I love Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn series. This might not be the best of the bunch, but they are all highly entertaining and gripping. This time Eddie and his team is relocated from New York to rural Alabama, and not only do they have to defend an innocent man against the murder charges laid against him, they also have to navigate the unknown customs, corruption and hostility directed towards them. The ordeal leaves Flynn in a more soul searching mood, than we are used to.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this ARC.

by now we know that when we deal with mr. steve, we’re gonna get a wild, twisty, edge-of-your-seat legal thriller that gets your heart pumping! the devil’s advocate was no different. it was intense, clever, and full of those jaw-dropping moments that make you pause and say “wait WHAT?!” 😳 i appreciated the sprinkles of humor throughout the story that had me cracking up too! overall, i was stressed, entertained, and completely locked in!

one line that really stuck with me: “people don’t start off hating one another. it has to be taught. it’s learned.” it hit hard in the context of the story and reminded me how layered and relevant cavanagh’s writing can be.

eddie flynn was in his bag—when you worry about him, just know he is always ten steps ahead.

Does it get any better than this!? You need to turn your ringer off, lock the doors, shut the curtains and sink into a comfy chair and lose yourself in another Steve Cavanagh masterpiece.

I read book five in this series a couple of months ago, and it was just okay. This one is just okay as well, but I have to admit I enjoyed it a little bit more. Even though it isn't the most amazing book ever, I liked it for the most part. This is another tale of Eddie Flynn, and this time the case is about a man facing the death penalty for a murder he claims he didn't commit, and the situation looks very bleak.

The plot for this one is very fast-paced, and it's the type of book you can't wait to finish because you want to know what happens next. Everyone in this town is an asshole; there isn't one redeeming quality in the bunch. I love how Steve Cavanagh writes court scenes, and his experience as a lawyer comes through. I wish there were more of them in this one. The trope of the white city lawyer saving the Black southern defendant has been done to death, though.

Overall, the book was an entertaining, if somewhat predictable read. It had me wanting to know more, but this series is very formulaic, in my opinion. Steve Cavanagh certainly writes a good legal thriller, even if they are a little contrived.

🪑ARC REVIEW🪑

Publisher Re-release Date Aug 5th

“There’s a price to be paid for his kind of work, and it was almost time to collect. Everyone seeks redemption in the end.”

“A man is not measured by the stack of dollars in his vault. It’s the corpses of broken enemies that you leave in your wake.”

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Ok I’m calling it. KING of twists and jaw drops. MY GOODNESS. I couldn’t put it down. I thought we were going one way and all of a sudden WTF. This is my 3rd Eddie Flynn book and I’ve read them out of sequence and it literally does not matter. I will definitely be picking them all up. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend

Thank you @netgalley @atriabooks @atriathrillers

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I actually DNF half way through. I found it very slow. Legal books aren’t really in my forte but I thought I’d give it a a try since I live a good thriller. I really wanted to like what I read but unfortunately just too slow for my liking.

"The Devil's Advocate" is the sixth book in the Eddie Flynn series. It was originally published in 2021, and the new edition is out August 5, 2025. The series is getting a makeover from Atria, and I love the new covers. This book works well as a standalone, and so far I've found that the books can be read out of order without much confusion, although you may get a few spoilers.

Overall, I enjoyed this fast-paced, action-packed legal thriller. As a former APA, I struggle with the way prosecutors are portrayed in these novels, and this was the worst one so far. It's hard to imagine anyone being as corrupt as some of the characters in this book were. The plot of this book is so dark and disturbing, and it was not an easy read. But as usual, the main characters of this book made it enjoyable. Eddie and his team do whatever it takes for their clients. They kept me entertained with their wit and banter, and it was nerve-wracking to see how they were going to pull it all off. The courtroom drama and pulse-pounding suspense had me turning pages as fast as I could. A very intense and compelling read.

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

The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanaugh
Rating: 4.5 stars
Pub date: 8/5

Thank you so much to Atria for my complimentary book!

When a young white woman is brutally murdered in Buckstown, Alabama, the entire town turns on the last person to see her alive, Andy Dubois, a young black man. With a corrupt sheriff and a district attorney nicknamed the “King of Death Row” determined to secure another execution, Eddie and his team step in to fight for Andy’s life.

Wow, I was anxious the entire time I was reading this. Fans of A Time to Kill by John Grisham will enjoy it immensely.

This didn’t feel like a typical courtroom drama: it’s grittier, more action-packed, and steeped in an atmosphere of hostility and injustice. Randal Korn, the prosecutor, is terrifying in his obsession with the death penalty. Cavanagh doesn’t shy away from exploring systemic racism and small-town corruption, making the stakes feel horrifyingly real.

The novel is full of tension as Eddie navigates a town seething with rage and hatred. The fast pace and chapters that end on cliffhangers kept me turning pages well past bedtime.

While Cavanagh’s trademark sharp dialogue and clever legal maneuvers are there, The Devil’s Advocate is darker and more unsettling than other books in the series. It’s a gripping, enraging, and utterly unputdownable thriller.

Rachel’s ARC Reactions 📖

The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanagh
@atria @hayley @simonandschuster
Legal Thriller
Available August 5, 2025

Read this if you like: courtroom suspense and dangerous investigations with a southern cult twist

Oh damn. He does it again!

This book had me spinning. The hints kept being dropped, I kept trying to thread everything together, and I still got it all wrong.

The drama in the courtroom was intense. A slow reveal of facts vs lies and speculation, but also the question of whether any of it can be proven.
The investigative piece was an absolute adventure. People were dying right and left and I just kept hoping it wasn’t the people I thought they were! 🫣 the pieces were all there, but trying to fit them together the right was a difficult task.

The writing, as always, was impeccable. I was drawn in and did not want to put this down. If was a bit darker than I should have been reading at 11:00 at night before bed (thawing bodies, murder, self injury) but I literally couldn’t bring myself to put it down till sleep decided for me.

Intense. Suspenseful. Well woven.

“Like I said, Andy is innocent.”
“Andy is going to fry, one way or another”

*trigger warning*

In the end, there’s a note about how this is based on things that actually happened in the south. Over zealous persecutors who were obsessed with the death penalty, proclaiming martial law in Alabama, the KKK, and the White Camellia. A terrifying piece of our countries history.

If racial discrimination, white supremacy cults, etc trigger you - please avoid this book.

The Eddie Flynn series is one my favorites, and this one did not disappoint! 🙌

I always enjoy reading about Eddie and team in the courtroom!! Absolutely hated the Pastor, Korn, and the governor!! 🤬 Definitely check this one out if you enjoy legal thrillers!! 👏

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Steve Cavanagh for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review!! ❤️

(3.5 stars)

Legal thrillers aren’t usually my thing, but the premise sounded so good I decided to give it a shot. It was entertaining and had some strong moments, but a few parts dragged and I found myself losing interest here and there. Overall, it was enjoyable but not really the kind of thriller I tend to reach for. I do think fans of legal thrillers will get a lot more out of it than I did.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced ebook. All opinions are my own.

For some reason the last couple of Eddie Flynn books have been very short on the courtroom scenes. Watching Eddie's antics and surprises in the courtroom are part of what I love about these books. Kate, Harry and Bloch are much more evident but I wish that it wasn't at the expense of Eddie.

Even though this is a fictional book, it felt real while reading it. This was a fast paced, emotional and tense read. The topics of racism and white supremacy in a corrupt southern system was very hard to read at times.

Overall this book did not disappoint and I am looking forward to the next Eddie Flynn.

He’s won every trial…because he’s behind every murder. Ambitious District Attorney Randal Korn lives to watch prisoners executed. Even if they are not guilty.

An innocent man, Andy Dubois, faces the death penalty for the murder of young girl. Korn has already fixed things to make sure he wins a fast conviction. The one thing Korn didn't count on was Eddie Flynn. Slick, street smart, and cunning, the former con artist and now New York lawyer has only seven days to save an innocent man against a corrupt system and find the real killer.

I'm a huge Steve Cavanagh fan, and while this isn't his best, it's still a solid thriller that will keep you glued to the page. If you haven't read any Cavanagh, pick it up! If you've read him before, you'll enjoy this one as well! 4⭐

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

thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

4.5. jfc.

I have only read two books in this series, but this is a really special series, isn't it? like you KNOW things are going to be okay because that's just how these books work but your heart is in your throat the entire time. you will want to absolutely STRANGLE like 10 characters here. only like, Fifty-Fifty was a fantastic book but the stakes feel much higher in this one. like this one very much delves into contemporary politics in a way that feels real; Cavanagh's legit passion for justice jumps off the page.

I rounded down because for all that Korn is a complete monster and how much it's hyped up that he will go so so low to get what he wants and has done so for years, his defeat (hopefully it's not too spoilery to say that) feels really... simple? and in some ways I think that's the point, but it also felt like the reason why was almost superfluous. idk! I might round back up to five stars, this book was really good

and yayyy there's another Eddie Flynn book coming out in a week and it sounds like a banger

This series just keeps getting better and better. Eddie Flynn is back with his crew to help Andy who is on trial for murder in small southern town. I love that this book is so relevant with our current political situation and address racism and political injustice.

The story is fast paced and I was so angry for Andy and how he was treated. There are a lot of characters in the story and they all played a pivotal role to make the story come together.

Though this is part of the series, it can be read as a standalone. I love Eddie and his crew and reading the previous books makes coming back to them so much sweeter.

Adam Sims does a phenomenal job with all the different voices to keep the characters clear.

Thank you @atriabooks @simonaudio for a copy of the book.

Thank you for the ARC. Eddie Flynn is at it again. This time, to save a boy from Yellow Mama. As usual, it’s filled with twists and turns and tricks to try to get this boy off death row. This book dealt with racism, police over stepping their power, loss, betrayal, so many things. I wanted to strangle Korn myself.

Murder, corrupt politicians, home grown terrorism, racism. This is probably the wildest Eddie Flynn ride yet. There are quite a few moments that made this feel a little too real given the plot. But it was a great read. The story telling in the Eddie Flynn series just gets better and better. I feel like Harry took a little more of a backseat in this particular story - which was a little disappointing because I like him a lot as a character. But Kate came through in a big way and it was so fun getting to see her character in action. I really love the trial scenes. This story had the moment that I was missing in the last one I read. That moment where all of the pieces start to fall into place for Eddie and it is like magic. You see things coming together in way that you never thought that they could. I would like to think I am getting better at seeing these things but I'm not so sure. They are so much fun to read. When is the next one?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Great read by Steve Cavanagh. We go into this book already knowing who is guilty and who isn't, but that isn't the premise of the book. The premise is how do we prove it and why are they framing the wrong person.

I enjoyed the banter between the characters and how the conversations flowed. We didn't have unnecessary characters in this one, they each held a point to being there and held an important point of the story. I think my favorite part of this one is that the characters where plotting the entire book. I imagine as a writer it is hard to keep all the story lines together but, this is done extremely well.

I would recommend this book to my true crime thriller readers.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

I have yet to read an Eddie Flynn book that I didn’t love. The mysteries are well done and I adore Eddie and all the side characters. I was completely lost in this story with the help of Adam Sims excellent narration. I felt like I was there with Eddie and crew investigating and trying to save the defendant. I love the court room scenes and the cons Eddie runs. I highly recommend this series! It is possible to read them out of order but I recommend starting at the beginning.

very well done novel about the flaws in the criminal justice system, systemic racism, misconduct, and fcorruption that can plague a legal system. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.