A popular actor is on trial for the murder of his actress wife and their head of security, and the media is drooling at the thought of all the juicy stories they'll be cranking out in the weeks to come.
There's one person who is determined to make sure Robert Solomon is sent to Death Row, and he wants a front-row seat while it happens. In fact, there's nothing that Joshua Kane won't do to ensure his wishes come true. You see... Joshua Kane is the real killer, and he's managed to find his way onto the jury of Solomon's trial.
There's only one small glimmer of hope for Bobby Solomon and that's his lawyer, former conman Eddie Flynn. For one thing, Eddie believes his client is innocent. For another, he thinks the real killer is closer than everyone thinks. What he doesn't realize is just how right he is.
When I was alerted to an upcoming appearance by Steve Cavanagh at my favorite independent bookstore, I was a bit puzzled by why the messenger was making a "big deal" in telling everyone. So I looked up Thirteen and was instantly blown away by the premise of the book. I remember the heady days of Thomas Harris and Red Dragon when the serial killer in that book had the power to change how I performed a routine task. Since those days, serial killers have become a bit of a snooze, very predictable, and something that's seldom added to my reading. With the synopsis of one book, Steve Cavanagh changed all that. I'd never heard of a serial killer smart enough and bold enough to force his way onto a jury just to further his plans.
The pace of Thirteen is fast and furious and never lets go. Alternating chapters let readers know what's in the minds of lawyer Eddie Flynn and serial killer Joshua Kane. This is the fourth Eddie Flynn mystery, but I immediately felt at home. No awkward "Who's he?" or "What's he talking about?" moments. Eddie has a Harry Bosch mentality-- everybody counts or nobody counts-- that made me immediately warm to him. He's also the type of lawyer who will not defend a person whom he believes is guilty. He's not in it for the big bucks. That former conman background means that he looks at things differently from most people, and that's certainly going to help him with Joshua Kane.
Joshua Kane is probably the most intelligent, twisted, and dedicated serial killer I've ever run across in crime fiction. Reading of the duel between Kane and Eddie Flynn was sheer pleasure. Something tells me I'm going to be backtracking and reading the earlier exploits of this conman-turned-lawyer. Thirteen is quite a ride, and I want more!
Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
eISBN: 9781250297617
Flatiron Books © 2019
eBook, 336 pages
Legal Thriller, #4 Eddie Flynn mystery
Rating: A+
Source: Net Galley
Hmm....I usually don't go for the serial killer motif, either, Cathy. As you say, that premise has gotten really predictable and sometimes, lots more gory and brutal than I like. But this one sounds quite clever and well-plotted. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYou brought up something that I meant to mention in my review: the gore factor in too many serial killer books. There are some authors who seem to feel that throwing buckets of gore in a serial killer book breathes new life into the genre. Not so!
DeleteI don't usually go for serial killer books. But I love legal thrillers and I've seen raves for this book for months. So it's on my library reserve list and almost available.
ReplyDeleteSo turn off the phone, computer, get snacks turn on the a/c and read when I get this book.
I hope I don't have to keep the lights on and read it in daylight, don't want it to be too scary.
I didn't find it very scary, but I think your scare threshold differs from mine. It will be interesting to see what you think of the book!
DeleteIjust knew this would make your best book list and it did.
ReplyDeleteYou're getting to know me too well, Kathy! ;-)
DeleteI read it and couldn't put it down and liked Eddie Flynn. I could have lived with a lower body count, but it wasn't too gory. Every time I turned a page, someone was dead. But the story, the legal drama, the humor and the protagonist all kept me rivted. And laughing. I recommend this book.
ReplyDeleteAnd I wonder what you will think of "The Silent Patient," which I just read and also could not put down.
I liked it a lot, a big too many dead bodies, but a serial killer does bump off a lot of people. I wasn't quite prepared for the quick murders, but it's a good book. I have recommended it to friends.
ReplyDelete