Thirteen

A fast paced thriller from the start. Eddie Flynn is a lawyer who works alone. He is hired by a major law firm to handle the case of Bobby Solomon accused of killing his wife and bodyguard. Very slick, this is not a light read. We follow both the killer and Eddie with his team as they try to catch the killer. Good story and this is my first but not last in the Eddie Flynn series.

Steve Cavanagh writes top notch adrenaline fuelled legal thrillers with his charismatic defence lawyer, ex-con Eddie Flynn, set in New York and this is his best one yet. Eddie has been hoping to get back together with his wife, Christine, and his beloved daughter, Amy, which his defence work in the past has placed in grave danger, leading to their separation. He thinks he has it finally worked out as he plans for a safe and secure legal career with Rudy Carp, where he has been co-opted onto the legal defence team for famous celebrity Hollywood actor, Robert Solomon, on trial for the murder of his actress wife, Ariella Bloom, and his security man. Is it already too late to save his marriage? Flynn has attracted the rage of NYPD cops he has publicly revealed as corrupt. Solomon appears a lost cause, the evidence stacked against him is overwhelming, but Eddie can feel he is an innocent man, and will do all that he can to prove it. However, Eddie is to find himself in the most testing case of his career with no idea of what he is up against.

Eddie's close friend, Judge Harry Ford, takes over the trial after the health issues of the previous judge. The colourful Southern PR savvy prosecuter for hire, Art Pryor, has never lost a case, and with the support of his formidable expertise, confidently believes that Solomon will be convicted. Eddie knows that he has been recruited as the fall guy should he fail to prove that the NYPD has tampered with critical evidence, a dollar bill with the DNA of a convicted killer from the past, Richard Pena, and the DNA of Solomon. Eddie hires ex-FBI Harper to be his investigator, and this leads to an FBI agent, Delaney, who believes there is a serial killer whose MO includes leaving behind a specially marked dollar bill on the victim, but has escaped detection because he ensures someone else is always convicted for the murders. Could this provide a viable route to save Solomon by introducing another suspect? However, Delaney is refusing to testify and Eddie has a problem he could not have imagined, the killer is on the jury, ideally placed to ensure that a guilty verdict prevails.

Cavanagh engineers masterly misdirections and twists in this taut and fast paced thriller that had me reading until I finished. The suspense and tension is palpable in this brilliantly plotted story of a highly intelligent manipulative serial killer with the chameleon like ability to become another person, feel no pain, a true sociopath who knows that he really is special and untouchable with the help he receives from someone close to the case. Eddie is a phenomenal lawyer, displaying his courtroom skills with panache as he illustrates that the art of the cross examination and the art of the con are one and the same thing. This is a terrifically entertaining read and Cavanagh can be counted to have you gripped from the moment you start reading. A fantastic legal thriller that I recommend highly! Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

Firstly, an admission. This is book four of the Eddie Flynn series and I haven't read 1-3. I've had this book recommended to me so many times and word on the street is that it's a book that I really need to read so I asked those in the know if it would be OK for me to dive right in and the consensus was that I'd be ok. Well, cut story short, I was.
Eddie Flynn is a lawyer with a bit of a dubious past. He is also estranged from his wife due to previous shenanigans but these don't really play too much of a key part in this book so it isn't necessary to dwell on them much more than the offer of a steady job is more than tempting for him. Thing is though, that offer is part of a deal where he takes second chair in what is believed to be the trial of the century. A slam dunk case against Bobby Solomon, an actor who is accused of killing both his wife and his head of security. Sounds like a good deal? Well, not when the offer is from the defence and his late inclusion smells more of tactics than actually needing him per se. But money and a steady job is tempting and the dead is done when Eddie meets Bobby and sees something in his look that convinces him that there is more to the case than the prosecution thinks there is. Jury selection has already been completed so the trial begins with Eddie on board with the defence team. And that's all I am saying about the plot other than it was brilliant. In fact, I could have completed this review in only a few words - read this book, you won't regret it!
You may think that the blurb says too much but the story is so much more than just who is guilty or innocent. There are the whys and wherefores, we see the means and opportunity but we need a motive. We see the evidence presented and the clever way that it is picked apart. There are so many small things that happen throughout the book that you really need to pay attention to. Little innocuous things that don't seem important at the time but which later on prove to have been key to the whole charade. Obviously, ultimately, we also need a who and that is also very cleverly done and included so much more than I expected.
It's pacy, it's gripping, it grabbed me from page one and didn't let up until the very end. It took my life away from me for the hours I was reading it. Time I was more than happy to give, even if some of it was in the wee small hours when I should have been asleep. In fact, even though I hardly ever re-read books, as soon as I had finished I wanted to go again to see what else I had missed along the way. I can't remember the last time I wanted to do that.
And Eddie himself; oh my! I so need to go back and start from book one now. I loved him as a character in this book and now I feel that I have to go back and get to know him properly. Judging by the quality of this book, I don't see this as being too much of a chore. Hopefully I can squeeze them into my bulging tbr soon.
All in all, this was the perfect book for me. It ticked every box I need to make a good book a great read. I really can't recommend this book enough.

Having binge read Steve Cavanagh’s previous 2 books in a January because I knew Thirteen was coming out and I can’t read a book out of order in the series I can honestly say WOW.

Thirteen is possibly Mr Cavanagh’s best book to date. Featuring my favourite hotshot lawyer/ex-con man Eddie Flynn Thirteen is one hell of a fast paced, edge of your seat legal thriller.

In this book Eddie finds himself defending a Hollywood superstar who is charged with murdering his wife and bodyguard, but what makes this book so brilliant is that there is a serial killer determined to get on the jury.

With alternative narrators Thirteen is sleek, gripping and also pretty gruesome. I absolutely adore Eddie and discovering more about his personal life brings him to life. His ability to see an opportunity or angle that others don’t see and turn a case on it’s head always entertains.

This book also gives us a glimpse into the mind of a ruthless, brutal serial killer and Boy is it dark and disturbing in there.

If I could give this book Thirteen stars I would.

A big 5 stars to this book.

What can I say except, this novel takes the crime/thriller/mystery genre to the next level, mind blowingly good!

Joshua Kane has been killing people for a lot of his adult life but not only that, he's framing others for the crimes he's committing.

It's hard enough to solve a crime when you know exactly what the criminal looks like, so how tough will it be to crack a case when the killer isn't visible and in actual fact, is changing his face to make sure the wrong person is convicted?

Carefully calculated, Thirteen has the perfect impact me as the reader.

I found this a refreshing read. Often a genre can become stale when the same sort of stories are continually rehashed but Steve Cavanagh has created something quite unique here.

You've heard this phrase used often but this book really is a page turner, I quickly devoured the tale, kept on the edge of my seat impatiently waiting to see if the case of the Dollar Bill Man could be cracked.

What makes this even better is that we actually know who's committing all of these crimes so it isn't a 'who done it', more will they pay for what they have done?

Plenty of suspense and enough mystery to keep you interested. Thirteen is a must read!

This is a mesmerising and twisted read.
Whilst lawyer Eddie Flynn is trying to prove that film star Bobby Soloman is not guilty of killing his wife and bodyguard, Joshua Kane is manipulating the jury into a guilty verdict.
I found this thriller full of character and very hard to put down, especially as I neared the end.
It reminded me of the excellent early books of John Grisham

This exciting murder mystery about a serial killer sitting on jury of sensationalised murder trial is one of the best books of the year. The exciting plotting, characters and the way that it all comes together kept me totally immersed from the first sentence onwards.

This is a masterclass on how to write a thrilling crime mystery novel and keep it exciting from the onset. Placing clues within the narrative and not once slowing down the pace until the exciting conclusion that never wanes or suffers from its fast pace.

All the characters are so well defined and formed that you feel that you know these characters and want to read more. The attention to detail is fully formed and imagined and drives the novel forth and the believability of this world is second to none. This is definitely a world class winner and to find one that is so wonderfully realised set it apart from the other contemporaries out there.

The mind of the serial killer is interesting and enthralling and the way the authors brings this out on an intellectual manner really keeps the reader involved. The author fantastic way of crafting the two stories into one, Kane done in the third person whilst Flynn is told in the first person perfectly balances the narrative.

The exciting conclusion kept me on my toes and the thought to detail really impressed me. This is one author I will definitely keep tabs on because it has been awhile since I have been this engrossed in a novel in a long time.

This is an exciting, thought provoking, psychological and deep seated exercise masterclass of how a crime mystery novel should be written and this is definitely on my top list of 2018 that firmly places this at the top. It will take something exceptional to boot this off.

For a thrilling ride that hits all the marks, this is a must read and with summer fastly approaching, should be the exciting summer read to take the world by storm. This is the best of the best and one that I can’t wait to recommend to everyone. Fantastic all the way.

5 big massive stars *****

Wowee..... this is the best legal thriller I have read since The Plea by the same author, just fantastic. Steve Cavanagh has climbed to the top of my list of authors in this genre. I unfortunately did not read book one – The Defense and book 2 – The Liar but I have just downloaded them and am about to start The Defense immediately.

Eddie Flynn is a lawyer who will only defend a client he truly believes in and in Thirteen, Hollywood star Robert Solomon is charged with the brutal murder of his beautiful wife and his bodyguard, and Eddie soon realises that there is a brutal serial killer determined to see Robert found guilty ..... at all costs.

Thirteen is fast paced, gripping and very, very clever with twists galore. A page turner that does not stop. Eddie is such a fantastic character and it’s great getting to know more about the personal side of his life, another favourite is his friend Judge Harry

Although this book can be read as a standalone, I do regret not having read these books from the start only because Steve Cavanagh writes a legal thriller like no one else can.

First of all thank you to Net Galley and Orion Publishing for an advance copy of this book. OMG!!! This novel was absolutely amazing. This is the very first book I have read by Steve Cavanagh and it will certainly not be the last. The story gripped you by the neck from the first page and didn't let go until the last. I couldn't read it quick enough to see what was going to happen next. All I can say is move over John Grisham there is a new kid in town by the name of Steve Cavanagh. Mr Cavanagh take a bow. You literally blew me away with this story. Thank you so much.

I have to start by saying this book has got the most grabbing tag line that I have ever seen on a book.

THE SERIAL KILLER ISN'T ON TRIAL.

HE'S ON THE JURY...

See what I mean? If that doesn't have you grabbing a copy and delving right in then you can not possible be a thriller lover.

As soon as this came up on my radar I knew I had to read it. I've actually only read one book in the Eddie Flynn series and they really do read well as stand alone's. The story itself had me gripped from the very first page.

Kane is one seriously twisted serial killer. He has to be right up there as one of the best. He thrilled, scared and excited me. Everything I have ever really wanted in a serial killer. Obviously only the ones I read about. I certainly wouldn't want to come across one in real life!

I have never been much of a legal thriller fan myself but Steve Cavanagh has well and truly converted me. The court room drama is electrifying and had me on the edge of my seat. Not only does Eddie have his work cut out in court, he also has to watch his back out side of it. With the story flicking between the killer himself and Eddie, it really has the pace of the book picking up speed getting up to full throttle and staying there.

Thirteen is this years must read. An absolute corker of a read that delivered way much more than I ever expected and just kept packing those punches. A truly gripping and addictive read that I didn't want to end.

This slick and edgy complex physiological thriller has many unexpected and skilfully worked plot twists. I finished the book hoping this is the start of a series featuring Eddie Flynn.. Much to my delight I discovered that there are three other books about Eddie Flynn so I have bought them all.

This is a crime book with a very original story. It had me gripped from the start. The pace and tension don't let up all the way through. The violence is never gratuitous or too gory. The characters are believeable if not always pleasant! A real page turner. I will look out for more books by Steve Cavanagh.

I have found my new legal thriller author to go to. This is a fantastic crourt/Police thriller written by an author that knows his stuff.
I love the main characters Flynn, and let alone this was my first and definitely not my last book in the series, it made no different not knowing his history as this book give you little snippets, enough to understand and enough to make you want to start from the beginning. I am now looking forward to binge reading the rest of the books in this series.
I can honestly say I didn’t have a clue where the ending was going, well who could work out how the plot pans out when you have a killer on the jury.
I have to admit I would of read this book even if I didn’t like the sound of the plot, due to the fact I absolutely loved the cover, it made me want to pick it up knowing nothing about the other books.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for a review copy of Thirteen, the fourth legal thriller to feature New York lawyer Eddie Flynn.

Movie star, Bobby Solomon, is about to go on trial for the double murder of his wife and head of security when Eddie is asked to join the defence team in a cynical move to allow the main lawyer, Rudy Carp, to win his case. What the defence don't know is that the real killer, Joshua Kane, is on the jury and intent on getting a guilty verdict whatever the cost.

Wow, what a read. This novel is full of things I don't normally like to read, Eddie's first person narrative, the law courts, early identification of the killer, split narrative between Eddie and Kane and an outlandish plot but I loved it. It is tense, exciting and full of twists, most of which caught me by surprise. I was glued to the pages, desperate to know what was coming next. The plotting is clever with twists and reveals in every chapter, making it fast paced most of the time and almost frantic by the end. I have not read any of the previous novels (see my reservations above) so I have no comparison point but the premise of this novel intrigued me and I can confirm that the novel is even better than the blurb suggests.

As the novel is a thriller most of it is extremely unlikely and it would be easy to pick holes in much of it but if you just work on this assumption from the start and swallow your disbelief the excitement and twists will take you on a great, unputdownable ride.

With the dual narrative the reader gets to compare and contrast the characters of Eddie and Kane, in crude terms good v evil. Both are smart and dedicated to their causes and can pull the miraculous out of a hat but while Eddie is compassionate and human Kane is an unfeeling psychopath. It's a thriller so the characterisation is not nuanced, but who cares? It's developed as far as it needs to be.

Thirteen is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

My first novel featuring Eddie Flynn, the conman turned lawyer. I didn't realise there were other titles featuring this character but this did not matter since the story in the novel did not rely on reading any others.

Certainly a unique twist on courtroom drama having the real killer sitting on the Jury trying a man for one of his crimes. We don't know for sure who the rogue juror is or why he has taken a spot on the jury until towards the end of the story.

An excellent page turner and a wonderfully unique story. Definitely recommended.

Wow! A great read! Fascinating story, a legal drama with a difference. Great characters, ca0tivTed to the very end. Looking forward to more stories from this author.

I had not had the pleasure of meeting Eddie Flynn before but will be searching out the previous titles now. I requested this book because I thought it was my sort of book, and it turned out to be a very wise decision. The plot line is given from the cover and it was a real page-turner. I loved the court detail, too. It was difficult to put down and I can really imagine it being made into a TV series or film. Thank you.

Crime thrillers are my favourite books and I loved the fact that this was seen from the perspective of the accused's lawyer rather than from the police or detectives (although Flynn did have some help from the FBI!) This book hooked me from the first chapter and with so much going on I couldn't wait to keep turning the pages to see how the plot developed. I loved the character of Eddie Flynn and just knew he would get to the bottom of things! Apparently this was book four in the Eddie Flynn series but it didn't matter a jot that I had not read the first three - except that now I do want to go back and read them! An excellent read - would definitely recommend.

This book is fantastic. I didn't realise it was one of a series, but that didn't seem to matter.
The plot is very different from a usual whodunit, and is so fast paced that it is hard to put the book down. The characters are a little stereotypical, ( judge with heart of gold and a whiskey bottle/ showy, headline grabbing prosecutor/ single minded, evil killer) but are realistically drawn with flaws and quirks which keeps things interesting.
I guessed only one little bit of the plot. Everything else came as a shock, virtually on each turn of a page.
Loved it. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

Wow, what a brilliant book this is with ‘runaway train’ pace, an awesome plot and fantastic characters. I was grabbed by the tag line ‘The serial killer isn't on trial. He's on the jury’ in the first instance, but then I was totally hooked on the novel from the very first pages until the last few words. The storytelling is as smart as a whip and highly original. I haven’t read such an engrossing legal courtroom thriller in years.
This is the fourth novel in the Eddie Flynn series and it’s the first novel I have ever read by Steve Cavanagh. I’m so impressed with his writing and will definitely read more novels from his backlist. I really liked hard working Eddie. He was an excellent character, determined to fight for justice and with a very clever head on his shoulders. From his first meeting with the movie star defendant, Steve believed he was innocent and we, the reader, definitely knew he was as well. The author told us Joshua Kane was guilty at the very beginning and this really intrigued me. He was in fact a merciless serial killer hunted by talented detectives; he was driven to complete his mission and as bright as a button. He managed to keep one step ahead with the help of an anonymous well informed partner, but during the latter stages of the trial he sensed that his cloak of invisibility was endangered and he was running out of time. It’s nip and tuck that he will be able to persuade the other jurors to bring in the guilty verdict as well. The tension and suspense is well and truly ramped up but the shocks, surprises and twists and turns keep coming. What a monster of a page turner!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Orion through my membership of NetGalley. These are my own honest and well considered opinions that are uninfluenced by any other reviews or publicity. I absolutely loved this novel and am very grateful to have been given the chance to read and review this book. It’s unmissable.

This is an action-packed courtroom drama with a smart premise and it’s really, really good. The characters are recognisable types without being clichés. The plot is very clever and completely plausible (within the conventions of the genre, of course). The conclusion, when it comes, is satisfying. 13 is the best page-turner I’ve read in a long time and I would strongly recommend it.