Oooh this was so good and also incredibly infuriating (the story not the book!) in every way a book like this should be!

Cavanagh knows how to get my blood pressure above normal levels and this particular Eddie Flynn story kept me up at night.

Alabama is known for its racist history and cavanagh plants us squarely in a small county with the highest rate of death penalty convictions and executions - with a DA that gets off on watching people die. It’s clear early that he’s behind these killings himself in some way and that he will stop at nothing to get his convictions, even if it means disappearing people, creating evidence or turning good people bad with his poison.

Eddie Flynn and crew are called in to help an innocent black boy accused of a heinous murder of his white coworker. With the deck stacked firmly against them they begin to untangle the vicious web of hate and terror that has the county in its grasp, but will they save their defendant?

Definitely gave me A time to kill + to kill a mockingbird vibes all while singing that’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia.

There are some heavy topics in this book (racism, blackmail, graphic murder) but that didnt take away from the thriller aspect of this book. Youll be biting your nails until the very end.

The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanagh is another fast paced and twisty legal thriller. Eddie Flynn is defending a man accused of murder in a small Southern town where the system is rigged against him. The stakes are high, and the corruption runs deep. It’s the kind of book where you just know something wild is about to happen, and it never disappoints. The tension builds like crazy, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the author flips the whole thing on its head. This book was smart, gripping, and impossible to put down!

As a strong advocate of Steve Cavanagh’s novels, this one certainly did not disappoint. With the intelligent plots, the nerve wrecking suspense and the intense courtroom drama, my favourite gritty detective, Eddie Flynn, delivers another stunning performance with the requisite sharp and witty banter that I just love.

Who is Guilty? The Devils apprentice or in this case advocate!!! The Pastor?, the District Attorney?, the county sheriff?, the small town of Buckstown?, or the white supremacists? The boyfriend? Or all of them for something?

It is this endless list of suspects that makes this story so riveting and one I was immersed in from the opening pages. An absolutely cracking crime thriller.

A brief summary of the plot

Andy Dubois stands accused of the brutal murder of Skylar Edwards and with the compelling evidence stacked against the defendant – the signed confession and the confirmed sighting of Andy Dubois seen arguing with the victim, this is a slam dunk case. And one sure to see Dubois convicted with minimal effort.

Yet the unflinching and unorthodox Eddie Flynn doesn’t just take on a seemingly unwinnable case but also chooses to take on the omnipotent power of the DA, the King of Death Row, who has sent more people to the chair than any other DA in America. Because he can. Yes, the devil enjoys it but is he the killer?

Review and Comments

What made this an even better crime thriller, in this fascinating series, are the heavy themes of capital punishment and racism that takes place in the setting of the small town that often feels impenetrable.

After reading Cavanagh’s additional footnotes and revealing that four judges are currently responsible for 15% of the total number of death sentences in the US. I was intrigued to learn more.

It was on this basis that I researched the real extent of capital punishment, the profile of the killers and their victims, and the states most likely to pass a death sentence. Blimey I was enlightened.

Some facts… More white people are on death row than any other race or ethnic profile, more white people kill white people than any other race. A few states account for over 50% of the total number of people on death row.

Although this is not the only picture over the last four decades. The statistics do not account for the lynchings and unpunishable deaths of black people that never see the inside of the court room. Nor does it show the emerging trend. All so thought provoking and enlightening to a non-American who does not live this justice every day. Then again I did research countries like China and Middle Eastern countries like Saudis Arabia whose numbers far exceed the US.

As for the book this was every bit as exhilarating as I’ve come to expect from Steve Cavanagh. A commanding performance from Flynn who I adore as a book character. As for the plots and storytelling it was weighty, impressive, and corrupt but fantastic.

Absolutely LOVE the new cover, and can never go wrong in the Eddie Flynn series. This was another great addition!

I will read anything Cavanagh writes as his books are always high-octane and brilliant! In this one young Andy is on trial for murder and D.A. Korn always seeks the death penalty so Cavanagh will have a tough time. Young Skylar was discovered buried in the sand, upside down with just her feet sticking up, just before her boyfriend was going to propose. And then The Reckoning is close....Another wild ride that will keep you breathless until the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

The Devil’s Advocate is a gripping legal thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Known for his masterful storytelling, Cavanagh delivers a fast-paced, twist-filled narrative that blends courtroom drama with high-stakes suspense.

Cavanagh’s writing is razor-sharp, with witty dialogue, well-drawn characters, and relentless tension. The moral dilemmas and social themes add depth to the plot, making it more than just a legal thriller—it’s a thought-provoking exploration of power, corruption, and justice.

Fans of courtroom drama, twisty thrillers, and compelling protagonists will love The Devil’s Advocate. It’s another standout in the Eddie Flynn series and a must-read for anyone who enjoys smart, high-stakes storytelling.

Eddie Flynn is my absolute favorite! If I were ever in trouble I'd want him to defend me. Hell, I would get in trouble just to see this man at work! This is my favorite series. I can always count on Steve Cavanagh to write a banger! Please please please keep this series going! It is a must read for anyone into mystery/thriller books.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

The Devil's Advocate is a perfect legal thriller reminiscent of the old school awesome stories of early John Grisham.

In the 6th installment of the Eddie Flynn series we meet Randal Korn, a man who has sent more people to death row than any other prosecutor in the country. When a young Black man, Andy Dubois, is arrested for the murder of Skylar Edwards in Buckstown, Alabama, Korn wastes no time ensuring a swift conviction. The evidence is flimsy, the confession forced, and the defense attorney assigned to the case has mysteriously vanished.

Eddie Flynn has made a career out of defending the seemingly impossible, using a mix of legal brilliance, street smarts, and con-artist instincts to dismantle rigged cases. When he steps in to represent Andy, it’s clear that the forces at play in Buckstown won’t let the truth come to light without a fight. The deeper he digs, the darker the case becomes. White supremacists lurking in the background, a sheriff with too much power, a town fueled by hatred and fear—everything about this case is an obstacle that seems to high to hurdle.

Steve Cavanagh builds tension masterfully, making every page feel urgent. The corruption in Buckstown isn’t just deep-rooted; it’s systemic. Racism isn’t an undercurrent—it’s the foundation. Korn’s obsession with securing convictions is less about justice and more about control, and he thrives in a place where fear keeps people quiet. But Eddie Flynn isn’t one to back down, even when the fight turns deadly. With his team by his side, he takes on the most powerful man in Buckstown.

Beneath the legal maneuvering and high-stakes twists, The Devil’s Advocate taps into something chillingly real. The statistics Cavanagh references about capital punishment, racial bias, and the unchecked power of certain prosecutors add a layer of unsettling truth to an already gripping story. The final chapters explode with tension, and the author’s note at the end is a sobering reminder that, while Buckstown is fictional, the injustices it mirrors are not.
#atriabooks #thedevilesadvocate #stevecacanagh

I love everything Eddie Flynn but i especially loved this one because it was set in a small southern town. It was gripping and so hard to put down! One of my favorite Eddie Flynn novels.

Steve Cavanagh is a favorite of mine. I just finished The Devils Advocate and as I expected, it was a five star read. Pick this one up!

So this actually blew my mind. I am so picky with thrillers. This made it impossible to put down. There were so many players in the game and I couldn't get enough of it, couldn't turn the pages fast enough. The ending totally shook me. Such a good story about a crooked justice system and a terrorist organization in the south. I loved this!

Love the Eddie Flynn series I freaking love him. I was so excited for this book and flew through it. Great story , loved the characters as usual! Highly recommend this series!! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC