Book review: Unusual plot with a surprising ending

The 10th book in Steve Cavanagh’s series featuring criminal defence attorney Eddie Flynn is a compelling and gripping read

Steve Cavanagh’s latest Eddie Flynn thriller is set in Trump’s America. File picture: Moya Nolan

• One of Us is Guilty
• Steve Cavanagh
• Headline, €16.99

This is the 10th book in Steve Cavanagh’s series featuring criminal defence attorney Eddie Flynn, who used to be a con artist. 

Although the author is from Belfast, the award-winning series is set in the US. You don’t need to have read any of the others to enjoy this novel.

Flynn’s colleagues are interesting characters; they include Harry, a former judge, and the pair who usually work together: Bloch, who has a rigid focus, and the much more volatile Lake.

The two of them are involved in most of the action scenes, some of which are quite violent and not for the faint-hearted.

Minor characters include Christine, Flynn’s former wife and his daughter Amy, who he adores and both of whom make him vulnerable.

Each of the characters really contribute to the story.

The novel is set in Trump’s America, there’s even a reference to killing someone on Fifth Avenue, and some of the characters echo who is currently in power in the USA, and what is happening there.

Patrick Vanderpool, son of Julian, a billionaire media mogul, is destined for power.

Julian is thinking about marrying for the seventh time, he loves the conquest of women.

His wealth makes him powerful. He is selfish, cruel, and domineering, particularly towards his son. He is almost too horrible a character to be believable.

Patrick admits he isn’t really interested in politics yet is running to be governor, with money and other support provided by his father.

He’s having an affair with Molly, a young lady involved in his campaign, and that could ruin everything.

Vanessa Vanderpool is married to one of America’s most influential men, but she has her own ambitions. If she discovers his affair, how will she react?

Vanessa is one of the most interesting characters in the novel. You are not sure whether you should feel sorry for her or not.

She seems to be haunted, always tense, continuously washing her hands so often and so harshly that she makes them sore.

Is it fear or is it something else? The questions keep coming but the answers only arrive at the novel’s conclusion.

When Molly is brutally murdered, Vanessa is charged with her murder. The evidence the police collect seem to show her guilt. Eddie is asked to be her defence attorney in order to protect Patrick.

Although he feels she is innocent, he senses that she isn’t telling him the full truth.

It’s a gripping read, which keeps you guessing to the end. What adds to the tension is how the narrative is told from different points of view, including Eddie, Patrick, Vanessa, Bloch, and Lake.

Reading the chapters written from Vanessa’s and Patrick’s points of view, you are just as confused as Eddie is. Who is telling the truth?

At times you wonder can all the threads of the plot ever come together, and this makes it a compelling and gripping read.

Although it’s violent in places, the narrative is often witty and humorous too.

Eddie is an attractive and likeable character. In the courtroom he draws on his experience as a con artist, using every trick and bluff to make sure his client receives a ‘not guilty’ verdict — but can he succeed this time?

One of Us is Guilty has an unusual plot, is cleverly written, with a surprising ending.

It deserves to be a bestseller like the other books in the series. Recommended.