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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Review: Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh
Steve Cavanagh’s Fifty Fifty is an absolutely riveting legal thriller that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. This is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone—though once you’ve read this one, you’ll definitely want to go back for more.
The setup is ingenious: two sisters each accuse the other of murdering their father, a powerful former mayor of New York. Both are clearly hiding something—but which one is guilty? Both are on trial, both have skilled defense attorneys (including Eddie Flynn himself), and the case unspools in a tense, twisty courtroom battle that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Cavanagh’s writing is razor-sharp and lean, with no wasted words. The courtroom scenes are expertly crafted and full of crackling tension. Eddie is an immensely likable protagonist—smart, principled, and with just the right amount of irreverence—and the pacing is breakneck without sacrificing character depth.
One of the things I appreciated most was how Cavanagh plays with perspective and reader expectations. You’ll find yourself changing your mind again and again about which sister is guilty—and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Cavanagh pulls the rug out from under you in the best possible way.
In short: Fifty Fifty is a smart, taut, and thoroughly entertaining legal thriller with a brilliant premise and a fantastic payoff. If you’re a fan of John Grisham, Michael Connelly, or Lisa Scottoline, this is a must-read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Steve Cavanagh’s Fifty Fifty is an absolutely riveting legal thriller that grabs you from page one and doesn’t let go. This is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series, but it works perfectly well as a standalone—though once you’ve read this one, you’ll definitely want to go back for more.
The setup is ingenious: two sisters each accuse the other of murdering their father, a powerful former mayor of New York. Both are clearly hiding something—but which one is guilty? Both are on trial, both have skilled defense attorneys (including Eddie Flynn himself), and the case unspools in a tense, twisty courtroom battle that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
Cavanagh’s writing is razor-sharp and lean, with no wasted words. The courtroom scenes are expertly crafted and full of crackling tension. Eddie is an immensely likable protagonist—smart, principled, and with just the right amount of irreverence—and the pacing is breakneck without sacrificing character depth.
One of the things I appreciated most was how Cavanagh plays with perspective and reader expectations. You’ll find yourself changing your mind again and again about which sister is guilty—and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Cavanagh pulls the rug out from under you in the best possible way.
In short: Fifty Fifty is a smart, taut, and thoroughly entertaining legal thriller with a brilliant premise and a fantastic payoff. If you’re a fan of John Grisham, Michael Connelly, or Lisa Scottoline, this is a must-read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Steve Cavanagh is just a phenomenal writer. I've read many of his books and none of them EVER miss! Eddie Flynn has my heart, court procedural thrillers are some of my favorites and this series just does it perfectly. Fifty Fifty definitely stayed true to its catchphrases and I really was second guessing myself until the very last pages of the book. I can't wait to read the rest of this series... Steve if you're reading this, can you make it 10+ books please?!
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced