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marym2215 's review for:
Fifty Fifty
by Steve Cavanagh
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
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.
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.