The Defense: A Novel (Eddie Flynn)
The Defense: A Novel (Eddie Flynn) book cover

The Defense: A Novel (Eddie Flynn)

Hardcover – May 3, 2016

Price
$17.28
Format
Hardcover
Pages
320
Publisher
Flatiron Books
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1250082251
Dimensions
6.5 x 1 x 9.5 inches
Weight
1.1 pounds

Description

“Cavanagh’s stellar debut provides everything a reader could ask for in a thriller ―nail-biting suspense, a Russian nesting doll of a plot, and an original and compelling lead.” ― Publishers Weekly , starred “ If you're a fan of John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Brad Meltzer, then you will be a fan of Steve Cavanagh's The Defense . Cavanagh's debut novel introduces a wonderfully flawed hero, Eddie Flynn, one-time con man, now turned lawyer, who will hold you spellbound. This is a hell of a genre-bending book. I hope Cavanagh's working on the sequel.” ―Nelson DeMille, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Radiant Angel “This is a super, break-neck book.” ―Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author “ Steve Cavanagh's The Defense puts the 'thrill' back in 'legal thriller.' Non-stop action, unexpected and totally cool plot twists, a sympathetic genius of a con-man/attorney, and a clock that never ever ever stops ticking -- this isn't narrative drive, it's rocket-like narrative propulsion! Hop aboard and enjoy the ride!” ―John Lescroart, New York Times bestselling author of The Fall and the Dismas Hardy series “A fresh approach… A rush of double-crosses...and some savvy lawyering. Cavanagh keeps things hopping and writes a fine action scene.” ― The Dallas Morning News “Reads a lot like a courtroom drama that Lee Child might write about Jack Reacher's younger, hotter-headed brother.” ― Irish Times “Part classic courtroom drama in the John Grisham tradition and part Bruce Willis-like action hero fiction straight out of the Die Hard franchise , this is a rip-roaring action-packed and highly entertaining debut.” ― Irish Independent “ The Defense is the best kind of legal thriller , proving that the real drama takes place outside of the courtroom, in the head and the heart. I started reading to see what would happen next, but couldn't put the book down because I needed to learn more about con man turned lawyer Eddie Flynn, the smartest man in the courthouse. I was hooked until the last satisfying page.” ―Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of The Ex STEVE CAVANAGH was born and raised in Belfast before studying law in Dublin. He practices civil rights law and has been involved in several high profile cases; in 2010 Steve represented a factory worker who won the largest award of damages for race discrimination in Northern Ireland's legal history. Steve is married with two young children. The Defense is his first novel.

Features & Highlights

  • "If you're a fan of John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Brad Meltzer, then you will be a fan of Steve Cavanagh's
  • The Defense
  • ."
  • Nelson DeMille, #1
  • New York Times
  • bestselling author of
  • Radiant Angel
  • Eddie Flynn used to be a con artist. Then he became a lawyer. Turns out the two aren't that different.
  • Former con artist turned lawyer Eddie Flynn gave up the law a year ago after a disastrous case, and he vowed never to step foot in a courtroom again. But now he doesn't have a choice. The head of the Russian mob in New York City, on trial for murder, has kidnapped Eddie's ten-year-old daughter: Eddie has to take this case whether he likes it or not.
  • Using his razor-sharp wit and every con, bluff, grift, and trick in the book, Eddie has only forty-eight hours to defend an impossible murder trial. And if he loses this case, he loses everything.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
30%
(2.7K)
★★★★
25%
(2.3K)
★★★
15%
(1.4K)
★★
7%
(633)
23%
(2.1K)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Wildly Improbable

I found it very difficult to suspend my disbelief while reading this improbably-plotted thriller. Blowing up the court building was way too over-the-top, as was the bad guys telling Eddie about 20 times, "If you don't do what we tell you to do, we're going to kill your daughter." We get it--the daughter's in grave danger. I would not read a sequel to this book.
12 people found this helpful
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Wanted to like it, left me still wanting

Started out great, albeit unbelievable in parts. Ended totally unrealistic. It's like a really bad 90's action flick. Concept was promising but the 2 dimensional (at best) characters took away from getting into the story. Hoping to read the next book and see if the writing improves. So, I will be back. That's the best I can offer the author for now.
4 people found this helpful
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If you like court room thrillers....

4.5 stars

Readers of "legal thrillers" will enjoy this opening escapade of Eddie Flynn, the Hell's Kitchen-raised con artist-attorney who is trying to recover from a variety of maladies it seems writers seem to want to afflict on their leading characters. In Eddie's case he is a recovering alcoholic, haunted by a successful, yet failed trial, and an equally failing marriage. While attempting to get his life in some resemblance of order, his daughter is kidnapped by a Russian Mafia boss who will kill her unless Eddie helps him get rid of the only witness who can finger him for ordering a murder.

The structure of the story is good and Eddie Flynn is a somewhat believable character. His law a trial skills are much more interesting than his con artist skills and that was one reason I took half a star off of my liking of the story. Eddy is almost too good at what he does as a con artist, particularly the way he can move in and out of someone's pocket so easily. The situation and people Eddy is involved with (Jimmy the Hat?) is also a bit cliche-ish and seemed previously used by similar writers....John Lescroart and his Dismas Hardy character comes to mind.

Nevertheless, this shouldn't rule out the reading of this book since the situation is interesting and the courtroom action is realistic.
3 people found this helpful
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One of the new rising star novelists.

I am a Tom Clancy and John Grisham fan. While reading this book, I felt like it was equally as entertaining as these two writers. The plot and writing style was engaging. It kept me on the edge of my seat. A real page turner. A great read. Looking forward to reading all of his books. I predict that Steve Cavanaugh will be one of the new rising stars!
2 people found this helpful
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Plot Lacked Credibility

Chapter One: The Russian mob boss is on trial for murder. They kidnap Eddie's daughter then strap a bomb on him to smuggle into court so they can kill the main witness in the trial. I forgot to tell you the mobs first lawyer was Eddie's partner who they killed, cut his head off, then put it in a bag showing it to Eddie to let him know they mean business.
Whoa. Easy. What?

The plot was too far fetched to for me to really enjoy it. Too much lacking in credibility and was repetitive.
Eddie was a cool cat. His backstory as a hustler, grifter, criminal was interesting. So that is why i'll give book two a chance. 2 1/2 stars.
1 people found this helpful
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Great Legal Read

I thoroughly enjoy well written legal thrillers. With the best ones, I cannot put them down. The Defense is one of those books. I hope Steve Cavanagh plans to write some more. I will definitely buy.
1 people found this helpful
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Reads like a movie script

Eddie Flynn is a con artist who becomes a lawyer and decides the two really aren't that different. That premise amused me. When the book begins he's also given up practicing law but is dragged in by the Russian mob who have kidnapped his daughter and he must win their case to get her back. He now has to pull off the biggest con of his life.

The book is more action thriller than courtroom drama and it puts you in mind of a movie. I enjoyed the court scenes the best and the writing is good, particularly for a first novel. The chapters are short which makes for a fast-paced read but it seemed as if the author decided on short chapters regardless of what was taking place, as often a scene is broken off to start the next chapter--I found that a bit odd. There is a lot going on and a lot of sub-plots but the author did a good job of keeping it all together.
1 people found this helpful
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Fantastic Read! Actually listened to book on overdrive

Fantastic Read! Actually listened to book on overdrive. Eddie Flynn, also known as Eddie Fly, is a lawyer, a husband, a father, a con artist, a hustler and a criminal who is in BIG trouble with the Russian mob. Eddie is coerced into defending the head of the Russian mafia, Olek Volchek. He does so, because the Russian mob has kidnapped his daughter. Can Eddie save his daughter? Can he get a not guilty verdict to save his life? Read to find the answers.
1 people found this helpful
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Definitely a page turner!

Definitely a great book! Unexpected twist, great plot building, amazing courtroom drama..overall this is a book that has everything, a page turner from the beginning to the end.
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Couldn't get into the book

Another Steve Cavanaugh Eddie Flynn Book "Thirteen" I really enjoyed. For some reason I couldn't continue reading this one.