4/5 ⭐️

Steve Cavanagh has released in the US one of his multiple Eddie Flynn lawyer novels. This was my first of his, but I never felt confused or lost, it can very much be a standalone novel.

Two separate 911 calls from the same residence. Two sisters, one dead father. Each is accusing the other of his murder. But who actually did it? Cavanagh did a good job of moving this story along, and sowing doubt for each of the girls on trial. I was hoping for more of a twist at the end, but in all, this was definitely entertaining, and I’ll likely pick up some of Cavanagh’s backlog titles as well.

My favorite Steve Cavanagh book *yet*! I've read a few by Steve Cavanagh now and they NEVER disappoint, and so far this one is my favorite. I always love multiple POV's, but this book included a POV of the killer who we didn't know who it was. It added an extra element that I loved. It gave us the killer's POV without compromising who the killer was, leaving us guessing each time that POV came up. I flipped back and forth on the killer so many times. This book was masterfully written, kudos!

This was a fantastic read! Had me hooked from beginning to mg end! Kept me guessing on who the killer was. Very intriguing!

I knew that I was going to love this book from the start. Actually, probably before that because I absolutely love Steve Cavanagh, the author. Fifty-Fifty did not begin to disappoint. It has such a unique premise.
‌
Two 911 calls from the same location, within a minute of each other, each caller is frightened, their father has been attacked and they think they are next. Two sisters accusing the other of the brutal murder of their father. Both are arrested, who is guilty? Defense attorney Eddie Flynn thinks he picked the right sister to defend. However, the other defense attorney, Kate, is sure she represents the innocent sister.
‌
With chapters alternating between the points of view of Eddie, Kate, the sisters (Sofia and Alexandra) we should have an insight as to who the real murderer is. Nope. Exceptionally well written chapters from the point of view of “She”, the real murderer, added a lot, but still didn’t tell me who was guilty, no matter how much I poured over them.
‌
Sure I guessed the killer, occasionally. I also guessed the innocent sister and came up with wild scenarios in my head. This one was fun. It was so compelling I could barely put it down. I was at the beach and could have sat there reading forever, so what if it started raining on us. I had to make sure an innocent sister didn’t go to jail.
‌
This is only the second book by Cavanagh that I have read but I will be reading them all! If you like good murder mystery/thriller, courtroom drama this is definitely for you! I loved it.

WOW WOW WOW! This book is an absolute rollercoaster of suspense, emotion, and intrigue. It has everything a reader could hope for in a gripping, high-stakes drama: a brutal murder, intense family dynamics, political power plays, complex office relationships, sexual harassment allegations, mafia involvement, high-powered attorneys, and a riveting courtroom showdown. From the very first page, the story grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go.

The central premise is as explosive as it is chilling: the mayor of New York City is found viciously murdered in his office. But the true shocker? Both of his daughters call 911, and each one accuses the other of committing the crime. That alone is enough to make your jaw drop, but it’s just the beginning of a story layered with deceit, secrets, and shocking revelations. What makes this narrative even more captivating is how closely we, as readers, are drawn into the investigation and legal process. At times, it feels as though we're not just reading a book—we're part of the legal team, sifting through evidence, listening to testimony, and trying to determine who is telling the truth.

The pacing is masterfully done, striking the perfect balance between action and character development. The plot moves forward with urgency, yet the author skillfully weaves in moments from the past—flashbacks that provide glimpses into the complex history of the family and the events leading up to the murder. These scenes are deliberately vague and open-ended, leaving just enough ambiguity to keep you constantly questioning and theorizing. They never give too much away, and that sense of uncertainty only adds to the thrill.

What makes this book truly exceptional is its ability to juggle so many heavy themes—violence, power, family loyalty, betrayal, justice—without ever feeling overwhelming or forced. Each subplot adds a new layer to the story, creating a richly textured world that feels both cinematic and disturbingly real.

And while this book is technically part of a larger series, I can confidently say that it stands strong on its own. I personally have not read any of the previous installments, and I never once felt lost or out of step with the characters or plot. Everything you need to know is seamlessly integrated, making this a fantastic entry point for new readers.

In short, this was an absolute delight of a read—gripping, thought-provoking, and thoroughly entertaining. I would highly, highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys legal thrillers, family sagas with dark twists, or just a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

This book was SO good! I was constantly changing my mind on who to believe and that’s the mark of great writing.

I love this book! It was such a fun, fast paced read that I binged in two days. I can always count on Steve Cavanagh to get me out of a slump and keep me entertained. I love the legal side and the courtroom drama of his books. This story was about two sisters accused of murdering their father. Unsure of who committed the crime, they have a joint trial to determine who is the accused. Once you think you have to figure out Bam a twist and you have to rethink everything you’ve just learned! 4 1/2 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75/5)

I received Fifty Fifty as an ARC, and I have to say—Steve Cavanagh knows how to develop characters that stick. Eddie Flynn is sharp, layered, and easy to root for, and I really enjoyed the courtroom tension and back-and-forth legal drama. The dual narrative style worked well, and the pacing kept me invested throughout.

That said… the big plot twist? Meh. For a book that builds so much tension and psychological intrigue, the twist didn’t quite snap the way I hoped it would. It was fine—just not the jaw-dropper I was expecting from all the setup.

Still, the storytelling is tight, the writing is smart, and if you enjoy legal thrillers with strong character work, this is worth picking up. I just wish the payoff had matched the buildup.

Eddie Flynn is facing a difficult case. Two sisters are in need of good lawyers. Both are on trial for the same murder. One is a master manipulator and one is innocent. Which one is the innocent one? Can the truth be discovered before both go to jail for the rest of their lives or the guilty one gets away?

Thank you Steve Cavanagh and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.

Steve Cavanagh does it again! I have loved every book he has written and this one was no different. The plot was engaging and suspenseful and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs. The pacing was excellent with creepy occurrences that took place throughout the book that kept me hooked.

You will definitely want to get your hands on this one ASAP!

If you have not read any of the Eddie Flynn series, you need to. This can be your summer project. I have not been reading them in order and have no issue following along. This book caught my attention like a wildfire out of control. It is intense, dark, twisty, thrilling, and it is my favorite book in this series to date. I feel in love with Eddie while reading Witness 8 and I am now going to become a stalker. He is a character you could go out for a drink with. Eddie has hired new people for his team, retired judge Harry and his investigator Harper. They all bring so much depth and a side of humor during this tense read.

There has been a gruesome murder of ex-mayor Frank Avellino. His two daughters, Alexandra and Sofia, both came to visit him. Stumbling across his body and making two separate calls to 911. Each blaming the other. The question is who did it? Alexandra the well put together, successful daughter that everyone wants to be. Or Sofia, the struggling daughter who has been in and out of rehab. Who cannot seem to get her life in order. Both are arrested and the twist, there will be one trial with both sisters being tried for murder. Each with their own legal team. Eddie and Kate both believing that their girl is innocent. But both cannot be, so who is the murderess?

This book cranked up the volume, made my hair stand on end, my eyes closed while reading the shocking details of the murder. I could not put this book down. It is one of those where you keep snacks nearby and throw them at your family when they complain they are hungry. This is a full-on chess game, but who will yell checkmate? Thank you to Steve Cavanagh and Atria Books for my gifted copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. The twist I did not see coming. The story telling was great and played out like a movie in my head. Great read! ✨

4.5 rounded up

It’s definitely come to a point where I can say if Steve Cavanagh writes it, I will read it. His writing is so clever and all of his books keep me on the edge of my seat. He also never disappoints with plot twists 👏🏻
This book in particular had me hooked from the very first page. Breadcrumbs were sprinkled throughout, but never to a point where I was sure of the outcome. The twists and turns and red herrings kept me guessing to the very last page. It was slick, fast paced, and tension building using multiple POVs to drive the story. If you’re a fan of legal thrillers, I highly recommend this series in general. Eddie Flynn is a true mastermind that I love learning more about in every installment.

📝Note - this is the 5th book in the Eddie Flynn series, but as I have stated in prior reviews, all of the books within this series can be read as standalones/out of order. Cavanagh does an amazing job at keeping the reader up to date in the present book without being overbearing.

Thank you Atria for the gifted copy.

This book is part of a series, though it can be read as a standalone. Sisters Alexandra and Sofia are each accusing the other of murdering their father. Caught in the middle are Eddie and Kate, lawyers representing their respective clients, both convinced their side is telling the truth.

Part courtroom drama, part psychological thriller, this story keeps the tension high. I was hooked by the legal twists and the exploration of a lesser-known topic: the profiling of female serial killers. The courtroom scenes were especially gripping.

While some parts were gruesome and definitely warrant a content warning, I still found the story compelling. I was able to guess the ending, but that didn’t take away from my investment in the plot. I do wish there had been more depth in exploring the sisters’ relationship before things fell apart.

Thank you to Atria Books for the digital copy.

CW: murder, childhood trauma, grisly details

Another winner! This was my first Eddie Flynn novel so it’s completely possible to read this as a stand-alone.
2 sisters…….a dead father…….they both blame each other……this book follows one trial to see which daughter is guilty. Told from multiple POV of Eddie, Kate and She. I felt like the author did a good job with the she chapters of giving little bits of guilt to both sisters.
An absolutely interesting read that I completely enjoyed.

I received an ARC of the title. All opinions are my own.

I loved Steve’s writing so much! He has a way of drawing you into the story immediately. The multiple POV never got confusing and the “She” chapters left me second guessing myself the entire time. The characters on both defense teams were so likeable. This is my first of his books and I already can’t wait to read more of them. I can see why I’ve seen so many great reviews for his books. I loved that this is a legal thriller. It is a series but can be read a standalone.

Twisty, Addictive, and Impossible to Put Down

Fifty Fifty is the kind of legal thriller that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go until the jaw-dropping final twist. This was my first read by Steve Cavanagh, and I was instantly hooked by the premise—two sisters, one murder, and only one jury to decide who’s telling the truth.

The dual narrative is brilliantly done. As Alexandra and Sofia each claim the other killed their father, the story spirals into a tense, mind-bending courtroom drama. The pacing is tight, the stakes are sky-high, and the twists keep coming. I especially loved the sharp dialogue and the dry wit of defense attorney Eddie Flynn, who brings both clever strategy and emotional depth to the chaos.

The only reason it’s not a 5-star for me is that some courtroom sequences dragged slightly, and a few minor characters felt underdeveloped. But overall, this is a masterfully crafted legal mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

Highly recommended for fans of Gone Girl meets Law & Order with a high-octane twist.

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

Another great addition to the Eddie Flynn series. This book was published in the UK in 2020 but is available in the US June 2025. Fifty Fifty is the story of Sofia and Alexandra Avellino, sisters who both stand trial for the murder of their father. They blame each other, but only one is telling the truth. Told from the POV of Eddie, Kate, and a character identified as only "She", this story is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

As I usually find with this author's books, I am immediately drawn in, the story loses some momentum midway through, and then comes to an explosive ending. Eddie continues to rely on his somewhat shady past to expertly provide a defense while using those he trusts most to help investigate. He is still the same flawed character trying to do some good in the world. I think this book was classic Cavanagh and doesn't lose any of the things that make Eddie and crew a likeable group of characters.

Thank you to the publisher #atriabooks and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is a twisty courtroom drama / thriller. This is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series but it can 100% be read as a standalone novel.

Two sisters are in their father's house, both call 911 within minutes of each other. Their father has been brutally murdered and Alexandra and Sophia are each blaming the other. Eddie Flynn is back, defending Sophia while Alexandra is being defended by rookie lawyer Kate Brooks. Someone is innocent, but which sister is it?

I honestly think the best way to go into this story is as blind as possible. I absolutely love Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn series so far! Fifty Fifty was originally published in the UK in 2020 but now it has made its way stateside! This is a bit more complex than his other books that I have read, it is split up into five parts with alternating perspectives of Eddie, Kate and She. I like the sharp and concise narrative and how Cavanagh drops little clues to the real killer's identity throughout. The pacing is steady and full of action and tension. I flip-flopped over who the killer was and I could not wait to see if my theory was correct (I was partially right). Definitely a great legal thriller and I would highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Steve Cavanagh, and Atria Books for this ARC! Publication date: June 3rd 2025.

This book was not for me. It sounded intriguing but I eventually threw in the towel and DNF. It didn't engage me and I didn't really care what happened to the characters or the storyline. I didn't realize it was part of a series so maybe if I'd read the others it would've helped?

Thank you for the opportunity to review an ARC #netgalley #orion

Two sisters, one dead father, and both accusing the other of the crime. Long favorite defense attorney, Eddie Flynn, is back and this remains one of my favorite cases! Cavanagh brilliantly interweaves the POV of the unknown ‘Girl’ or hidden murderer, but leaves just enough breadcrumbs that could tie her to either sister so readers are left wondering until the final reveal. Great pacing, fantastic secondary characters, and an evil villain make this page turner the perfect summer read!