Title: FIFTY FIFTY – Eddie Flynn #5
Author: Steve Cavanagh
ISBN: 9781409185864
Publisher: Orion Books
Pages: 351
Source: Private Copy
Alexandra Avellino has just found her father’s mutilated body, and needs the police right away. She believes her sister killed him, and that she is still in the house with a knife.
Sofia Avellino has just found her father’s mutilated body and needs the police right away. She believes her sister, Alexandra did it, and that she is still in the house, locked in the bathroom.
Both women are to go on trial at the same time. A joint trial in front of one jury.
But one of these women is lying. One of them is a murderer. Sitting in a jail cell, about to go on trial with her sister for murder, you might think that this is the last place she expected to be.
You’d be wrong.
Official Summary
07 October 2025
As I continue to work through Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series, I am finding each book a little better than the last. Each one leaves me eager to reach for the next one. The good news is that I have bought copies of the next two books, and more reviews will follow soon.
I’ve come to expect nothing less than a twisty, high-stakes legal thriller from Steve Cavanagh, and Fifty Fifty did not disappoint. This book takes sibling rivalry to a whole new, chilling level. From the very first chapter, we’re thrown into a nightmare: two sisters, Alexandra and Sofia Avellino, each claiming the other brutally murdered their father. Both are arrested, both are charged, and both face trial together in front of the same jury. One is innocent, one is a cold-blooded killer—but which is which?
The brilliance of this story lies in its setup. The dual 911 calls immediately set a tone of uncertainty, and from then on, Cavanagh keeps you second-guessing every single detail. Just when I thought I’d worked out who the guilty sister was, a sharp turn in the narrative made me question everything again. It’s one of those books where you’re constantly scanning the pages for hidden clues, desperate to stay a step ahead, but ultimately, you’re right where the author wants you—on edge and uncertain.
Eddie Flynn, as always, is a highlight. He’s such a refreshing legal thriller protagonist: clever, quick-witted, and deeply human. His courtroom strategies are fascinating to follow, but what I love most about him is his determination to fight for the truth, no matter how stacked the odds may be. Eddie’s interactions with his team add layers to the story, preventing it from becoming one-dimensional.
What stood out for me in Fifty Fifty was the psychological element. The manipulation, the lies, and the games being played between the sisters create an atmosphere that feels claustrophobic at times—you’re trapped in their toxic family dynamic, never quite sure who to believe.
This book had me hooked from start to finish. It’s sharp, addictive, and one of those thrillers that makes you want to flip back through the pages after the big reveal just to see how you missed it. For fans of courtroom dramas, unreliable narrators, and jaw-dropping twists, this is a must-read.
Five stars from me—Steve Cavanagh once again proves why Eddie Flynn is one of the best series in the legal thriller genre.
Also by Steve Cavanagh
THE LIAR
A MISSING GIRL. A DESPERATE FATHER.
A CASE WHICH WILL TEAR THEM APART.
WHO IS DEADLIER …
Leonard Howell’s worst nightmare has come his daughter, Caroline, has been kidnapped. He can’t rely on the cops, so Howell calls the only man he trusts to get her back.
THE MAN WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH
Eddie Flynn knows what it’s like to lose a daughter and vows to bring Caroline home safe. Once a con artist, now a hotshot criminal attorney, Flynn is no stranger to the shady New York underworld.
… OR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES A LIE?
However, as he steps back into his old life, Flynn realizes that the rules of the game have changed – and that he is being played. But who is pulling the strings? And is anyone in this twisted case telling the truth…?
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Steve Cavanagh is the bestselling author of the Eddie Flynn novels and standalone thrillers. In 2018, The Liar won the Crime Writers Association Gold Dagger for crime novel of the year. In 2019, Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2019.
All of his novels have either been nominated for awards or have won awards internationally.
He is a former lawyer and was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he still lives.
After reading this one, I cannot wait to reach for the next Eddie Flynn book. Have you read them all? I am eager to catch up. Please do not share any comments. I want to run through this series without being influenced by any opinions. I am even avoiding all social media posts about the Eddie Flynn series. Until next time… Happy Reading!
