The Liar

I have been a fan of legal thrillers since reading Scott Turow’s PRESUMED INNOCENT many years ago. I can still remember where I was sitting, in a 70's era rental house in Indianapolis, when I got to the end of that book, with its big, twisty ending. In fact, that is probably when I became a fan of big, twisty endings in books! Steve Cavanagh has taken Turow’s knack for such an end and put it to good use in THE LIAR, another book with an ending I did not see coming.

This is the third book in the Eddy Flynn series, after THE DEFENSE and THE PLEA, but only the latter two titles are available in the U.S. right now. When I found out that the author had written more books in this series, but couldn’t get them here yet, I ordered THE LIAR show more and TH1RT3EN from the UK, and waited impatiently for them to arrive. There is also a novella, THE CROSS, that you can only get it as an ebook in the UK right now. It is my understanding that Flatiron Books will be publishing all these at some point in the future.

Eddie Flynn is a former con-man and hustler turned lawyer who retired from courtroom work after a disastrous case. In the first book, THE DEFENSE, he gets pulled back into trial work after his daughter is kidnapped by the mob, who expect Eddie to defend them in order to get his daughter back. It all works out, of course, after lots of misdirection and twists by the author.

In this third book, Eddie is contacted by an old family friend named Leonard Howell whose own daughter has been kidnapped. Lenny is about to take an action for which he will need legal representation, and Eddie is drawn in over the memories of his own situation in the past. The kidnappers have contacted Lenny for a ransom, and he’s planning to go around the FBI to make a secret ransom drop in order to save his daughter’s life. Eddie uses his old con-man skills to switch the ransom cases, and after that all hell breaks loose.

There is so much that happens in this book that you almost get whiplash reading it. I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning, ON A WORK NIGHT, to finish it because I had to see what happened at the end! I can’t give away too many details of this expertly plotted legal thriller, but there are several courtroom scenes that have jaw-dropping surprises for everyone, even Eddie.

The book has a non-linear aspect, in that several chapters are written in italics discussing events that have happened in the past to characters who seem to have no bearing on the current case. But gradually the author reveals the connections, and it all comes together with an explosive ending.

There are a few, very few, plot holes, and a bit of suspension of belief is required at the end, but it was such a fun ride that I happily overlooked those minor hitches. I will happily recommend this series to fans of legal thrillers. show less

The third installment of Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn Series, The Liar has our conman-turned-lawyer helping an acquaintance from his old neighborhood. Wealthy businessman Leonard “Lenny” Howell’s seventeen-year-old daughter Caroline has been kidnapped and a ransom exchange is about to go down. Eddie, reverting to his old tricks, tries to chalk out a plan to best the kidnapper but unbeknownst to them they are being manipulated and playing right into the hands of the kidnapper. The kidnapper's agenda includes more than just kidnapping Lenny’s daughter and seems to be a step ahead. The tables are turned as Leonard Howell becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance and suspected murder of his daughter leaving it up to Eddie to show more prove his friend's innocence in court, find out what truly happened to Caroline and figure out who is behind it all.

Just before Eddie’s services are engaged by Howell, Eddie receives a subpoena for a cold case file that he inherited when he took over the firm of his friend and mentor Judge Harry Ford. The case is that of a woman by the name of Julia Rosen who was incarcerated for the murder of her infant daughter while high on drugs. She had insisted that the fire that caused the tragedy was started by a masked intruder but due to lack of evidence and the fact that she had drugs in her system resulted in a guilty verdict. Harry had been her lawyer and though he had believed in Julia’s innocence he had been unsuccessful in proving it. Even though Julia is now deceased, her case has been reopened with the intention of a posthumous exoneration. Max Copeland is a lawyer known for his success in similar cases and is responsible for ruining the careers of other criminal defense lawyers. Proving incompetent counsel and malpractice will surely end Harry’s career. Eddie will leave no stone unturned to help his mentor.

The narrative is shared by Eddie in the first –person with chapters detailing Julia Rosen’s case interspersed throughout the narrative. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that the timing of Julia’s case being reopened and Howell’s daughter’s kidnapping is no coincidence and there is more to the story than meets the eye. It is up to Eddie, who finds an unlikely ally in FBI Agent Harper, to find the truth behind Caroline’s kidnapping and how it is connected to the recently reopened murder case.

With its cast of interesting characters and multiple suspects, intricate plot, high-voltage courtroom drama, twists and action-packed suspense, The Liar is a thrilling read albeit somewhat predictable. For those who read a lot of thrillers, while it might not be too hard to connect the dots between the two cases I am sure you will enjoy the surprises along the way! I look forward to reading the remaining books in this series. Eddie Flynn is one of the most interesting protagonists I’ve come across recently and I’m eager to follow his story.

My reviews for the previous installments:
Book#1: The Defense
Book#2: The Plea show less

Eddie Flynn gets a call in the middle of the night from a former friend, his daughter has been kidnapped and Howell needs a lawyer. Whilst waiting for the car to pick him up Flynn is subpoenaed regarding a case he was not involved in but his partner was. When he meets Howell he finds a man on the edge and ready to do a desperate act, the FBI are involved and Flynn's skills as a former con-man are needed. However when the bag drop goes wrong and Howell's house is blown up Flynn finds himself having to defend his former friend from serious charges. As evidence mounts up against Howell a twist causes all involved to rethink the motives and the potential outcome.

I was surprised to find that this book had such rave reviews as it has, not show more having read any of Cavanagh's work before I came to this book cold and was pleasantly surprised. If you like that particular form of American thriller with lots of car chases and gun fights then this works well, unfortunately that's not really my preferred genre. Looking beneath that superficial surface though there is a really cleverly plotted storyline which, although the solution is highlighted from the start, is twisty and satisfying enough. Therefore I am rating this book fairly highly because it did engage and as a pacy, non-demanding read it really satisfies. show less

My 6P review: Publication, Plot, People, Place, Prose/Pace, Praise

Leonard Howell’s daughter Caroline has been kidnapped. Eddie Flynn knows all too well what it’s like to lose a daughter. Who is deadlier…the man who knows the truth…or the one who believes a lie?

This had all the hallmarks of a Steve Cavanagh thriller. The duping of the insurance company and the police for a $20m ransom drop, the re-opening of the Julie Rosen case and the defence of Harry – all intertwined to provide a riveting fast-paced read.

The plot was predictable in this one and I figured out what was going on quite early in the piece. Nonetheless it was still an easy quick read. Eddie Flynn is great, and I love how he goes about his business.

The writing show more style is fantastic. It is perfect for this genre and the twists and plotting are excellent.

I highly recommend this series. show less

Another great read from my latest favorite series, Eddie Flynn. Lots of excitement, surprises, a complex story, and Eddie Flynn's amazing ability to get out of impossible situations. At least in this one, it wasn't his family that was being threatened as in the first two.

#3 in the Eddie Flynn series. Eddie just keeps getting better and better. An old "friend" from his past contacts him because his daughter has been kidnapped. With twists, turns, cons, and shady characters who may or may not be guilty in the plot Eddie must delve into the past to connect some dots. A little murder and mayhem along the way with the present and past colliding has Eddie fighting for his client and his life.

een minder typsiche cavanagh. meer kat en muis dan intelligent advocaten werk