Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
tense
If this is the first time hearing about this book, Fifty Fifty is about two sisters who are BOTH on trial for the murder of their father. Each thinks each other has killed him. But one is a LIAR.
This was my first time reading a Steve Cavanagh novel, but I had heard extremely great things about his other novel, ‘Th1rte3n’. This book had everything a good thriller needs. Intertwining stories. Different narratives. Twists. Turns. Suspense.
One thing I loved about this book was we get a narrative from the killer herself but Steve Cavanagh does an incredible job of keeping her identity under wraps right until the VERY end. That’s what I love so much about a good thriller, you’re kept guessing right until the final pages and this was certainly the case with Fifty Fifty.
Cavanagh also did a great job of giving us a perspective from a female lawyer within the industry. Kate’s perspective and the experience was one of my favourites throughout the novel because all the odds were against her. She starts the book by being controlled by a horrible, sexist, and pervy boss. Cavanagh was clever and brave to address the sexual abuse and biased behavior within the legal system.
I loved both the lawyers (even though they were fighting on different sides) because they each had their quirks but worked extremely well together.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t particularly not enjoy about this book because like I said before, I thought it included everything a good thriller should, but when my boyfriend asked me if it was a 5-star, I had to think about it. And for me, if I have to question whether a book deserved 5 stars, then it probably didn’t. However, my opinion might change once we discuss it with the book club because those discussions either go one of two ways; I either end up loving it more or loving it less!
Safe to say though, I have added a few of Steve Cavanagh’s other books to my TBR!
This was my first time reading a Steve Cavanagh novel, but I had heard extremely great things about his other novel, ‘Th1rte3n’. This book had everything a good thriller needs. Intertwining stories. Different narratives. Twists. Turns. Suspense.
One thing I loved about this book was we get a narrative from the killer herself but Steve Cavanagh does an incredible job of keeping her identity under wraps right until the VERY end. That’s what I love so much about a good thriller, you’re kept guessing right until the final pages and this was certainly the case with Fifty Fifty.
Cavanagh also did a great job of giving us a perspective from a female lawyer within the industry. Kate’s perspective and the experience was one of my favourites throughout the novel because all the odds were against her. She starts the book by being controlled by a horrible, sexist, and pervy boss. Cavanagh was clever and brave to address the sexual abuse and biased behavior within the legal system.
I loved both the lawyers (even though they were fighting on different sides) because they each had their quirks but worked extremely well together.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t particularly not enjoy about this book because like I said before, I thought it included everything a good thriller should, but when my boyfriend asked me if it was a 5-star, I had to think about it. And for me, if I have to question whether a book deserved 5 stars, then it probably didn’t. However, my opinion might change once we discuss it with the book club because those discussions either go one of two ways; I either end up loving it more or loving it less!
Safe to say though, I have added a few of Steve Cavanagh’s other books to my TBR!
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
challenging
dark
mysterious
Fifty Fifty is a wild ride. There are a multiple perspectives to keep track of, being that it is told from the POV of a handful of characters, but I see the intention behind it and it makes for a riveting story.
I tried to read between the lines and solve the mystery before the end, but I honestly wasn't sure if I was correct. Also, Eddie and Kate's characters are well written and I really enjoyed reading their parts of the story, but the true winner for me was the anonymous perspective of the antagonist. I was completely enraptured by those chapters and sometimes horrified at what I was reading, which made for really good entertainment.
While it was a lot to follow, I can appreciate a great author like Steve Cavanagh.
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
I tried to read between the lines and solve the mystery before the end, but I honestly wasn't sure if I was correct. Also, Eddie and Kate's characters are well written and I really enjoyed reading their parts of the story, but the true winner for me was the anonymous perspective of the antagonist. I was completely enraptured by those chapters and sometimes horrified at what I was reading, which made for really good entertainment.
While it was a lot to follow, I can appreciate a great author like Steve Cavanagh.
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5
This book follows Eddie and Kate as they represent two sisters who accuse each other of their father's murder. The story is told in both the lawyers' perspectives, along with a third "She" narrator, who is the unnamed murderer. It is very fast-paced and covers the lawyers gathering evidence, interviewing their clients, the trial itself, and more murders/cover-up committed by She (Her?).
I found the format super interesting as both lawyers convinced me of their clients' innocence which kept me guessing the entire book. As a prolific thriller reader, I had the theory that a third party murdered the father, but the She chapters dissuaded me of that notion, making it clear that the story focuses on the 50/50 chance of it being one of the sisters.
I thought that after reading dozens of mystery/thrillers that I would be somewhat decent at guessing the plot twists, but this book completely fooled me. I was just as gullible as the lawyers were, with double the information. I love when mystery books have a big plot twist that I don't see coming at all but makes perfect sense with the hints given in the rest of the story, and this one executed that well.
Going into this book I didn't realize that it was #5 of a series (interconnected standalones??) but that didn't negatively impact my reading experience. I didn't feel like I was missing out on much other than not knowing side characters or Flynn's background.
Thank you to NetGalley + Atria Books for the ARC
This book follows Eddie and Kate as they represent two sisters who accuse each other of their father's murder. The story is told in both the lawyers' perspectives, along with a third "She" narrator, who is the unnamed murderer. It is very fast-paced and covers the lawyers gathering evidence, interviewing their clients, the trial itself, and more murders/cover-up committed by She (Her?).
I found the format super interesting as both lawyers convinced me of their clients' innocence which kept me guessing the entire book. As a prolific thriller reader, I had the theory that a third party murdered the father, but the She chapters dissuaded me of that notion, making it clear that the story focuses on the 50/50 chance of it being one of the sisters.
I thought that after reading dozens of mystery/thrillers that I would be somewhat decent at guessing the plot twists, but this book completely fooled me. I was just as gullible as the lawyers were, with double the information. I love when mystery books have a big plot twist that I don't see coming at all but makes perfect sense with the hints given in the rest of the story, and this one executed that well.
Going into this book I didn't realize that it was #5 of a series (interconnected standalones??) but that didn't negatively impact my reading experience. I didn't feel like I was missing out on much other than not knowing side characters or Flynn's background.
Thank you to NetGalley + Atria Books for the ARC
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes