This is book 5 in the series and so usual series rules apply. Eddie is a wonderful character and so deserves to be met and got to know properly starting from his introduction in the series opener. So... One dead father. Two sisters who each called the emergency services stressing that the other killed him, both fearing for their lives from each other. She-said-she-said. Eddie Flynn gets a tip off to come to the police station to defend one of the women. He believes her side of things, thinks she is being set up. His gut is usually right but... it's a tough one. Compounded when the prosecutor and judge both agree on a joint trial. But who is lying, who really killed their father? Who is setting up who? And, more importantly, will the truth come out in time?
We start with the parties anticipating the verdict, obviously we don't get the actual verdict, that'd spoil things! Instead, we learn that the jury has taken less than an hour to come to a decision. We then flash back in time and see what happened to get to that point play out. We "hear" the two 911 calls, one from each sister. We learn that the father was stabbed multiple (understatement) times in a heinous attack. Further evidence and clues start to come out about the sisters and their relationship to both their father and each other. And we hear from the perpetrator throughout, although those parts did irk me a tad as they appeared just to muddy the waters more rather than adding any clarity to the proceedings. But sobeit.
Eddie also has a worthy new courtroom adversary to contend with in this book. Spoilers prevent me saying more for reasons that will become obvious as you start the book. Needless to say that there is the requisite too-ing and fro-ing along the way to get to the quickly formed verdict.
Although not the strongest book in this wonderful series, it's definitely also worthy of a five star rating from me. Just didn't quite hit the heady heights of perfect satisfaction the other books gave me. Plotting was good and tight and well executed but maybe lacked a little special something that was present in the previous books. Can't quite put my finger on what, sorry. But, aside from that, it contained everything else necessary for this genre book. Eddie was his usual self, and we got to know him a little better when something awful happens, no spoilers sorry, but it gave him another dimension to his character in how he dealt with it. We also get introduced to another couple of characters who hopefully will appear in future books, something I am very much looking forward to.
All in all, a worthy addition to an already impressive series. Roll on book six... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This has got to be one of the most intense thrillers I have ever read! I kept having to put it down because I couldn’t stand the tension! But then I wanted to know more and had to pick it up again!

I became a fan of Eddie Flynn, the main character, when I buddy read Thirteen last year. What a fantastic book that was, and what a twist that came out of nowhere!

Fifty-Fifty is another dramatic legal thriller told from three points of view, Eddie Flynn, Kate Brooks, another lawyer, and a mysterious character called She. As I mentioned above it was very tense, especially those chapters narrated by She. It still gives me the creeps just thinking about those chapters!

Eddie was on fine form, making some great quips made throughout the book. He’s such a great character! Harry his judge friend was there too, along with a new furry friend, and of course Harper, the ex-FBI investigator.

The sisters Sofia and Alexandra, well they were nasty, complex characters who hated each other, and were quite happy to see the other convicted for murder! I have three sisters and a brother and I really can’t imagine hating any of them that much!

I was expecting a twisty plot and a few surprises along the way, just like Eddie was and it certainly happened. One particular twist left me feeling incredulous, even hoping that what I read hadn’t actually happened!

Did I guess when the big reveal came or did I get it wrong? Well yes and no! I’m not saying any more, but if you’ve read it, you'll know what I’m talking about! ;-D

I’ll definitely be reading more Eddie Flynn books and have The Plea waiting on my Kindle app.

I highly recommend this if you enjoy intense courtroom thrillers!

Billed as the explosive follow up to Thirteen, the last book from Steve Cavanagh featuring grifter turned lawyer Eddie Flynn, I can guarantee that Fifty Fifty will keep you as gripped as any of the previous outings. Flynn is once again caught up in a tricky legal case where every decision on guilt or innocence could have dire consequences for the woman he seeks to defend, his advisory team, and for Flynn himself…

Obviously it would be extremely unwise of me to dwell too much on the plot itself, as I could cram this review with so many individual spoilers, it would make your head spin. Such is the convoluted trickery of Cavanagh’s writing, albeit with a seemingly innocuous premise of two sisters blaming each other for the murder of their father, that the essential enjoyment of any of his books relies on his expertise of the smoke and mirror effect. With our comprehension of each sisters guilt or innocence so completely manipulated throughout, and skewing our perception of them at every turn, Cavanagh once again demonstrates why he is one the sneakiest and tricksy crime writers on the scene today, keeping his reader in a state of suspense and questioning, that he so brilliantly mirrors in the main character of Flynn himself, that this is, by definition, a real page turner of the highest calibre. Admittedly, I did give myself a wee bit of a pat on the back this time by sussing out who did what to who with what and why, and I liked that little creeping sense of satisfaction that it gave me as a reader…

Eddie Flynn, and by extension his team of renegades (ex-judge Harry Ford is a particular favourite of mine), totally hold this series together, and Flynn’s sharp wit and heavily disguised legal acumen lie at the heart of the the enjoyment of these books. He is an entirely likeable protagonist who easily gets the reader on board with his delightful mix of street smarts and, at times, emotional sensitivity. The latter is particularly relevant in this case as something entirely unexpected happens that rocks both Flynn and us to the core, and gives us an insight into another aspect of his character, usually buried beneath the whip-smart attitude and his natural propensity to play with fire, and really getting under peoples’ skins. His normal slightly carefree demeanour is undermined and knocked soundly in this one, and I liked the direction this took his character in, despite the sense of loss regular readers of this series will experience as events play out. In fact, developing and moving characters on is a noticeable feature of this book, introducing another strong female character, Kate Brooks, a lawyer who seeks to challenge the chauvinistic and belittling attitude of the multi million dollar legal firm she is employed by, and which consequently takes her character on a very interesting journey…

With its cleverly executed plot, excellent characterisation, and thrills and spills, Steve Cavanagh, once again demonstrates his ability to raise the legal thriller to another level, with no diminishing of the nuts and bolts of criminal procedure, but keeping the relentless pace and energy at the forefront for the readers’ enjoyment. Fifty Fifty is a perfectly formed thriller, Eddie Flynn rocks and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Recommended.

Absolutley superb. Gripping. Thrilling. Well done Steve.

Having read all the previous eddie flynn bookes I couldn't wait to read this one and I was not disappointed!

I am fairly new to Steve Cavanagh's books although I have his 'Thirteen' on my shelf to read. I read the synopsis of this new book and had to read it straight away. The idea of two sisters who both live in the same house as their father and who both report his murder within minutes of each other with each one citing the other as the murderer was intriguing. The intrigue didn't end there. The whole book was thoroughly gripping and trying to determine which sister was the culprit made for a wonderful hair raising read. The story had more twists and turns than a helter skelter and I could not make up my mind on the verdict. I'm glad it wasn't me sitting on that jury! I just adore a courtroom drama and loved that part most of all. Hearing the testimonies, noting the behaviours and body language of the women was edge of the seat stuff. I was delighted to learn that Steve Cavanagh has other books (apart from Thirteen which I am now about to begin reading at long last) featuring Eddie Flynn. I know I am in for some amazing reads. Wonderful writing and storyline. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a pre-release copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Oh gosh, how do I even begin to tell you about this book? I was so excited to be given an advance copy of it, and I hope I can do it justice. Thank you so much to Orion for the book.

It’s got absolutely everything that you’d want in a crime/courtroom drama novel. Eddie is a complex and deep character. I couldn’t help but like him. Kate, the other lawyer, is only starting out in her career, but she shows such strength and growth over the course of the trial.

The story is complex and twisty, gruesome and shocking, with a fast pace that is totally addictive.

There are little hints dropped in here and there, as we get the killer’s perspective on things, and these make you sure it’s one sister one moment, then the other one the next. It absolutely kept me guessing until the end.

Cancel everything to read this book. You will not want to put it down. Superb stuff. One of my top books of the year so far.

Brilliant. I didn’t want this book to finish. I loved the twists and the turns and the characters. Steve Cavanagh really knows how to write a book to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Just wanted to get in touch as just finished Fifty Fifty as was not disappointed.
Here is my review before release on 3rd September.

Mr Cavanagh is the master of criminal legal law and his new book Fifty Fifty does not disappoint.

Two sisters call 911 at the same time saying that their father a former Mayor of New York has been brutally murdered by the other sister and need urgent help.

One is lying. One is telling the truth but which one is it?

Sofia has had a troubled upbringing as well as her sister Alexandra but Sofia has really struggled with her mothers death as a child and is still suffering from mental health issues and self harm.

Whist her sister Alexandra has it all, own business, society pages and money.

Eddie Flynn a con artist by trade now a defence lawyer knows if someone is lying or try to con him so when Sofia agrees for him to become her attorney he believes that she is innocent.

Whilst Alexandra has one of the most powerful attorneys in New York Theo Lexy.

Fifty- Fifty by Steve Cavanagh is the latest in the Eddie Flynn series, and for those fans who were worried that Thirteen would be a hard act to follow. I am pleased to say that Mr Cavanagh has more than lived up to his high standards.. Once again readers are in for a twisting, turning thrill ride where they will guess and second guess the truth with each twist of the tale.
It was a killing that rocked New York city, the former mayor brutally slain in his own home, and each of his daughters accusing the other of being behind the deed. Conflicting forensic evidence has implicated both of them, and in the trial of the year , the prosecutors are set to try them jointly in hopes of sending one, if not both of them to prison. Eddie is representing Sofia , and is convinced of her innocence, at least at first. The other sister, Alexandra is being represented by a rookie young lawyer with a lot to prove, and she is just as convinced of her client's innocence, but as both team's legal investigators dig deeper, some alarming facts come to light, and guilt or innocence might not be as easy to determine as Eddie once thought. Is he about to bring his worst nightmare to life and help a guilt client go free? Even worse, will he help her to send her innocent sister to prison? Or is he the only thing standing between her and a wrongful conviction?
This book really plays with you as a reader, and is cleverly crafted to give you an insight into the killer's thoughts and motivations without ever revealing which of the sisters she is. Naturally there are plenty of red herrings thrown into the mix, some a little more fishy smelling than others, and lots of tense moments followed by a shift in perspective perfectly designed to keep you hooked and making it very hard to put the book down. Without spoiling the ending of the book I can say not only was it satisfying, but it also teased some intriguing ideas of where this successful series will go next.
I read a review copy courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

# Fifty Fifty # Netgalley
Oh this is a absolutely amazing knock out book. Right from the first page. Lasers are limiting up to represent the twins. The biggest and best law firms around are baying at this county jail to get 5 minutes to speak to each girl. To try to sell themselves to represent the 2 girls. With the farther having been killed and each one blaming the other. Ones pretty hard faced but not stupid enough to take on any random laser. While the other is very soft and want of a better word not a street wise as her sister. Alexander is a lot more we’ll known than Sophie.. it’s extremely well written, cleverly crafted just a brilliant page turner. Eddie is the laser for Sophie and just knows she 100% innocent. It’s his biggest case so far. But his he right or as he made a massive mistake. I often say if people lol back at most of my reviews, I feel I am actually in the books and watching them unfold.. if any authors gets you to the stage your in the book then for me it’s a absolutely a masterpiece. We’re you are so lost into the the book. This one is so atmospheric you feel as if your in the courtroom as a spectator. Listening to both sides of the argument, the motive for each having committed the crime. It’s like both lawyers are playing cat and mouse, also certain people have made their minds up to who’s guilty such a clever piece of writing fro Steve Cavanagh. It was only as I was reading this book that I actually found out it’s a series of books with Eddie Flynn. After I had found out I can definitely say it’s a really good stand alone novel. However I am now having to go back and find the first one. Read them in order. It’s not the first time I have had to do this. I was asked once by my good friend why I couldn’t continue the series from when I found it to be a series almost at the end of the book Simeon just made a passing remark and asked if I was enjoying the series. I was honest and said I was not away I was reading a book from a series. So I guess when I have caught up with a few from Netgalley I will be going back to book one.. it’s strange really because I have read a Steve Cavanagh book who I am not sure when I do remember the title. Thirteen. I did notice a few familiar names. Anyhow it’s just a amazing piece of writing from Cavanagh awsome
Master piece. A must must must read. Hopefully before the next ones due out I might have caught up a bit nearer at least.

WOW! I just want to say this is my book of 2020! I was completely engrossed from start to finish, this is extremely well written, cleverly crafted, an absolute page turner you don’t want to miss out on. Eddie is back and could this just be the biggest case yet? Frank Avellino is brutally murdered, one of his daughters has done it! They’re both at the scence, evidence is pointing to both of them, but only one has committed this heinous crime...Could it be Alexandra? Or could it be Sophia? It’s Fifty Fifty...Sophia’s Lawyer Eddie is 100% his client Sophia is innocent as is Alexandra’s lawyer Kate. One of the sisters will go completely out of their way to make sure they’re not convicted, they will go as far as to take out anyone who can prove SHE did it! I was completely gripped by this book, it was as if I was sat in the court room. This series is fast becoming one of my favourite, although this book is part of a series it reads completely well as a stand-alone! If you would like to start from the beginning book 1 is called The Defence. If you read just one book this year please don’t let this one pass you by!

Steve Cavanagh is fast becoming one of my favourite authors! Having previously ripped through Thirteen and Twisted (which I thought was absolutely genius) I just had to request this as soon as I saw it however I did not realize it was part of a series. I would have preferred to read the series in order but that did not spoil my enjoyment of this book. Steve’s writing draws you in from the very first chapter and takes you on a wild and unpredictable ride all the way through to the thrilling conclusion. The premise of this book was great, one victim and his two daughters on trial accused of his murder with each blaming the other. In true Steve Cavanagh fashion the body count piles up as the story progresses and at this stage I expect nothing less from this author, lol! I spent the whole book making notes of little clues and going back and rereading passages to see if the clues fit but Steve’s plotting is so impeccable that you are always left guessing right until the big reveal and as there are only 2 suspects the plot is incredibly tight. I thoroughly enjoyed the character of Eddie Flynn and will definitely be adding the rest of the books in this series to my wishlist! Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review and honestly... this is bloody great!!

Fifty-Fifty is the fifth book in the Eddie Flynn series. I hadn’t read any of the previous books but felt this one could be read as a stand-alone as previous information is peppered throughout the chapters. What can I say about this book except that I absolutely loved it. Gritty, tense and a total page turner I found impossible to put down. It will keep you guessing throughout. Thank you to NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author for the chance to review.

I am a fan of the Eddie Flynn series, theres always a beautifully twisted plot, a great mix of legal drama and action and a fast talking ironically humorous main protagonist

Fifty Fifty was another great example of a fun, engaging and often unexpected read and does what it says on the tin. You have a fifty fifty chance of being correct on the killer and Steve Cavanagh takes you on a totally addictive journey to that answer.

Overall another great read. The creative plotting alone is enough for me to recommend the lot of them.

Well after picking my jaw up from the floor after finishing this amazing book I have decided that I’m just a little bit in love with Steve Cavanagh as he writes books that are so wickedly twisted and clever I’m in awe of just how good a writer he is.
I tried hard to pay attention to every detail however minor in this book trying to work out who was guilty and changing my mind many times but I still didn’t get it right and that’s the mark of an excellent author.
So we have two sisters both on trial at the same time for the murder of their father and as I have said this is a book chock full of twists, the clues are there but hell this is a read that twists you up and spits you out so many times and I still was shocked by the conclusion. It’s exciting, clever and a read that will keep you guessing throughout and I am gutted to have finished it it was a book that I just loved.
Don’t miss this one or in fact all the previous books they are reads that never disappoint, so with a satisfying sigh of enjoyment I can highly recommend this as a truly fabulous read, many many thanks Steve Cavanagh it was one heck of a ride!!
My thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was eager to read this as I’d read some other books by Steve Cavanagh.

I thought the premise of the book sounded interesting and I wasn’t disappointed. I enjoyed getting the different characters viewpoints and was kept guessing the whole way through as to who the guilty party was.

There were a few shock moments and some twists and turns which kept me guessing until the end.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to fans if Steve Cavanagh and to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

A father is killed and there are only two suspects. His two daughters. But which one was it? Eddie Flynn is defending one of them but is she the innocent on?
I found the sisters interesting but not really likeable. Twists and turns before finding the answers

Best thriller I have read this year. Absolutely astounding. It has everything you need in a book; a fabulous array of characters, an intricately woven plot that has you guessing and changing your mind constantly throughout, and fast paced, snappy, well written paragraphs that leave you wanting more.
Well done Steve. You have knocked it out the ballpark again with another belter. I can’t wait for more Eddie, and now Kate, a new addition to the series.

'911 what's your emergency?' 'My dad's dead. My sister Sofia killed him. She's still in the house. Please send help.'

Another 911 call comes in moments later: 'My dad's dead. My sister Alexandra killed him. She's still in the house. Please send help.'

One of them is a liar and a killer. But which one is it ?

The two sisters. Sofia and Alexandra Avellino are put on trial for murder as the evidence points to it being either one of them plus they are accusing each other of the crime, but who do you believe and which lawyer backed the innocent girl?

This is a court based book with Eddie Flynn as one of the defendants lawyers and Kate Brooks as a newly qualified lawyer taking on her first case, and it's a big one. Both worked well together on opposing sides, seeing the story from each of their points of view, plus 'SHE' as she tidies up loose ends to ensure her sister is sent to prison and not her.

My only criticism of this book is that the prologue from Eddies point of view is then repeated towards then end of the book, word for word. It would have been better to have seen this part from Kate's point of view as the jury return with their verdict.

Otherwise this is a great read, had me guessing until then end and I was wrong with which one did it!

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a honest review.

I came very late to the Eddie Flynn series and for that I am full of regret. The good news is that I have the opportunity to go back and catch up on those first books that I have missed. The even better new is that the series continues to thrill and it looks like we can expect much of the same in the future. Good news indeed!

Fifty FIfty is the story of sisters - Sofia and Alexandra. Both stand accused of their father's murder. Each blames the other. Their's is the kind of sibling rivalry and toxic relationship that makes me re-examine the relationship with my own siblings and realise that, as dysfunctional as we are, we are not that dysfunctional. The more we read, the more we learn about the very testing circumstances under which the two women were raised, but also the extent that one of the them will go to in order to ensure that her sister is convicted of murder, a murder that she knows the other woman did not commit. But just who is the guilty party and what price will Eddie Flynn find himself paying this time around? Can his legendary instinct serve him well this time around or will he be backing entirely the wrong horse? Well ... you need to read to find out. That's how these things work.

The story really follows three different threads. First up we have Eddie and his client, Sofia. Told from Eddie's point of view, watching him and his investigator, Harper, as they work together to prove Sofia's innocence whilst skirting around their obvious attraction for one another is always fun. This time around Eddie finds himself with a new assistant - newly returned former Judge Harry Ford and his new sidekick, Clarence. They make a formidable team and even though the odds aren't in their favour you really wouldn't bet against them. Our next point of view is that of new kid on the block, Defence Attorney Kate Brooks. I must admit some of her early scenes made me so angry and want to damage my kindle, but not because of Kate. She's actually really nice and you'll be rooting for her straight off. Naive perhaps, but a good gal and it is great seeing her grow throughout the course of the novel. She is not quite the match to Eddie, yet, but she definitely has the potential as well as the determination and absolute confidence in her client, Alexandra's, innocence. Only one problem - Eddie and Kate can't both be right. Can they?

The third, and final, point of view is that of our killer, named simply as She. She is quite the piece of work and I like the way in which Steve Cavanagh uses her perspective to paint a far more detailed picture of the family life of the two accused, as well as highlighting certain ticks and traits in the killers pesona that might, just might, give away vital clues as to their identity. It's fair to say that they are a completely mercenary character, absolutely no remorse shown for their actions, although their ultimate motivation for murder may surprise you.

I have to be honest here - despite the cleverly hidden clues and the misdirection that the author uses liberally throughout the book, I did make my mind up as to who the killer was quite early on, and I was, in the end, proven right. But that is the beauty of this book - it constantly encourages you to try and work out who the guilty party really is, whilst also working hard to make you second guess your own logic. Is it as obvious as it seems or an elaborate double bluff. Or is the double bluff a double bluff too? The back and forth between the two suspects, the challenge against the seemingly overwhelming evidence. Watching first Kate and then Eddie try to make mincemeat of the prosecution's expert witnesses is a thing of beauty, thoroughly entertaining and at times the book is worth reading for that alone. Cast iron evidence? There's no such thing.

One thing is for sure, Steve Cavanagh will shock fans of the series with the direction he decides to take this story. Whilst the murder is beyond brutal, it is largely kept off the page, and yet the impact of what you read will be long lasting. This is one dance with death not one of the characters will forget in a hurry.

Thank the lord for Clarence Darrow. A much needed moment of light in the darkness. Definitely recommended.