REVIEW 〰️ TH1RT3EN 〰️ BY STEVE KAVANAGH 〰️ AUGUST 13, 2019 〰️ THANKS TO #NETGALLEY AND @flatiron_books
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“The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.” Okay, everything about that preface just made me absolutely need to acquire this book. I’ve never thought of this as a premise, but it may be the most genius thing I’ve ever even imagined. So thrilling and twisty and scary and fun! So, I managed to snag this one, very thankfully.
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It did not take me long to finish this book. I read it mostly Thursday night into yesterday morning and finished the tiny bit I had left this morning. The thing about this book is that you find out basically in chapter one who the serial killer is, so it’s just quite a mystery per se. It is really twisty, though! The writing really captured my attention and the author’s detail was something that made me say, “whoa.” Who researches that much about dissolving a body? I think Mr. Kavanagh just wanted to show exactly how twisted and methodical his character is.
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One of the things I really liked about reading this book was how everything, every little piece of evidence was completely explained. There wasn’t anything in here that wasn’t a priority. He explained everything.
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The only way to know that this book is part of a series is the small “old case” reminders, but it doesn’t give anything away about those books. I also may not have even known if I hadn’t read that it was part of a series from another review. I enjoyed the protagonist enough that I would definitely like to go back and read the other books that he’s in.
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I really loved this book. It was a little bit graphic but it was easy to get through and it wasn’t drawn out. The twists and turns can’t be beat, and the writing is great. If you like thrillers, you will absolutely love this book!

A legal thriller that pits an ex con turned lawyer against a cunning serial killer. But, this time, the killer isn't on trial -- he's on the jury. This is the 4th in a series but can be read as a standalone.

The first thing you must do when reading this is to suspend disbelief and just go with the flow. The premise is good, the writing is excellent, the case is quite complicated but there were many times I just had to shake my head and say, "SERIOUSLY???" I kept reading.

Film star Robert (Bobby) Solomon is on trial for the murders of his wife and co-star, Ariella Bloom, and their chief of security, Carl Tozer. Eddie Flynn is asked by Solomon's high-powered legal eagle, Rudy Carp, to sit second chair in the "Trial of the Century." Carp wants Flynn on the team to discredit the NYPD cops who rushed to arrest Bobby and offers a lucrative proposition that may be just what Flynn needs to get his life back on track. Flynn agrees, but only because he believes that Bobby Solomon is innocent. If Bobby didn't do it, however, who did? The reader knows. A nasty piece of work, Joshua Kane, is on a mission that makes sense only to him. NO SPOILERS.

I really wanted to love this book given all the hype and stellar reviews I've seen on social media. I even considered reading books 1-3 as I don't like to come in at the 4th book in a series, but I'm glad I just went ahead as I doubt, now, that I'll read those. I just didn't buy into the character of Eddie Flynn, crusader for the good guys, nor did I care for the excessive amount of gratuitous violence in the story. The psychopath, Joshua Kane, wasn't even interesting for his pathology, and I definitely had difficulty imagining that he could manage to manipulate so many things the way he did. Yeah, definitely legal fiction. Sure it was an interesting premise to consider how a killer could get himself seated on a murder trial jury, but having served on them myself over 7 times (and once as foreperson on a murder trial), I can't see it being possible in even the remotest way despite all the dead bodies littered along the way. I love a good legal thriller but, like the law itself, it has to follow the rules. Lots of convenient coincidences and a killer who can outsmart everyone with incredible forethought and masterful long range planning with a vendetta that seemed quite lame, but then again, he's just another total whack job of a serial killer.

Should you read it? As I said, I'm a fan of legal thrillers and I like the parry and thrust of good courtroom drama. This has plenty of that. Just absorb it all without questioning if any of it would actually be even remotely possible in a US court. I know I'm in the minority with my lackluster praise for this novel, so I'll leave it here. I don't think I care enough about Eddie Flynn to read more of his adventures in lawyering. It wasn't even that somehow Eddie managed to live through all his near death experiences, it was just, ultimately, that I didn't relate to this whole story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Thanks to Netgalley, Flatiron publishing, and Steve Cavanaugh for this ARC. Omg, I fell in love with this book! Is that even possible ? Lol
It’s one of the best mystery books I’ve read this year, ok, maybe even the best. Just the phrase that ...the killer is on the jury, was what got me to want so desperately to read this book.. I loved every character and the storyline just get getting better and better. I loved the ending as to who done it, such a mystery to me. I am going back to read the other books of this series now. Thanks for introducing me to a new author that is now on my favorites list. Keep on writing Mr. Cavanaugh, ! thank you . 5 star review on Goodreads, Amazon , Twitter, Instagram, FB, and to my book clubs for a recommendation.

THE SERIAL KILLER ISN'T ON TRIAL...
HE'S ON THE JURY.

Definitely loving the legal thrillers lately. And this one.... whoa.

Hot, Hollywood power couple. New movie coming out together. Life was good. And then one of them ended up dead. The other on trial for the murder.

It's the trial of the century and Eddie Flynn needs to prove that Robert Solomon is not the one behind the brutal murder of his beautiful wife. The evidence is pretty damning. But Eddie has his doubts. And this Hollywood star isn't the only actor in the courtroom. There is a serial killer pretending to be someone else. And that someone else, just happens to be on the jury.

I love legal thrillers. I'm fascinated by the process - the way they figure things out, and how clever and sometimes conniving lawyers sometimes need to be. The way this flips back and forth between madman Kane and Eddie Flynn is riveting. Being inside the mind of both killer and lawyer and delving into the way their minds process opposite sides of the story was exhilarating and engrossing. There was the perfect amount of gore and guts as we followed the killers moves, an extremely satisfying dose of admiration and respect as Eddie tries to solve the case, and an engrossing story that captivated me from start to finish.

This was my first Steve Cavanagh and probably not my last. Although Thirteen picks up in the middle of his Eddie Flynn series, it could easily be a stand alone book that any fan of thrillers, suspense or courtroom drama could pick up.

We meet the killer first in this tight-knit drama, and it's immediately apparent that he is cold-blooded and ruthless. But he's also meticulous and cunning and supremely intelligent. He methodically targets his next victim after learning all he can about the jury selection for the upcoming sensational trial of a Hollywood star accused of murdering his wife and bodyguard. Cavanagh takes us deep inside the jury selection process - the jostling and maneuvers that take place between the prosecution and the defense.

The narrative moves easily between the perspectives of the killer and Flynn. As the story gradually unfolds we learn more and more about the killer's motives and background. And we also learn more about former con-man turned defense attorney Flynn. I enjoyed seeing the two characters engage in a battle of wits to see who would come out on top. You're pretty sure you know what's going on and then, boom, another twist. It was a fun and suspenseful ride, and although you kind of know the good guys will win, you never quite know how.

I would definitely pick up the earlier books or the next one in this series.

I picked this up because I was totally obsessed with Steve Cavanagh’s Twisted. In the beginning, Thirteen is not as gripping as Twisted, but the plot twist at the end actually had more punch for me. This book, with its awesome courtroom and forensic drama, has definitely rekindled my love for legal thrillers. I also met my new favorite Eddie Flynn—a con man turned lawyer (with detective work on the side). He is one of the most fleshed out characters I’ve read in crime fiction since Cormoran Strike.

I encourage everyone who is in the mood for a fast-paced, intelligent read to pick up this book. Though part of a series, this novel also stands on its own, so do not hesitate to read this even though you haven’t read the preceding books. I am also just beginning to discover the adventures of Eddie Flynn and I am looking forward to it.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for providing a copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t know that this was part of a series. That being said it’s great as a stand-alone. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. This was my first court room drama and let me say it was intense. I enjoyed the book.

THIRTEEN by Steve Cavanagh is an intense read from beginning to end. The unique concept of a serial killer who manipulates his way onto the jury for a murder he committed. The book is written from two points of view, Kane, whose identity is masked from the reader as well as the other characters in the book; and Flynn, the defense attorney who becomes a member of the defense team.
The book has an excellent, tight plot with more twists and turns than the reader can imagine when beginning the novel. Almost at every point where the reader begins to breathe a little easier the page turns, an unexpected twist is written, and the roller coaster ride begins again. This, coupled with some gory, grim details suggests it is a book that readers might want to approach with some caution.
It goes without saying that this is not a cozy novel, and readers who prefer that subgenre might have difficulty enjoying, and in some cases, finishing this novel. Readers who like heart pounding suspense and unexpected twists and turns at a rapid pace will find this one a perfect read.
Flynn,the defense attorney, is easy to root for, being an attorney who has genuine concern for his fellow human beings. Before he became an attorney he was a con artist and no stranger to the mean streets. His past makes him uniquely qualified to take on the murder trial of Bobby Solomon, a young man who is gentle and down to earth dispite the fact he is a hollywood star on the verge of mega fame and fortune.
The suspense builds throughout the book to an explosive conclusion. A reader’s enjoyment of the book is most likely heightened by experiencing this tension and building suspense as it unfolds, therefore no spoilers are included in this review.
My thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance digital read copy of this novel in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I started reading this and felt very confused. I then looked it up on goodreads to find out its basically number 4 in a series following a certain character. Don’t think that was on the synopsis when requesting. I am pretty interested in the series though so will look into the first three.

New York defense attorney and former con man Eddie Flynn is brought in to the trial of Bobby Solomon to help defend him, by Rudy Carp and his top law firm Carp and Associates.
A famous movie star, accused of killing his actress wife Ariella Bloom and their chief of security Carl Tozer. Found dead in bed together at the actors Manhattan home.
They want Eddie to go after the corrupt cops they believe tampered with evidence in the case. In return for his help, they offer Eddie a steady job at the firm, which may be a way to get back with his estranged wife Christine, and their daughter Amy. It would allow him to do the work he loves without placing his family in danger like he has done in the past.
When Carp Law is pulled off the case as the trial begins, Eddie must take the lead on the defense. He enlists the help of ex FBI agent turned private investigator Harper, who finds a connection to a serial killer from the evidence.
Joshua Kane is the serial killer that finagles his was on to the jury to help convict an innocent man for the murders that he committed!
The story alternates between Eddie and Joshua as the two match wits in this dazzling legal thriller.
I loved the concept of the story and it did not disappoint. The fast pace, intensity and action kept me riveted.
It did take some time to get into, but once I was there, it was absorbing.
The third book in the series worked well as a stand alone but I am so intrigued that I'm going to read the other two in the series.
Thank you to Flatiron Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars, rounded down to 4 stars.

What a great hook for a thriller! A serial killer is one of the Thirteen people on a jury and a former con man is working for the defense team.

Luke is a killer. Today, he is killing a lookalike so he can become a juror on a high profile murder case. Famous movie star Bobby is accused of murdering his movie star wife and her security guard while they were together in bed mostly unclothed. Bobby is a great actor but he is also the only person seen entering the home on the security camera footage. He also appears to have waited three hours to call 911. How will former con man Eddie help powerhouse defense attorney Rudy Carp prove Bobby’s innocent? How does a one-dollar bill folded into a butterfly found in the security guard’s mouth fit in?

Talk about perfect timing. I read this while waiting to be selected for a jury on a murder trial. (I was kicked off by the defense on the second day of voir dire.) It did make me think more about my fellow jurors than I usually do.

The next best thing to being a juror in real life is reading this book. Thirteen makes you the fourteenth member of the jury and the fourth member of the defense team. The plot is engrossing and compels you to read late into the night.

I highly recommend this book for both thriller readers and mystery solvers. Even though the who is known from the beginning, the why is the intriguing mystery to solve here. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!

Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was SO good! Usually when it comes to thrillers, I tend more toward domestic thrillers, but I LOVED this courtroom drama! It's so dark and twisted, and kept me engaged the entire time, and I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to read the rest of Cavanagh's books now

WOW! This book reeled me in! Hook! Line! Sinker! Move over Mickey Haller there is a new man in town and his name is Eddie Flynn! I loved everything about this legal thriller. It had a bit of a Michael Connelly/ John Grisham vibe to it, and that is a huge compliment coming from me they’re two of my favorites. This is the third book in this series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I have not read the prior books and I had no problem keeping up with the story and I never felt lost. Although as good as this one was I have every intention on going back and reading those two previous books as well. A fast-paced complex plot full of well drawn characters, yes please!

Eddie Flynn is defending a famous actor accused of killing his wife and his bodyguard. Convinced that his client is innocent he soon finds a link between the murder and a possible serial killer. What makes this even more intriguing is the killer is paying very close attention to the court proceedings. Not merely as a spectator, but as a member of the jury **and the plot thickens**. The narrative bounces back-and-forth between Eddie and serial killer Josh Kane, loved this! Eddie and Josh were both incredibly compelling and I loved reading about how their minds worked. Two brilliant men battling it out until the bitter end. Josh was not only intelligent, manipulative, calculating, and diabolical, but he was also impervious to pain. Kind of a super villain if you will, there was a little suspension of belief involved, but I was all in! The plot was fairly complex, but so well conveyed to the reader. I was never confused and I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the pieces come together. There were several well-placed twists, but for me this was more about the journey than the twists. An exceptional legal thriller that I won’t soon forget! Looking forward to the next book!

AWESOME!!! I didn't realize this book is part of a series, but it doesn't matter because this book definitely stands on its own. Some courtroom stories can sometimes be dry and slow-moving - - not this one!! Whiplash action on every page and you wonder who will be the next to be killed.

The characters are vivid and realistic. I felt like I was watching a movie as I read. Sleep? Who needs it? I knew I NEEDED to read this book until I finished! Non-stop action and people dropping right and left. Some of the good guys turned out to be NOT! I guessed some of the twists but certainly not all of them.

A great thriller!!!

Amazing, high-speed courtroom adventure, involving a brilliant serial killer (who manages to get himself on the jury), and a con-man turned lawyer. There is a lot of misdirection and false "A-ha" moments to keep the reader guessing.

I don't usually read courtroom books, but this one is so different and unique. Cavanaugh's writing is quick, punchy, and well-executed. There were no fluff chapters. A lot of build-up with a great payoff. I highly recommend this one! Thank you to Netgalley for this copy!

OMG that book was C R A Z Y !!!
I was into it from the start!
I must say at first I was a bit confused by the different POVs as the chapters didn't clearly say who was thinking/telling the story as it changed with each chapter but I quickly got the hang of it.

Man, there isn't a thing Kane won't do, a person he won't kill, to get his way...

There is a murder, a trial, a lawyer... the murderer is on the jury...

Captivating, good pace, suspense... keeps you wanting to turn the pages...

Thank you to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

“TH1RT3EN” By Steve Cavanagh is a mystery that starts on the cover. The title is not the number thirteen, but a cryptic representation of that number, suggesting a password, a code, or a hidden meaning, and readers soon find out that this is exactly what it is.
The book opens with Joshua Kane sitting, waiting, disguised as a homeless person, and readers learn a little about him. He is not like other people; his mother told him that. He is special; he is different. Readers soon learn how correct his mother was; there was no one like him. He collected names and addresses, and then he killed the mail carrier.
The narrative changes to a first person account by Eddie Flynn, lawyer in Manhattan Criminal Courts. Hotshot lawyer Rudy Carp offers him the opportunity to take the second chair in the biggest murder trial the city has ever seen; Robert Solomon, the movie star, is on trial for murdering his wife and an associate. Carp declares that Flynn is the one person who can prove that Solomon is innocent.
“See, Bobby Solomon is innocent. The NYPD framed him for the murders,” said Rudy. “Really? Can you prove that?” I said. Rudy paused. “No,” he said, “But I think you can.”
Despite Flynn’s misgivings about the defendant, he agrees to look at the case. The story continues with the point of view changing in alternating chapters. Readers see what Flynn sees; “We both looked at the bloodstain on the bed.” Hear what he says; “How do I believe anything you say, now?” Know how he feels; “I felt sick. Like I’d swallowed a fully inflated balloon that I couldn’t bring back up.” Discover the clues as he finds them; “This hadn’t been in the papers.” And, follow his thinking “What’s the best way to get away with murder? Make sure the cops aren’t looking for you.”
Kane, meanwhile, continues on his path of murder, destruction, and deception. Readers know what lawyers do not know ….yet. While Flynn struggles to put together his case, Kane prepares to be part of the jury; the living breathing beast that he is preparing to tame. The tension is palpable as the trial continues. Readers know what the defense has learned and what it has planned, but readers also know about Kane, the unidentified factor, cryptic code, the enigmatic message…for a while at least. Just as readers approach insight and information, the narrative changes to the alternate point of view, leaving questions, and only hinting at answers.
“TH1RTE3N” is fast-paced and intense. Chapters identify the day and heighten the apprehension. Cavanagh takes readers down unexpected paths, cultivates tension, and brings danger bubbling to the surface. He expertly creates a sense of urgency through methodical planning. Readers know something is coming but are not sure exactly what it will be until the shocking and unexpected finish.
I received a review copy of” TH1RT3EN” from Steve Cavanagh, Flatiron Books, and Macmillan Publishing. It is powerful, compelling, and exciting. The structure of alternating chapters increases the tension page by page. This is a book that readers will find hard to put down.

It is the trial of the century in New York. A Hollywood star has been accused of murdering his starlet wife and his head of security. Everything points to the actor having done it but he maintains his innocence. With an innocent man on trial, and a serial killer on the jury, Thirteen is an intense legal thriller.
The action starts from page one. We are introduced to Joshua Kane, the serial killer. He is a hauntingly evil person and an extremely intelligently psychopath. His evil acts are well planned and well executed.
Enter Robert "Bobby" Solomon, a Hollywood star, who stands accused of murdering his movie star wife and their head of security. Solomon maintains his innocence. Luckily for Bobby, Rudy Carp, the attorney hired by the studio to represent him, decides to retain Eddie Flynn to handle the police witnesses. Flynn is a con man turned lawyer with a good legal reputation. Eddie only handles cases where he believes his client is innocent.
There is a lot of action happening as the defense gears up for trial and Joshua Kane manipulates the legal system for his game and gain. Eddie Flynn becomes lead attorney when Rudy Carp drops out. Bobby Solomon couldn't wish for a better advocate. The action continues to escalate, with each day of the trial. The tension builds with day of the trial until the end.
I was totally engrossed. When life interrupted and I had to stop reading, I couldn't wait to get back. Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh is an intense and masterful legal thriller. A serial killer on the jury - think about it.
I highly recommend this book for its story and it's incredible characters. Thank you #Netgalley and #Orion for approving my request for an ARC. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

Thirteen is the fourth full book in the Eddie Flynn legal thriller series by Northern Irish writer Steve Cavanagh. I received an ARC from NetGalley several months ago, never having read any of his previous books, but the name kept coming up alongside those magical five stars, so I requested it, bought the prequel novella and first instalment, then promptly bought the rest, as each one has been absolutely brilliant, and I would now rate this amongst my favourite series.

While I am glad I did read the series in order, there would be no problem starting this as a standalone as all necessary backstory is filled in. I am slightly confused, though, as I was given a publication day of yesterday, but by the number and dates of other reviews here, it seems to have been released quite a while ago.

Set about a year after the events of The Liar, this has Eddie joining the defence team of a young Hollywood movie star who is accused of murdering his wife and security chief inside his New York apartment. Unusually, we know from the start that the defendant is actually innocent, because every other chapter is told from the third person point of view of the real killer, Joshua Kane, who is determined to infiltrate the jury to ensure a conviction - but what we don't know is why. When the lead attorney abandons the case, Eddie has to make a choice between an offer that might save his career and marriage, and his client - and when has Eddie ever taken the easy way out?

I found this one a more challenging read because so much of it is following Kane on his twisted mission. The body count is pretty high, although a lot of the violence is either implied or only briefly referred to, rather than gratuitously described, so it wasn't overly gory. I liked that we do eventually find out why Kane became a killer, and his congenital analgesia was an unusual characteristic. There were still loads of twists and plenty of action.

As in the previous books, Eddie's training as a former con man comes to the fore as he tricks his way through the court case - but his legal brain is just as sharp a weapon. I found some aspects of the case required heavy suspension of disbelief, like Eddie's best friend being allowed to be the judge for the trial, or the behaviour of some of the police, but hey, it's fiction and made for a complicated but enthralling plot.

Overall, I highly recommend both this book and this series, and I look forward to reading more of Eddie's adventures. Now I only have Cavanagh's standalone, Twisted, left to read, and it's pretty high up my TBR now. 4.5 rounded up for the cleverness of the twists and flawless writing.

The serial killer is not on trial, he’s on the jury!

WOW! This book reeled me in! Hook! Line! Sinker! Move over Mickey Haller there is a new man in town and his name is Eddie Flynn! I loved everything about this legal thriller. It had a bit of a Michael Connelly/ John Grisham vibe to it, and that is a huge compliment coming from me they’re two of my favorites. This is the third book in this series, but it can absolutely be read as a standalone. I have not read the prior books and I had no problem keeping up with the story and I never felt lost. Although as good as this one was I have every intention on going back and reading those two previous books as well. A fast-paced complex plot full of well drawn characters, yes please!

Eddie Flynn is defending a famous actor accused of killing his wife and his bodyguard. Convinced that his client is innocent he soon finds a link between the murder and a possible serial killer. What makes this even more intriguing is the killer is paying very close attention to the court proceedings. Not merely as a spectator, but as a member of the jury **and the plot thickens**. The narrative bounces back-and-forth between Eddie and serial killer Josh Kane, loved this! Eddie and Josh were both incredibly compelling and I loved reading about how their minds worked. Two brilliant men battling it out until the bitter end. Josh was not only intelligent, manipulative, calculating, and diabolical, but he was also impervious to pain. Kind of a super villain if you will, there was a little suspension of belief involved, but I was all in! The plot was fairly complex, but so well conveyed to the reader. I was never confused and I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the pieces come together. There were several well-placed twists, but for me this was more about the journey than the twists. An exceptional legal thriller that I won’t soon forget! Looking forward to the next book!

🎧🎧🎧 Adam Sims did a remarkable job of bringing a unique voice to both of these incredible male characters. He completely drew me in with his stellar narration of this compelling story!

*** many thanks to Flatiron Books and Macmillan Audio for my copy of this book ***