3.5⭐

The sixth book in Steve Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn Series has our conman-turned-lawyer traveling out of state to represent a young black man Andy Dubois, accused of brutally murdering a young woman Skylar Edwards in Buckstown, Alabama, where corruption runs deep in the small town as does racism. Pitted against Randal Korn the sadistic prosecutor of Sunville County, Alabama whose idea of justice equals capital punishment and with the real killer whose agenda includes much more than simply murder, on the loose, Eddie and his team (who subsequently joins him) have their work cut out for them. From the moment they step foot in Buckstown, Eddie and Harry realize that the whole town is against Andy and by default, resent the out-of-town lawyer and his team defending the young man they believe is guilty of murder.

Steve Cavanagh’s The Devil’s Advocate is an intricately plotted, action-packed thriller that kept me guessing till the very last page. While I did enjoy following Eddie Flynn and his team (I love that Eddie is now working with Kate and Bloch and retired Judge Harry Ford), I did feel that the investigative element and the build-up took precedence over the signature courtroom drama (which features much later in the narrative) that we expect from the Eddie Flynn series. I like that each member of the team significantly contributes to the team’s efforts to save Andy from being wrongfully convicted. Presented through multiple PoVs over seven days, the narrative has strong socio-political overtones and touches upon issues such as capital punishment, corruption in law enforcement, prosecutorial misconduct, conspiracy, white supremacy groups and domestic terrorism and racism. I know that these issues are of critical importance, timely, and relevant, but the narrative gets a tad convoluted in the process of incorporating all these elements into the plotline. The Author’s Note at the end of the book is informative and provides context on some of the issues mentioned in the plot.

Overall I did enjoy this novel – it is fast-paced, thrilling and suspenseful- but not as much as the previous installments. I am a fan of this series and do look forward to reading more from Steve Cavanagh in the future. ( )

5 big stars for this one.

Wow, this book was brutal for most of it - kind of depressing. Too much evil and seemingly hopeless. And too close to real life. There are evil religious zealots, evil police, evil prosecutors, evil governor. There is complete disregard for the lives of innocent people by some of them, and capital punishment run wild. And some of it gets wrongly blamed on Antifa. There is even a reference to Trump, but not by name.

Eddie Flynn takes on a capital case against an innocent black man in a small Alabama town who is being set up, and everyone thinks he is a ruthless killer and has no right to a trial. Of course, they don't deserve full blame, as there is a confession to the Sheriff, a confession to a cell mate, DNS evidence, and he was the last one to see the victim alive. The DA is crooked, rich and powerful. He is able to buy or threaten jurors and law men. The judge is also sure the suspect is guilty.

It seems hopeless for a while, but my hero, Bloch, is there so we know things will work out. Bloch is a former policewoman who carries a huuuge .50 calibre gun. If you get shot with that, you know you've been shot unless you die instantly. She's smart and tough, no nonsense or emotions, and a good shot. And of course there's Harry, who can talk his way into our out of almost anything. So it's not totally hopeless.

After about half-way or more, things start looking up, and for the last third I was not able to stop reading. This is the type of book I used to like to listen to as an audiobook while exercising, as I would keep going without thinking about the pain. Unfortunately, I didn't have the audiobook version.

By the way, it wasn't really terrible, just depressing for a lot of it. ( )

Conman turned lawyer Eddie Flynn and his team find themselves in Alabama fighting for the life of a young man facing the death penalty in The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanagh.

When the body of college student/bar waitress Skylar Edwards is found partially buried in a lot behind a truck stop, the corrupt local sheriff is quick to arrest her young colleague, Andy Dubois, and the sadistic county District Attorney to guarantee the death penalty. Despite damning evidence to the contrary, it’s clear to Eddie that Andy has been framed, and he has no chance of a fair trial in Buckstown.

Always one to side with the underdog, Eddie is really up against it the small minded town harbouring corrupt officials, racists, extremists, and more than one killer. No one is interested in justice, just vengeance and power. The conspiracy, and it’s extent, is terrifying, with a vein of plausibility I found very disturbing. Cavanagh seems to draw some inspiration from the classic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as current events. The plot is layered, offering some plenty of tense moments and surprises, and unfolds at a good pace.

Eddie’s nemesis in the case is Randal Korn, who presents as a diligent, successful District Attorney, but is a sadist who revels in having the power over life and death and will do anything to keep it. A great legal defence isn’t going to be enough to ensure justice for Andy against such a man, and Eddie and his team, which includes fellow lawyer Kate, investigator Bloch, and mentor Harry, have to play smart and dirty if they are going to save their clients life. Eddie doesn’t mind taking risks when he needs to, but is reluctant for his colleagues to do so. I really enjoyed the team dynamic in this instalment, and that they each have a crucial role to play in the story.

Despite this being the sixth instalment of the Eddie Flynn series, I think it can work as a stand alone. A great read, The Devil’s Advocate is a gripping, dramatic and disturbing legal thriller. ( )

Alison