Th1rt3en by Steve Cavanagh

Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 356

Publisher - Orion

Source - Gift from O/H

Blurb from Goodreads

They were Hollywood's hottest power couple. They had the world at their feet. Now one of them is dead and Hollywood star Robert Solomon is charged with the brutal murder of his beautiful wife.

This is the celebrity murder trial of the century and the defence want one man on their team: con artist turned lawyer Eddie Flynn.

All the evidence points to Robert's guilt, but as the trial begins a series of sinister incidents in the court room start to raise doubts in Eddie's mind.

What if there's more than one actor in the courtroom?

What if the killer isn't on trial? What if the killer is on the jury?



My Review

Firstly let me say that whilst this is book four in the series I haven't read the previous and don't think I missed out by starting with this one. Famous Hollywood hot shot is being tried for the murder of his wife (also Hollywood gold) and bodyguard. All eyes are on the case, Eddie Flynn is asked onto the defense and with money from the studio to cover it he has a good chance. However there is a spanner in the works because the real killer is on the jury and has no intention of letting his pawn go free.

Ooft what a tagline, the killer is on the jury. Even if you aren't a courtroom fan I think you will enjoy this book. It splits in two main parts, that of the killer told in third person narrative, we know who he is immediately, we know his name and introduced to his murderous ways immediately. He is a smart, cunning, cold, callous killer and whilst we know his true identity we do not know his identity on the jury, suspense and mystery. The other main part is told through Eddie, first person narrative. Man of the law, recovering from loss of his family, past traumas and a penchant for the old booze but keeping it in check. His pal is a judge, he seems to have really good strong morals and whilst he has flaws I absolutely loved him as a character, who doesn't love a good guy!

Back to the killer, Joshua Kane, this is the kind of killer who makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. He has a rare condition, he mimics human behaviours to fit into society and social situations and off the scale intellect. Now what he achieves in the book, being on the jury (among other things) some people may think it is far fetched but Hannibal Lecter has similar things said when he was created and I love him too. A Killer that pushes the boundaries, makes you think and for me, freaked me out. He is a fantastic creation and if you watch or read some of the historical killers in crime history especially the sociopaths you can appreciate how scary someone like Kane is.

For me, I was drawn in from the first chapter, opening with the killer and the beginning of his plan which had me like whaaaaaaaat oh what is coming next and not wanting to put the book down. Flynn I liked so much I have bought the first book in the series and plan to get the other two. If you like crime, a good guy lawyer and bad guy who is so risky, dangerous, clever and just unconscionable like nothing will get in between him and his plan ooft you will love this book. 4.5/5 for me this time, I think Cavanagh spins a fantastic tale, carves characters that leaves you wanting more and more, for me an absolute page turner. Whilst this was my first dance with this author it won't be my last sure I bought the first in the series as soon as I finished this one!

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