A 911 call from each sister that their father was murdered - both are in the house - but, which did it? Sofia and Alexandra are estranged (and very different) sisters on trial for the murder of their father - both saying the other did it. We know one did, but which? Eddie and Kate each take a sister as their client and are working hard behind the scenes to prove the other did it - but, both are adamant their client is innocent.

This book actually had me wondering and guessing for a while who did it! I could see either way and changed my mind often. I loved the multiple POV, including the "She" which was the sister that was the killer. It had me hooked and I was excited to see how it all turned out. I know this is part of a series (but, standalone) and may read others. It reminds me a lot of The Lincoln Lawyer!

Steve Cavanagh has done it again! Eddie Flynn is an interesting, three-dimensional, flawed, but loveable character that you can't help but root for! Eddie's call to do the right thing and defend the innocent and make sure the guilty pay draws him to difficult cases that other lawyers may work to avoid. Fifty Fifty is the story of two sisters, each of whom accuse the other of murdering their father. There is evidence and motive on both sides, but only one is responsible. Cavanagh created a wild ride where I had no idea what to expect. The characters and story are compelling and draw you in as you question what you know and where things are going. I struggled to put it down. The Eddie Flynn series has interesting, three-dimensional recurring characters, but the books can also be read as stand alone stories. Fifty Fifty kept me guessing until the end.

4.5 stars rounded up.

I loved it! This type of procedural is not my most favorite book genre. However, done right I can be hooked. Fifty-Fifty is done right. All through the book I was believing the path laid out for me by the author. I was also questioning. I loved the breadcrumbs left and the guessing that was happening in the story through the book. Really enjoyable and interesting for sure!

Advanced reader copy provided by Atria and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

WOW! I always love Cavanagh's twisty books, but this one is definitely my favorite. What a unique and shocking plot - I couldn't guess anything throughout this book. Definitely recommend!

Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanaugh is the ffith book of the Eddie Flynn series, but the first in this series that I have read. When I saw the premise for this one – two sisters, each accusing the other of murdering their dad – I had to know who did it! Since I enjoyed Cavanaugh’s stand-alone thriller, Kill For Me, Kill for you, I’ve wanted to check out his Eddie Flynn series. I don’t love a series generally, because I am such a mood reader and I want to switch up my genres frequently, but when I saw a short video by the author where he expressed that he’s written this series so the reader can jump in anywhere, that’s exactly what I did.

I immediately understood why readers enjoy this series so much. Eddie Flynn, a defense attorney is a flawed but lovable character. Add in equally flawed and easily likeable side characters, an adorable stray dog who loves a good belly scratch, and of course sinister and evil suspects and law enforcement, there was a lot in Fifty-Fifty to make this book unputdownable.

Cavanaugh does not hold back when it comes to violence and body horror, so if you are a sensitive reader, please proceed with caution. If you are looking for a fast-past, edge-of-your-seat thriller/mystery/suspense/court room drama, definitely give Fifty-Fifty a try. I do recommend going in blind to this one, in order to really immerse yourself into the suspense.

Now I need to decide which Eddie Flynn to read next! Any suggestions?

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanaugh in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely devoured this book. It is very rare that I get to the end of a thriller without deciding what I think is going to happen. I changed my mind so many times! This story keeps you guessing until the very end. The writing was very engaging and I look forward to reading more from Steve Cavanagh in the future.

4.5 stars rating up. I can't get enough of these books. I love the Eddie Flynn novels so much!

Thank you again, Atria Books, and Net Galley for letting me read my third Eddie Flynn novel as an ARC. I thoroughly enough them and can't say enough about them.

My reasons for not a full five-star stars may be my own fault, which is why the rating is rounded up. To start off,it was a slow beginning, and I wanted a little more investigative work before the trail started. However, the writing still kept you hooked throughout.

As I have said before in my reviews, these books are a series, but stand alone, and some of them even published out order. I read the 8th one first, then the 6th, and this one, which is 5th in the series. Because I just read the 6th book and it was still fresh in my mind mind, I had an accidental spoiler. I also didn't know that this was the book to bring all of my favorite characters together. I didn't know that in previous books, 1-4 , they hadn't even met. However, this case brings them all together, and it was cool to see it all happen.

I love these books, and I will not stop recommending them! I'm definitely dedicated to this series! These books are addicting and bingeable.

If you're looking for a tidy courtroom thriller that keeps you guessing, then this is for you!

Note that I read this as a standalone. I do think that reading this as part of the series would provide more character depth.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for providing this eARC for attendees of @bookhudle's Victoria retreat!

SO GOOD. This author is one of my all time favourites, always so clever, one of the best traits in thriller/mystery/suspense fiction. This should be on your list along with every other Steve Cavanagh book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for US publication of this one!

Two sisters. One dead father. Two frantic 911 calls—each blaming the other. One of them is lying. But which one?

I absolutely devoured Fifty Fifty by Steve Cavanagh and let me tell you… this one was a total mind game in the best way. Courtroom drama, family trauma, stalking, murder, and twist after twist—this book had me flipping sides every other chapter. Just when I thought I had it figured out? Nope. Think again.

This is technically book 5 in the Eddie Flynn series, but it works perfectly as a standalone (though after this, I’m fully committed to reading them all). Eddie is sharp, scrappy, and so much more layered than your average legal thriller lead—and the way this story unfolds in multiple POVs, including a chilling anonymous “She” perspective, kept the suspense high and the pages flying.

The courtroom scenes were chef’s kiss, the characters felt real and complex, and the ending? Oof. Still not over it.

If you’re into clever legal thrillers with smart twists and unforgettable characters, Fifty Fifty needs to be on your radar. Out June 2nd—don’t miss it!

Big thanks to @netgalley & @atriabooks for the ARC 💥📚

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3.5 ⭐️s — This felt like an episode of Law and Order. Two sisters are accused for the murder of their father and each of them are adamant that the other one did it. I feel like the way Steve Cavanagh presented all the circumstances of this case made it feel like I was part of the jury of this trial. The reveal of who is guilty was predictable based on the nature of the story, but the journey to that was filled with little twists. Overall, a fun legal thriller!

Legal thriller? Yes please. A book about two sisters both accused of murdering their father? I’m sat. Cavanagh really knows how to hook you into this hook and you do not need to read the others to understand this book in the series!

Fifty Fifty follows two lawyers, Eddie and Kate, as they represent two sisters, Alexandra and Sofia, each accusing the other of murdering their father. This was my first legal thriller, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It gave me major Criminal Minds vibes, which I absolutely loved.

Even though this is the fifth book in a series, I never felt lost. Both Eddie and Kate’s storylines kept me fully invested, and the side characters added so much depth without being distracting. Now I definitely want to go back and read more from the series.

One of my favorite aspects was getting the killer’s POV in short sections labeled “She.” It kept me guessing the entire time. Every time I was sure I had it figured out, I’d completely change my mind. I genuinely had no idea who the real culprit was until the end!

I already have Thirteen by this author on my shelves, and after this, it’s definitely moving up my TBR.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!</i>

This book has everything, the drama, the plot twists, the betrayal. I couldn’t put it down. I love a legal thriller, and Steve Cavanagh really delivers with this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the level of detail in the case and the lives of the two sisters, as well as reading the thought process of law enforcement and each sister’s legal team. The book also touches on important issues facing women in the corporate world, as one of the female characters deals with a very inappropriate boss.

The characters are so well fleshed out, with Kate and Eddie Flyn, being my favourites.

I also loved how I kept second-guessing which sister was the killer, I was flip-flopping until the very end. The suspense and pacing were excellent. Even though this is the fifth book in the series, I need to read the rest now.

I am a fan of the Eddie Flynn series, and this book was no exception. I loved the plot of this one with twin sisters both accusing the other one of murdering their father. I was pretty sure I knew how this was going to play out, but that didn't keep me from second guessing myself throughout the book. Cavanagh has become one of my favorite thriller writers, and I can't wait to check out what he writes next!

Eddie Flynn is a lawyer, who used to be a Con Artist, so reading clients and reading juries was his thing. But, for the first time, he was waiting on a verdict he couldn’t call. In his mind, the way the case played out seemed to be an even split.

It could even come down to a coin toss-a Fifty-Fifty.

Three months earlier, two separate 911 calls had been received, a minute apart. Two sisters, Alexandra and Sophia, each calling for help and accusing the other of killing their Dad and fearing that they could be next.

Their father viciously stabbed, and then BITTEN. You could say that one daughter has a TASTE for murder…

But, which one is telling the truth?

Two lawyers, who each believe that they are the one defending the INNOCENT sister. At the moment, the jury likes what they are hearing from Alexandra’s lawyer, Kate, and Eddie knows that whoever tells the BEST story wins…

So his version of it, has got to be BETTER-if he is going to get Sophia acquitted.


The story is divided into Five Parts, and is a bit more complex than past installments, as it unfolds from the alternating perspectives of Eddie, Kate, and SHE (the guilty sister)…with an occasional chapter from the newly retired, Judge Harry, as well.

Steve Cavanagh has sure come a long way as an author since his first book-and this just may be the BEST one in the series to date!

In fact, PART FOUR, called “The Dark Red Night” is one of the most suspenseful, eleven pages, that I have ever read in a book! I was on the edge of my seat, and literally NERVOUS for the characters in the book! 🫣

Part 5 is the trial-and, as always my favorite part in the Eddie Flynn books-as I love seeing how Eddie will outwit and outplay his opponents!

To say any more would be a spoiler, so I will just tell you that I highly recommend these books if you enjoy legal thrillers, and I am already looking forward to reading the next one in the series, “The Devil’s Advocate” with the group that I am reading this with!

Be sure to check out the reviews of Ceecee, DeAnn, MarilynW and Pat, to find out if they are as enamored with the Eddie Flynn books as I am! 😉

This was my first novel that I've ever read by Cavanagh and it certainly won't be my last. A refreshing voice in the thriller genre this book kept me on the edge of my seat and in ways makes me want to be just as clever as the protagonist though more sound of mind. The back and forth POV's were so well articulately and this kept me second guessing myself at every turn of the page!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review

Tropes:
Murder Mystery
Suspense
Sisters
Plot twist

It's been so long since I've read a full murder mystery novel and I fell in love all over again! This was such a captivating story that had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning.

This series follows a NYC lawyer Eddie Flynn and in this book, he ends up being the lawyer for a sister(Sophia) who accused of killing her father (the former mayor). Sophia is also accusing her sister (Alexandra) of murdering their father. They will have a joint trial and both sisters have evidence pointing to them. They're at a literal fifty-fifty split.

This story had me on page 1. Giving hints into which sister could be the killer, but never fully telling you until the very end. Just when I thought I was sure who the murderer was, something new came up.

I also liked how the wire introduced new long term characters and also gave a backstory into the characters that had been in the series long term. Even if you start in the middle of the series, you're completely lost, but in fact, intrigued to read the previous books.

I loved the writing style and the insight into the life of a lawyer in NYC. I will definitely be continuing to read this series!

Steve Cavanaugh is our newest version of John Grisham, in the way that he writes brilliant legal thrillers. I can't get enough. We all love following his main character, Eddie through his trials and tribulations and court cases. This one is an amazing legal thriller, you won't be disappointed.

FIFTY FIFTY by Steve Cavanagh

Two sisters, both accusing the other of murdering their father. One of them is lying- but which one?

This was a typical Steve Cavanagh legal thriller with fast paced plot and developments. Even though I anticipated the ending, I still enjoyed the trip there. The “she” chapters were a little distracting for me- it felt like they were trying a bit too hard to throw readers off, and it made the structure feel less natural. Still, I love an Eddie Flynn courtroom drama- something about the morally gray character of a bad guy turned lawyer is so fun.