Another well-executed, rip roaring, edge of the seat, full on action thriller. Steve Cavanagh has a knack of really getting inside the head of his protagonists, seeing what makes the character tick and then carving his story around them with phenomenal results.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

In some ways it's strange to think that Northern Irish crime writer Steve Cavanagh's debut THE DEFENSE was only published four years ago. His tales featuring New York City conman-turned-defense lawyer Eddie Flynn have already become one of the best legal thriller series around. For me, Flynn and Cavanagh are the best tandem to hit the courtroom crime scene since Michael Connelly introduced 'Lincoln Lawyer' Mickey Haller more than a decade ago.

But don't just take my word for it: the Crime Writers Association awarded THE LIAR, the third book in Cavanagh's series, the prestigious Gold Dagger last year, effectively naming it the best crime novel in the world. At the same time the fourth Eddie Flynn tale, THIRTEEN, was firmly ensconced on bestseller lists for months, and then appeared on numerous 'best of of the year' lists to end 2018.

Now, Cavanagh throws readers a curve ball with an exceptional standalone that further demonstrates that the big man from Belfast has elbowed his way onto the top table of crime writing already.

TWISTED is like the crime fiction equivalent of a Penn & Teller show, where Cavanagh lays out some of the tricks of the trade up front and then still dazzles you with his skill and delivery anyway. Readers are forewarned to distrust the narrator and expect some twists, but unlike some other highly publicised 'amazing twist' books out there, that doesn't diminish or distract from the story itself.

It starts with a couple who's relationship is shattered after the wife discovers her husband might be JT LeBeau, a famously secretive and incredibly successful author with a dark past. When the wife ends up in a coma and the husband flees, who should the reader believe? We think we know what happened, even if those investigating the crime don't, but can we believe we've been told the truth?

And regardless of where the truth may lie, it's a heck of a rollicking read to uncover how it all unfolds. Once again Cavanagh delivers a compelling book that's so much more than it's high-concept hook, both upturning and over-delivering on reader expectations or any marketing hype.

TWISTED underlines why the former bouncer from Belfast has rocketed up the crime ranks.

Wow! This is the first book I have read by Steven Cavanagh and it won't be the last! What a plot - it kept me gripped from start to finish. Very fast moving, punchy, and Twisted very certainly describes the plot! Definitely, definitely recommend!

My thanks to NetGalley for free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read by Steve Cavanagh. From the introduction of the authors note warning you that the book may or may not be a work of fiction I was hooked.

There were plenty of twists throughout and another great ending. Really enjoyable and well paced thriller that will keep the reader guessing throughout

This is without a doubt where the title of the novel absolutely lives up to it’s name!

What to say about this book. I really don’t know where to start and even then it is actually very hard to say much about it at all without giving anything away. This one will probably be one of my most evasive reviews so far and for that I won’t actually apologise, as believe me when you read this book for yourself you will be glad I didn’t really tell you anything.

Now what I will tell you is that this novel is utterly brilliant. The story line is just phenomenal. So many times I had to go back and re read what I had just read as I struggled to comprehend what I was reading. I really don’t mean that in a bad way either. The twists when they start coming, come thick and fast, of which some totally floored me. It’s one of those books you want your friends to hurry up and read so you can see if they saw any of it coming or if it took them by total surprise also.

Twisted is the most twistiest of books I have ever come across. It totally messed with my head, shocking and surprising me, yet thrilling me all at the same time. There is no other story like it that I for one have ever come across. If you love a story with a good twist, and come on, who doesn’t? Then hands down they don’t come any better than this.

What a cleverly written book this was. This is definitely written for readers. And most definitely for those that love deeper twists in books that they think they’ve worked out.......but I beg to differ.
This was a puzzled within a puzzle.

Just who is this writer, no face, no identity?

Really made me sit up and take notice!

I do own one of his other books. Not read.....yet. But this sure is an eye opener to talent.

I must confess and with all the excellent reviews this author gets, this is the first book of Steven Cavanagh’s I have read. I have his previous novel but, not read it yet.
Twisted is a story, within a story. J. T LeBeau is the world’s prolific writer. But no one knows what he looks like. There are no profile photos on his books and there have been no book signings either. When Maria Cooper finds a bank statement from a hidden account. With deposits from LeBeau enterprises stating there is millions in the accounts. She thinks her husband Paul Copper is LeBeau. Herself and her lover Daryl wants to confront Paul and take the money for themselves.
This story has a cleverly written plot, with lots of twists and turns. I did enjoy this but, I thought it in some places there was too much going on and it didn’t have the WOW factor for me, especially the ending. It was quite disappointing.
Thank you NetGalley and Orion for a copy of this book.

I don't want to give away too much but in short summary - an anonymous author, mysterious money, adultery, greed, murder and suspense.

Twisted seems to have it all.. but I can't say this is my favourite and am slightly underwhelmed by it. I've been left with a minor whiplash as the story took too many 180 degree turns and it was exhausting to read at times.

It is the author's first stand-alone and I know I shouldn't draw comparisons between his super successful Eddie Flynn series, which are t h e b o m b by the way, but I had gotten used to his legal thrillers and Twisted is a whole new kettle of fish.

Quite fittingly claimed to be written by a different author under the name of  J. T. LeBeau because it was so different to Cavanagh's previous books.

Don't get it twisted (pun fully intended) the book is good and definitely worth a read, but not exactly what I was expecting. I need to let go of my prejudice in the future and jump in head first with no assumptions.

Having said all that I'll be getting a paperback copy not only to complete my Cavanagh's collection but to change my mind about only giving it 4 stars out of 5, <em>this hurts me because lets face it, the author is a bad-ass and deserves nothing but full scores!

A slightly different take on the crime novel makes for an interesting read. It's a difficult book to review without giving any details away. Glad I had the pleasure of reading it!

I adored this book. Tightly plotted, great characters and well executed. I'm hesitant to go into any further detail as it may give something away. Cavanagh is a master of his craft and this book is well deserving of the praise it is receiving.

Steve Cavanagh is brilliant. This book has some unhinged and addictive characters who compliment the plot incredibly. While it is a stand alone novel, he can’t help but put in a cheeky reference to the well lived lawyer Eddie Flynn. This book is a must read if you are a fan of thrillers - it take it to a whole new level.

Stunningly clever thriller I really couldn't put down. Brilliant read , well thought out plot with a twist I didn't see coming.

Twisted - a very apt title for this book. My brain is slowly untwisting! The beginning a bit strange, and had to go back and read again, but after that got into the story. Didn’t see the first twist coming!! After that couldn’t put the book down. A great read.

Steve Cavanagh's books to date have followed the trials (sorry for the pun) of grifter turned lawyer Eddie Flynn. This book however is a standalone. I really missed Eddie, he's a great character, but it didn't take long for Twisted to suck me in and absorb all my thoughts. There is a lot going on with a multitude of complex characters. A rich bestselling crime author who despite his fame is anonymous, an unhappy wife playing away with the waiter at the country club, the husband who is never home, the small town sheriff with the cold case that haunts him, all set in an idyllic seaside town.
Living up to its name there were loads of twists, turning all my assumptions on their head. There is satisfaction from correctly guessing who the bad guy is, but in this case I was kept guessing right to the end. I felt like I was watching a Murder She Wrote episode, the minute details were in fact the keys to the mystery. I think fans of Jo Spain and Liz Nugent will love this.
Thanks netgalley for giving me an early copy. I loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone.

Thank you to Netgalley, publisher and author for this ARC.

I found Twisted a little too "twisted" in the story line for me to keep up. That being said, it was a good read and I would recommend it.

Twisted is a brilliant book by the author Steve Cavanagh. I was so engrossed by the storyline that I read it all in less than 24 hrs. I never saw the twist coming and will definitely be reading his next novel..

Well, Twisted certainly does what it says on the tin - fills the reader's head with twists from beginning to end, with tension and suspense all the way through.

Twisted is Steve Cavanagh's first standalone, following his successful Eddie Flynn series. Thirteen, the most recent book is such a brilliant read, so you must check this series out. And the author couldn't resist mentioning Eddie Flynn in Twisted, I noticed!

So, back to Twisted.

The plot is centred around an elusive bestselling crime fiction author who prides himself on the killer twists in his books. No one knows who he is - even the publishers. When Paul Cooper's wife, Maria, discovers his bank account statement, she realises that her husband has been keeping secrets - and now it's time to take what she's owed.

This is certainly lots of fun, with a rising body count and plenty of surprises in store. I can imagine it must have been lots of fun to write too. The characters are all quite insane, even the detectives conducting the investigation into a break-in at Paul and Maria's home.

This rollercoaster ride of a read will thrill crime fiction fans!

Ok, so I'm going to be in the minority here but I felt exhausted after reading this book and not in a good way. There's a lot of description about the three main characters and their marriage problems, the mystery of the crime writer and the mysterious money. I got lost several times and not quite sure about the end either. I do know of many friends who would love a literary puzzle like this one, so I will be recommending it to them. I can see why it was clever and twistly good, but it just wasn't for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 brilliantly twisted stars!

I wasn’t a big fan of the author’s previous hyped book Thirteen however I did like the sound of the premise with this one so gave it a go.

I’m so glad I did! This book is written really well; short punchy chapters, characters you love, twists and turns that keep you guessing, a few shock moments that you never see coming, and a great ending.

For me this really was a book I couldn’t put down, and when I did, I was waiting for the earliest opportunity to pick it up again.

The award winning crime thriller writer, Steve Cavanagh, manages to both gently satirise the genre of psychological thrillers, demand for which has exploded sky high amongst readers and publishers alike in recent years, whilst at the same time paying homage to it by going on to incorporate as many twists as he possibly can. This is a standalone novel with the tongue in cheek and rather apt title 'Twisted', although Cavanagh just cannot resist slipping in a reference to Eddie Flynn, the hot shot lawyer from his ongoing series. JT LeBeau is a thriller writer with a huge following and sales for his books, only n0-one knows who he is, despite numerous attempts to discover who he is by the media, publishers and others. LeBeau's fame and notoriety revolve around his ability to write and plot killer twists that no-one ever sees coming. The novel kick starts with LeBeau's tantalising statement:

'BEFORE YOU READ THIS BOOK
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THREE THINGS:

1. The police are looking to charge me with murder.
2. No one knows who I am. Or how I did it.
3. If you think you've found me. I'm coming for you next.

After you've read this book, you'll know: the truth is far more twisted...'

Paul Cooper, a sales management consultant is married to Maria, and the couple moved to Port Lonely to live. Paul is a man with secrets who has maintained a distance from his wife, which has led to her feeling increasingly lonely and isolated in this tiny wealthy community. Maria has assuaged her inner need for human connection by taking a lover, Daryl, an impoverished country club instructor and waiter. As her feelings for Daryl grow, Maria teeters on the brink of making the momentous decision to either stay with Paul for financial security or to settle for Daryl and poverty. She feels an inner rage when she accidentally finds evidence that Paul has been concealing huge secrets that make her feel she barely knows her husband. She begins to concoct plans to make him pay for his deceit and consolidate her future with Daryl.

When Sheriff Abraham Dole, and his Deputy of very few words, Melissa Bloch, are called in to a break in at the Coopers home, they can feel something is off, particularly when nothing is taken. This turns out to be the beginning of an investigation for them that is to test them to their limits as it spirals in completely unexpected directions, and begins to take in a long ago case that involved the murder of a woman who was never identified in Port Lonely, a case Dole has never forgotten. This is a story of a rising body count in murders, of characters that are nothing as they appear, unreliable memories, and two authors in the process of writing their latest books, one a murderous predator, the other trying merely to survive.

Steve Cavanagh takes us on a emotional thrill ride of a read, with twists popping up left, right and centre, where you are going to need suspend your sense of disbelief time after time, as you enter the dangerous and warped world of JT LeBeau and what happens to anyone who finds out his real identity. A fabulously entertaining and fun read, full of suspense and tension, from an author who obviously enjoyed writing and plotting this compelling thriller. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.