Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh

 

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Orion (14 Jun. 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1409170675
• ISBN-13: 978-1409170679
• Product Dimensions: 13.8 x 2.4 x 20 cm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

To your knowledge, is there anything that would preclude you from serving on this jury?’

Murder wasn’t the hard part. It was just the start of the game.

Joshua Kane has been preparing for this moment his whole life. He’s done it before. But this is the big one.

This is the murder trial of the century. And Kane has killed to get the best seat in the house.

But there’s someone on his tail. Someone who suspects that the killer isn’t the man on trial.

Kane knows time is running out – he just needs to get to the conviction without being discovered.

 

Review

I have had Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh on my reading radar since the end of last year, it is one of those books that has a buzz about.  As soon as I read the premise for this book I was really excited so when I heard there was a blog tour I jumped at the chance, and I am glad I did; it was everything I expected and a lot more.

Thirteen is the fourth book in the Eddie Flynn series, but this can be read as a standalone which is how I read it.  There are passing references to the previous books but nothing that has an influence on the plot line or your enjoyment of the book.  I have to say that I have now bought the previous three novels for my Kindle. Eddie Flynn is a lawyer with a background as a con artist.  He always seems to get himself in trouble that, in the reference to the previous novels, has cost him his marriage, and it is through an altercation with the police that he finds himself on the defence team for Hollywood actor Robert Solomon.  Solomon is in trial for the murder of his wife and head of security and the evidence is not in his favour.  Solomon’s main lawyer, Rudy Carp is the polar opposite to Eddie, all white teeth, designer suits, slick and has a client list of the rich and famous, and needs Eddie to look into the police investigation to see if any corners were cut.  But of course, Solomon is not the killer,  Joshua Kane is a serial killer who sets others up for the crime and manages to infiltrate the jury.

The plot line of Thirteen is origional, clever and absolutely brilliant.  The book is narrated by Eddie and Joshua Kane; Eddie in the first person narrative which gives a personal feel to the narrative, and Kane is in the the third person narrative, keeping a distance from the reader.  Eddie’s character has obviously developed over the previous books, but here we find him on the brink of divorce, but trying to help those who deserve it.  He has nearly stopped drinking, and is trying to stay out of cases that are controversial and could cause  trouble.  I found him a very likeable character, his heart is in the right place and will go to any lengths to fight for his client, even putting himself in danger, and he seems to have a few enemies, especially in the police force.  The first person narrative made his voice personal, and as a result the reader is part of his journey and invested in the outcome of this case.  In contrast Joshua Kane’s narrative is a step back, not as personal, the reader is more like a voyeur.  He is a dark character that is like a shadow, lurking in the dark, always watching, we don’t get much detail on his appearance  as he transforms himself into others to others in order to kill.  He is obviously an intelligent man, he has been killing for years and has never been a suspect; others have been found guilty and in one case been given the death penalty for his crimes.  He is an evil, dark killer but I had to have some admiration for his opus operandi, chameleon like in his ability to transform his appearance and being able to commit the perfect crime with none of his DNA, but that of the person who will take the blame for his crime.

Steve Cavanagh’s writing is brilliant, there is a attention to detail in the descriptions of the law, the procedures, and the characters.  There has obviously been a lot of research into forensics and the grisly details of the crimes in this book and the science behind it.  The plot line is original, intelligent and compelling to say the least.  There are so many twists and turns, red herrings and gasp out loud moments that make you want to sit and read this in one sitting.  The tension builds throughout, and my stomach was turning as I got towards the end go the book.  The hook of the premise, the killer on the jury, is exceptionally clever, and Cavanagh is able to keep the hook in and slowly reel you in for the shocking conclusion.

Thirteen did live up to the hype for me, and I think it will one of my favourite books of the year.  It is outstanding in it’s premise and is able to keep you hooked all the way through, the tension and suspense are there throughout keeping you on the edge of your seat until you fall off that seat with the dark and shocking conclusion.  A skilful and mind-blowing thriller that is a must read, I can’t wait to get to know Eddie Flynn better.

 

Thank you for reading my review of Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh, I hope that you liked it and may think about reading it.  I really appreciate all your support and shares, likes and follows.