Solid legal thriller. I was on the edge of my seat and could not put down. Although this is the 5th book in the Eddie Flynn series, you can easily follow along with the story line and don't need to have read the others before picking this one up. However, I will be reading the rest of the series just because I really love the characters and want to know what happens to them, and to get more of their backstories. Fans of this genre will definitely love this one!

This was a first Steve Cavanagh read for me and I am loving it! I love the legal side of the story and trying to figure out which sister is the killer and which lie was the truth! I was totally hooked to this and could not put it down until I knew. 5 stars!

First, thank you Net Galley for this ARC. this was my first thriller in almost 2 years and boy did it have me on the edge of my seat!!!!!! Truly shocked by the twist!!!!

If you like legal thrillers, you don’t want miss this one. Eddie Flynn, con artist turned lawyer, is back on another case. This time representing Sofia, who is on trial, along with her sister Alexandra, both accused of murdering their father. Each woman says the other committed the murder and Eddie is sure that his client is innocent.
Filled with twists and turns, this one was hard to put down, even though the ending felt a little stilted.

Wow… this is the first book I’ve read by Steve Cavanagh and boy was I blown away!! Thank you Simon & Schuster for this ARC.

The tension in parts made it nearly impossible to sit still and read. I thought I had it figured out but definitely did not see the twist at the end. The heartbreak felt so real and the misogynistic legal system was so infuriating. I love a book that makes me loose track of time and feel along with the characters. This definitely had all that.

Run don’t walk to get this book!!

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for my eARC!

Two sisters, Sophia and Alexandra Avellino, are BOTH on trial for the murder of their father, former NYC mayor, Frank Avellino. On the night of his murder, both sisters called 911 to report their father had been killed by the other sister. But which one actually murdered her father? It’s a fifty-fifty decision.

Eddie Flynn, the conman turned lawyer, will only represent someone he truly believes is innocent. He believes that person is Sophia and Alexandra framed her. Eddie’s job is to do everything in his power to give Sophia a not guilty verdict.

This book was written from multiple POVs making it clever, captivating, and easy to read. It is a gripping court room drama that is fast paced and suspenseful with multiple twists! Cavanagh keeps you on the edge of your seat in anticipation and when you think you’ve figured it out, he throws another wrench in your own theories. I suggest you run, don’t walk, when this comes out in June!

Favorite Line: “I wondered how small Levy’s dick had to be for him to get this kind of enjoyment from degrading a female employee. Pretty damn small, I concluded.”

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is a fast-paced, twist-filled legal thriller that keeps readers hooked with its sharp writing and clever plotting. Cavanagh masterfully builds tension, delivering a gripping and highly satisfying read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4+ stars

Once again Steve Cavanagh hits it out of the ballpark in his fifth Eddie Flynn courtroom drama.

Two sisters, Alexandra and Sofia, are each accusing each other of killing their father, the ex-mayor of NYC. Eddie and his team are defending the innocent sister, or are they?

Told in alternating voices by Eddie, Kate Brooks (great new character) who is defending the other sister, and She (the killer).

I kept going back and forth thinking I figured out the guilty party until the very end. A very well crafted thriller.

Little did I know before reading this book that it is a republication (new pretty cover and everything). This is Book #5 in the Eddie Flynn series, and I believe that it can totally be read as a standalone, considering that I’ve never read any of the other Eddie Flynn books, and I was not lost or confused at all in this story. This was a very fast-paced story, with lots of twists. However, I did have a few qualms about it…

This story is about two sisters, Sofia and Alexandra Avellino, who are both accused of murdering their father. In fact, each sister is pointing the finger at the other one. Both Sofia and Alexandra were present at their father’s apartment the night he was murdered, and both sisters made a 911 call to the police. We, and the jury just have to decide who is innocent and who is guilty?

Enter Eddie Flynn as Sofia Avellino’s attorney. Through this we learn a little bit about Eddie, and also that of Sofia. Then we have Kate, who is Alexandra Avellino’s attorney. Once again, through this part we learn a little bit about Kate’s life and Alexandra’s. I never knew who was innocent or guilty throughout this story, as my finger pointed at each sister multiple times throughout (and I’m usually pretty good at guessing).

However, I will say that I did have a bit of an issue with Kate’s story towards the end (and maybe all of it if I’m being honest). It was just a bit implausible, and I doubt anything like that would really happen in real life. I also found it weird that while the two sisters were out on bond, no one was monitoring their whereabouts? 🤔 I also have to say that this was the second book that I’ve read by Steve Cavanagh, and it will probably be my last. I’ve discovered that he may not be the author for me moving forward.

All in all, this was an enjoyable story that I know many readers will love.
(3.5 stars- rounded up)

Many thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and the author for a DRC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: June 3, 2025

Another great Eddie Flynn book! The author’s books are always so satisfying. So many twists and turns that had me guessing until the end.

Steve Cavanagh has done it again with this addictive courtroom thriller. This is the fifth book in the series which I've read out of order and still thise books are clever and fast-paced. Which sister "did it." The book will leave you continuously changing your mind with the twisty plot.

“Fifty Fifty" by Steve Cavanagh is a gripping legal thriller that delivers plenty of suspense and intricate plotting, making it an engaging read for fans of the genre. The narrative follows a high-stakes trial that revolves around a captivating and twisted premise, showcasing Cavanagh's knack for crafting tension-filled situations that keep readers on their toes.

The characters are well-developed, Cavanagh's writing style is sharp and accessible, and I appreciated the clever twists and turns woven throughout the plot.

While "Fifty Fifty" has many strengths, it didn't quite resonate with me. The intensity of the courtroom drama, although well-executed, at times felt familiar, and I found myself wishing for a more unique approach to the themes explored in the book. Additionally, some aspects of the plot felt slightly contrived, which detracted from my overall enjoyment.

That said, "Fifty Fifty" remains an entertaining read and will likely appeal to those who enjoy thrillers that combine legal drama with psychological elements. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

I am a sucker for psych thrillers and suspense novels, so when I read the blurb of this book I immediately knew I wanted to read it! Cavanagh wove together a masterful story in which I didn’t know if i was coming or going! I was engaged the entire time!

A man is murdered and his two daughters call 911, claiming the other one killed their father. There’s a 50/50 shot that one of them did it. I was immersed in this story, eating it up in a day. The two suspects, the twists and surprises, the courtroom play by play, all very well written. Captivating, fast paced and had me guessing until the very end.

This was fantastic! I am a big Steve Cavanagh fan, and this book was such a great twist on a "who done it" story line. Throughout the book, the reader goes back on forth betting on the innocence of either Alexandra or Sofia in the murder of their father. Two sisters who called 911 on each other at the same time and same day, but only one can be convicted..... or both. Or neither.

y’all - this was my second steve cavanagh book and he’s quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller authors. this book started a little slow but kept me guessing the entire time - and yep, the twist got me! I couldn’t put the book down for the last 30%, I had to know whodunnit!!

Steve Cavanagh is quickly becoming one of my favorite thriller writers. This was a great legal thriller - some creative liberties were taken, but for the most part, it felt incredibly realistic. It had me guessing all the way to the end -- I will definitely be continuing on with this series!

This is my second Steve Kavanagh book and let me just say, he does not disappoint. Fifty Fifty tells the story of two sisters accused of murdering their father. Each points the finger at the other, and only they know the truth.
The title holds true. I was changing my mind of who the killer was until the very end. The hints that were dropped throughout the story could have pointed to either sister and it kept me on my toes the entire time.
I really enjoyed the pacing of the first Kavanagh book I read and Fifty Fifty met my expectations. Whether you’ve read any Eddie Flynn books previously or not, this one is top-tier.

Thank you to Steve Kavanagh and Atria Books for the ARC ahead of Fifty Fifty’s US release!

Steve Cavanagh has done it again!!!!!!! I read Kill for me, Kill for you and thought it was the best suspense book I had ever read. Now I want to read more by this author!!!! Fifty Fifty did not disappoint. Edge of your seat from start to finish. Two sisters accusing each other of the murder of their father. Two lawyers trying to prove that their client is innocent. The whole time you really don't know who did it. You don't know who to hate and who to root for. Dark, mysterious, and a wild ride for sure. I will be recommending this to all of my mystery reader friends and patrons. This is a must read!

Damn, this was so fun and twisty! Cavanagh has fully won me over and I’ll be searching out all the Eddie Flynn books now!

You’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire time, fully convinced you know what’s what until you don’t. The perfect legal thriller!