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Two sisters. One murdered father. Each swears the other did it.

Fifty Fifty is a fast-paced legal thriller that grabs you from page one and refuses to let go. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Cavanagh twists the plot again, leaving you questioning everything.

The courtroom drama crackles with tension, and the psychological battle between the sisters is as chilling as it is compelling. By the end, you’re left thinking, “What did I just read?”—in the best way possible.

A wild, thought-provoking ride you won’t forget.

Pub date: June 3, 2025

Thank you netgalley for the digital copy and allowing me to give an open honest review.

I've been reading the Eddie Flynn series out of sequence, beginning with Witness 8 (#8), but since each book stands alone, I haven't felt lost.
I adore the interactions and dynamics of Eddie, his team and associates which makes the narrative more compelling and personal.
Fifty Fifty (#5) starts with an intense pace. Throughout the narrative, I found myself going back and forth as to which sister was the murderer. I was unable to put this book down!Every time I thought I had a grasp on what was happening, Cavanagh introduced more twists and turns challenging my mind again and again. It was an exhilarating ride all the way to the final page.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to read this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

You can never go wrong with Eddie Flynn. He is one of my all time favorite characters. Steve Cavanagh is a genius.

You ever read a great mystery/suspense book that makes you believe you know what’s what before you get to the plot twist and you end up being duped by the writer… yeah that’s what happens in Fifty Fifty. Steve Cavanagh has really mastered the sleight of hand with his twists in his novels and I love it!

Dad is dead, murdered by one of his daughters, Alexandra or Sofia. Both called the police at the time of his murder, both blame the other sister… but who did it? Their lawyers believe their client is innocent of such heinous crime and they each have their own story to tell while building a case to defend their client. There are minor characters who are just amazing and you get attached. In the game of chess, two Queens battle it out putting their entire arsenal of pawns on the line to prove their innocence and become the sole heir of their father’s will. Who will reach checkmate? Who wins the match? You think you know, but you have no idea. It’s such a page turner, you’re going to want to put your sleuthing skills to the test.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for granting me access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #FiftyFifty

As much as I love Steve Cavanagh, this one was rough for me to get through. The premise sounded great, but the first half was so slow I had trouble picking it up. The second half was better, but the only thing that kept me reading was the fact that I couldn't figure out who the killer was. I kept going back and forth between the sisters. The ending was quite intense and exciting. The lead up was just lacking on this one.

This is a great court room drama! The characters are perfectly situated and the author really brings the setting and characters to life!

I had the opportunity to read Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh, and it was a gripping, fast-paced legal thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the second book I’ve read by Cavanagh, and he continues to impress me with his ability to blend courtroom drama with intense psychological suspense.

The premise is fantastic—two sisters are on trial for the murder of their father. One is innocent, the other guilty, and the reader is challenged to figure out who’s telling the truth. I loved how the story weaves between the lawyers building their cases and the sisters themselves, each with their own secrets and strategies. The shifting perspectives kept me on my toes the entire time.

I actually read this on a flight, and it made the time fly by. The pacing was perfect, the twists were clever, and I couldn’t wait to see how it all ended. If you enjoy legal thrillers with a psychological edge, this is a must-read. Cavanagh has a real talent for crafting compelling courtroom battles and layered characters.

I didn't realize that this had already been published before and it was just a new cover.
I did enjoy this story and it was a twisty story!

I have read and enjoyed many books by this author. This was no different. Eddie Flynn books are always a fast paced read that I can never guess where it’s going. Really enjoyed this one and did not expect the ending.

I am new to the world of Steve Cavanagh, so I was excited to get to read an early copy of the re-release for Fifty-Fifty by Atria Books. I am a lawyer by day and a reader by night, so this was right up my alley. Overall, I thought this book was pretty terrific and its many twists and turns had me guessing up until the very end.

The story follows the trials of two sisters who are both accusing the other of murdering their father. The two defense attorneys for the sisters are the main characters and each firmly believes that their client is the innocent one.

The setting takes place in New York and New Jersey, which I loved, since I was familiar with the places mentioned. I closely relate to the difficulties of being a struggling new female attorney in a male dominated field. Kate's character was done really well and I thought Cavanaugh did a good job growing her throughout the book and making sure that she got what was due to her. Eddie of course was a hoot, any convict to attorney character is going to have an interesting backstory and rag tag gang of supporting friends to bring along.

I'd recommend this book to fans of Law and Order, serial killer thrillers, and court room dramas. Thanks again to everyone at Atria for allowing me to read.

Steve Cavanagh’s Fifty Fifty is a masterclass in psychological suspense, delivering a relentless, twist-filled legal thriller that keeps readers on edge from beginning to end. From the very first page, the novel plunges into a high-stakes courtroom battle where trust is a fragile commodity and appearances are dangerously deceiving.

The narrative skillfully plays with perspective and perception, constantly shifting the ground beneath the reader’s feet. Just as the truth begins to surface, Cavanagh muddies the waters again, ensuring that nothing is ever as clear as it seems. This deliberate ambiguity keeps the tension taut and the pages turning at a breathless pace.

Cavanagh’s writing is sharp and immersive, with pacing that never lets up. The psychological complexity of the characters, coupled with the mounting uncertainty surrounding their motives, creates a gripping atmosphere of suspicion and doubt. Fifty Fifty is a cleverly constructed thriller that demands the reader’s attention and rewards it with a stunning, unexpected conclusion.

This book gave me whiplash because I could not decide who the killer was! Back and forth and back and forth between the two sisters! One moment I assumed I knew then nope I was wrong then nope I was right and on and on throughout the book. I am not the biggest fan of legal thrillers but for some reason these Eddie Flynn books just suck me right in. Every one has been a winner! I even gasped at times out loud. Books that keep me going and not wanting to stop are always great and you know the author is excellent at what they are doing. I am ready for the next books in the series!

4.25 stars.

Another solid thriller read by Steve Cavanaugh about two sisters in trial for the brutal murder of their father. Each claims the other did it.

I enjoyed this one: it was clever, had good twists and turns, great tense scenes, including courtroom scenes. I also loved the unnamed “She” perspective chapters.

The only quibble I had was that the pacing was a bit slow at parts.

Thanks to Atria for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

I love a good "whodunit" I don't know that I've ever really read any courtroom dramas before, but this was so good! 2 sisters accused of murdering their father, both claiming it was the other sister. Gripping right up until the end!

Woah this was dark. And I loved it. Some serious psychotic stuff (big big TWs folks). The casual violence, the crescendo and then waves of emotions that left me feeling absolutely exhausted after reading this - are my favorite. This author knows how to shock and stun even until the very end. I could not stop reading this book, and I loved how the author is clearly showed us that there aren't just 2 sides; there are characters who start to feel like found family even if they are not on the "same side". I love how Eddie is no bullshit, doesn't shy away from the shady to make sure that justice is served and always has a stunning remark up his sleeve. This was a fascinating work of legal thriller unlike anything else

Fifty Fifty opens with a chilling premise: a father is murdered, and both of his daughters call 911 to report that the other one did it. From the first page, I was hooked by the question at the heart of this legal thriller: Who is lying—and who is capable of murder?

The story is told through multiple POVs, including Eddie Flynn, a street-smart defense attorney with a strong moral compass, and the voice of the mysterious killer known only as "SHE." The structure works really well to build suspense, and Cavanagh keeps the pace tight throughout. The courtroom drama is compelling without being bogged down in legal jargon, and the twists are well-timed and genuinely surprising.

What I loved most was the psychological tension between the sisters—Sofia and Alexandra. Both are flawed, both are believable, and the way the narrative teases out the truth is masterfully done. Cavanagh walks a fine line between plot-driven suspense and character depth, and he largely succeeds.

It’s a quick, addictive read that’s perfect for fans of twisty thrillers, legal suspense, or just a fast-paced summer book you won’t want to put down.

A murdered father. Two sisters. Each sister claims the other killed their father, but who is actually guilty? Eddie Flynn takes the case and as he begins to investigate in order to defend his client, a crazy story emerges. One sister is a liar. The other is a killer, but who is who?

Steve Cavanagh delivers a legal thriller that reads like a courtroom chess match with a serial killer watching from the sidelines—and sometimes taking a turn. Fifty Fifty is the kind of page-turner that dares you to guess the killer, then gaslights you every time you think you’ve cracked the case. Spoiler: you haven’t. You start to feel like you are being lead around by a very unreliable tour guide.

At the center of the story are two sisters, both accused of brutally murdering their father. Both claim the other did it. Both are believable, suspicious, and not great with boundaries. Eddie Flynn, our con-man-turned-defense-lawyer hero, takes on one sister’s case while a rival defends the other. Let the courtroom showdown begin.

Cavanagh's writing is slick, sharp, and filled with clever dialogue. The pacing never lets up, and the alternating POVs keep you delightfully unsteady. If you love your thrillers with legal jargon and morally grey characters, this one delivers in spades.

Fifty Fifty is a courtroom thriller with killer instincts and a flair for dramatic reveals. It’ll keep you guessing, gasping, and maybe even second-guessing your sibling relationships. If you are like me, it will also make you want to know more about these characters.

It’s fast-paced, super tense, and full of clever twists that keep you guessing till the end. If you like smart thrillers with courtroom drama and unreliable characters, this one’s a great pick.

Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is a gripping legal thriller that keeps you guessing until the final page. The fifth installment in the Eddie Flynn series, it centers on two sisters, Alexandra and Sofia, both accusing each other of their father's brutal murder, with each represented by skilled lawyers—Eddie Flynn defending Sofia and newcomer Kate Brooks defending Alexandra. Cavanagh masterfully weaves a suspenseful narrative with alternating perspectives, including chilling chapters from the killer’s point of view, maintaining relentless tension and clever misdirection. The courtroom drama is sharp, and Eddie’s conman-turned-lawyer charisma shines, though some character development feels light. Steve has written a standout thriller, and I absolutely loved this one. I highly recommend this to anyone!