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.