Member Review

Random Acts: Kindness, Murder

Whether you are searching for the perfect summer book or a gripping read to start the season early, Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn series is an excellent choice. With his latest novel, “Two Kinds of Stranger,” Cavanagh once again proves he is a master of the legal thriller.

In this ninth volume, attorney Eddie Flynn and his expert team are immediately thrust into two complex, rapidly advancing legal challenges. The central plot follows influencer Elly Parker, who finds herself set up for a homicide after the calculated killer, Logan, exploits her altruism. He is a compelling and chilling villain, and the novel's use of his point-of-view, alongside Elly’s, Eddie’s, and the rest of the team’s, creates an intoxicating, breakneck pace.

The tension is significantly heightened by personal stakes that hit closer to home than ever, particularly through a subplot where Eddie's ex-wife and her husband are placed in direct peril. This element of personal danger serves to make the narrative even more addictive, ensuring readers remain on the edge of their seats throughout the action.

Eddie, a former con artist, utilizes his previous expertise to pull out some amazing tricks to expedite justice. Occasionally the plot does lean on somewhat convenient occurrences that felt slightly farfetched– for a moment, pulling the reader out of the tension. However, this is a minor critique that is easily overlooked because the sheer momentum of the narrative and the high personal stakes make it a compelling, do-or-die, thrilling ride. As the book concludes, a final loose end is addressed by Cavanagh with a staggering twist that is nearly impossible to anticipate.

For those new to Steve Cavanagh's work, Eddie Flynn shares several traits with Michael Connelly's Mickey Haller from the "Lincoln Lawyer" series. Both protagonists are tenacious underdogs in the world of criminal defense who aren't afraid to bend the rules to see that justice is served. This resemblance extends to their supporting casts, as both attorneys rely on similar team dynamics. While the Mickey Haller books certainly have their moments of peril, the Eddie Flynn series generally leans further into high-stakes danger.

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