Thirteen, Steve Canavagh’s fourth installment in the Eddie Flynn series, is an edge of your seat legal thriller. The tale is in the same vein as the classic Grisham courtroom dramas but with a darker, grittier edge and the tense, high octane pace of a thriller. Tautly plotted and filled with clever twists, Thirteen starts out with a tremendous hook and does not cease reeling you in until the last pages.

Eddie Flynn is a sympathetic protagonist with a checkered past and a family life in shambles. A con man turned defense lawyer, he has a surprisingly strong sense of justice. When he is brought in on a high profile murder case that seems impossible to win, Eddie finds himself in a race against the unfolding trial to prove his movie star client’s innocence. A dollar bill with unique markings is found stuffed inside the mouth of one of the murder victims, leading Eddie down a dark path toward discovering a brilliant serial killer. A serial killer who knows the fallacy of the American dream; a serial killer who is a phantom even to the FBI; a serial killer staring back at him from the jury box.

The author provides just enough detail about the inner-workings of the courtroom to feel authentic without resorting to an info dump. Cavanagh is a skilled, talented storyteller who weaves a seamless, intricate plot. His expertise in law is evident on the pages, and his insight into the duplicity in law enforcement and the judicial system is noteworthy. The writing style is engaging and straightforward: crisp with sly humor and heart in Eddie’s perspective, disquieting and eery when inhabiting the peculiar, psychopathic mind of the notorious Joshua Kane. The dual perspective makes for a baited-breath read, and the surprising twists are perfectly orchestrated and immensely satisfying.

This is a brilliant read, dark, swiftly-paced, and expertly told. With a highly original plot, a relatable protagonist, and an antagonist who will have you glancing over your shoulder, Thirteen is a winner.

Highly recommended for fans of Grisham-like legal dramas with a darker, grittier thriller edge

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.