steveinadelaide 's review for:

The Defence by Steve Cavanagh

4.0

dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Just finished The Defence by Steve Cavanagh and I’m still catching my breath. Imagine being blackmailed by the Russian mob, forced to defend a crime boss in court, and wearing a bomb strapped to your chest. Eddie Flynn, former con artist turned lawyer (the line between the two is thin at the best of times), somehow has to pull this off with his skin intact and his moral compass only slightly scorched. It’s sharp, fast, and full of legal wrangling that actually feels convincing rather than just dramatic fluff. Cavanagh’s legal background shines through, though thankfully he doesn’t make us wade through too much jargon. Flynn is a character you cheer for not because he’s noble, but because he’s clever, flawed, and always one bad decision away from disaster. A few of the baddies are a touch too theatrical and the plot asks for a decent suspension of disbelief, but honestly, you’re too busy turning pages to care. It’s not reinventing the genre, but it’s a cracking reminder of why legal thrillers can still hit hard when done right. Four stars.