This is the fifth book in a series written by a prolific author, but it was my first experience reading Steve Cavanagh. I liked the mystery of this one, which centers on the death of a father, with his two daughters blaming the other one for his murder. Eddie, the lawyer for one of the sisters, and a previous criminal himself, investigates what actually happened to the man who died. Legal thrillers are just not really my subgenre, I think. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the writing or the main character we’re following. Eddie is too smart, too aware, too instinctual - his characterization just left me feeling cold. The writing was a bit too on-the-nose, as well. I’m being too critical, because this does exactly as it advertises - it’s a legal thriller with twists and turns aplenty. I just need to stop trying to make legal thrillers happen for me.

Steve Cavanagh is a favorite of mine. I just finished Fifty Fifty and as I expected, it was a five star read. Pick this one up!

4.25 stars rounded down to 4

This was a fun one! The second I saw the premise on NetGalley, I knew I had to request it:


“911 what’s your emergency?”

“My dad’s dead. My sister Sofia killed him. She’s still in the house. Please send help.”

“My dad’s dead. My sister Alexandra killed him. She’s still in the house. Please send help.”

One of them is a liar and a killer.

But which one?


I enjoy legal thrillers but man, every time I read one I'm so grateful I do not work in any capacity with the law. What a convoluted mess that is. I liked both lawyers in this and you get each of their POVs. The sisters are both interesting, it's hard to tell which one to believe and will keep you guessing until the end. This is my kind of book!

If you're like me and had no idea this is actually part of a series, don't worry - it can be read as a standalone. And now I have to read the first 4 books in the Eddie Flynn series, as if my TBR needs any fattening.

Recommended for those who like fast-paced legal thrillers and whodunnits.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.

Two sisters blaming each other for their dad’s murder. I was hooked right from the start. I enjoyed the writing style and the main character Eddie Flynn. This was my first book from this series. I will definitely read more.

Thanks Net Galley for the ARC.

Eddie Flynn is one of favorite characters.Two sisters on trial for murder each one blaming the other one. This was good as you get the killers perspective and you just weren’t sure which sister was telling the truth and which one was lying. This was action packed and full of twists to keep you guessing until the end. I love Harry and Eddie working together and this whole series.

Love the Eddie Flynn series I freaking love him. I was so excited for this book and flew through it. Great story , loved the characters as usual! Highly recommend this series!! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

My bookish friends, first, I must confess my absolute adoration for the Eddie Flynn series! Each book is a masterfully crafted legal thriller that I have wholeheartedly devoured and enjoyed. I tried to pace myself, savoring every twist and turn, but let’s be honest—I couldn’t help but tear through them! And if you haven't read any of the previous books, don’t worry—you can absolutely enjoy this one as a standalone.

But mark my words: this is Steve Cavanagh’s best work yet. Clear your schedule, silence your notifications, grab your favorite drink (be it a fine scotch, your poison of choice, or even a protein shake—whatever makes you happy), and tell that talkative husband of yours who keeps insisting you read too much (yes, I’m looking at you, dear husband) that you're diving headfirst into this brilliant, twisty mystery. Because trust me, from the very first page, you’ll be obsessively trying to figure out: which sister is the real devil?

The plot is absolutely gripping and begs to be adapted into a series—it could easily be as successful as Apple TV+’s Presumed Innocent. The premise? Two sisters, two simultaneous 911 calls, and one brutal murder. Frank Avellino, the former mayor of New York City, is found bludgeoned and stabbed to death in his bathroom. Both daughters claim the other did it.

Alexandra is the picture-perfect daughter—polished, blonde, a rising star in real estate. Meanwhile, Sofia is the troubled, dark-haired artist with a history of rehab and self-destruction. One of them is lying. But which one?

Eddie Flynn takes on Sofia’s defense, convinced she’s the innocent one. He teams up with ex-FBI agent Harper and retired judge Harry Ford. On the other side, ambitious young lawyer Kate, desperate to escape the abuse of her vile boss Levy, takes a high-risk gamble to lead the case, even if it means risking her career. She joins forces with her ex-NYPD friend Bloch (a woman of few words and a lot of muscle—easily my favorite character, second only to Harry’s sweet dog, Clarence) to defend Alexandra.

And let’s not forget the prosecution: privileged, ladder-climbing Dreyer, who has a dangerously close alliance with the racist Judge Stone—making it clear the deck might be stacked against both sisters.

As the clock ticks, Eddie and Kate race against time, each determined to prove their client's innocence. But with a manipulative mother who pitted them against each other their entire lives, can either sister truly be trusted? Eddie has always chosen to defend the innocent—but what if, this time, justice isn’t so black and white?

So, grab your popcorn and refreshments, because this is a legal thriller that demands to be devoured. Five gazillion stars! Hands down, the best legal thriller of 2025 so far—I cannot recommend it enough!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital review copy of this absolutely phenomenal book in exchange for my honest thoughts!