Lee Goldberg

Lee Goldberg is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than sixty novels, including the Eve Ronin series, the Ian Ludlow series, the Sharpe & Walker series, and five books (and two novellas) in the Fox and O’Hare series, which he co-authored with Janet Evanovich. He also co-created the Hallmark movie series "Mystery 101" and has written and/or produced many TV shows, including "You’re Killing Me,""Diagnosis Murder," "SeaQuest," and "Monk." 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. For more information, visit www.leegoldberg.com.

My Conversation with a Second Fake Suzanne Collins

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Here’s my email exchange with a Second Fake Suzanne Collins (suzannecollins113@gmail.com) . I started by using my reply to Fake Taylor Jenkins-Reid… and the conversation reached a surprising conclusion.

FAKE SUZANNE: Hi, I’m Suzanne Collins. Most of my days are spent shaping ideas that refuse to stay quiet stories about struggle, survival, and the choices we make when everything’s on the line. Some tales arrive fully formed, others take time to fight their way to the surface. Writing can feel solitary, but it’s also how I connect, how I make sense of the world around us. I’d love to hear about your own path what drives you, what keeps you creating when things get tough, and how you keep your imagination alive. There’s a lot we can learn from sharing those moments. Best, Suzanne

ME: Suzi, I told you before, my wife often reads my emails… and she’s not going to be fooled by this. At least this time you didn’t attach photos! When you made that pass at me at Harlan’s party, I thought it was because you were drunk. I didn’t realize how serious you were. You are a very attractive, talented woman… but I am a happily married man. We have a great time together at conferences and book festivals, but it can’t go beyond friendship and mutual respect. I hope you will understand.

FS: Hi Lee, I understand, and I’m sorry if my message gave the wrong impression that truly wasn’t my intention. I only wanted to reach out to discuss writing and creative work, nothing more. I’ve always appreciated your insights and thought it would be great to share ideas about our craft. Wishing you and your family all the best. Warm regards, Suzanne

ME: C’mon, Suzi. We both know that isn’t true. We both know what you mean by “reaching out.” I need to know you understand what I am saying. I don’t want you making another pass at me at Bouchercon.

FS: I think there’s been a misunderstanding. The only reason I reached out was to talk about writing specifically, the challenges you’ve faced with your books and creative process. I value your experience and perspective as a fellow author, and that’s truly all this was about. I respect your boundaries completely and hope we can keep our interactions focused on our shared passion for storytelling. Best, Suzanne

ME: Stop playing games, and pretending your emails are being written by some soulless AI instead of a human being. There will be no “interactions focused on our shared passion.” Do I need to get a restraining order? I swear I will do it unless you drop the charade and give me a straight answer.

FS: I’m truly sorry this has turned into such a misunderstanding. I have no hidden motives, and I’m not pretending to be anyone else. I reached out simply because I admire your work and wanted to learn from your experiences as an author nothing more. Please don’t feel threatened or uncomfortable; that was never my intent. I respect your marriage, your boundaries, and your wishes. I’d never want to cause tension or make you feel uneasy. I hope this clears things up, and I sincerely wish you the best with your writing and upcoming projects. Warm regards, Suzanne

I decided to leave it at that…though I was tempted to say, “My wife just left for a week on business. Let’s talk dirty!”

Madison Lintz to star as EVE RONIN

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I’ve got some big news:

Actress Madison Lintz, renowned for her ten-year run on Bosch, has officially signed on to star in and executive produce Eve Ronin, the television adaptation of #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Goldberg’s widely-acclaimed series of crime novels from Thomas & Mercer/Amazon Publishing.

This project marks a pivotal moment in Lintz’s career as she steps into the leading role on screen while also taking on a key position behind the camera. Her experience portraying police officer Maddie Bosch on the Amazon Prime TV series Bosch and Bosch: Legacy uniquely positions her for this new challenge.

“I am beyond thrilled to bring Eve Ronin to life,” Lintz says. “From the moment I picked up Lee’s books, I knew this was a character and a story I needed to be a part of.  Eve’s determination, complexity, and resilience make her a dream role, and I am honored to take on this challenge on both sides of the camera.”

Fallen StarThe Eve Ronin series follows the youngest homicide detective in the history of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Known for her tenacity and grit, Ronin tackles high-stakes cases while battling institutional resistance and her own personal demons. There have been five books in the highly-acclaimed series to date, selling over one million copies. Fallen Star, the sixth book in the series, came out in October…and the seventh, Split Screen, will be published in fall 2026. 

“Madison is the embodiment of Eve Ronin,” Goldberg says. “She brings both the raw intensity and vulnerability that define the character. Her passion for the project, coupled with her talent, ensures that the series will stay true to the heart of the books while taking Eve’s story in bold new directions.”

In addition to Lintz, the executive producing team includes showrunner Gabriel Garza (The Flash, The Winchesters), industry veterans Craig Dorfman, SAG Award-winning actress Lorraine Toussaint (Orange Is the New Black, Selma, The Equalizer), as well as Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia, known for their critically acclaimed work on Showtime’s long-running, hit series The Chi and Goldberg (Mystery 101, Monk, Diagnosis Murder), who is presently a co-executive producer on You’re Killing Me,  the new Brooke Shields mystery series for AMC/Acorn.

“Lee’s books have earned widespread critical praise and a dedicated fanbase of over two million readers,” says Shelby Stone. “Madison’s work over the years on Bosch has been extraordinary, combining heart-felt vulnerability and relentless determination. We believe that combining these two talents will make Eve Ronin a book-to-TV adaptation in the same league as Will Trent, Reacher, and Slow Horses.”

 

You’re Killing Me

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I can’t wait for you to see You’re Killing Me in early 2026 on AMC & Acorn. Brooke Shields, Amalia Williamson (Sullivan’s Crossing) and Tom Cavanagh (Ed, The Flash, etc) are terrific in this light-hearted mystery series, created by Robin Bernheim. The six episodes are written by her and co-exec producers Derek Thompson (When Calls the Heart, Murder in a Small Town), Phoef Sutton (Cheers, Darrow & Darrow, Boston Legal etc) and yours truly.

Robin and I have known each other for over thirty years and have worked together many times, including co-creating the hit Hallmark series Mystery 101 together. We both shared a mentor in Michael Gleason, who created Remington Steele, where Robin began her career, before going on to shows like Quantum Leap, Star Trek-TNG, When Calls the Heart, and many, many more.

She also wrote Mother of the Bride, the hit movie that starred Brooke Shields, who she befriended way back on Quantum Leap. And she worked with Derek Thompson for years on When Calls The Heart. Derek is a terrific writer and a great guy. It was immediately clear to me why Robin wanted to work with him again.  Phoef Sutton and I are close friends. He’s a multiple Emmy Award winner and we worked together on Darrow & Darrow, a Hallmark series he created and that co-starred Tom Cavanagh (though the two scripts that Phoef and I co-wrote for it weren’t shot because of the Covid-19 shut-down). It’s a fantastic writing staff. 

In You’re Killing Me, Brooke plays an internationally bestselling author who, through a series of unusual events, teams up with Amalia, a young, true-crime vblogger to co-author books…and solve puzzling murders. Tom plays the local cop. 

We’re in the final weeks of shooting season one up in Nova Scotia and the dailies, and first cuts, are soooo good. Lot of laughs, fun detecting, and some real heart.

My Very Short Email Exchange with Fake Taylor Jenkins-Reid

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Here’s my very short email exchange with Fake Taylor Jenkins-Reid (reidtaylorjenkins@gmail.com)

FAKE TAYLOR: I hope you are doing well. I’m Taylor Jenkins Reid, and I’m an author passionate about crafting emotionally driven historical fiction. My novels have been fortunate to appear on The New York Times bestseller list and to be featured in various book clubs and publications. One of my most recognised works is Atmosphere, which you can find here: XX. You can also visit my full Amazon Author Page here: XX . What I love most about writing, beyond the stories themselves, is connecting with fellow authors and learning about the creative journeys that shape their work. I’d be delighted to hear more about your writing and the stories you bring to life. Please feel free to share a link to your book, website, Goodreads, or Amazon page; I’d love to take a look. Though writing can sometimes feel like a solitary pursuit, I believe that connecting with other storytellers makes the experience far more meaningful. I look forward to learning more about your work and perhaps finding mutual inspiration along the way. Warm regards, Taylor Jenkins Reid

ME: Taylor, I told you before, my wife often reads my emails… and she’s not going to be fooled by this. At least this time you didn’t attach photos! When you made that pass at me at Hal’s party, I thought it was because you were drunk. I didn’t realize how serious you were. You are a very attractive, talented woman… but I am a happily married man. We have a great time together at conferences and book festivals, but it can’t go beyond friendship and mutual respect. I hope you will understand. 

12 Hours go by

ME: Hello? I need to know you understand. This has to stop.

It did!

My Emails with Fake Nora Roberts

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Apparently, word hasn’t gotten out in the Nigerian scammer community that I’m not falling for the fake emails from famous authors. Here is my exchange with Fake Nora Roberts (authornoraroberts4@gmail.com).

FAKE NORA: Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. I came across your Facebook page and noticed your email, so I wanted to reach out. As a fellow author, I thought it might be nice to connect and share a bit about our writing experiences. I always enjoy meeting other writers and exchanging creative thoughts, it’s inspiring to hear different journeys.Looking forward to hearing from you. Warm regards, Nora Roberts 

ME: Nora, It’s great to hear from you. It’s been so long since we last met. I’ve signed with a new agent since then who has incredible marketing savvy… and could vault you into an even higher tier of sales. Would you like me to put you in touch with him? Lee

FN: Congratulations on signing with your new agent, that sounds like a major step. I’d love to hear more about what kind of results you’ve seen so far and what areas your agent specializes in (film rights, foreign sales, marketing, etc.). I’ve also recently partnered with someone who’s been doing impressive work on international promotions and strategic branding for authors. They’ve opened some unexpected doors, and I think there could be some powerful synergy if our teams aligned. It would be great to compare what we’re both experiencing and see where collaboration might benefit us both. Warm regards, Nora

ME: My guy is very private, he’s not one of those public-facing guys. He’s been incredible. He’s got me into scores of book clubs — like the Calabasas Book Club, the Scottsdale Book Club, the Hospice Book Club, the Denver Book Club, the Penal Colony Book Club, but also into so many exclusive conferences, like the San Francisco Book Conference, the Walla Walla Book Festival, the Bois-Le-Roi Book Festival, the Van Nuys Book Bazaar, and the very exclusive Tehran Book Festival. Oh, and he also got me 15K legitimate Amazon reviews. And all for just $50,000! It’s a steal. Would you like me to put you in contact with him? It’s by recommendation-only. Stephen King referred me to him.

FN: I’m sold, anyone who can get me into both the Van Nuys Book Bazaar and Tehran clearly has access to portals not available to mortals. Do I need a secret handshake, blood oath, or a Stephen King coupon code to apply? Meanwhile, I’ve got someone working behind the scenes for me who’s been getting traction in foreign rights and premium readership circles. Thought you might be the perfect candidate if you’re open to a power alliance. Shall we compare magic agents?

ME: He’s an independent literary and marketing consultant I’ve collaborated with for quite a while. He usually works quietly behind the scenes with a few select authors, helping them strengthen their online presence, polish their branding, and reach new readers in creative ways. He’s been incredibly effective for the writers he partners with. If you’d like to reach out directly, here’s his contact information: almustyeditions@gmail.com Tell him I sent you!

FN: Thanks for passing along his information, I appreciate you opening that door. Before I reach out, I’d love to get a better sense of what kind of tangible results he’s helped you achieve recently, whether that’s growth in specific readership segments, foreign rights, TV rights, or measurable sales lift. I always like to understand someone’s strategic focus before making an introduction on my end as well. I’ve also been working closely with someone who specializes in expanding author brands internationally through strategic partnerships and curated reader networks. It’s been an impressive experience so far, and they’re bringing together a select circle of authors with strong voices and market potential. I actually thought you might be a great match for what they’re building, would you be open to an introduction as well?

ME: My foreign rights have been EXPLODING, particularly in Europe and Asia, where I know you want to make more in-roads. No two authors are alike, so what Almusty did for me would be very different for you, since I write crime novels and you write romances, which aren’t as marketable internationally. But hey, you know that better than me. As for TV and film, you know all about that …we discussed my TV and movie projects at length over lunch. That’s when you told me that hilarious story about Eric Roberts and the monkey. How did that finally turn out?

I’m surprised it was Eric Roberts and the monkey… and not the Hospice Book Club and the Tehran Book Festival that finally tipped them off that I was stringing them along. (Note: “almusty” is the scammer Fake John Grisham tried to steer me to).

VIDEO: Lee Goldberg Visits the Cozy Mystery Party

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I was a guest recently on the Cozy Mystery Party’s Facebook Live Chat, where I took questions from viewers and chatted about my new novel FALLEN STAR, all of my other books, my writing processing, co-authoring with Janet Evanovich, my past TV shows, a possible “Eve Ronin” TV series, and so much more. You can also get a peek at my messy office. 

Listening to Eve Ronin

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I got myself in the right frame of mind today to write SPLIT SCREEN, the 7th Eve Ronin novel, by listening to the excellent audio adaptation of FALLEN STAR, the 6th Ronin, narrated by Nicol Zanzarella and Eric Conger. Once again, they both did a kick-ass job!

Nicol is back as Eve Ronin… and voices two characters in surprise cameos from other books in my past….and Eric Conger returns as Sharpe & Walker, the characters he brilliantly portrayed in the audiobook versions of MALIBU BURNING, ASHES NEVER LIE, and HIDDEN IN SMOKE.

I can’t wait to hear what Eric does with MURDER BY DESIGN, the first novel in my new “Edison Bixby” series (which comes out in May 2026)… and what Nicol does with SPLIT SCREEN, which I just started writing today (and that will be out this time next year).

When I listen to the audiobooks based on my novels, it’s surprisingly easy for me to forget that I wrote them and I get caught up in the characters and story… even though I know what’s coming. The audiobooks arrive usually a year after I’ve finished the novel, so I have enough distance from the work encounter it fresh and to enjoy it. And it’s hard not to have a good time listening to Nicol and Eric.

I’m a big believer in consistency in audiobooks when you find just the right voice for your work. Nicol has really made Eve Ronin her own, but I also drafted her to read my novel CALICO and  bring San Bernardino County Sheriff Detective Beth McDade to life. That was also the first time she teamed up with Eric Conger, who I loved from his reading of John Sandford’s “Virgil Flowers” novels and finally got to work with on the audiobook of MALIBU BURNING, which became the first of my “Sharpe & Walker” novels.

Since then, Nicol has reappeared as Eve Ronin in audiobook versions of the two “Sharpe & Walker” novels ASHES NEVER LIE and HIDDEN IN SMOKE… and now Eric is doing the same for his two characters in FALLEN STAR. And I hope they will reteam again in SPLIT SCREEN, the book I’m writing now (well, which I will be when I stop procrastinating by writing this blog post). 

My Conversation with Fake Elena Ferrante

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Over the last week, lots of scammers pretending to be famous authors have reached out to me. My recent email conversation with Fake Elena Ferrante (elenaferrante510@gmail.com) was short and sweet:

Elena: Hi, I’m Elena Ferrante! I’m a novelist and former journalist. You might know me from My Brilliant Friend and the rest of the Neapolitan series, which explores the lives and friendships of women in a vividly rendered world. My books include My Brilliant Friend, The Story of the Lost Child, and The Days of Abandonment. Readers have described them as powerful, deeply emotional, and full of strong, complex characters. I’d love to hear more about your own writing as well! Best regards, Elena Ferrante

Me: Elena, It’s great to hear from you. It’s been so long since we last met. I’ve signed with a new agent since then who has incredible marketing savvy… and could vault you into an even higher tier of sales. Would you like me to put you in touch with him?

Elena: Dear Lee, It’s lovely to hear from you after all this time. I’m very glad to know your new agent has been such a strong support for your work that is a gift every writer hopes for. Thank you for thinking of me and for the generous offer to make an introduction. At the moment, I am already working with a marketing agency that has been assisting me closely. They understand my approach to privacy and the unique ways my books reach readers. But if you are interested, I would be more than happy to connect you with them. They have been excellent partners and I can recommend them with confidence. I hope your writing continues to flourish and I’d love to hear how your latest projects are progressing. With warm regards, Elena Ferrante

Me: My marketing agency is terrific. They are the ones you recommended to me at our lunch. Which reminds me, how is Hal doing?

 
After that… crickets. She was gone.

I’ve never met the real Elena Ferrante, and I made up Hal….but the idea of trying to respond to that email without tripping over themselves scared them off.