This one took a long time to build help and just seemed drawn out. I liked the premise of a dirty da , and a detective/ lawyer team helping to clear an innocent man. But it just seemed not that original like other books by this author. It wasn't bad just nothing really memorable either

I love court thrillers and Steve Cavangh is one of the best at bringing the heat into the courtroom. Great gang of characters on his list loving Harry always have.
The ending is always picture perfect!!

Till the next book.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an early release of this book.

Dèjá vu.
As I read this book for, the second time, I again felt the
shock and awe of this unbelievable stunner penned by my
favorite ‘crime and defense Author,’ the genre I named for
Mr Cavanagh. This book was published in the UK in `2021/22
and I have the copy in my library.
The plot or premise, is absolutely diabolical-wholly unbelievably
yet frighteningly happening in a small town in rural Alabama.
The hand picked ‘suspect~victims’ appear to represent great
work in crime reduction, but it’s just a little bit too easy~too
predictable. Our hero, along with a newly assembled team might
be able to peel back the deception and horrors to save an
innocent young man, and also save Eddie and his team.
This is a great book!
My thanks to Atria books via NetGalley for,the,download,of,this
book,for, review purpose's.

Steven Cavanagh's "The Devil's Advocate" is a masterclass in legal thrillers, a relentless, pulse-pounding ride through the dark underbelly of the justice system. More than just a courtroom drama, it's a character study, a meditation on morality, and a shocking exposé of the games lawyers play. The novel follows Eddie Flynn, a con artist turned lawyer, whose sharp mind and street smarts make him a formidable opponent in the courtroom. Flynn is drawn into a seemingly impossible case: defending a young man accused of murdering his wife, a renowned actress. The evidence is overwhelming, the public outcry deafening, and Flynn quickly realizes he's not just battling the prosecution, but a shadowy conspiracy that reaches the highest echelons of power. Cavanagh excels at creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, drawing the reader into the murky depths of the case. The twists and turns are expertly crafted, leaving you constantly questioning everything you think you know. The courtroom scenes are electric, filled with tension and sharp dialogue, showcasing Cavanagh's deep understanding of legal procedure. But what truly elevates "The Devil's Advocate" is its protagonist. Eddie Flynn is a complex and compelling character, a flawed hero who operates in the grey areas of morality. His con-artist background gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to see the angles and exploit the weaknesses in the system. He's not afraid to bend the rules, but he's driven by a strong sense of justice, making him a compelling and relatable figure. Ultimately, "The Devil's Advocate" is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. It's a testament to Cavanagh's skill as a storyteller and his ability to craft a gripping legal thriller that stays with you long after you finish reading. It's a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone who appreciates a well-written, suspenseful story.

This was my second exception to “the year of women,” and I’m so glad I read it. Eddie Flynn is drawn to an Alabama case, but once he arrives, he realizes he’s going to lose. Not one to give up easily, though, he and his team frantically search for proof that the young Black man didn’t kill anybody. What they uncover will change everything.

Could this have been any timelier? It lifted my spirits a bit to see that the rule of law was restored and the bigots were defeated. I hope the same thing happens in the real world soon.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Devil’s Advocate is the sixth book in Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series, which I usually love, but this one didn’t land for me.

I prefer books with a driving question, ideally a good whodunit. I also enjoy the kind of legal thrillers this series usually features: defense lawyer stories where the question is “is my client actually innocent?” (Sometimes the answer is no!)

Unfortunately, The Devil’s Advocate was a conspiracy-heavy, good guys vs. bad guys morality tale, featuring a lot of Southern stereotypes. The question here was “How violent is this going to get before justice prevails?” (Answer: very!)

I’m happy that, after this detour, Eddie Flynn went back to New York and the series returned to form.

Steve Cavanagh adds another great addition to his series of legal thrillers with this tense, clever roller coaster. It will keep all readers captivated with the drama of it all.

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

I'm a huge fan of Steve Cavanagh's novels. The ability to have the reader on the edge of their seat throughout the entire read is always so impressive. The character development flows nicely with the development of the plot. Cavanagh's fast paced and twisty storytelling is full of thrills, packed with sky high levels of suspense and tension, so much so that I was turning the pages as fast as I could until I reached the end. The use of multiple POVs not only had me guessing till the end but the suspense and the setting it made was brilliant and well-executed.

#NetGalley #MyHonestReview

I read Fifty Fifty as an ARC and also had this one waiting so I read them in succession. It was great to have the background of Fifty Fifty but not necessary. I feel it covered enough to be read as a standalone.

I loved this book as well! The character development is spot on. Full of suspense and the ending is jaw dropping! If your a fan of law dramas this right up your alley. I will definitely be checking out more from Steve Cavanagh.

NO SPOILERS
The Devil's Advocate
Pub Date: Aug 05 2025
Archive Date: Aug 19 2025

I enjoyed this book! I only wish I read the books in order of the publication date so I could watch the characters grow. I’m going to read the first book and reread this again. Excellent storyline. And I love Eddie’s character.

This ARC was provided by the Atria Books Publicity Department via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

SO GOOD. Thrilling, exciting. Fast paced. I couldn't stop reading this and wanting to know what happened next. I will definitely be reading more from this author

I just finished The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanagh, and wow, what a ride. This sixth installment in the Eddie Flynn series took me out of the familiar New York courtroom and dropped me into the heart of Alabama, where Eddie defends Andy Dubois, a Black man accused of murdering a white woman in a town steeped in corruption and racism.​
The Overbooked Bibliophile

From the start, the tension was palpable. The opening scenes, especially the chilling depiction of the electric chair, set a dark tone that lingered throughout. Eddie and his team—Kate, Bloch, and Harry—are up against more than just a flawed case; they're battling a system rigged against their client. The small-town dynamics, where everyone seems to know everyone else's business, added a layer of claustrophobia to the narrative.​
Crime Fiction Lover
+2
The Overbooked Bibliophile
+2
Goodreads
+2

Cavanagh's portrayal of the antagonist, District Attorney Randal Korn, was masterful. He exuded a cold, almost supernatural malevolence that made every courtroom encounter with him feel like a high-stakes chess match. But the real twist came with the introduction of 'The Pastor,' a shadowy figure whose influence over the town's events was both unsettling and brilliant.​
_ForBooksSake
+2
The Overbooked Bibliophile
+2
Frost Magazine
+2
thebookmagnet.co.uk

While the courtroom drama was intense, I did miss the earlier books' more frequent legal battles. Here, the investigative journey took center stage, with Eddie and his team navigating a web of deceit and danger. The pacing was relentless, and just when I thought I had a handle on the plot, another twist would throw me off course.​

One of the most striking aspects was how Cavanagh tackled themes of racism, white supremacy, and corruption. The story didn't just highlight these issues; it immersed me in them, making me feel the weight of injustice pressing down on every page. The author's note at the end provided valuable context, shedding light on the real-world inspirations behind the story.​
Goodreads
Goodreads

In the end, The Devil’s Advocate was a compelling, thought-provoking thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. While it may not have had as much courtroom drama as I would have liked, the intricate plot and complex characters more than made up for it. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Another five star read from Steve Cavanagh. Eddie and his team travel are never in comfortable situations but this time they are called in to travel to the south and save a man’s life from a corrupt power hungry DA. This one is not for the squeamish.

Steve Cavanagh and his Eddie Flynn series have rapidly become some of my favorites in line with Harlan Coben. This book finds Eddie and company fighting white supremacy in the Deep South. As always, this goes less than smoothly. I really enjoyed this installment. Parts of it made me deeply uncomfortable as the hate and racism is alive and well today. I fully admit I thought I had it all figured out until the very end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity to read and review this very exciting book.

I love the Eddie Flynn books! I’ve now read all but book 3 and book 7 but plan to read those as soon as I can get my hands on them.
4 stars on this one. The tag line says he plans every murder but does he really? Seems to me he doesn’t plan as much as orchestrate the trials.

Another win for Steve Cavanagh. The Eddie Flynn books are always intriguing, plenty of twists and well written characters.
The Devil’s Advocate also delivered a dose of reality regarding the pervasive inequities in the judicial system, kudos to Cavanagh for highlighting the issue. Definitely a worthwhile read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this arc!

Intense, unsettling and mesmerizing, The Devil’s Advocate is an electrifying legal thriller with the pace of a runaway freight train that demands you keep reading as fast as possible to uncover the truth. Steve Cavanagh has crafted a world-class story that is insanely engrossing while feeling horrifyingly plausible.

College student Skylar Edwards is found murdered in her rural Alabama hometown and the Sheriff arrests Andy Dubois, a young black man who worked with Skylar at a truck stop bar. The evidence is overwhelmingly stacked against Andy and everyone believes he’s guilty. Proving his guilt is the job of district attorney Randal Korn, who happens to have the most death penalty convictions of anyone in the history of the United States…and it’s not even close. Eddie Flynn usually doesn’t take cases like this but is persuaded that something fishy is going on in Alabama and flies down from New York to defend Andy. And the more Flynn and his team dig into the case, the more they are convinced that not only is he innocent, but that there’s a dangerous conspiracy at play that they must stop before many more innocent people die.

This is pedal to the metal storytelling at its finest. The Devil’s Advocate is full throttle from start to finish, powered by the emotional dread of an innocent man being put to death by a corrupt system manipulated by powerful people with an agenda. And only a knight in shining armor, with a relentless will and balls of steel, can mount a challenge that maybe just maybe can thwart the inevitable. That’s Eddie Flynn. Along with a few of his ethically principled and integrity-driven colleagues, Flynn shows tremendous courage and virtuousness, unwilling to flinch in the face of mortal danger, to do what’s right and help the little guy stand a chance against a stacked deck. Making him a character that you connect with and root for with your entire being. Especially as he sticks it to those who think they’re too smart to be foiled.

The Devil’s Advocate will fill you with anxiety and foreboding before concluding in immensely satisfying fashion and restoring a smidge of faith in humanity. A book that begs to be read in one sitting and will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. A masterclass in storytelling by the great Steve Cavanagh.

This book was a slow burn for me, much more so than I'm used to which is why it lost a star for me. I did like how the author ended the book and to learn how he based the book on facts from the past.

This book made thought provoking but made me so angry! I appreciated the author shining light on the death penalty and racial injustice within the law. I can’t help but believe there are small towns that have governments exactly like the one depicted in the book.

This was fast paced and had a few twists I didn’t see coming. It wasn’t my favorite in the series, but definitely worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another great Steve Cavanagh book! Although this book is in a series, you definitely don’t need to read the book before ( or any of the books) to read this one. This book has mystery, unexpected turns, and just the right amount of likable characters. I highly recommend this book and this author!