Book Review: Fifty Fifty, the latest Eddie Flynn Novel by Steve Cavanagh

Available here

I just love Eddie Flynn, despite being a relative latecomer to the series. Over the past few months I've caught up on all the Flynn novels and the only thing left to do now is to tell Steve Cavanagh to step away from the Guinness and get behind his writing desk. 

Here's the blurb for Fifty Fifty

Two sisters on trial for murder. They accuse each other.
Who do YOU believe?
'911 what's your emergency?'
'My dad's dead. My sister Sofia killed him. She's still in the house. Please send help.'
'My dad's dead. My sister Alexandra killed him. She's still in the house. Please send help.'
One of them is a liar and a killer.

But which one?

My Thoughts

First up, what a cunning premise for a mystery - I'm so jealous - wish I'd thought that concept up. Well as usual, Flynn is a brilliant character, whose street wise knowledge , sardonic amusement and personal issues make him a dream to read. He's just such a well rounded character. One minute I'mm laughing and the next I want to shout at him regarding his personal life. 

The additional characters that we are introduced to in this book are great. Thoroughly believable, delightfully varied and  perfectly drawn. 

I love the balance between the courtroom scenes and the external drama that goes on. You're never quite sure who to believe and that feeling of being off kilter was deliciously appealing. In terms of deciding which sister is the guilty party, it was like a roller-coaster ride, 

Cavanagh takes us by the short and curlies and dances us round every conceivable permutation of guilt and innocence whilst making us privy to the killer's thoughts and we're never quite sure which sister we're dealing with. 

Excellent plotting, great characterisation, snappy dialogue and fantastic storyline make this a winner.