Cavanagh has got to be one of the most interesting yet overlooked thriller writers of all time. His books are so much better than that other guy who’s been writing legal thrillers for many years. I desperately need Netflix to develop an Eddie Flynn series!

Fifty Fifty is an intriguing thriller with a good premise, but it didn't quite live up to its potential. While the twists kept me engaged, some parts felt predictable, and the pacing was a bit slow at times. It’s an enjoyable read, but not as gripping as I had hoped.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC. Another five star read from Steve Cavanagh in the amazing Eddie Flynn legal thriller series!

The story begins with two 911 call transcripts, both calls are placed minutes apart from one another, one call from Sofia Avellino, the other call from Alexandra Avellino. Both calls are placed from inside their father Frank Avellino's home claiming that their father is dead and their sister did it. Both sisters are covered in blood and have their fingerprints on the murder weapon. Sofia says it is Alexandra. Alexandra says it is Sofia. Their father Frank is the old mayor of New York City and has a lot of connections so this is a high profile case when word gets out that Frank has been brutally murdered with 53 stab wounds and his eyes gouged out with the only two suspects being his daughters. Whoever is acquitted is to inherit $49 Million. Who could the murderer be?

Eddie Flynn is a lawyer who only represents clients that he believes to be innocent and takes on the case of Sofia Avellino, knowing it is going to be a difficult case with her long history of self harm, and mental health problems. But with the help of his friend, a retired judge named Harry Ford and the woman he is in love with, a former FBI Agent who is now a PI named Harper, he feels he can win this case.

Kate Brooks is the lawyer representing Alexandra Avellino. This is her first real court case and her first case since leaving Levy, Bernard, and Groff and opening her own law firm to get away from the constant sexual harassment from a senior partner. She gets her friend and a current PI, Melissa Bloch to help her with the case. Alexandra is a confident and successful businesswoman, making her the more believable of the sisters....or is she?

This book has alternating point of views from Eddie, to Kate, to "She" (the murderer), and occasionally Harry. The entire story is full of twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat and wondering who the guilty sister is until the end.

A murder where both sisters are suspects, but they are accusing each other, and each sister's lawyer is convinced that their client is innocent? Trust me when I say you need to read this one!

The execution throughout this book was fantastic. Cavanagh did a great job sprinkling hints throughout so that "She" could be either sister. The "She" chapters were also sprinkled throughout the book just enough to keep you interested in that POV and avoided getting repetitive.

There were a few scenes in the book that feel like they happen too quickly, especially when it comes to progression in dialogue, but that is something that I've noticed a lot with this author's work. However, overall the story flows very well.

I will say that this novel and the twists went the way I expected, but that is how it goes with Eddie Flynn novels. They can be predictable, but the journey to get there is worth having guessed the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

FIFTY FIFTY
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

the whole book i kept going back and forth on who done it… i was locked in but i just couldn’t let me mind settle on who was the actually murderer.

I really enjoyed this book. I did feel like i wasn’t getting enough to help me make a decision on who did it but once i finished, i remembered a few bread crumbs that would have made it more obvious that i just wasn’t focusing on. The writing style also had me hooked and anyone that knows me knows i LOVE a multi POV.

I’ll definitely be reading the whole Eddie Flynn series.

This book had me second guessing everything the entire time. I really loved the multiple POVs here and the suspense was so good. I like steve cavanaugh a lot and will definitely continue to read more from him

This is THE blueprint for a multi POV, suspense novels. I WAS RIGHT THEN I WAS WRONG 10000 times. Perfect details seeded in to make you second guess yourself over and over and over. Read this if you love a John Grisham but better

Thank you NetGalley, Steve Cavanagh, and Simon and Schuster for this book in exchange for my honest review! The author always does a STUPENDOUS job at writing the characters and the scene in-depth, and “Fifty Fifty” is no different. I questioned my thoughts surrounding the case and I even found myself feeling SORRY for a suspect. Well done!

I was really hooked until I wasn’t. There was too much background for me that didn’t pertain to this case. Especially since this is the first book I’ve read from this author it didn’t flow for me as a standalone. But I do think I’d like it more had I read the previous books from this series.

TMI: I didn't brush my teeth until 1 pm on day 2 of reading this book because I wasn't getting out of bed until it was finished. Completely binge worthy, I could not put this book down. This book had me hooked before I even opened it up.

Two sisters accuse each other of murdering their father, both have motive and evidence against them. Throughout the whole book, you think it's one sister, but then evidence leads to another. I keep switching who I thought was the killer right up to the very end. There is suspense, thrill and mystery all wrapped up perfectly in this story!

This was my first Steve Cavanagh novel and I want to read more, especially from the Eddie Flynn series. Love a good con artist!

Thank you #Netgally for this advanced reader copy!

Steve Cavanagh does not just to legal thrillers — but he does them with an incredible twist! And I don’t just mean a twist at the end. I mean the whole plot is a twist from anything else in the genre and I can’t get enough!

Fifty Fifty was no exception. This twist? Two sisters on trial for the same crime, where it seems one is framing the other. But we don’t know who! Fifty Fifty had great supporting characters, with some new ones who became favorites I hope we’re seeing again. (Bloch!!)

The Eddie Flynn books can be read and enjoyed in any order. The important thing is that you read them!

4.5 stars!

This was my first Eddie Flynn book and will absolutely not be the last. I loved the cast of characters (especially Harry and Bloch!), and I loved changing my mind about 20 times as to who I thought had done it.

Cavanagh is not afraid to go there—bad things happen to a good person, and the murders are grisly!

The ending was wildly satisfying.

I can’t wait to read more about Eddie!

Steve Cavanagh’s Fifty Fifty is a masterfully crafted legal thriller packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked from start to finish. This was my first time reading a book by Cavanagh, and I was blown away by the unpredictable plot and gripping courtroom drama.

Even though Fifty Fifty is part of the Eddie Flynn series, I didn’t feel lost at all. It works perfectly as a standalone novel, and now I’m eager to go back and read more of Cavanagh’s books. His writing style is sharp, fast-paced, and packed with tension—everything I love in a thriller.

If you enjoy legal thrillers with unpredictable twists, Fifty Fifty is a must-read. I can’t wait to dive into more of Steve Cavanagh’s work!

A multimillionaire is murdered in his NYC apartment. Both of his daughters call the police accusing the other of the crime. Eddie Flynn takes on the case of the one he thinks is innocent but is the really?? I enjoyed this Steve Cavanagh book told from multiple POVs. I was kept guessing until the end of the book as to who the killer was (though there were really only two possibilities). This is a good, quick thriller and I recommend it. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This one had such a compelling setup—two sisters, one brutal murder, and a legal showdown where only one can be telling the truth. The dual-accusation premise is brilliant and immediately pulled me in. I loved trying to guess who was lying and watching the case unfold in court, especially through the eyes of defense attorney Eddie Flynn. The twists are definitely there, and while I didn’t figure it out completely, the final reveal was satisfying enough to make the ride worth it.

That said, the pacing took a while to get going. The first third of the book dragged for me, with a lot of procedural buildup and background that slowed the momentum. Things finally clicked around the halfway point, and from there I flew through it. If you're a fan of courtroom drama and don’t mind a slow burn with a big finish, this one’s worth picking up. But for me, the uneven pacing knocked it down a star.

Another great one, I love Eddie Flynn probably my favorite legal thriller series. This book keeps you on edge the whole time. I needed to know what was going to happen next and how Eddie was going to argue things in court. I really enjoyed the “She” chapters and that you kept thinking you knew who the killer was. There was sadness but also loved the ending and can’t wait for more!

Steve Cavanagh’s Fifty Fifty is a thrilling legal crime novel that combines suspense, sharp wit, and an intricate plot that keeps readers hooked until the very last page. Part of the Eddie Flynn series, this book introduces an intense and gripping courtroom drama, with high stakes and emotional turmoil.
The story centers around two sisters, who are both accused of brutally murdering their father, but only one of them can be guilty. The catch? Both sisters claim to be innocent, and their lawyer, Eddie Flynn, must figure out the truth. As Flynn navigates the case, we witness his sharp legal mind, moral dilemmas, and personal stakes in a battle of wits against a cunning adversary.
Cavanagh’s writing is tight, fast-paced, and full of twists that keep the tension palpable. He does an excellent job of balancing character development with plot progression, allowing us to invest emotionally in Eddie Flynn and the sisters' conflicting stories. The courtroom drama is skillfully depicted, and the pacing is unrelenting, with each chapter adding new layers to the mystery.
What sets Fifty Fifty apart from other legal thrillers is Cavanagh’s ability to present moral complexity. It’s not just about finding the truth but also about what justice really means when faced with flawed characters and difficult decisions. Eddie Flynn is a fantastic protagonist—flawed, relatable, and yet incredibly sharp. His personal struggles and unwavering commitment to his clients make him someone readers can root for.
If you’re a fan of legal thrillers or crime novels with complex characters and unpredictable plots, Fifty Fifty is a must-read. With its brilliant narrative and thrilling courtroom sequences, it’s no surprise that Steve Cavanagh has earned a reputation as one of the best in the genre. You won’t want to put this one down.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

This book was incredible! I was completely gripped from the very beginning. I can’t wait to read the rest of his books in this series!

Wow, this book was great!
5th in the series, but definitely can be read as a stand alone. Loved the different point of views and the clues throughout the storylines was amazing.
The attachment you get to these characters is crazy- anyone else have a crush on Eddie Fly?


When two sisters are blaming eachother for their wealthy former mayor fathers murder can evil win and the innocent be blamed ? Or will ex con turned lawyer Eddie Flynn figure it all out?

If I could give this book 10 stars I would. Eddie Flynn, ex conman, now a defense attorney, finds himself called in to choose which sister he believes innocent to represent. Both sisters Alexandra and Sofia have been charged with the murder of their father, a former mayor of NY. She is hard to choose. I so want to say more about the story, I just don’t want to say too much. I laughed, cried and well…squealed out loud while reading this book. This book is fast paced and does not leave you hanging, there is no stopping once you get hooked on page one. Steve Cavanagh has become one of my favorite authors and this is definitely in the running for my favorite book this year. Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Steve Cavanagh for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Do yourself a favor and buy this one, Pub Date June 3, 2025, you won’t be sorry.