**Review of *Fifty Fifty* by Steve Cavanagh**

*Fifty Fifty* by Steve Cavanagh is a gripping legal thriller and the fifth entry in the *Eddie Flynn* series. The novel presents a taut, high-stakes courtroom drama mixed with Cavanagh's signature style of suspense and sharp wit. It follows Eddie Flynn, a former con artist turned defense attorney, as he navigates a complex murder trial that seems to have no clear answer. A woman has been accused of killing her father, but the twist is that she and her sister are both involved in the case, each claiming the other is the true killer.

Cavanagh's writing excels at creating moral ambiguity and complicated character dynamics, as Eddie must navigate the dangerous waters of this case while dealing with personal challenges. His compelling lead character, Eddie, is once again faced with impossible choices, adding depth to the book beyond the courtroom drama.

The narrative is fast-paced, with alternating perspectives that increase the suspense. Cavanagh's ability to weave together legal intricacies with character development is a key strength of the novel. The unpredictable twists and clever plotting keep readers on the edge of their seats, with no shortage of surprises until the very end.

One of the standout features of *Fifty Fifty* is its exploration of family dynamics and the blurred lines of guilt and innocence. The tension between the two sisters, both of whom have their own secrets and motivations, creates an intriguing backdrop for the central mystery. Eddie Flynn’s perspective offers a steady anchor in a world that is constantly shifting under his feet.

Overall, *Fifty Fifty* is a masterfully crafted legal thriller that combines suspense, clever plotting, and memorable characters. It’s a must-read for fans of courtroom dramas and those who appreciate complex characters and twists that will keep them guessing. The book’s taut pacing and intricate plotting make it a standout in the genre, and Steve Cavanagh continues to establish himself as one of the leading voices in legal thrillers.

Pardon the pun, but I’m truly fifty-fifty on this book. From start to finish, Steve Cavanagh masterfully keeps readers on their toes, dropping twists and turns that make you second-guess everything. I usually pride myself on figuring out the culprit early, but this one kept me guessing—right up until the reveal. That said, I was a bit disappointed by the outcome. While the journey was engaging, the final twist felt too obvious, and I found myself wishing for one last shocking reveal to truly blow me away. Still, the suspense and courtroom drama made for an entertaining read.

Note: I received an advanced copy of Fifty Fifty in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely addictive. This is one of page turning thrillers that you can't get enough of and hate when it ends. Just when you think you have it figured it out, your slammed with a twist. Hold on tight for this wild ride.

Chilling intense and mysterious and I loved it. I will read more of steve's future works. I loved this

📖 ARC Review Release Tour 📖

Book Title : Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

PUB Release Date: June 2nd 2025

My Rating : 4 Stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am not a fan of legal thrillers , however I was introduced to this author last year and his series with Eddie Flynn an Excon now lawyer and there is something about the rawness and his dark edge that hooks you in to his stories .

Fifty Fifty is book 5 of the Eddie Flynn series , and which I did not know when I requested this ARC , but can TOTALLY be read as a standalone!!

This is a classic Who Done It story !

A He said She said …but in this case She said , She said … 👀

The story starts off strong with a 911 call 📞 that someone has been murdered…then another calls in for the same location to report a murder .

Two sisters go head to head .

Can cool cat steady Eddie read between the lines and be able to tell if he’s being conned and figure out if she’s telling him the truth or will be persuaded into believing someone else’s truth ?

If you’re a fan of legal thrillers then definitely add this one to your TBR , this is a fast paced read that had me jumping all over the place 😳 and stole a few hours of my sleeping time from me !

PS when are we getting the TV adaptation of this series ????!! 📺
Thank you NetGalley , Atria Books and Steve Cavanagh for this gripping page turner !

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is the kind of thriller that keeps you flipping pages like your life depends on it! Two sisters call 911, both claiming the other just murdered their father. One of them is lying. From there, it’s an intense courtroom battle with two defense lawyers trying to figure out which sister is a psychopath. Every chapter throws in a new twist, and just when you think you’ve figured it out the author flips the script again. I loved the multiple POVs between the lawyers and the sisters, and the jaw dropping reveals!

4+⭐️
The new cover/paperback releases June 3rd.

Excellent “whodunit” — quite the reading roller coaster. I highly recommend for those that love the courtroom drama and mystery. It’s smart, fast paced and twisty plot. I was IN it from start to finish.

Pretty sure I changed my mind 10x on who did it. This is part of a series but I read it as a standalone. This made for a nice genre switch-up.

P.S. if you’re a physical book lover. You’ll want the new paperback coming out in June.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Fifty Fifty.

I read the 8th book in the series and didn't realize this was #5 since there's no mention of it in the description.

I feel the publisher should be transparent that this was a previously published book because I thought it was a new novel from the author.

I liked the premise and the author's writing and once again he delivers a suspenseful legal thriller with plenty of courtroom drama.

In the fifth book, two women are accused of murdering their father, the former mayor of New York City.

Eddie, since he's so street smart with great instincts, believes he's representing the innocent daughter. But who is playing whom?

You can't help but like Eddie; he fights for the underdog because he used to be one..

It's in the the way he's dressed, the way he talks, his former life of crime as a con man and hustler, the 'people' he knows and will assist him in his legal pursuits.

But at the same time his skills and instincts are almost hard to suspend disbelief in.

The narrative is full of twists, turns, murders and hard to suspend disbelief for yet you're curious to see how the author will pull it off.

I enjoyed the courtroom drama, though it was a bit full of legalese and exposition, but the author clearly knows how to plot and structure a legal thriller.

I just wish the blurb had been honest about this book not being a new release.

I made it about a quarter of the way through this courtroom thriller before deciding to put it down. While I can see the appeal for fans of the genre, it simply wasn't for me.

Courtroom thrillers aren’t my typical read, and unfortunately it didn’t take long for me to realize I wasn’t caring about the story. The most jarring aspect was the constant misogyny faced by Kate, one of the key perspectives. While it’s clear the book doesn’t condone this, Kate’s chapters in the first quarter felt entirely defined by her struggle against it. To me, it became exhausting and, frankly, depressing to read. The persistent focus on the male-dominated environment and the objectification she endured left me drained, and I didn’t feel any real sense of relief.

Another issue I had was the author’s heavy use of misdirections. Mainly with the incomplete perspective of the “She” character, it quickly became obvious who the author was trying to misdirect us to. Once I figured out where it was headed, I lost all motivation to continue. Maybe the payoff was worth it for someone who enjoys the build up and twists, but I didn’t want to read about the hot-shot lawyer finding the next “fake” lead again.

In the end, this book wasn’t the right fit for me. While I can see its potential for readers who enjoy courtroom thrillers, it didn’t do enough to keep me hooked. I’m sure others will get more out of it, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

This was really good. I just wish it was disclosed on NetGalley that this is the fifth book in the series and that it’s pre-released. This is the first time I’ve encountered a book like this on here? Regardless though, it was a really good read.

Super disappointed to see that this is not only a previously published book, but also that it is number 5 in a series. Neither of those pieces of information is provided in the NetGalley description. This is partially my fault for not researching more thoroughly on GoodReads before requesting, but if this was included in the NetGalley description I would have never requested. I think other reviewers should be aware.

This is the first book I've read from this author. The description of this book really had me intrigued. I stopped reading the other book I was reading to read it and finished this book SO fast. This is one of those books where you forget you're even reading. If you like twists, give this one a read!

4.5 stars
This is my favorite Eddie Flynn book thus far! I love the UK narrator so that’s my go to. That said, the author has been slowly releasing his books in the US so I’ve been recommending this series to everyone now that they can purchase in the US market.

Eddie Flynn has had a lot happen to him in this series. Some books have examined his personal life and others have been more focused on the legal cases. The latter is where this series shines. The set up and pacing of this legal drama were on point. Each time I thought I knew what was going on, I had to think again. This one kept me investing and guessing until the last minute!!

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is a fast-paced legal thriller featuring Eddie Flynn, a defense attorney trying to prove which of two sisters, both accused of murder, is innocent. With sharp writing, unexpected twists, and a smart protagonist, Cavanagh keeps the suspense high throughout. While familiar to fans of the genre, the book stands out for its clever plot and gripping courtroom drama. A must-read for thriller enthusiasts.

I absolutely adore the Eddie Flynn series and every book always keeps me on my toes. This one kept me hooked from the beginning. Also, LOVE the new cover!!

Fifty Fifty is fantastic. I was completely engrossed till the very end. First 5 star book of 2025 for me. I can’t wait to see what Eddie and Kate get into next.

Oh WOW!!! This was great from start to finish. A book that really sucks you in from the start to the tantalizing end!
This is such a fantastic story of two sisters each accusing the other of murdering their father. I absolutely loved the back and forth of “she did it, no wait she did” aspect. I myself was constantly going back and forth.
The reveal of the true killer was done expertly. I found myself actually holding my breath and my heartbeat accelerating.
Do yourself a favor and pick this up when it hits shelves. If you love a good who done it that also has multiple POV’s, this is definitely for you!
I want to thank Net Galley and Atria books for letting me read this ARC copy!

WOW. WOW. WOW. Yup. Three wows. I've been a fan of Cavanagh and especially the Eddie Flynn series but this one is a favorite thus far!

A prominent ex-mayor of NYC is found slaughtered. Both of his daughters call 911 and claim the other is responsible. One is the killer. Which one?

Eddie finds himself in a split trial facing off against the prosector and the co-defendant in this high profile case where the twists never stop, while finding allies in unlikely places and where things get personal.

As usual, the character development is spot on and includes a look into the killer's POV but written in a way where it's impossible to decide WHO she is. With every clue and twist, I found myself thinking, "ooohh, I see what you did there!" and it always left me completely unsure and unable to put the book down.

A very clever legal thriller! Fast pace and tense.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for advanced eARC.

I’m pretty sure my husband is sick of hearing me say how good this book is as I was reading it, but he’ll understand come June when I thrust a copy in his hands and tell him to get started.

Sophia and Alexandria are sisters both claiming the other brutally murdered their father. Eddie Flynn, one of the sisters attorneys and a recurring character for Steve Cavanagh, is a character I could read more and more about. I’m so anxious to dive into more of the Eddie Flynn books.

This book is everything you want a thriller to be. So many moments that have you questioning everything, flipping sides, wondering “WHAT WILL HAPPEN?!”, and reading the “SHE” chapters completely engrossed and terribly disturbed.

Will absolutely be preordering a physical copy of this book and shouting recommendations for it at whoever will listen (and those who aren’t asking too).

A top read for 2025 and I’m positive it will remain that way despite it being only March 11th.