‘Thirteen’ is my first Steve Cavanagh novel. The tagline pretty much says it all, “The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury.”
Initially I thought, how interesting can this be if we already know from the beginning who the killer is? Normally I hate that. I like to sleuth right along with the main character, then when I figure out who the killer is, I try to telepathically help the main character along. Suuure sometimes I tell him or her what an idiot they are that they can’t see what is right in front of their faces. And I will admit, occasionally I end up eating my words and have to apologi—wait, that’s not weird, is it? You guys argue with your imaginary book friends too, right?
Then I thought. Just how does the author actually pull this off and can he possibly make it interesting? Of course, I had to find out.
If you’re in the mood for a pulse-pounding legal thriller with a twist that’ll leave you questioning everything, then ‘Thirteen’ by Steve Cavanagh is your next must-read.
Plot Overview
‘Thirteen’ is the fourth book in the Eddie Flynn series, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous ones—you can jump right into this one. I did. Our protagonist, Eddie Flynn, is a former con artist turned defense attorney, and he’s got his hands full with this case. Hollywood star Robert Solomon is on trial for the murder of his wife and their security guard. All the evidence points to Solomon, and the media is having a field day, but Eddie isn’t convinced of his client’s guilt.
What makes this book stand out from your run-of-the-mill courtroom drama? Well, it’s not every day that the killer is on the jury—Thank god! Cavanagh introduces us to Joshua Kane, a highly intelligent and utterly ruthless serial killer who has found a way to infiltrate the jury. His goal? To ensure that Robert Solomon is convicted, all while hiding in plain sight.
Eddie Flynn is the kind of character you can’t help but root for—clever, resourceful, and with a moral compass that, while sometimes askew, always points true when it matters. He’s the underdog in a case that’s rigged against him from the start, and his journey to uncover the truth is nothing short of exhilarating.
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Joshua Kane, on the other hand, is a different beast altogether. Cavanagh has crafted one of the most chilling villains I’ve come across in a long time. Kane is meticulous, calculating, and always one step ahead. The way he manipulates the system to get on the jury is terrifyingly plausible, making him a character that will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Twists and Turns Galore
One of the best things about ‘Thirteen’ is that it never lets up. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, Cavanagh pulls the rug out from under you. The pacing is relentless, with the tension ratcheting up with every chapter. By the time you reach the climax, you’ll be on the edge of your seat, flipping pages like your life depends on it.
‘Thirteen’ isn’t your ordinary legal thriller. Cavanagh has taken a genre that’s been done to death and breathed new life into it with a premise so unique and a villain so creepy you’ll be hooked from page one. If you love courtroom dramas, psychological thrillers, or just want a book that keeps you on your toes, ‘Thirteen’ is a must-read.
I will say, for full disclosure, there was one part of the book that kind of nagged at me and that was how they (the FBI and defense attorney) automatically made the connection to ‘the killer must be on the jury’. Having said that, that could have totally been an oopsie on my part, something I missed along the way while they were doing their sleuthing. And honestly, either way, it is still very much worth the read.
So, if you’re like me and are looking for a book that will keep you up all night, unable to stop reading until you’ve devoured every last word, ‘Thirteen’ by Steve Cavanagh should be at the top of your list. Trust me, this is one jury duty you won’t want to miss.
Until next time, keep your wits sharp, your bookshelves brash, and your reading list filled with edge-of-your-seat thrillers! … and as always, stay true to you!
If you still need to get your copy of ‘Thirteen’ you can get it here on Amazon. Or get it for free when you sign up for a free trial from Audible. Also, ‘Thirteen’ is currently available on Kindle Unlimited.
Surprise! As an added bonus, here are 10 book club questions for you to ponder while you make your way through this great read!
Book Club Questions
1. What did you think of Eddie Flynn as a protagonist? How did his background as a former con artist influence his approach to the case and his interactions with others?
2. Joshua Kane is a unique and terrifying villain. How did you feel about the way he manipulated the legal system to get on the jury? Did you find his actions believable?
3. The tagline “The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury” is a key hook for this novel. How effective do you think this premise was in keeping the suspense alive throughout the story? How did it influence your decision to read this book?
4. How did the alternating perspectives between Eddie Flynn and Joshua Kane affect your reading experience? Did you find it more engaging, or did it detract from the mystery in any way?
5. The legal thriller genre often involves a battle of wits. How did you feel about the courtroom scenes in Thirteen? Were they convincing and well-paced, or did they drag at any point?
6. In many ways, Thirteen challenges the idea of justice. How do you think the novel explores the concept of justice versus the legal system? Did it change your perspective on how easily the system can be manipulated?
7. How did the supporting characters, like Judge Harry Ford and Robert Solomon, contribute to the overall story? Did any of them stand out to you as particularly well-developed or essential to the plot?
8. What were your thoughts on the pacing of the novel? Did you find it difficult to put down, or were there moments where the story slowed down too much?
9. The novel features several twists and turns. Were there any surprises that completely caught you off guard, or did you see them coming? How did these twists impact your overall enjoyment of the book?
10. If you were to recommend ‘Thirteen’ to a friend, how would you describe it? What elements would you highlight as the main reasons to read it, and who do you think would enjoy this book the most?
