A few days after I read this book, I realized that the story was straightforward, and yet I still have not discovered who the real perpetrator was. There were moments when I had to stare at nothing just to ponder how horrible the acts were — especially that one situation there where Eddie Flynn was deeply devastated and heart broken. Nevertheless, our amazing defense lawyer was still able to push through and fought the case head-on. His trial techniques were still remarkable and his ideals were still in tact. 
At the very end, justice has been served. 

Man I love this author.  Everytime I grab an Eddie Flynn book I am sucked in and it's hard to come back to the real world.  I keep running back to these pages because I just have to know what is happening next.

I must be getting better with deciphering this author's intent because two of the biggest twists I actually figured out ahead of when they were revealed. That in no way took away from the book as a whole because until the twists were revealed it could have gone either way.

Absolutely love this author's writing. If you enjoy police procedurals and legal thrillers, grab anything by this author. I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. 

When the police respond to a grisly murder at the home of former New York City mayor Frank Avellino, they’re faced with a chilling dilemma—both of his daughters, Alexandra and Sofia, have called 911 within moments of each other, each insisting the other committed the brutal act. As the investigation unfolds, both women are arrested and placed on trial together in a rare dual-defendant case, despite each claiming to be innocent. Eddie Flynn, the sharp-tongued defense attorney with a knack for impossible cases, steps in to represent Sofia, while newcomer Kate Brooks fights on Alexandra’s behalf. With two sisters, two competing legal teams, and only one truth, the courtroom becomes a high-stakes battleground. Throughout the novel, shifting points of view, including the voice of the unnamed guilty sister, deepen the mystery and lead to a shocking finale.

As someone already hooked on the Eddie Flynn series, I went into this book expecting to enjoy it—and I wasn’t wrong. That said, I did find the early chapters a little drawn out. The setup, though essential, didn’t move as briskly as I’ve come to expect from Cavanagh. But once the story hit its stride, particularly in the latter half, it became a compulsive read. The interplay between Eddie and Kate added a fresh dynamic, and the inclusion of the mysterious “she” perspective was a brilliant way to keep the tension simmering. I especially appreciated how the legal strategy unfolded like a game of high-stakes chess (pun intended), with each side trying to outmaneuver the other and keep the prosecutor at bay while the truth remained elusive. By the time I reached the trial scenes—always my favorite part of these books—I was fully invested. The suspense was pitch-perfect, and the twists kept me guessing until the final chapters. Overall, the second half delivered everything I love about this series - smart twists, sharp dialogue, and a payoff that made the wait worthwhile.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Fifty Fifty in return for my honest review.

Fifty Fifty, the fifth installment in Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series, is a stunning legal thriller that cements the series as one of my reigning favorites. Cavanagh has crafted one of the most clever courtroom dramas I’ve read, with a plot that had me hooked from the first chapter.

In Fifty Fifty, former mayor of New York Frank Avellino is found murdered. Each of his two daughters accuse the other of the crime, while maintaining their own innocence. Eddie Flynn is tasked with defending the sister he believes is innocent, while likely proving the other guilty. A tense, high-stakes trial follows and Eddie is forced to play detective as much as defense attorney. 

Having read later books in this series, what I loved most about Fifty Fifty were the introductions to characters who later become favorites. Eddie is at his best when he’s working with others, and the interactions between Eddie and his allies characters are always fun to read. As a reader, I also enjoyed playing detective myself but, true to Cavanagh’s style, the reveal still managed to surprise me.

The trial scenes in Fifty Fifty are some of the best in the series. This feels like the most time we’ve spent with Eddie Flynn in the courtroom and this is where Cavanagh’s background as a former lawyer himself really shines. These scenes are tense and dramatic while also feeling realistic. Even as someone who doesn’t typically gravitate toward legal fiction, I found myself completely engrossed in the courtroom chapters.

With no critiques from me, this is a 5-star read in my book. I’d recommend Fifty Fifty to fans of courtroom dramas, legal thrillers, and even procedural TV like Law & Order. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.