Thirteen by Steve Cavanaugh is a book with a simple but very intriguing premise:
The serial killer isn’t on trial. He’s on the jury
How does a serial killer get on the jury of his own trial you may ask? Well, that’s part of the joy of this book, it makes the impossible seem only implausible, and then in turn makes that seem at least possible.
It turns out ‘Sunday times best-selling author Steve Cavanagh’ is a former lawyer of some note. In fact “in 2010 he represented a factory worker who suffered racial abuse in the workplace and won the largest award of damages for race discrimination in Northern Ireland legal history”.
I wasn’t aware until halfway through this rollercoaster of a book that the author was a Belfast boy!
This experience makes the book is able to breeze through the legal aspects with authenticity whilst keeping the action fast-paced and exciting.
The characters are well-drawn and the technique of giving the protagonist and the killer a chapter each alternating means we follow the cat and mouse game from both sides.
The chapters are punchy and succinct with very little wasted movement. Action is described well and in real terms without the use of a lot of excessive floral language, which really does make sure you get the most bang for your buck. This gives the impression of reading a Hollywood thriller.
The characters really are really well brought to life, especially Eddie Flynn the small-time lawyer thrust into the spotlight (other books explore his life before and after this story).
Even the chapters in the killer’s head give his reasonings and explanations as to why he’s doing what he does. The book is filled with twists and turns that have you guessing to the end and make for a hugely enjoyable read this is hard to put down between chapters.
Picking up this book got me back into the habit of reading again after many years of not doing so and since reading I’m currently working my way through the rest of Steve Cavanagh’s books.
Suffice to say I was impressed and have enjoyed others from this same author. You can pick up his books on Amazon, the library, or from all good book shops.
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