes - they just like each other and progress as is. I liked that he was an anthropologist and his dedication to his job. I loved his suggestion of what to buy a five year old - a treasure hunting kit - hide some fake jewellery and gold, etc in the backyard and provide the kids with a sieve, bucket, shovel, etc for them to dig up. I've got to remember that for my niece and nephew.

Overall I just really enjoyed this addition to the series. I'm only disappointed the next book isn't out until October 2021. That's ages away. I was lucky I happened to pick up Lost Hills, the first book in the series, the day before Bone Canyon was released or I would have been very sad. Anyway, great book, highly recommend. 4.5 stars.