Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh--A twisty legal thriller new to the US on 6/3 (was released in the UK in 2020). The former mayor of NYC has been brutally murdered in his home and his 2 daughters have both called 911 claiming the other sister as the murderer. Told from multiple POVs, the trial unfolds with many misdirects and hints as to which sister is the actual killer. I thought Cavanagh did a great job of keeping me guessing about the killer and if she would get away with it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

What a wild ride! This is my third Eddie Flynn novel. You can bet if Steve Cavanagh continues to write, I will continue to read his novels. I love Eddie, Harry, Harper, Kate, Bloch, and Clarence.

This book opens with two sisters each calling 911. Their father is dead and each one is blaming the other. With a double trial and twists and turns galore this book kept me hooked.

I went back and forth so many times on which sister I thought did it. There were so many things I didn’t see coming. I love a mystery/thriller that I can’t figure out. This one delivers in spades!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Two sisters are on trial for the murder of their father and former Mayor of NYC. Both are accusing each other of murdering him and it's up to the jury to discover which sister is lying or if they planned it together.

The book goes between the different perspectives of Eddie, Kate, Harry, and a "She" POV as one of the sisters. While I appreciated the structure, I did take off a star due to the constant POV shifts. The back-and-forth between first- and third-person made it a little tough to follow. I didn't feel fully invested until I was close to the end due to the switches. That said, I loved how the different perspectives added layers to this complex mystery.

Now let’s talk about the twists. Steve Cavanagh had me second-guessing myself the entire time. I was making mental notes, convinced I had the case figured out… and then BAM—new evidence would drop, and everything I thought I knew was wrong. It was incredible. I enjoyed trying to solve the case alongside the lawyers.

This was my first Steve Cavanagh book and my first experience with his character Eddie Flynn—and I get the hype. I didn't realize this book was already released, it's just receiving a new cover! Regardless, I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books! I will be recommending this book to anyone looking for a psychological thriller. I can't wait to read more of Eddie Flynn!

Was this review helpful?

This is the first book I've ever read by Steve Cavanaugh and he has made quite the impression on me. This is the definition of suspenseful! As an avid reader and watcher of all things psychological thriller, I'm usually pretty good at predicting these stories but this one had me second guessing myself until the very end. This was thrilling and engaging and I couldn't ask for a better ending. Bravo!

Was this review helpful?

Two sisters covered in blood. Daddy dead on the bed. Who killed Daddy? The story is about the girls and their lawyers. People that are part of the law teams are dying. Who is killing them? Will you be surprised at who is guilty? Which law team does the best job? The book is actually pretty good.

Was this review helpful?

One of the BEST courtroom thrillers I have ever read. This is top tier awesome. Two sisters both seperately accuse each other of murdering their father. Which one did it?

I had no idea what to expect and I was blown away!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is a fast, twisty legal thriller that’s hard to put down. Two sisters accuse each other of murdering their father, and the whole book keeps you guessing about who’s lying. The courtroom scenes are sharp and tense, and Eddie Flynn is the kind of flawed but likable lawyer you want on your side. If you like clever pacing and unreliable narrators, this one delivers.

Was this review helpful?

Whew, this was a wild ride and I loved every second!

Alexandra and Sofia pin one another on their father's murder. One is truthful-one is lying. A joint trial is set for the sisters and their lawyers completely have their backs...until the truths add up and eventually point to the guilty party.

The 'She' persona in this book is brilliant and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Twists for days. So many lies and deceit. Incredible book!!

Was this review helpful?

3.5

This was my second book from Steve, but my first from the Eddie Flynn series. News to me this was an old book but is just getting rereleased with a new cover. Thanks Netgalley for not giving me any of that information when I requested it (smh). Regardless, I love a thriller that hooks me from the very first page and this did exactly that. I did find the pacing was up and down and quite repetitive. I found myself skimming towards the end because the court room aspect was a snooze fest. We circled back to the same issues over and over again without any new reveals. I guessed the killer sister and wasn't surprised by the ending.

However, I did imagine this playing out as a movie in my mind, so there's that.

Was this review helpful?

"Fifty Fifty" by Steve Cavanagh is a gripping legal thriller that pulls readers into a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and moral dilemmas. The narrative revolves around the high-stakes trial of a woman accused of murdering her wealthy father, with the twist being that the case is intertwined with the lives of her twin sister, who is also implicated. Cavanagh expertly crafts a story filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The characters are well-developed, particularly the two sisters, whose contrasting personalities add depth to the story. Cavanagh's writing is fast-paced and engaging, making it difficult to put the book down. The courtroom drama is depicted with authenticity, showcasing the nuances of legal battles while also exploring themes of family loyalty and the search for truth.

One of the standout features of "Fifty Fifty" is its ability to challenge readers' perceptions of guilt and innocence, prompting them to question their own judgments as the plot unfolds. Cavanagh's skillful storytelling and clever plotting make this a must-read for fans of the genre.

Overall, "Fifty Fifty" is a compelling read that combines suspense with a thought-provoking narrative, ensuring that readers are not only entertained but also engaged in a moral quandary until the very last page. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know must read!

Was this review helpful?

Fifty Fifty is hands-down one of the most psychologically gripping books in the Eddie Flynn series. Steve Cavanagh takes the classic “whodunnit” and turns it into a relentless mind game. Two sisters. One murdered father. Both accuse the other. And somehow, you believe them both.

What sets this apart from his other novels is the sheer level of ambiguity—Cavanagh manipulates the reader so well, I genuinely couldn’t decide who was lying. Every chapter had me switching sides, only to be proven wrong again and again.

While I’ve enjoyed the cleverness and pace of his previous books, Fifty Fifty stands out for its razor-sharp psychological tension. If you like courtroom thrillers that mess with your head, this one delivers big time.

Was this review helpful?

3.5 stars rounded up. As with other books in the Eddie Flynn series, this is a real page turner. In this she said/she said story, two sisters accuse each other of murdering their father, a former mayor of New York. The author keeps you guessing throughout most of the book, although by the last few chapters, you know the gist of what’s coming. Despite that, it’s a quick, highly entertaining read.

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

Was this review helpful?

Frank was stabbed to death 50+ times and both his daughter’s called 911 accusing the other one of murder. There’s a joint trial and one, if not both, are guilty. This was such a fun read! I kept going back and forth on who I thought had done it. What was super interesting, is we have chapters narrated by the killer, even though you don’t know who it is yet. Steve Cavanagh is turning into an auto-read author for me. I’m also reading his books out of order and they completely work as stand alones, even though some of the characters overlap. I’ve enjoyed all his books and it’s super interesting to see the legal side of things, but it’s not too legal heavy. Definitely recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a honest review!

Was this review helpful?

A clever, creative book that will keep you guessing which daughter did it up until the last minute. Each time a new clue is uncovered and you lean towards one sister, the next clue will have you considering the other sister!

Was this review helpful?

Overall, I was shocked by some events (Steve Cavanagh absolutely slaughters characters!) but others I predicted. Typically, a Cavanagh novel keeps me wanting to continue reading, but this one began to drag here and there. The last half of the book was well done! It was getting there that was a bit of a chore.

Was this review helpful?

Two sisters on trial for murder. They accuse each other. One of them is a liar and a killer.

Steve Cavanagh is a master at playing with your head. At playing with his characters' heads. And making us all wonder what the heck really happened. I loved this. Excellent from start to finish. Read it. Don't start it unless you have time to read the whole thing, though! 😀

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Steve Cavanagh does it again!!!!! Fifty Fifty checks all the boxes: dysfunctional family, mind games, and secrets. I turned the pages so quickly because I had to find out what happened. 4 stars!

Was this review helpful?

**5 out of 5 stars – A Brilliant Legal Thriller That Kept Me Guessing!**

I just finished *Fifty Fifty* by Steve Cavanagh, and I can confidently say it’s one of the most gripping thrillers I’ve read in a long time. From the very first chapter, I was completely hooked. The premise is brilliant—two sisters, one of whom has murdered their father, and both are accusing the other. The suspense? Absolutely intense.

What I loved most was how Cavanagh crafted such a clever courtroom drama. The alternating perspectives between the defense attorneys made the story feel layered and immersive. I found myself constantly changing my mind about who I thought was guilty. Just when I felt sure, Cavanagh threw in a twist that made me question everything again. I couldn’t stop reading.

The pacing is spot on—fast enough to keep things exciting but still detailed enough to flesh out the characters and their motivations. I especially liked the character of Eddie Flynn. He’s sharp, ethical, and just the kind of underdog lawyer you root for.

What impressed me most, though, was how the plot kept building tension without ever feeling forced or overdone. Cavanagh clearly knows how to construct a smart, twisty narrative that plays with your expectations in the best way possible.

I’d recommend *Fifty Fifty* to anyone who loves a good legal thriller or psychological mystery. It’s sharp, smart, and totally satisfying. I can’t wait to read more from Steve Cavanagh!

Was this review helpful?

This novel had lots of twists and turns- the narration shifted between characters and left me guessing until the very end. It seemed a bit too long, but I’m not sure what could have been cut out. Overall, this was a fun thriller with great characters and fun plot twists.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the digital ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Big thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for entrusting me with an early copy for an honest review!

First, I love me a thriller and second, legal thrillers have always interested me highly! I love the courtroom aspect of the books and always enjoy them when I pick them up.

This was such a clever book! I thought I was right about 12 times and would always change my mind to decide to go back to my original guess of who the killer was and why. The characters in this are great as well…..nice mix of the case and character development. And I know I’ve already said this was clever, but I really enjoyed how the title of the book became clear at the end. This was also my first Steve Cavanagh book but I will sure be grabbing the rest of his list because I really enjoyed his writing style.

Easy 4 stars!

Was this review helpful?