Despite the cleverly hidden clues and the misdirection that the author uses liberally throughout the book, I did make my mind up as to who the killer was quite early on, and I was, in the end, proven right. Regardless, I enjoyed this page turner! It kept me engaged the whole way through. Bravo, S Cavanagh!

I actually read the blurb on the back of the book and it was perfection! We All need to take a minute and remember I actually read a blurb 🤣

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! One minute I thought Alexandra did it and the next I thought Sophia killer their father. It gave me “whip lash” in the best way possible. I LOVED IT!!! I absolutely loved this entire book. The writing is fantastic! It kept me needing to read just one more chapter because I needed to know what would happen. This book was FANTASTIC!!!!

The ENDING! I did NOT expect that in a million years!! Now, I’m off to add the rest of the books in this series to my TBR. I wish I could get them autographed but I'll have to settle for physical copies since I'm in the US.

SYNOPSIS
-Two sisters. One murdered father.
-Each sister calls 911 and blames the other.
-One of them is lying. One of them is a killer.
-Eddie Flynn, con-man-turned-lawyer, defends Sofia. Kate Brooks, a first-time solo attorney, defends Alexandra.
-Both attorneys are sure their client is innocent, but only one of them is right.
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MY THOUGHTS
-Classic Cavanagh: twisty, smart, and impossible to put down.
-This is book 5 in the Eddie Flynn series, but you can totally read it as a standalone.
-The courtroom drama here is top tier, and I loved the trial portion.
-It’s told in multiple POVs, including Eddie, Kate, and the anonymous killer’s POV listed only as “she, which added a layer of suspense.
-I changed my mind like five times about who the guilty sister was.
-If you’re into legal thrillers with morally messy characters, you’ll fly through this.
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TL;DR ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Super satisfying legal thriller with dual murder suspects, shady family secrets, and two smart attorneys going head to head. Fast-paced, cleverly plotted, and full of courtroom tension. Great entry in the Eddie Flynn series, but totally works on its own.
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THANKS: Thanks to Atria Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on June 3, 2025.

This was the best thriller I’ve read in a while. My first Eddie Flynn novel but I didn’t feel like I missed much not reading the others. I was on the edge of my seat and this was one I didn’t want to put down. I almost stayed up way past my bedtime. That’s how I know a book was good. Lots of jaw dropping moments for me. I will definitely read more of Steve Cavanagh!

Fifty/fifty is a riveting fast paced edge of your seat thriller. Cavanaugh does an amazing job of keeping you engaged and guessing till the very end. The multiple points of view were so well written and and structured that it was never overwhelming of who was who doing what. It was streamline and expertly executed to give you just enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is part of a series with Eddie Flynn but you don’t have to have read the other books to read this. Cavanaugh writes this series so that you can read any of the book and know exactly what is going on in every book. Truly a masterpiece!!

I received a cop of this book from Atria Books in exchange for my honest review.

FYI, this is a re-release for the US in trade paperback! Fifty-Fifty was my first time reading Steve Cavanagh, so I was excited to dive into this ARC, especially because I was in the mood for a legal thriller. The premise reeled me in, and Cavanagh really shines when it comes to creating courtroom drama. I especially loved watching the lawyers piece together new evidence and try to figure out who ultimately murdered the victim. The beginning felt a little slow, but I flew through the last half of the book. Where the book fell short for me was in the characterization, as the characters felt a bit flat and the voice of the novel didn't resonate with me. That said, if you’re looking for a fast-paced legal thriller with plenty of twists and well-executed courtroom scenes, this is for you!

Pitting sister against sister was such an interesting concept for a murder mystery! I was guessing the whole time and flew through the story.

Eddie Flynn, book #5

A legal Thriller:

This is the second book I had the pleasure to read and I assure you that Mr. Cavanagh has won my heart: I simply love his style, I am totally addicted. Although this latest is part of a series, it stands well by itself. We have enough background to satisfy us and move forward without being lost.

“Fifty-Fifty” is a straightforward drama featuring Eddie Flynn, a maverick lawyer who is out to help people. He can tell when someone is lying and he concentrates on those he thinks are innocent, he doesn’t defend the guilty ones.

This brings me to the plot in few words:

A murder was committed. The victim’s daughters are the prime suspects: which one is the murderer and why is the other being framed….Alexandra and Sofia’s reputation preceded them. Yet not only one of them is a murderer but also a serial killer, a psychopath, utterly cold with one thing in minds framing her sister……At trial, the evidence could either way…..and the courtroom scenes are exciting and well-done.

Our job as reader is to find out which sister is guilty. The story told from the point of view of the two lawyers defending the sisters and “She” the sister who is the killer. “She, the killer is a calculating and very determined individual. Did I ever spent time trying to pin point which one did it. Mid way I though I had identified her. Then, this story threw in so many double bluffs and false leads, back and forth it went everything lead to one then the other but why would a daughter commit patricide?

I like the characters; Kate the other defending lawyer is a bit formulaic and the supporting cast quite cliché but these minor flaws doesn’t remove anything from this story. It is well-said and well-done.

Thank you to Atria Publishing via Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

2 sisters are on trial for murdering their father, only one of them did it, but which one? They both blame each other. One is truly a psychopath behind the mask. Can you figure it out?

Oh man I absolutely loved this book one thrill after another. I did not want to put it down. I love Eddie Flynn, Kate was introduced in this book and I think she is going to be an amazing addition to the series. I thought I had this one pegged from the beginning man was I wrong, then I thought nope it’s definitely this one, nope I have to be wrong again. I loved that we got to see it from the killers POV but it was labelled as “She” and man did it throw you off every time. This was soooo good that I wish I could go back and reread it blind just to experience it again. I love this authors writing style and this series as a whole.

This was my first book ever from Steve Cavanagh and I loved that I didn't have to read other books from the Eddie Flynn series to dive into this one. Loved the twists and turns this brought, others may have complained that it was over the top - but I LOVE that. Give the insane, make my head turn! Surely this won't be the last I read from Cavanagh and will have to dive into Th13teen next!

Thank you to Steve Cavanagh, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the e-ARC!

4.5 ⭐️

"Fifty Fifty" is a gripping and addictive legal thriller. This is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series, but it worked very well as a standalone. I devoured this book and stayed up way too late to finish it. The story is mainly told from the perspectives of Eddie, Sofia's attorney, and Kate, Alexandra's attorney. We also have the POV of one of the sisters, but we don't know which one until the end. The plot of this story is brilliant. You know one of the sisters is the murderer, but you will go back and forth trying to guess who the real killer is. As a former prosecutor, it was so much fun to dive back into the tense and exciting world of courtroom drama. My heart was racing as the jury foreperson read the verdicts. I really enjoyed this one, and now I need to read the rest of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two sisters accuse each other of their father's gruesome murder. Both were in the house when the other called 911. Who is telling the truth?

I've been trying to pinpoint what makes me such a fan of Cavanagh's writing, and I can only conclude that it's everything about it. His storytelling is gripping, his characters are intriguing, and his twists can deliver a gut punch. He's clever in his plotting, and his books are fast-paced and suspenseful. Whenever I start one, I tend to drop everything else in my life to binge-read!

I love the streetsmart and quick-witted Eddie Flynn. There's something so deliciously fun about a former conman turned defense attorney who isn't afraid to bend the rules a bit if it means getting to the truth and ensuring justice. The psychology of the courtroom is explored through Eddie's maneuvers, and I will never get tired of seeing him outwit and outmaneuver the bad guys.

This is a rerelease, as the book was initially published in 2020. However, it's nice to see how some aspects of the recurring characters' histories unfold. This is the book in which Eddie meets fellow attorney and eventual law partner Kate, as well as her investigator, Bloch. Kate and Eddie each represent one of the sisters in the trial. And then there are some great scenes with Harry, who is one of my favorite characters from the series.

I suggest going into this one blind, but be prepared for a wild ride that will leave you reeling as your suspicions shift from one sister to the other multiple times over. A super entertaining read!

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted book

After the absolute TRAUMA Steve Cavanaugh put me through while reading Fifty Fifty, I feel like we should be on a first name basis. If I could ask him one question it would be: are you okay? That was… A LOT.

Steve had me over here like I was the mayor of the Clown Town Carnival trying to figure who the killer was, who might be next, how in the WORLD anyone could be proven not-guilty and I felt like I needed one of those big police white boards to trace the clues he left for me to follow. Fifty Fifty put me on an emotional rollercoaster - I’m not sure I have ever used so many exclamation marks, expletives, or “Girl what?” notes in my entire life, but I truly enjoyed the ride. Fifty Fifty had me JUMPING to conclusions and the twists and turns had me a nervous wreck. Fifty Fifty is going to live rent free in my head for the foreseeable future. It was fantastic and I can’t wait to read his next work

Fifty-Fifty throws Eddie Flynn into a messy murder case where two sisters each accuse the other of killing their dad, a former NYC mayor. Both seem guilty, but Eddie believes his client, Sofia, is innocent. The story kept me guessing the whole way—either sister could have done it.

I really liked Eddie and his team, plus the added characters Kate and Bloch who seem important for future books. The pacing was great, and the twists kept things interesting.

Overall, Fifty-Fifty is smart, suspenseful, and fun. Even though I haven't read the other books in the series, this was a great introduction to it even mid series. I’m excited to keep reading this series. Higher rating because the series itself, all books can be read as a standalone. I absolutely love Steve Cavanaugh even if this is only my 2nd read! I need more!

Two sisters call 911 minutes after their father is found dead and each say the other killed him, but who actually did it?

That premise alone got this book a 4 star rating from me! It was an absolute wild ride that totally kept you guessing - I was constantly back and forth as to which sister was guilty. The book is told in alternating POVs between the two defense lawyers and the guilty sister just referred to as “She”. It was wild to read about her antics and then read the descriptions of them both feigning innocent in court.

This legal thriller was my first Steve Cavanagh novel and at first I didn’t realize this is book #5 of the Eddie Flynn series, though it can totally be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed Eddie as a character. He is a fantastic lawyer, quick on his feet and has a great sense of humor that made him feel real.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the eGalley of this book. Release date: June 3!

I found this book to be an exciting read! I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, including those of the lawyers, the sisters, and the intriguing character referred to as "she." The writing was excellent and made me feel as though I was reading an episode of Law & Order. I definitely intend to explore more works by this author. This book was impossible to put down and is among my favorite reads of the year.

Thank you to Atria Books and Steve Cavanaugh for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will be released on June 3, 2025.

A little lost because I haven’t read the other books in this series and it’s a legal thriller which is not typically my jam but this one was a quick wild read

3.5 Stars

Sisters Sophia and Alexandra blame each other for the death of their father. Who are the police to believe? This is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series and can be read as a standalone. I have to admit a couple of things. One, these types of books aren't usually my thing (legal thrillers/police procedurals) and two, this is my first by the author.

The best part of the book is the fast pace. Right from the start, the reader is thrown into the thick of things. I was furiously flipping pages to find out the who and what of it all. I loved how the author weaves each of the perspectives of the story. We have the point of view of both sisters, each of their lawyers and even the prosecution. The legal side is easy to follow, even though it is quite complex.

Even though there was a lot to like about the book, it faltered for me in some aspects. The character development was lacking emotional depth. The two sisters felt like caricatures. Here are two women who have just lost their father, and each believes the other is the murderer, yet I felt nothing for them. They were very one-dimensional. I didn't really empathize with them at all.

Also, while there were plenty of twists, some felt a little over the top that required a suspension of disbelief that I just couldn't accept, and it ruined some of the reading experience for me. Furthermore, the ending gave us a nice resolution, BUT I wish it were a little less straightforward and not as neat and tidy, especially compared to the rest of the book.

Overall, this was a decent read that was somewhat entertaining. It excelled in its pacing, so if you're looking for a fast-paced legal drama that takes place in a courtroom setting, it will deliver for you. BUT if you like better character development and some emotional depth with all the legalese, you may find it a little lacking.

I'd also like to point out that starting the series with book five may have left me without the proper background of our main character, Mr. Flynn. I enjoyed this enough to look forward to book six that I also have from NetGalley, but not enough to want to read the others in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I really loved the multiple view points especially from “She”. The main characters were so likable and the dynamic between them flowed so well. I loved Eddie’s past and feel like it makes him so unique. I loved that he not only covered a full court case but also showed the whole judicial system. It made it very interesting to see how all the parts come together. The book had you guessing who it was until the very end. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would continue to read the series. I would give it 3.5 stars but I am going to round up to 4.

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is a case of good sister vs evil sister. When the story opens up, two frantic phone calls are made to 911, each call claiming the other sister murdered their father. You can feel the adrenaline even through the writing. Defense lawyer, Eddie Flynn, is back, and he has taken on the case of one of the sisters, Sofia. The other defense lawyer is Kate, who has taken on the case of the other sister, Alexandria. Because both sisters were at the crime scene with DNA pointing at both of them, they are tried together, and the prosecution makes sure there won’t be two separate trials. They don’t care which sister did it; they just want the guaranteed conviction.

But what’s the motive in killing their father? He is worth millions being the ex-mayor of NYC and was in the process of changing his will. So which sister did it? I thought I knew, but this book left me with my jaw open.

The narration is through all four characters, but also SHE, which is the sister who is the guilty one. We quickly realize that we have a serial killer on our hands, and she has no remorse. The characters are well developed, giving us background on their upbringing and the aftermath of some incidents that make you realize why this sister would have some psychological problems affecting her as she grew up.

If you are someone who loves to watch court tv, documentaries on serial killers, and murder mysteries, then this book is absolutely perfect for you. Even the courtroom scenes have shocking and clever moments from the defense, and you feel like you are sitting in the room watching this all unfold. The SHE character also gets to work on removing witnesses, so you’ll be on a reader rollercoaster navigating the emotions throughout.