
Member Reviews

Alexandra Avellino and Sofia Avellino find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation. Their father, Frank Avellino, has been found murdered in his home, and both sisters are potential suspects. After a very disturbing 911 call in which each sister blames the other, they are now facing murder charges. Neither sister really like each other, so they're sitting ducks awaiting their defense lawyers. One of these women is telling the truth and the other is lying, but who's responsible?
Thats where Eddie Flynn comes in. Eddie was a con artist before his life as an attorney, so he's usually pretty good at "sniffing" out the bad "guy" and the good "guy" in any situation. He must work with his team and sift through all the evidence to determine just who really is at fault. Can he prove Sofia's innocence, and does he truly believe he's right when it comes to protecting his client?
Fifty Fifty is fast paced, engaging with lots of action throughout the pages. Eddie Flynn has absolutely become one of my favorite characters and I can't wait for the next one! There are so many twists and turns. Lots of action surrounding the case he's working on and even a few guest appearances from characters in his previous books! Eddie Flynn books can be read as a stand-alone, so just pick up one! Highly recommended!
Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is my first Steve Cavanagh book but won’t be my last, the suspense of guessing who did it kept me on my toes, you lean towards ones sister, then the other, back and fourth for the whole book but the ending, something so little changed the whole situation!
Loved!

“911 what’s your emergency?”
“My dad’s dead. My sister Sofia killed him. She’s still in the house. Please send help.”
“My dad’s dead. My sister Alexandra killed him. She’s still in the house. Please send help.”
One of them is a liar and a killer.
But which one?
Through NetGalley and Libby, I have become quite a fan of Steven Cavanagh and his legal thrillers. Fifty Fifty is part of the Eddie Flynn series but I have read a few of them out of order and this one like the others can just as easily be a stand alone. Eddie Flynn con artist turned attorney takes on the case of Sofia. Throughout the story, you question Alexandria's and Sofia's guilt and innocence. Every time I thought I figured it out the next paragraph would have me guessing again. The plot twists, character development, pacing and the writing were all spot on! 👏🏻
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

This man will never disappoint me! This is another Eddie Flynn novel. Eddie Flynn has quickly become one of my favorite characters in literature. A con man turned idealistic defense attorney—what’s not to love?
This story revolves around the murder of a former NYC mayor. Both of his daughters are suspects, and they each point the finger at the other. Who’s guilty? I can tell you I thought I had my mind made up so many times while reading this, only to change it, then change it back again, then rinse and repeat. I could not turn the pages fast enough. It’s so well done! I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy as much as I did!

Overall I enjoyed this book but it was slightly confusing with the unknown. I do wish that the author was not so nonspecific. The storyline itself was intriguing and I like that it was not so clear on who the killer was.

This book was really good. You think you know what's going on but realize that you just might not. Then again, maybe you do!
A father is dead. His two daughters are both suspects and will go to trial. The question is, "Who did it?". Both have motives, both were there, and both called 911.
This is very well written and so much fun to go along on the journey with Eddie and Kate. The way the trial plays out is perfect. I don't want to give anything away about this book so I'll just tell you that you definitely should read it.
I believe this is something like book #5 in a series but you really don't have to read the books before it. I didn't read all of them but didn't feel I was in the dark about anything as I read.
The only thing I didn't love was a bit of a Hollywood ending at one point but I still really enjoyed the book.

Fifty Fifty was such a fun, twisty legal thriller that kept me guessing right up until the very end. I loved the courtroom drama, the sharp dialogue, and the way Steve Cavanagh layered suspicion onto every character, making it almost impossible to figure out who was telling the truth.
The pacing was solid, with just enough twists and reveals to keep the tension high without feeling over the top. I especially enjoyed the alternating perspectives between the lawyers and the accused — it added a lot of depth and kept the story feeling fresh.
If I had one small critique, it’s that a couple of the twists felt a little far-fetched, but honestly, it didn’t take away from how entertaining the ride was. The ending was clever and satisfying, and I appreciated how everything tied together in a way I didn’t fully see coming.
Overall, Fifty Fifty was a smart, fast-paced thriller with great characters and a truly addictive plot. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves legal thrillers or a good, unpredictable mystery.

Reading in Between the Wines book review #69/125 for 2025:
Rating: 3🍷🍷🍷
Book: Fifty-Fifty
Author: Steve Cavanagh
Available Now!!
Sipping thoughts: I really liked the concept of this story. Two sisters, one dead father, and they both claim the other one killed him. From the very beginning, I latched on to who I thought the killer was and had my reasonings. Although there were moments where I was almost swayed, I stayed with my decision and was correct. I loved the way the characters figured out who the real killer was, and that small moment slipped right by, but it shouldn’t have.
Cheers and thank you to @Netgalley and @AtriaBooks for an advanced copy of @FiftyFifty.
#FiftyFifty #SteveCavanagh #AtriaBooks #NetGalley #ARC #advancedreader #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bokreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

This book immediately pulled you in, and had you second guessing yourself.
I received an ARC copy from NetGalley / Atria books. I had never read an Eddie Flynn book before, and appreciated that I could easily jump in and enjoy the story without feeling lost. I maybe would have been more attached or felt stronger about certain main/ re-occurring cast of characters had I read the earlier books in the series, but the author does a great job of calling out key background stories without getting bogged down in history and sidelining the plot of this book.
I will say it's pretty violent and graphic for what is supposed to be a legal/court-room thriller.
I think the overall outcome/destination wasn't particularly surprising, however, the route taken to get there had some surprising and well-crafted twists and turns.
I would definitely read another Eddie Flynn novel - in particular I would look forward to future novels in the series to see some of the new characters return and follow the new dynamics that the story wrapped up with.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4
Steve Cavanagh is one of my favorite authors, especially since legal thrillers rank high on my list of favorite subgenres. This series managed to sneak in and catch my interest. Why sneaked? I read a book out of order and then had to head back to the first one.
Fifty-Fifty is a legal thriller where two sisters stand trial for the murder of their politically notable father, each accusing the other. Each was in the house when he died. Each called 911, saying the other one killed their father.
Though this is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series, it can be read as a standalone. The story has twists, suspense, and courtroom scenes, with the focus on determining who is at fault. A unique plot, for sure.
While I appreciated the plot's complexity, I didn't connect with the characters as strongly as I have in Cavanagh's other books. And, I didn't find it to be as much of a page-turner as I had hoped. It was good, but not great... for me.
Despite this, I remain a loyal reader and look forward to following Eddie Flynn and his team in future installments. Cavanagh's legal thrillers are always worth checking out!

When I say I started this and couldn't put it down.... I mean I could. not. put. it. down. I took my kindle to the bathroom. I continued on audio while walking the dog. I chopped vegetables and prepared dinner. I'm fairly certain my family attempted chatting with me a few times. I started this around lunch time and finished shortly after dinner. Towards the end of the book I had to physically cover up the paragraphs I hadn't gotten to yet so I wouldn't ruin any reveals too quickly and miss any bits of information. That's basically all I can say without potentially giving away any spoilers. Go into this book as blind as possible!

4.5⭐️ Fifty Fifty is definitely my favorite installment of the Eddie Flynn series thus far. From the start, I was completely taken with the case at its center. Two women, each claiming the other murdered their father, with no proof as to who actually committed the crime and who is the one lying. And a joint trial led by two defense attorneys, each trying to prove their client innocent.
From the first few pages on, I was shooketh, having never read (or at least I don’t remember having read) a case like this one. I found myself completely glued to the pages, desperate for more information, more evidence, and more trial testimony that would help me figure out what the heck was going on. I oscillated back and forth about a zillion times as I was convinced for sure that each of them was the killer. Of course, it is always a pleasure to spend time with con man turned lawyer, Eddie Flynn, and watch his personal story progress alongside the professional one.
Read if you like:
▪️domestic suspense
▪️unreliable narrators
▪️whodunnits
▪️legal procedurals
▪️interesting characters
▪️NYC setting
Thank you Atria and Simon Audio for the advanced copies.

🔍♟️Book Review: Fifty -Fifty by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn book 5)
4/5 ⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Atria for this book!#atriapartner
Two sisters on trial for murder. Both accuse each other. Who do you believe?! Both women call 911 minutes apart.
Wow! This is my first book by Steve Cavangh and it won’t be my last. I have been LOVING mystery/thriller books lately and this one was a fast paced, twisted and intriguing book. I was so invested in this book and I loved the chapters of “she” mixed into this story.
This sub genre of legal thrillers is so fascinating to me and it’s so cool to go back in time to when the crime happened, present day and hear interviews and court case info.
I really liked the characters and I didn’t know who to believe or how the book would end!
If you enjoy clever legal thrillers with surprising twists, Fifty-Fifty won’t disappoint!

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Arita Books for this Advanced Reader's Copy
The premise of this book intrigued me, and Steve Cavanagh's Fifty Fifty doesn't disappoint. This book grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go until the very end.
5 out of 5

4.5 ⭐️s rounded up! It’s been a while since I read a book that had its hooks in me this deeply. Truly kept me guessing whodunnit till nearly the very end. A small quibble with sliding in previously unrevealed info towards the end knocked it down .5, but I plan to continue devouring the Eddie Flynn series as quickly as my library gets them in.

Let me tell you, when I picked up Steve Cavanagh's Fifty Fifty, I was immediately hooked by the premise: two sisters, both claiming the other killed their dad. Talk about a dilemma! As a reader, you're thrown right into the thick of it, trying to figure out who's telling the truth and who's the cold-blooded killer.
Cavanagh kicks things off with these chilling 911 calls, one from each sister, accusing the other. Right from that moment, I knew I was in for a wild ride. The way he sets up this "who do you believe?" scenario is just brilliant. You're constantly second-guessing yourself, flipping back and forth between Sofia and Alexandra, trying to piece together the truth from their conflicting stories.
What I really loved about this book is how it's not just a simple whodunit. Cavanagh, true to form, weaves in all these clever legal twists and turns that keep you on your toes. He's a master at crafting those "aha!" moments, just when you think you've got it all figured out, he pulls the rug right out from under you. But beyond the courtroom drama, he also dives deep into the complex dynamics of family. You get a real sense of the strained relationships and the secrets festering beneath the surface, which adds a whole other layer to the mystery.
Honestly, the biggest strength of Fifty Fifty is its ability to keep you guessing. Every time I thought I had a handle on who the killer was, a new piece of evidence or a different perspective would pop up, sending my theories crashing down. It's that constant uncertainty that makes this book such a page-turner. I devoured it, desperate to uncover the truth.
My only minor hang-up, and why it's a solid four stars instead of a perfect five, is that sometimes, with so many twists and turns, it felt a tiny bit overwhelming. Occasionally, I just wanted a moment to breathe and connect with the characters on a deeper emotional level. But honestly, that's a small quibble in what is otherwise a gripping and incredibly smart thriller.
If you're a fan of legal thrillers or psychological suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you absolutely have to pick up Fifty Fifty. It's a masterclass in deception and a testament to Cavanagh's skill. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down until you find out who's truly guilty.

I loved the premise of this book, but it didn't do it for me in the end. The dual POVs were good, but I wasn't invested in any of them.

I love Steve Cavanaugh. After reading Thirteen, I really enjoyed Eddie Flynn and his ability to always get in trouble. I am always so engaged in the story and never want to put the book down!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book.
I knew I could depend on Steve Cavanaugh. After reading Thirteen when it was first released, I didn’t realize how much I missed Eddie Flynn and his knack to always get in trouble.
Eddie Flynn takes on the case of a sister who is being accused of murder - by her sister…of their father. It’s a lot of familial and generational guilt and it features an adorable doggo who helps in the final verdict. Was this book as devastatingly twisty as Thirteen? No, but it was still pretty damn compelling. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good trial case.
4/5 stars