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Eddie Flynn #2
The Plea
When David Child, a major client of a corrupt New York law firm, is arrested for murder, the FBI ask con-artist-turned-lawyer Eddie Flynn to secure Child as his client and force him to testify against the firm.
Eddie's not a man to be coerced into representing a guilty client, but the FBI have incriminating files on Eddie's wife, and if Eddie won't play ball, she'll pay the price.
When Eddie meets Child he's convinced the man is innocent, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. With the FBI putting pressure on him to secure the plea, Eddie must find a way to prove Child's innocence while keeping his wife out of danger - not just from the FBI, but from the firm itself.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
About the author
Steve Cavanagh
27 books7,024 followersSteve Cavanagh is a critically acclaimed, Sunday Times best-selling author of the Eddie Flynn series which has sold a million copies in the UK. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime novel of the year 2019. FIFTY FIFTY was a Richard and Judy Book club choice, and the BBC Between The Covers book club choice. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards. He is a consistent International bestseller.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,703 reviews
April 3, 2024
Eddie Flynn is in trouble again and this time he'll be taking his wife with him if he doesn't manage to get out of this mess. An FBI guy is giving Eddie a choice of getting a rich, young, tech genius, David Child, to plead guilty of murder so he can be used to testify against his wife's law firm or Eddie's wife can go to prison for life, for a mistake she made on her first day at the firm. The thing is, once Eddie meets the tech guy, he thinks he's innocent of murder so he doesn't want to throw the guy to the wolves despite that doing so would save his wife from prison.
Good thing Eddie has his old con buds to help him out. He only has a few hours to make the FBI happy so he'll have to work fast to figure out what's the deal with the law firm, the FBI, the tech guy, and the murder. The dead person is David's girlfriend and all the evidence points to him shooting her so many times that she's unrecognizable. But, of course, Eddie smells a rat, more than one rat, and he knows David is being framed and he needs to find out why.
This story moves fast and it seems like there is no escape for Eddie, especially with the opening scene of the book where Eddie is being hit by a bullet. Then we go back to several days earlier and we start trying to put together what is going on, as Eddie tries to do the same. Eddie has the bestest of shady friends and he has a way of making folks he's helped in the past want to help him back. There are lots of twists and turns here and it's fun to watch Eddie think his way through this mess. This makes for a fun buddy read with lots to discuss.
Published February 13 2018 by Macmillan Audio (first published May 6th 2016)
Good thing Eddie has his old con buds to help him out. He only has a few hours to make the FBI happy so he'll have to work fast to figure out what's the deal with the law firm, the FBI, the tech guy, and the murder. The dead person is David's girlfriend and all the evidence points to him shooting her so many times that she's unrecognizable. But, of course, Eddie smells a rat, more than one rat, and he knows David is being framed and he needs to find out why.
This story moves fast and it seems like there is no escape for Eddie, especially with the opening scene of the book where Eddie is being hit by a bullet. Then we go back to several days earlier and we start trying to put together what is going on, as Eddie tries to do the same. Eddie has the bestest of shady friends and he has a way of making folks he's helped in the past want to help him back. There are lots of twists and turns here and it's fun to watch Eddie think his way through this mess. This makes for a fun buddy read with lots to discuss.
Published February 13 2018 by Macmillan Audio (first published May 6th 2016)
August 14, 2022
4.5 thrilling stars rounded up.
“You can’t hustle a hustler” is what makes Eddie Flynn such an interesting character. He is menacing, clever and unpredictable. An ex-conman with principles - that's a new one and a man who is fast becoming one of my favourite book characters.
What could be more 'Plea-sing'. A lovely summers day, a cocktail in one hand and Eddie in the other !!!! and this was what had me devour this book in two sittings.
The Plot is all about the ‘Plea …’
Two people are framed. David Child for the murder of his girlfriend, and Eddie’s wife Christine who is being framed for having innocently signed a document without reading. A document that by signing, implicates her in large scale money laundering and fraud.
Like all Kavanagh books, the pace, the tension and plot building are excellent, as Flynn must find the holes in the evidence in what looks like a slam dunk case of first-degree murder. However, everything has been staged, but by who and why?. Well that’s the ‘PLEA..sure’ in reading ‘The Plea’ you are totally absorbed to the end until all is revealed.
Review and Comments
Nothing beats an intelligent and unpredictable plot with an interesting character at the centre. Despite numerous attempts on his life, Eddie does live on and the reason this is not a spoiler is because there are 4 more books in the series featuring this unconventional lawyer, which I am looking forward to reading.
You will be fascinated by the revelations, the scheming, and the expertly crafted multi-layered story of crime, murder, blackmail, and deception where the “justice game is a cold house for the innocent”.
I do love Steve Kavanagh’s writing style; I love how sometimes we get inside the head of Eddie as he plots his next move, but in other cases the maneuvers, some of the details, and his tactics are held back so we are just as surprised as the Prosecution team when they are disclosed in the story.
However, the author has a tendency to build the suspense to the point you are totally gripped, sitting at the edge of your seat and then slows down the pace as he introduces a new character or dimension with a bit too much detail or back story. Maybe this is deliberate, to keep us wanting more!!!
The way the evidence and prosecution case is unravelled is superb. The clever and multi layered plotting is perfect and the story telling excellent as the suspense grows continuously, but all disclosed in the end with all the threads coming together to complete the picture.
PLEA..sed I got into this series eventually. Highly recommended for all thriller readers and the rest.
“You can’t hustle a hustler” is what makes Eddie Flynn such an interesting character. He is menacing, clever and unpredictable. An ex-conman with principles - that's a new one and a man who is fast becoming one of my favourite book characters.
What could be more 'Plea-sing'. A lovely summers day, a cocktail in one hand and Eddie in the other !!!! and this was what had me devour this book in two sittings.
The Plot is all about the ‘Plea …’
Two people are framed. David Child for the murder of his girlfriend, and Eddie’s wife Christine who is being framed for having innocently signed a document without reading. A document that by signing, implicates her in large scale money laundering and fraud.
Like all Kavanagh books, the pace, the tension and plot building are excellent, as Flynn must find the holes in the evidence in what looks like a slam dunk case of first-degree murder. However, everything has been staged, but by who and why?. Well that’s the ‘PLEA..sure’ in reading ‘The Plea’ you are totally absorbed to the end until all is revealed.
Review and Comments
Nothing beats an intelligent and unpredictable plot with an interesting character at the centre. Despite numerous attempts on his life, Eddie does live on and the reason this is not a spoiler is because there are 4 more books in the series featuring this unconventional lawyer, which I am looking forward to reading.
You will be fascinated by the revelations, the scheming, and the expertly crafted multi-layered story of crime, murder, blackmail, and deception where the “justice game is a cold house for the innocent”.
I do love Steve Kavanagh’s writing style; I love how sometimes we get inside the head of Eddie as he plots his next move, but in other cases the maneuvers, some of the details, and his tactics are held back so we are just as surprised as the Prosecution team when they are disclosed in the story.
However, the author has a tendency to build the suspense to the point you are totally gripped, sitting at the edge of your seat and then slows down the pace as he introduces a new character or dimension with a bit too much detail or back story. Maybe this is deliberate, to keep us wanting more!!!
The way the evidence and prosecution case is unravelled is superb. The clever and multi layered plotting is perfect and the story telling excellent as the suspense grows continuously, but all disclosed in the end with all the threads coming together to complete the picture.
PLEA..sed I got into this series eventually. Highly recommended for all thriller readers and the rest.
February 19, 2022
“THE POET, ROBERT FROST ONCE SAID THAT A JURY IS TWELVE PEOPLE CHOSEN TO DECIDE WHO HAS THE BEST LAWYER”
Eddie Flynn like his father, was a bookie and a Con-man, but they lived by a code. They never lifted money from a straight guy, never hustled anyone who didn’t have it coming, and never took a bet from someone who couldn’t afford to lose. Fourteen years ago, Eddie gave up being a hustler, to become a lawyer, but he kept the “code” targeting, for personal reasons, insurance companies.
Today, he takes down judges and juries…I think of him as the “DEXTER” of lawyers.
The problem is-the WRONG people, know he was a Grifter, so they THINK he will be an easy lawyer to make a deal with.
They don’t know about the CODE.
In book one, the Russian Mob, used his daughter, Amy to coerce him into taking their case. In book two, the FBI uses his estranged wife, Christine as leverage.
David Child, the founder of REELER, the hot new social media APP, had been hired by a top NY law firm to design software for them-the same law firm where Christine works. But, now he has been charged with murdering his fiancé, Clara Reece.
It appears to be an airtight, open and shut case.
The FBI wants Eddie to convince David to testify against the firm, and if does so, and pleads guilty, they will offer him a PLEA deal of just 5 years time spent in prison, in exchange for that testimony.
But, David insists that he isn’t guilty and Eddie believes him, so, despite the threat of harm to Christine, he will have to find a way to outwit and outplay his opponents to prove David’s innocence, save his wife, and honor his code.
48 HOURS BEFORE THE SHOT
That is how the book opens…and we will backtrack and come full circle, in this fast paced, twisty legal thriller, which has plenty of riveting court room scenes until we return to the SHOT in question.
Steve Cavanaugh is still a practicing lawyer in Dublin, and his expertise shows!
I am reading this series, a book a month, with friends- and I am already looking forward to finding out what kind of trouble finds Eddie Flynn next! Be sure to check out the amazing reviews of the others reading it with me-Pat, MarilynW, Ceecee and DeAnn for additional insights!
Eddie Flynn like his father, was a bookie and a Con-man, but they lived by a code. They never lifted money from a straight guy, never hustled anyone who didn’t have it coming, and never took a bet from someone who couldn’t afford to lose. Fourteen years ago, Eddie gave up being a hustler, to become a lawyer, but he kept the “code” targeting, for personal reasons, insurance companies.
Today, he takes down judges and juries…I think of him as the “DEXTER” of lawyers.
The problem is-the WRONG people, know he was a Grifter, so they THINK he will be an easy lawyer to make a deal with.
They don’t know about the CODE.
In book one, the Russian Mob, used his daughter, Amy to coerce him into taking their case. In book two, the FBI uses his estranged wife, Christine as leverage.
David Child, the founder of REELER, the hot new social media APP, had been hired by a top NY law firm to design software for them-the same law firm where Christine works. But, now he has been charged with murdering his fiancé, Clara Reece.
It appears to be an airtight, open and shut case.
The FBI wants Eddie to convince David to testify against the firm, and if does so, and pleads guilty, they will offer him a PLEA deal of just 5 years time spent in prison, in exchange for that testimony.
But, David insists that he isn’t guilty and Eddie believes him, so, despite the threat of harm to Christine, he will have to find a way to outwit and outplay his opponents to prove David’s innocence, save his wife, and honor his code.
48 HOURS BEFORE THE SHOT
That is how the book opens…and we will backtrack and come full circle, in this fast paced, twisty legal thriller, which has plenty of riveting court room scenes until we return to the SHOT in question.
Steve Cavanaugh is still a practicing lawyer in Dublin, and his expertise shows!
I am reading this series, a book a month, with friends- and I am already looking forward to finding out what kind of trouble finds Eddie Flynn next! Be sure to check out the amazing reviews of the others reading it with me-Pat, MarilynW, Ceecee and DeAnn for additional insights!
August 29, 2022
The Book: 4.5/5
Audiobook: 5/5
Eddie Flynn, con man/hustler/lawyer, can’t seem to stay away from trouble. This time he is coerced to defend David Child, a tech entrepreneur who is accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, to protect his wife Christine, a lawyer employed with the prestigious law firm Harland and Sinton, from being framed for financial fraud. Christine unknowingly signed incriminating documents and law enforcement has zeroed in on her and she could take the fall for financial crimes being committed by her employers using the firm as a front. Unbeknownst to David, software developed by him for business purposes is being used for the firm’s illegal practices. David is the key to deciphering the encrypted data that could implicate those truly responsible and using Christine as leverage, a covert branch of law enforcement blackmails Eddie into representing David, hoping to negotiate a plea bargain for David in exchange for David’s cooperation in uncovering the money laundering operation. Eddie begins to doubt David’s guilt and that puts him at odds with those who would rather see David in jail or dead. With all evidence pointing to David being guilty, proving his innocence won't be easy and Eddie will have to rely on his street smarts and help from his friends from his previous life to save his client and his wife and survive the ordeal.
The Plea by Steve Cavanagh, the second book in the Eddie Flynn series, is another action-packed, twisty legal thriller that was hard to put down. With its fast-paced narrative, interesting characters and a fair share of OTT moments (I’m not complaining!)this was an entertaining read! Plus points for the fact that I could not predict the identity of the culprits and I was surprised more than once as the plot progressed. I paired my reading with the exceptional audio narration by Adam Sims. Overall, I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series and can’t wait to read the remaining books.
My Review for Book #1: The Defense
Audiobook: 5/5
Eddie Flynn, con man/hustler/lawyer, can’t seem to stay away from trouble. This time he is coerced to defend David Child, a tech entrepreneur who is accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, to protect his wife Christine, a lawyer employed with the prestigious law firm Harland and Sinton, from being framed for financial fraud. Christine unknowingly signed incriminating documents and law enforcement has zeroed in on her and she could take the fall for financial crimes being committed by her employers using the firm as a front. Unbeknownst to David, software developed by him for business purposes is being used for the firm’s illegal practices. David is the key to deciphering the encrypted data that could implicate those truly responsible and using Christine as leverage, a covert branch of law enforcement blackmails Eddie into representing David, hoping to negotiate a plea bargain for David in exchange for David’s cooperation in uncovering the money laundering operation. Eddie begins to doubt David’s guilt and that puts him at odds with those who would rather see David in jail or dead. With all evidence pointing to David being guilty, proving his innocence won't be easy and Eddie will have to rely on his street smarts and help from his friends from his previous life to save his client and his wife and survive the ordeal.
The Plea by Steve Cavanagh, the second book in the Eddie Flynn series, is another action-packed, twisty legal thriller that was hard to put down. With its fast-paced narrative, interesting characters and a fair share of OTT moments (I’m not complaining!)this was an entertaining read! Plus points for the fact that I could not predict the identity of the culprits and I was surprised more than once as the plot progressed. I paired my reading with the exceptional audio narration by Adam Sims. Overall, I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series and can’t wait to read the remaining books.
My Review for Book #1: The Defense
April 26, 2021
I didn’t hear the shot, didn’t see the muzzle flash or the recoil. I only felt the bullet ripping into my flesh. That fatal shot had become inevitable from the very moment I’d made the deal. How did I end up here? I thought.I read The Defense last year, and the main character Eddie Flynn really stuck with me. The book is completely over the top, for all the reasons that I talk about here, but it’s a really fun read and it wasn’t long before I wanted to read the sequel.
What was the deal that led me to take a bullet?
Like most things, it had small beginnings. It all started forty-eight hours ago with a toothpick and a dime.
The Plea opens five months after the events of The Defense, and I regret to inform you that things are not going much better for Eddie. Once again, he’s being forced—this time by the FBI and CIA—into taking an impossible case. Specifically, Eddie must get his new client, billionaire David Child, to plead guilty to a murder and cooperate with the Feds in a money laundering investigation or else Eddie’s wife is going to go to prison for a very long time (there are reasons). But even though all the evidence points to Child having brutally murdered his girlfriend, Eddie believes he’s innocent, so he’s determined to find some other way to win the case and still protect his wife.
Once again, Eddie proves himself the greatest courtroom lawyer since Clarence Darrow, untangling the plot and discrediting the prosecution witnesses with the cross-examination style of My Cousin Vinny. It’s ridiculous, but mostly only because there’s just no way all of the legal proceedings that take place here would ever happen within the compressed 48-hour timeframe of the novel.
The Plea has a good mix of trial scenes and action sequences. Once again, Flynn’s first-person narration is entertaining. The plot is full of twists and turns, crosses and double crosses, and I did not figure out what was really happening until it was revealed. The Plea is another entertaining, adrenaline rush of a story.
July 3, 2024
Reread. 4.5 ⭐️
————————————
Fuckin’ flawless!
Amazingly well-told and well-narrated story. I was in awe from beginning to end and I couldn’t get enough of it.
Steve Cavanagh has definitely become one of my favourite authors.
————————————
Fuckin’ flawless!
Amazingly well-told and well-narrated story. I was in awe from beginning to end and I couldn’t get enough of it.
Steve Cavanagh has definitely become one of my favourite authors.
December 31, 2019
Returning for another in Steve Cavanagh’s legal series, I was eager to see what would become of gritty lawyer, Eddie Flynn. After his harrowing experience with the Russian Mob, Flynn is seeking a quieter life and a low-key practice. When he is visited by the FBI and CIA about an upcoming murder trial, he wants nothing to do with it. However, Flynn is given an ultimatum, not only to sign-up to represent David Child and get him off for murder, but also to turn him to testify against the firm representing him. It is only when Flynn learns that his wife is tied into a major financial scheme that he gives the offer a second thought. Ensure Child is found innocent of the murder and his wife’s guilt will be expunged. Flynn agrees to do his best and rushes to begin his assignment, noticing that he will have to collide with the District Attorney who has higher ambitions. As Flynn gets a base understanding of what is going on, he works with Child to better understand what it is he did for the firm and how his wife might have been caught in the web. This helps Flynn to better understand where the enemies wait and how they are surely plotting to frame Child for the murder of his girlfriend. Flynn can work with some of the basics at the preliminary hearing, but it will take all his efforts to ensure Child does not find himself on the wrong end of a murder conviction. With the impetus to help his wife and their daughter, Eddie Flynn will have to rely on his street smarts as much as his legal prowess. Cavanagh does a wonderful job at pacing this story out and keeping the reader hooked. Recommended for those who love a good legal thriller and readers who like stories with twists throughout.
After being enthralled with the opening novel in the series, I could not help plunging into this one head on. Cavanagh continues to impress with his storytelling and makes the reader want to know a little more, all while weaving together a wonderful story. Eddie Flynn comes a long way in this piece, keeping his con artist days behind him and focusing on trying to do better with all things legal. He is thrust into the middle of a complex situation, still holding onto feelings for a woman who all but gave up on him after their daughter’s kidnapping in the opening novel of the series. Flynn is also a strong attorney and finds the loopholes to defend his clients as best he can. Faced with a powerful DA, Flynn will have to pull out all the stops and save a man whose innocence will ensure all the dominoes fall as they should. Others grace the pages of this book and keep the reader highly entertained throughout, from the legal community, intelligence officers, and even the courtroom actors whose roles will shape the larger trial. Cavanagh depicts them all so well and keeps the reader fully involved in the process. The story is well developed and set with an ingenious plot that will keep the reader following along with ease. I cannot wait to see what else Steve Cavanagh has in store for this series, especially with the revelations towards the end of the novel. Eddie Flynn is surely someone well worth my time and I am pleased this series crossed my reading radar. Here’s hoping for another explosive legal thriller.
Kudos, Mr. Cavanagh, for a great second novel. I cannot wait to see how you will bring things together in the next novel!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
After being enthralled with the opening novel in the series, I could not help plunging into this one head on. Cavanagh continues to impress with his storytelling and makes the reader want to know a little more, all while weaving together a wonderful story. Eddie Flynn comes a long way in this piece, keeping his con artist days behind him and focusing on trying to do better with all things legal. He is thrust into the middle of a complex situation, still holding onto feelings for a woman who all but gave up on him after their daughter’s kidnapping in the opening novel of the series. Flynn is also a strong attorney and finds the loopholes to defend his clients as best he can. Faced with a powerful DA, Flynn will have to pull out all the stops and save a man whose innocence will ensure all the dominoes fall as they should. Others grace the pages of this book and keep the reader highly entertained throughout, from the legal community, intelligence officers, and even the courtroom actors whose roles will shape the larger trial. Cavanagh depicts them all so well and keeps the reader fully involved in the process. The story is well developed and set with an ingenious plot that will keep the reader following along with ease. I cannot wait to see what else Steve Cavanagh has in store for this series, especially with the revelations towards the end of the novel. Eddie Flynn is surely someone well worth my time and I am pleased this series crossed my reading radar. Here’s hoping for another explosive legal thriller.
Kudos, Mr. Cavanagh, for a great second novel. I cannot wait to see how you will bring things together in the next novel!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
January 27, 2022
The Plea is a well done, engaging legal thriller. Eddie Flynn is a defense attorney who is down on his luck. But things can always get worse - like when the CIA threatens his wife unless he arranges to defend a murder suspect and get him to testify against a big time law firm thought to be laundering money. But Eddie quickly becomes convinced the man is innocent and isn’t willing to abide by the CIA’s deal.
I loved that Cavanagh is able to craft such an ingenious tale while providing strong legal detail. I had no clue where this was going and how Eddie would keep his wife safe, get his client off and find the actual murderer. It’s a fast paced story with lots of excitement.
While part of a series, this works well as a stand alone. Although now that I’ve listened to this, I want to check out the other books.
I listened to this and it works really well as an audiobook. Adam Sims totally captures the voice of Eddie Flynn.
I loved that Cavanagh is able to craft such an ingenious tale while providing strong legal detail. I had no clue where this was going and how Eddie would keep his wife safe, get his client off and find the actual murderer. It’s a fast paced story with lots of excitement.
While part of a series, this works well as a stand alone. Although now that I’ve listened to this, I want to check out the other books.
I listened to this and it works really well as an audiobook. Adam Sims totally captures the voice of Eddie Flynn.
September 22, 2019
Eddie is back! This is becoming my favourite courtroom drama yet super-thriller series. Absolutely love it!
Eddie has had a little bit of time to get over the events of the prior novel, when he is approached by the CIA to take on a billionaire client accused of murder and get him to take admit guilt and take a plea. And as added incentive, he uses Eddie's wife to blackmail him. Set to take on the job, Eddie soon realises that he doesn't believe the billionaire is capable of murdering anyone, and there is a HUGE conspiracy in the works.
I love the twists and turns in this series! The formula is excellent. We know there is something big coming, he sets the scene... But he never tells us until we are in that courtroom and the bombshell is dropped. We are left thinking "Oh what is it he has found!!!" And are as surprised as the characters are when it comes out in court. I LOVE THAT!
This series is action-packed. SUPER SMART and a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed this one. It had a great pace, some new characters and a really good premise. Can't wait to see what Eddie gets up to in the next one!
Did I enjoy the audio version?
Yes the narrator of this series Adam Sims is awesome. I hope he does them all!
Would I recommend The Plea?
Absolutely! If the first two are anything to go by, this is going to be an AMAZING series!
For more reviews check out my:
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Eddie has had a little bit of time to get over the events of the prior novel, when he is approached by the CIA to take on a billionaire client accused of murder and get him to take admit guilt and take a plea. And as added incentive, he uses Eddie's wife to blackmail him. Set to take on the job, Eddie soon realises that he doesn't believe the billionaire is capable of murdering anyone, and there is a HUGE conspiracy in the works.
I love the twists and turns in this series! The formula is excellent. We know there is something big coming, he sets the scene... But he never tells us until we are in that courtroom and the bombshell is dropped. We are left thinking "Oh what is it he has found!!!" And are as surprised as the characters are when it comes out in court. I LOVE THAT!
This series is action-packed. SUPER SMART and a lot of fun.
I really enjoyed this one. It had a great pace, some new characters and a really good premise. Can't wait to see what Eddie gets up to in the next one!
Did I enjoy the audio version?
Yes the narrator of this series Adam Sims is awesome. I hope he does them all!
Would I recommend The Plea?
Absolutely! If the first two are anything to go by, this is going to be an AMAZING series!
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
July 16, 2022
Flynn is blackmailed into representing a man on a murder charge by the FBI. Either he does what they ask or it will mean big legal trouble and jail time for his wife. Looks like a no win situation for Flynn, but Flynn is a little too smart to be beaten that easily. An almost unputdownable courtroom thriller that keeps you moving onto the next chapter despite the late night call for sleep. I really enjoyed this one and will be soon picking up another in the series.
April 15, 2016
This novel kept me from doing anything else until I had finished! It is one of the best legal thrillers I have ever read. Eddie Flynn, con man and hustler, is a lawyer extraordinaire. He is at the point of dying and facing a killer who is going to shoot him when we meet him. We then travel back in time to discover how the hell he ended up in this position.
Eddie is forced to defend David Child, a tech billionaire, on a murder charge where the evidence against him is overwhelming. He does so to protect his beloved wife, Christine from charges that could be brought against her. Christine works for the powerful law firm of Harland & Sinton, a front for money laundering for drug cartels and other criminal enterprises. David designed the security system for the law firm, is their client and they want him dead. Eddie's job is to get David to plead guilty and negotiate a lower jail term by becoming an informant. There is only one problem, Eddie is convinced that David is innocent and has been framed. Eddie now has to protect and defend David and Christine. With threats coming from all directions: a media hungry DA who is willing to do anything to secure his political ambitions, pressure from the FBI and CIA, double dealing, betrayals and more, Eddie has his work cut out to protect David and Christine whilst trying to stay alive himself.
With twists and turns galore, the tension and suspense never drops. Eddie is a charismatic and well honed character, an underdog everyone will root for. Additionally, there are other colourful characters, like the Lizard and Boo, who add to the vibrancy of the story. Steve Cavanagh excels in writing a nail biting and compelling thriller which I could not put down. Cannot recommend it enough. Grateful thanks to Orion for an ARC via netgalley.
Eddie is forced to defend David Child, a tech billionaire, on a murder charge where the evidence against him is overwhelming. He does so to protect his beloved wife, Christine from charges that could be brought against her. Christine works for the powerful law firm of Harland & Sinton, a front for money laundering for drug cartels and other criminal enterprises. David designed the security system for the law firm, is their client and they want him dead. Eddie's job is to get David to plead guilty and negotiate a lower jail term by becoming an informant. There is only one problem, Eddie is convinced that David is innocent and has been framed. Eddie now has to protect and defend David and Christine. With threats coming from all directions: a media hungry DA who is willing to do anything to secure his political ambitions, pressure from the FBI and CIA, double dealing, betrayals and more, Eddie has his work cut out to protect David and Christine whilst trying to stay alive himself.
With twists and turns galore, the tension and suspense never drops. Eddie is a charismatic and well honed character, an underdog everyone will root for. Additionally, there are other colourful characters, like the Lizard and Boo, who add to the vibrancy of the story. Steve Cavanagh excels in writing a nail biting and compelling thriller which I could not put down. Cannot recommend it enough. Grateful thanks to Orion for an ARC via netgalley.
February 21, 2022
Eddie Flynn #2 - a buddy read with Jayme, Marilyn, Pat and DeAnn which we all enjoyed!
Lester Dell of the CIA gives Eddie a stark choice. He has to ensure he gets hired by a new client, billionaire David Childs who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Clara and force him to accept a guilty plea, in return Eddie will receive a tax free sum and his wife Christine won’t go to jail. Say what??? Eddie is clearly between a rock and a hard place as it seems Christine has unwittingly committed serious fraud via the law firm Harland and Sinton who she works for. This firm is not what it seems as a dark, dangerous and murderous game ensues as Eddie tries desperately to save both Christine and Childs.
For me, this takes a while to get going, I admit to boredom at the start as it seems over detailed and laborious. Yawn. Then, click, I’m all in! It becomes a very exciting, tense storyline with a multitude of clever twists and turns which makes compelling reading. As usual it’s chock full of really interesting characters such as The Lizard, you’d want him on your side as you would Boo Johnson and maybe lawyer Cooch would be a good addition too. There are a number of scary “baddies“ who you wouldn’t want to meet on the dark night down an alley such as El Grito. It builds well so you read with bated breath and the courtroom scenes are terrific he really is a Clever Eddie! The ending is very exciting.
Finally, please Mr Cavanagh don’t keep repeating various things such as the plot. Your readers are not stupid and most of us have pretty good attention spans. Thank you very much!!! 😁😉
Lester Dell of the CIA gives Eddie a stark choice. He has to ensure he gets hired by a new client, billionaire David Childs who is charged with the murder of his girlfriend Clara and force him to accept a guilty plea, in return Eddie will receive a tax free sum and his wife Christine won’t go to jail. Say what??? Eddie is clearly between a rock and a hard place as it seems Christine has unwittingly committed serious fraud via the law firm Harland and Sinton who she works for. This firm is not what it seems as a dark, dangerous and murderous game ensues as Eddie tries desperately to save both Christine and Childs.
For me, this takes a while to get going, I admit to boredom at the start as it seems over detailed and laborious. Yawn. Then, click, I’m all in! It becomes a very exciting, tense storyline with a multitude of clever twists and turns which makes compelling reading. As usual it’s chock full of really interesting characters such as The Lizard, you’d want him on your side as you would Boo Johnson and maybe lawyer Cooch would be a good addition too. There are a number of scary “baddies“ who you wouldn’t want to meet on the dark night down an alley such as El Grito. It builds well so you read with bated breath and the courtroom scenes are terrific he really is a Clever Eddie! The ending is very exciting.
Finally, please Mr Cavanagh don’t keep repeating various things such as the plot. Your readers are not stupid and most of us have pretty good attention spans. Thank you very much!!! 😁😉
September 8, 2022
What a thrilling adventure it was reading The Plea. Having Eddie Flynn as the MC, you are in for a real good time, with his backstory, his talent and cleverness you never know what to expect.
I was captivated by the plot and I had high expectations since the first of the serie was ridiculously good. This story is full of action, surprises and tension. The intrigue is build flawlessly, a real page turner.
I loved how some of the informations Eddie figured out were just revealed during the trial and left us just as shocked as everyone else.
I was glad to see the return of some of the previous characters.
Again, reading Cavanagh was a real blast and I am excited to keep going with the serie.
4.5 ⭐️
I was captivated by the plot and I had high expectations since the first of the serie was ridiculously good. This story is full of action, surprises and tension. The intrigue is build flawlessly, a real page turner.
I loved how some of the informations Eddie figured out were just revealed during the trial and left us just as shocked as everyone else.
I was glad to see the return of some of the previous characters.
Again, reading Cavanagh was a real blast and I am excited to keep going with the serie.
4.5 ⭐️
February 19, 2022
4+
This is the second book in the very popular Eddie Flynn series. Once again Eddie finds himself in an impossible position where he must thread a metaphorical camel through the eye of a needle to save his client, his wife and himself.
The books starts with Eddie looking down the barrel of a gun, waiting for the shot that kills him. Then we go back 48 hours to learn how it all came about. Eddie is ambushed in his office by FBI agents and a CIA spook. They have a deal for him that he can’t refuse or his wife will end up in jail for, effectively, the rest of her life. That’s the bait. Eddie insists his wife has done nothing wrong but, in fact, she was tricked when she joined the prestigious law firm of Harland and Sinton into signing a document as a witness without reading it. When you are starting out and one of the partners puts a form in front you asking you sign as a formality, I guess most people would comply without thinking. What she didn’t know was that the firm’s main earnings are from money laundering and her signature implicates her.
So, Eddie has little choice. What they want from him is to get 22 year old tech entrepreneur, David Child, to plead guilty to the murder of his girlfriend. He’ll be offered a 5 year sentence if he cooperates in taking down the money laundering operation that he, unknowingly, enabled with a clever piece of software he designed for the firm. But first Eddie has to get David to sign him up as his lawyer instead of Gerry Sinton who is currently acting in that capacity. An elaborate plan gives Eddie the opportunity and his good old con man skills will have to do the rest. And so it goes except - David refuses to plead guilty saying he did not kill his girlfriend Carla and Eddie actually believes him. So now his task is infinitely harder. He has to get the case thrown out at some preliminary hearing and the evidence against David is incontrovertible. Or is it?
This was such a fun story to read. Very fast paced, full of legal complexities which the author explained really well. There were double crosses and triple crosses until you didn’t know who could trust, except of course for Eddie’s staunch mate and lethal killer, known only as the Lizard. I doubt anyone could pull this off in real life but it was certainly a blast reading about it. I actually guessed some of the twists but there were plenty more to come. I’m now really looking forward to the next book. Be sure to check out the excellent reviews of Jayme, DeAnn, Marilyn and Ceecee as we enjoyed reading this one together.
This is the second book in the very popular Eddie Flynn series. Once again Eddie finds himself in an impossible position where he must thread a metaphorical camel through the eye of a needle to save his client, his wife and himself.
The books starts with Eddie looking down the barrel of a gun, waiting for the shot that kills him. Then we go back 48 hours to learn how it all came about. Eddie is ambushed in his office by FBI agents and a CIA spook. They have a deal for him that he can’t refuse or his wife will end up in jail for, effectively, the rest of her life. That’s the bait. Eddie insists his wife has done nothing wrong but, in fact, she was tricked when she joined the prestigious law firm of Harland and Sinton into signing a document as a witness without reading it. When you are starting out and one of the partners puts a form in front you asking you sign as a formality, I guess most people would comply without thinking. What she didn’t know was that the firm’s main earnings are from money laundering and her signature implicates her.
So, Eddie has little choice. What they want from him is to get 22 year old tech entrepreneur, David Child, to plead guilty to the murder of his girlfriend. He’ll be offered a 5 year sentence if he cooperates in taking down the money laundering operation that he, unknowingly, enabled with a clever piece of software he designed for the firm. But first Eddie has to get David to sign him up as his lawyer instead of Gerry Sinton who is currently acting in that capacity. An elaborate plan gives Eddie the opportunity and his good old con man skills will have to do the rest. And so it goes except - David refuses to plead guilty saying he did not kill his girlfriend Carla and Eddie actually believes him. So now his task is infinitely harder. He has to get the case thrown out at some preliminary hearing and the evidence against David is incontrovertible. Or is it?
This was such a fun story to read. Very fast paced, full of legal complexities which the author explained really well. There were double crosses and triple crosses until you didn’t know who could trust, except of course for Eddie’s staunch mate and lethal killer, known only as the Lizard. I doubt anyone could pull this off in real life but it was certainly a blast reading about it. I actually guessed some of the twists but there were plenty more to come. I’m now really looking forward to the next book. Be sure to check out the excellent reviews of Jayme, DeAnn, Marilyn and Ceecee as we enjoyed reading this one together.
March 8, 2016
The Plea is Steve Cavanagh’s follow up to the (entirely brilliant) The Defence, featuring once more the indomitable Eddie Flynn – one of those characters you completely fall in love with (just me? No I don’t think it is you know) and a fast paced, edge of the seat thrill ride of a story that is utterly addictive.
From the killer opening to the intensely exciting ending The Plea doesn’t let up and fairly bombs along, with Eddie flung into a situation that tests his mettle once more and the same heady mix of courtroom drama and cliffhanger danger zones that made The Defence such a joy to read – hold onto your hats this is a hell of a ride.
The writing is snappy, engaging and entirely bang on in creating a proper page turner of the kind that can drive you mad (I have to go to work? Noooo) – descriptively speaking Mr Cavanagh has a real eye for scene setting and character study but wraps it all up in a distinct and thrillingly atmospheric plot – proper storytelling this, like episodic television drama within a novel, beautifully constructed and a pure adrenalin rush from first page to last.
Loved David Child as a character incidentally – Just saying. The whole cast external to Eddie were terrific, another reason this is so great, it has people you can love, hate or a bit of both (glances sideways at Zader) and despite its thriller nature Steve Cavanagh never loses sight of the need to make you care. Pretty perfect really, a story you can enjoy on many levels.
Overall a WHOLE load of fun. Head clutching, breathless, edge of the seat fun. More please.
Highly Recommended.
From the killer opening to the intensely exciting ending The Plea doesn’t let up and fairly bombs along, with Eddie flung into a situation that tests his mettle once more and the same heady mix of courtroom drama and cliffhanger danger zones that made The Defence such a joy to read – hold onto your hats this is a hell of a ride.
The writing is snappy, engaging and entirely bang on in creating a proper page turner of the kind that can drive you mad (I have to go to work? Noooo) – descriptively speaking Mr Cavanagh has a real eye for scene setting and character study but wraps it all up in a distinct and thrillingly atmospheric plot – proper storytelling this, like episodic television drama within a novel, beautifully constructed and a pure adrenalin rush from first page to last.
Loved David Child as a character incidentally – Just saying. The whole cast external to Eddie were terrific, another reason this is so great, it has people you can love, hate or a bit of both (glances sideways at Zader) and despite its thriller nature Steve Cavanagh never loses sight of the need to make you care. Pretty perfect really, a story you can enjoy on many levels.
Overall a WHOLE load of fun. Head clutching, breathless, edge of the seat fun. More please.
Highly Recommended.
March 30, 2020
Book 2 in the series and is still top-notch crime legal thriller. Lots of twists!
January 12, 2024
Eddie Flynn is back and in The Plea has been forced by the FBI to take on David Child who has been arrested for murder. Eddie is not too happy to take him on as a client, but the FBI has files on his ex-wife, so Eddie reluctantly agrees to help.
At first, I wasn’t so sure about this book. I struggled with getting into it, but then Cavanagh and Flynn won me over. Eddie is a tough as nails character who is also very intelligent, cunning, and clever. His past as a con artist has come in handy with being able to manipulate, keep a straight face, and con others. He uses these skills throughout the course of this book. Once things got interesting, I was sucked in by the plot, wading through the tension, and impending danger.
There are quite a bit of things going on in this book. The characters are deadly, sinister, and rough. There were plenty of twists and turns after the slow start which had me turning the pages and wanting to know how Flynn was going to come out on top.
I found this book to be well written, suspenseful, and gripping.
I look forward to reading more of the books in this series in the future.
At first, I wasn’t so sure about this book. I struggled with getting into it, but then Cavanagh and Flynn won me over. Eddie is a tough as nails character who is also very intelligent, cunning, and clever. His past as a con artist has come in handy with being able to manipulate, keep a straight face, and con others. He uses these skills throughout the course of this book. Once things got interesting, I was sucked in by the plot, wading through the tension, and impending danger.
There are quite a bit of things going on in this book. The characters are deadly, sinister, and rough. There were plenty of twists and turns after the slow start which had me turning the pages and wanting to know how Flynn was going to come out on top.
I found this book to be well written, suspenseful, and gripping.
I look forward to reading more of the books in this series in the future.
August 29, 2021
Audio - 5++++ Stars
Story - 5 Stars
Story - 5 Stars
October 22, 2019
"Most people couldn't even contemplate murder. But there are people who are simply immune to the psychological blocks that stop us from killing. They have no empathy. The man in front of me could not feel anything for another living soul. There was only self. Nothing else."
And if anyone knows about the twisted, the come undone, the drive of the driven, it's Eddie Flynn. You see, Eddie is his father's son.....a conner of the conned. Eddie, now a near respectable attorney, spent many a night and day on the streets of New York City. He knows how the game is played because he's stacked the deck on numerous occasions.
But this time Eddie has been given an opportunity of a lifetime to assist on a high profile case by a high profile law firm. The case seems like a slam dunk with a billionaire, David Chase, accused of killing his girlfriend in a fit of rage in his apartment. The security video doesn't lie. David is the only one seen coming into his home with her, but leaving alone. And then there's the murder weapon found in his car and gunshot residue on his person. Looks bad. Very bad.
I've been bitten by the Eddie Flynn bug and the only cure is to grab another one. Steve Cavanagh can't write fast enough for me. This Belfast civil rights attorney has my highest compliment. He's the Irish rendition of John Grisham at his finest. His storylines are taut with the tension of a stretched rubberband aimed right where it hurts. Cavanagh makes you work for the ending. It ain't ever what you thought it would be. His characters are deep with rough edges and his descriptors have you leaning in hard in the courtroom bracing for the next go-around with Eddie.
The Plea is an exceptional read. I started with Thirteen #4 in the series and I'm dancing backwards. But believe me, it still works. Brilliant writing. Both Eddie and Cavanagh never disappoint.
And if anyone knows about the twisted, the come undone, the drive of the driven, it's Eddie Flynn. You see, Eddie is his father's son.....a conner of the conned. Eddie, now a near respectable attorney, spent many a night and day on the streets of New York City. He knows how the game is played because he's stacked the deck on numerous occasions.
But this time Eddie has been given an opportunity of a lifetime to assist on a high profile case by a high profile law firm. The case seems like a slam dunk with a billionaire, David Chase, accused of killing his girlfriend in a fit of rage in his apartment. The security video doesn't lie. David is the only one seen coming into his home with her, but leaving alone. And then there's the murder weapon found in his car and gunshot residue on his person. Looks bad. Very bad.
I've been bitten by the Eddie Flynn bug and the only cure is to grab another one. Steve Cavanagh can't write fast enough for me. This Belfast civil rights attorney has my highest compliment. He's the Irish rendition of John Grisham at his finest. His storylines are taut with the tension of a stretched rubberband aimed right where it hurts. Cavanagh makes you work for the ending. It ain't ever what you thought it would be. His characters are deep with rough edges and his descriptors have you leaning in hard in the courtroom bracing for the next go-around with Eddie.
The Plea is an exceptional read. I started with Thirteen #4 in the series and I'm dancing backwards. But believe me, it still works. Brilliant writing. Both Eddie and Cavanagh never disappoint.
February 19, 2022
4.25 courtroom stars
I’m really enjoying this series and the character of Eddie Flynn. He’s always facing an impossible task and somehow manages to get it done! At heart, he’s still a con man, which serves him well in these situations. It also helps that he has contacts from the old days to call upon to help him.
This time, an ultra-wealthy computer genius, David, is accused of murdering his girlfriend. The Feds have corralled Eddie into helping with the case in order to save his wife. That part is a bit complicated! Eddie needs to convince David to plead guilty and fire his existing attorney.
The evidence seems insurmountable, but Eddie believes David is innocent. Eddie sets out trying to find some way to save David. Along the way there are goons, his wife is in danger, and there are secrets and double crosses going on.
I loved the return of The Lizard and Boo. Hope those characters make a return in the next book of the series. I also really like how Eddie knows all the people that make a court run and he uses that to his advantage.
This was a fast-paced book that I thoroughly enjoyed buddy reading with Pat, Jayme, Marilyn, and Ceecee. Luckily, we all seem to be enjoying these!
I’m really enjoying this series and the character of Eddie Flynn. He’s always facing an impossible task and somehow manages to get it done! At heart, he’s still a con man, which serves him well in these situations. It also helps that he has contacts from the old days to call upon to help him.
This time, an ultra-wealthy computer genius, David, is accused of murdering his girlfriend. The Feds have corralled Eddie into helping with the case in order to save his wife. That part is a bit complicated! Eddie needs to convince David to plead guilty and fire his existing attorney.
The evidence seems insurmountable, but Eddie believes David is innocent. Eddie sets out trying to find some way to save David. Along the way there are goons, his wife is in danger, and there are secrets and double crosses going on.
I loved the return of The Lizard and Boo. Hope those characters make a return in the next book of the series. I also really like how Eddie knows all the people that make a court run and he uses that to his advantage.
This was a fast-paced book that I thoroughly enjoyed buddy reading with Pat, Jayme, Marilyn, and Ceecee. Luckily, we all seem to be enjoying these!
August 30, 2021
Pretty good, but he's written better. 6 of 10 stars
September 29, 2019
It’s funny- I just looked back at my review for the first 1 & it could literally word for word go for this 1 too! Eddie Flynn is just too good.. & the other characters are all interesting in their own ways too. Even though some of what happens (think action sequence) is farfetched, the writing is so good I know I just go along for the ride. One think I noticed in this book particularly is the awesome way this author kinda goes back & ties up every loose end. Not in an unbelievable tied-in-a-bow type way, I just mean that he doesn’t just throw in useless information or worse, red herrings.. Every breadcrumb, even if left unnoticed are the time, is laying a path for some aspect of the story. The book is just super thought out so even though it might not happen in “real life,” I enjoy it like I enjoy a movie.. & I could read about Eddie Flynn (& my personal fave, the Lizard) forever!
June 15, 2019
Author, Steve Cavanagh, writes ingenious and unpredictable courtroom dramas which also contain propulsive, thrilling action away from the law court. This is the second book in the Eddie Flynn series, and I have now read them all out of sequence. Eddie is an appealing, original character. He used to be a con-man but now uses his skills as a defence lawyer. The plot encompasses gripping action and intriguing heroes, despicable villains, and those in the grey area in between. The plot is complicated and so suspenseful that I was riveted to the edge of my seat.
Child, a young tech billionaire is a client of a powerful law firm, Harlander and Sinton. The partners have been laundering dirty money from crime syndicates for their own enrichment. Child devised a security system for their financial dealings, and they have used it to hide the money trail which would show their theft of millions. Eddie’s wife works for the law firm and was deceptively and unknowingly made a pawn in their dirty schemes.
The young tech genius is being charged with the brutal murder of his girlfriend in his apartment and the evidence against him is overwhelming. A shady FBI agent demands that Eddie take over his case and to persuade him to plead guilty in return for a reduced charge and for leading them to the money laundering and theft within the law firm. The FBI agent threatens that unless Eddie follows these orders, Eddie’s wife will be implicated in the crooked dealings and go to prison for a long time.
On meeting Child, he is convinced that the young man is innocent and has been set up. The panicking young computer wiz insists he has never owned a gun and definitely did not commit murder. Security cameras show him entering the apartment with his girlfriend and no one else. The cameras show him leaving it shortly after gunshots are heard. Next, his car is involved in an accident and the police find the murder weapon inside his vehicle. Eddie has a gut feeling that Child is telling the truth when protesting his innocence and that the law partners want him dead. He is now faced with the dilemma of figuring out how to save both Child and his own beloved wife. This seems an impossible task. He also fears Child is not only in danger of going to prison for murder, but the law partners want him dead.
This well-paced thriller with its twists, cliffhanger moments, and well-drawn characters, was great entertainment throughout.
Child, a young tech billionaire is a client of a powerful law firm, Harlander and Sinton. The partners have been laundering dirty money from crime syndicates for their own enrichment. Child devised a security system for their financial dealings, and they have used it to hide the money trail which would show their theft of millions. Eddie’s wife works for the law firm and was deceptively and unknowingly made a pawn in their dirty schemes.
The young tech genius is being charged with the brutal murder of his girlfriend in his apartment and the evidence against him is overwhelming. A shady FBI agent demands that Eddie take over his case and to persuade him to plead guilty in return for a reduced charge and for leading them to the money laundering and theft within the law firm. The FBI agent threatens that unless Eddie follows these orders, Eddie’s wife will be implicated in the crooked dealings and go to prison for a long time.
On meeting Child, he is convinced that the young man is innocent and has been set up. The panicking young computer wiz insists he has never owned a gun and definitely did not commit murder. Security cameras show him entering the apartment with his girlfriend and no one else. The cameras show him leaving it shortly after gunshots are heard. Next, his car is involved in an accident and the police find the murder weapon inside his vehicle. Eddie has a gut feeling that Child is telling the truth when protesting his innocence and that the law partners want him dead. He is now faced with the dilemma of figuring out how to save both Child and his own beloved wife. This seems an impossible task. He also fears Child is not only in danger of going to prison for murder, but the law partners want him dead.
This well-paced thriller with its twists, cliffhanger moments, and well-drawn characters, was great entertainment throughout.
May 1, 2016
The Plea’s opening chapter is bang on!!! I started reading it as soon as it arrived in the door, and I honestly couldn’t put it down! I read it at every opportunity, which included reading it aloud to my 16 month old daughter because I had gotten to another great bit and didn’t want to stop reading it!
Eddie Flynn is fast becoming one of my favourite characters in books, he’s just, I don’t know, so hangdog yet loveable!
The Plea is an utterly brilliant thriller! I’m a sucker for a good courtroom drama, which The Plea has in spades, as well as plenty of danger from outside forces. There are also plenty of characters from The Defence getting name checked too. The Lizard has to be my favourite though! Kate likes The Lizard! (Please tell me someone will get that reference, Steve? Liz?)
Tasked with representing young billionaire David Child, who is accused of murder, Eddie has his work cut out for him as all the evidence points to Child being the killer. Mixed up in all of this thanks to Harland & Sinton, Christine, Eddie’s wife, becomes an unwitting pawn in the game between the FBI and Flynn. This makes the tension skyrocket as you find yourself invested in the entire story, willing the good guys to win, but who are the good guys?
Every so often, a book comes along that makes me giddy! I get all fidgety and excited about it, The Plea is one such book! After I finished it last night, I was just all eeeeeeeks and squeeeeeeees!!! I just cannot get the words out to accurately describe just how much I loved this book!
Everything about The Plea works! The plot, the characters, the legal and courtroom struggles and triumphs, it all just fits. From the first page, the reader is sucked right into Eddie Flynn’s world and everything that goes with it! There are some excellently shady characters, that make you grit your teeth and want to smack them about the head as they are just awful human beings!
Deception, fraud, murder. The Plea has it all, and as usual, Steve Cavanagh has written an absolute ripper of a novel!
Eddie Flynn is fast becoming one of my favourite characters in books, he’s just, I don’t know, so hangdog yet loveable!
The Plea is an utterly brilliant thriller! I’m a sucker for a good courtroom drama, which The Plea has in spades, as well as plenty of danger from outside forces. There are also plenty of characters from The Defence getting name checked too. The Lizard has to be my favourite though! Kate likes The Lizard! (Please tell me someone will get that reference, Steve? Liz?)
Tasked with representing young billionaire David Child, who is accused of murder, Eddie has his work cut out for him as all the evidence points to Child being the killer. Mixed up in all of this thanks to Harland & Sinton, Christine, Eddie’s wife, becomes an unwitting pawn in the game between the FBI and Flynn. This makes the tension skyrocket as you find yourself invested in the entire story, willing the good guys to win, but who are the good guys?
Every so often, a book comes along that makes me giddy! I get all fidgety and excited about it, The Plea is one such book! After I finished it last night, I was just all eeeeeeeks and squeeeeeeees!!! I just cannot get the words out to accurately describe just how much I loved this book!
Everything about The Plea works! The plot, the characters, the legal and courtroom struggles and triumphs, it all just fits. From the first page, the reader is sucked right into Eddie Flynn’s world and everything that goes with it! There are some excellently shady characters, that make you grit your teeth and want to smack them about the head as they are just awful human beings!
Deception, fraud, murder. The Plea has it all, and as usual, Steve Cavanagh has written an absolute ripper of a novel!
October 7, 2019
This was my second foray into the wacky world of Eddie Flynn, former grifter, present-day lawyer and the guy most likely to get into a legal pickle. Eddie isn’t looking for trouble especially after his last entanglement with some ruthless Mafioso, but trouble finds him. Maybe it’s his background that keeps placing him in the middle of cases involving dodgy characters and devious lawmen, but this one ups the ante on all counts. While I would have liked a little more courtroom drama, it was also a more layered plot on balance. This was another fast-moving read that I devoured quickly.
For those who started with Cavanagh’s most recent installment, the fourth in the series, may I suggest you go back to the beginning? You won’t be disappointed.
For those who started with Cavanagh’s most recent installment, the fourth in the series, may I suggest you go back to the beginning? You won’t be disappointed.
December 6, 2019
Cavanagh is back with another courtroom drama featuring our favorite bulldog of a lawyer, Eddie Flynn. This time he is defending the tech savvy billionaire David Child accused of murdering his girlfriend. Unfortunately, the naïve Child has been employed by a money management/law firm that is heavily involved in money laundering. The FBI and CIA are ready to pounce on the firm, but they need more solid evidence and want Child to plead guilty and become an informant for them. Hence, Eddie has to outwit the feds, the firm, unsavory clients of the firm, and the headline-hungry DA in order to prove Child innocent. It’s a roller-coaster ride. Good thing Flynn is part magician with his slight-of-hand pickpocket skills. Enjoy!
December 8, 2020
3,5 😮💰😮🌟s
Eddie Flynn was forced by the CIA to convince his client to take a plea so that the CIA agent could uncover a money-laundering operation. Meanwhile, Eddie’s wife was involved in the fraud without her knowledge, and the agent was after her.
Eddie Flynn was a great character and his train of thought amazed me once more.
Very well written with a fast pace and plenty of action, intense, intriguing plot and astute legal scenes.
Although I liked it a lot, I would have preferred more courtroom scenes and less ones of action, and not seeing again a member of his family being in danger.
Regardless, it was a fantastic suspenseful legal thriller read!! 🤩
Eddie Flynn was forced by the CIA to convince his client to take a plea so that the CIA agent could uncover a money-laundering operation. Meanwhile, Eddie’s wife was involved in the fraud without her knowledge, and the agent was after her.
Eddie Flynn was a great character and his train of thought amazed me once more.
Very well written with a fast pace and plenty of action, intense, intriguing plot and astute legal scenes.
Although I liked it a lot, I would have preferred more courtroom scenes and less ones of action, and not seeing again a member of his family being in danger.
Regardless, it was a fantastic suspenseful legal thriller read!! 🤩
July 28, 2021
placeholder review
Never a dull moment with this series
December 22, 2020
Steve Cavanagh's books are the definition of "fast paced", and The Plea is no exception. This courtroom thriller was such a great read and amazingly plotted. I'm definitely going to have a lot of fun reading the rest of this series, and they're great to pick up when I need an alternative that is assured to be good. And if you're interested, you could start with any of his books and not need to read them in chronological order.
May 15, 2022
Eddie Flynn is back in this second instalment with another page turning story. Eddie needs to defend David Child and he is convinced that David is innocent. This time Eddie's wife could draw the short stick of the law.
Another great read from Steve. Full of suspense with a face slap ending. The way Eddie runs his defense in the court is so amazing and it tends to have those wtf moments. Loved it!
Another great read from Steve. Full of suspense with a face slap ending. The way Eddie runs his defense in the court is so amazing and it tends to have those wtf moments. Loved it!
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