Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh
This is the 9th outing for Eddie Flynn, ex conman and lawyer and as always he uses his usual methods to move forward his case and to bring the real perpetrators to justice. The story revolves around Elly but is told from several viewpoints. The story opens with Elly, a social media influencer, live streaming to her audience about her plans for her six-month anniversary when she stumbles upon her husband in bed with her best friend.
Her life falls apart and then just when she cannot imagine it getting any worse, she stops to help a stranger with a suitcase and her world implodes and she is arrested for double murder. Alongside this story is that of Eddie’s wife and new husband being threatened by a vicious thug and this involves a threat to Amy, Eddie’s daughter.
A new novel by Steve Cavanagh is always some thing to celebrate and this is no exception. The plot moves along at a terrific pace, you need to buckle in for the roller coaster ride. I finished the novel in a matter of hours as I could not wait to find out how it concluded. Although the story is dark there is the usual moments of levity sprinkled through just so that you can catch your breath. The final twist is very well planned and I had not anticipated it. I'd give it 4.5 stars if possible.
I will certainly be recommending this book to my various reading groups and can’t wait for the next outing for this amazing lawyer/con-man. Many thanks go to the author, Headline, the publishers and to Net Galley for the opportunity to read the book in return for an honest review.

this was the perfect tense and edge of your seat got to read on thriller. you are right there in the page and full absorbed. you are hooked from the get go and this book had me sitting until my bum was far to numb!
Elly is a social media darling. shes great. shes loved. well that is until one event makes it come crashing down. oh and it will be done with everyone watching. shes known for her random acts of kinds sch-peel. its her brand. but someone isn't going to be so kind to her. infact the cruelness will be her downfall. when one RAOC goes terribly wrong Elly is plunged into a nightmare. and this is where Eddie has to step in to unpick and rescue this situation pronto.
Eddie is back and arent we all joyous. his and his team add such winking wit and humour to this novel but never overplayed or cringe. its just great feeling like your back with the gang, one you want to be part of so feel lucky to be part of in these books.
but they are up against a clever and cruel opponent this time. one made for these games and made for the darkness they bring. i loved getting to see their pov.
i cannot give enough praise for Steve and his writing. he gives me books i love every single time and a group i want to keep coming back to. this also adds more depth and play in the game too as you truly care for who and what you are reading. brilliant book by a brilliant author.

This is the first Eddie Flynn book I’ve read and I will definitely be going back to start book one of the series, I really enjoyed Two kinds of stranger. Some parts of it were a little far fetched so that’s why I didn’t give it 5/5 but I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it, I especially enjoyed the twist at the end, well played.

I’m not a big fan of social media so found the Elly story line around her random acts of kindness interesting. There were a lot of likeable characters and a couple not so nice, it is a really good novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced ready copy.

The Eddie Flynn series never disappoints and this is a very good crime thriller and courtroom drama. it's character based and this time Eddie is dealing with two court cases, one a bit closer to home than he would like. The story is told from different points of view, which worked really well and it flowed nicely. I liked Elly but Logan just really annoyed me so much! The pacing was steady, if a little slow at times but it is still a very good read which I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This is easily one of my favourite Eddie Flynn books yet—and that’s saying something! What sets Two Kinds of Stranger apart is the way it blends courtroom tension with psychological suspense and a razor-sharp critique of internet fame. I loved how Cavanagh takes a seemingly perfect life and unravels it into a nightmare you can’t look away from.

Ellie Parker is a standout characters, flawed, relatable, and impossible not to root for, and the twists had me questioning everyone right until the end. Fast-paced, clever, and genuinely unsettling in the best way, this is Steve Cavanagh at his absolute best.

If you love legal thrillers with a dark, modern edge, this one’s a must-read.

I was lucky enough to read Two Kinds of Stranger ahead of its release, and once again, Steve Cavanagh proves he's at the very top of the thriller game. He swings and never misses—this one is no exception. Sharp, tense, and brilliantly paced, the story had me hooked from the start. But it was that final chapter that truly floored me—I was fighting for my life! A twist so unexpected, even a seasoned thriller fan like me didn’t see it coming. Cavanagh delivers another masterclass in courtroom suspense. Four stars!

Ellie lives her life through social media and when it all comes crashing down it does it spectacularly and is seen by all.
Ellie always sees the best in people and always helps someone in need. But you should never trust a stranger and Ellie learns the hard way.
She enlists Eddie Flynn, a conman turned trial lawyer but soon its both of them in danger.

another solid thriller that kept me hooked until the end, the surprises and court room drama was written well

Another winner from Mr Cavanagh. A must read for all his fans. If you are looking for a good psychological thriller then you can’t miss this book.

My second read by Steve after I was given the opportunity to read another through net galley. When the characters were introduced I thought, they sound familiar and then I realised I’ve read his books before.

This one did not disappoint. I enjoy the views from different characters, the twists and turns, the crime and legal jargon, it’s 100% up my street.

Very well written and thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as the other one I had the pleasure of reviewing.

I can’t wait to read more!

Crime fiction at its best.

Really could not put this novel down it has you on the edge of your seat right to the bitter end.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

Well, that was a breath of fresh air.
After feeling slightly let down by Witness 8, I’ll admit I went into this one with fairly low expectations. Maybe that helped — or maybe Two Kinds of Stranger is just an absolute belter of a book. Either way, I was completely gripped from the very first chapter. This was one of those rare reads where I kept telling myself I’d just read for five minutes, only to realise an hour had flown by. I couldn’t put it down.
The story takes off at pace and never really lets up. It’s tight, intense, and packed with smart twists that never felt gimmicky or far-fetched. I pride myself on spotting where a plot’s going, but this one had me stumped more than once — in a good way! Just when I thought I had the shape of it, Cavanagh would throw in another turn, and I was back to square one. For the first time in a while, I genuinely wasn’t sure how Eddie was going to pull it off. It felt like the odds were stacked so high, and there was a real sense that maybe, just maybe, this time he might not win.
What really stood out for me, though, was the emotional weight behind the story, especially Elly’s part. I felt so much for her. She was just trying to do something decent, to show some kindness in a world that had already chewed her up, and the way things spiralled from there was heartbreaking. There was a quiet desperation in her story that felt very human, and it added a lot of depth to what could’ve been just another high-stakes legal thriller.
And of course, Eddie Flynn was on top form. Still sharp-tongued, still scrappy, but there’s something more grounded about him this time around. He’s grown, and it shows. The courtroom scenes were brilliant — fast, fiery, and full of tension — but it was the moments outside the legal drama that made the biggest impact.
In short, this was exactly what I wanted from a Steve Cavanagh novel. Smart, pacey, unpredictable, and full of heart. If, like me, you found Witness 8 a bit underwhelming, don’t let that put you off. Two Kinds of Stranger is a proper return to form. Absolutely loved it, and now I’m counting down the days until the next one.

A really enjoyable crime, suspense and legal drama parcelled into a single package.

This is the 9th book in the Eddie Flynn series, but I've only read a few and found it easy to jump in (nb. I am now going to look for the ones I've missed though!).

It begins when influencer Ellie Parker helps a stranger on the subway, escapes murder, only to wake up to find herself accused of killing her husband and her close friend. The only people who believe her story are her lawyer, Eddie Flynn, and his team. They'll do whatever it takes to find the truth, even while Eddie's family comes under threat.

I must admit, I was a bit dubious when I saw the main case character was an influencer. I've read too many books about them lately. I think it's an easy go-to career for thriller writers. But I always enjoy reading about investigations and legal cases, so once Ellie is in Flynn's capable hands (and especially once there are two cases on the go), it's a simple matter to get pulled into the plot. The core cast are likeable and good at their jobs, and there are enough surprises lying in wait to keep you turning the pages.

4.5 rounded up.

Eddie Flynn is one of my favourite characters of ALL time. I’m not sure how Steve keeps bringing him to life with all these differing crime scenarios and trials, but he is doing it fantastically. It’s another fast paced, race to the finish line, read and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

Another brilliant instalment of the Eddie Flynn’s series - they just never disappoint! I loved the two different cases going on and all the twists within the story. As always it was so nice to check in on the characters we’ve come to love! And the ending of this one, oh my goodness!

A really solid thriller with a healthy dose of twists. I enjoyed this one and found it very addictive! Recommend to anyone who is looking for a fast paced read that keeps you on your toes!

Steve Cavanagh is the master of legal thrillers and the newest Eddie Flynn book is another banger in a much beloved series.

In this latest instalment we follow Elly, a TikTok influencer whose schtick is random acts of kindness.

When she finds her husband and best friend hooking up her entire world falls apart. But it’s only the beginning of her troubles…

Elly is framed for the murder of her ex husband and friend, Eddie immediately takes the case in the hope of exonerating her.

Little does he know, he is dealing with a very calculated and meticulous killer who will stop at nothing to see Elly behind bars, even if it means taking Eddie down too.

Highly addictive page turner, excellent plotting and full of Cavanaghs’s signature twists, Two Kinds of Stranger will keep you hooked until the very end.

Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Another fast paced, twist filled thriller from the Eddie Flynn series.
In Two Kinds of Stranger, we follow Ellie Parker, a popular social media influencer known for her acts of kindness. But when her life falls apart after a betrayal, she becomes the target of a terrifying setup, and ends up accused of murder. That’s when Eddie Flynn steps in to defend her.
The story had me hooked from the start. I loved the courtroom drama, the clever twists, and especially the final reveal, it was brilliant! Eddie is as sharp and likable as ever, and I enjoyed seeing his team work together under pressure. There’s also an emotional angle with Eddie’s family being pulled into the danger, which added depth to the story.
This book is suspenseful, clever, and full of surprises. If you love legal thrillers that keep you guessing, this one is a great read!
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Brilliant! Another highly entertaining courtroom drama with Eddie Flynn and the team!
When social influencer, Elly, ends up in hospital after her daily ‘do one good thing a day’ goes horribly wrong, the last thing she expects to be accused of is the murder of her husband and best friend. Alongside this case, Eddie Flynn also has the evolving situation of his ex wife and her new partner also being accused of murder. Two court cases to fight - both as challenging as each other and it’s all up to Eddie and the team to save the day!
An excellent storyline which draws you in completely and keeps you hooked right to the very last page.

I absolutely loved this book. The Flynn series has always been strong and well written however for me this book was the best so far. Two cases, one very personal for Eddie becomes interwoven. I loved all the characters, the character of Logan is well written and kept me totally engaged and entertained. 5+ star from me.