Book Review: TH1RT3EN by Steve Cavanagh

TH1RT3EN by Steve Cavanagh  *Flatiron Books, Agust 2019)  Hardcover, 336 pages. ISBN # 1250297605 / 9781250297600. Eddie Flynn series #4.  Winner Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel Of The Year 2019  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

The serial killer isn't on trial.

He's on the jury.

It’s the murder trial of the century. And Joshua Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house – and to be sure the wrong man goes down for the crime. Because this time, the killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.

But there’s someone on his tail. Former-conman-turned-criminal-defense-attorney Eddie Flynn doesn’t believe that his movie-star client killed two people. He suspects that the real killer is closer than they think – but who would guess just how close? 

My 5-Star review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     A great read, and recommended. This is the fourth book featuring lawyer Eddie Flynn, but it isn't necessary to read them in order. Thirteen serves as a stand-alone story, and provides just enough background to catch new readers up with the main character without slowing things down. 

     Courtroom drama plus a hunt for a mysterious and elusive serial killer. Alternating first person narrative from lawyer Eddie Flynn and third person point of view for villain Joshua Kane. Once the murder trail begins, Thirteen picks up steam and then flies along like a runaway train in the final chapters. 

     If John Grisham and John Sandford got together to write a novel, I imagine it would read like Thirteen. Steve Cavanagh is a clever and skilled writer. Despite the preposterous nature of the serial killer, he makes readers believe in the possibilities of it all. 

     Eddie Flynn is a great character, a lawyer on a mission and a complex person who has a deep sense of right with priorities that prevent him from being a family man and often puts himself in peril.

     The click-bait line on the cover of this book says it all. I picked this up off a library shelf and had to begin reading right away. What a hook! : "The serial killer isn't on trial - - - he's on the jury."