Read as part of cbr17 bingo: family. The plot of the book is two sisters on trial for murder, both accused of killing their father, both of them blaming the other.
I think what I liked about the earlier Eddie Flynn books is slowly petering out. A shame.
I liked that the books were about a smooth operator who hustled in the courtroom. I have a thing for watching and/or reading competent hucksters do their thing. There’s just something fun about a person who navigates a murky world with confidence. And that’s what made the early Eddie Flynn books entertaining enough to suspend a large amount of disbelief.
But if Thirteen showed some what of a decline, this one is falling off a cliff. Again, we get multiple POV characters, none of whom are interesting outside of Eddie. Steve Cavanagh is eager and desperate to pull the rug out of us, so much so that when twists come, there’s no way even a novice suspense reader can be surprised. I don’t mind an obvious twist, but I do mind a poorly telegraphed one, especially coming from a seasoned crime writer.
And there’s a not-great mental health angle. I can’t go into it without spoilers but really, you don’t need a deep sense of empathy to see the problems here.
The book redeems itself because Cavanagh can always write a whip smart thriller but I find his desire to expand his universe lacking. Just stick to Eddie Flynn, baby. That’s all I need.