The Defense: A Novel (Eddie Flynn) Hardcover – May 3, 2016

Wow! If you could squish a courtroom drama written by John Grisham and a thriller by David Baldacci together, you get Steve Cavanagh’s “The Defense” (2015, 381 pages in paperback). “The Defense” is Cavanagh’s debut novel, and it’s a blockbuster. Publishers Weekly’s starred review states, “Everything a reader could ask for in a thriller — a nail-biting suspense, a Russian nesting doll of a plot, and an original and compelling lead.” Cavanagh’s protagonist is a con-artist and hustler turned lawyer, but there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the professions, at least as far as Eddie Flynn is concerned. And in this story, both his early background as a grifter and his current talents as an attorney are needed to deal with a tense situation that gets more nerve-wracking as the plot develops. The story opens with Eddie being kidnapped by the Russian mob, headed by the most unsavory of characters who have already kidnapped his 10-year-old daughter Amy. Not only is Eddie in the hands of the head of the Russian mafia, he’s also forced to wear an exploding jacket, defend the mob boss against a murder rap, and smuggle the jacket into the courthouse so that it can be placed under the witness chair where it will be detonated to kill a mob member who is scheduled to testify for the prosecution. Oh, and if he doesn’t do exactly as he’s told, his daughter Amy will be killed. As Russian mafia boss Volchek tells Eddie, “It just takes a phone call.” Eddie’s major concern, of course, is protecting his daughter from the Russian monsters. But his every attempt to secure her safety is met with some sort of stumbling block. However, he has two aces in the hole. One is his boyhood friend who is now head of the local Italian Mafia, and the other is an esteemed judge with armed service fighting experience. Volcheck, who has never had reason to question the devotion of his men, isn’t aware that Witness X isn’t the only member of the mob who has plans for the Bratva (brotherhood). And, as if this three-way pressure on Eddie isn’t enough, the FBI has him in its crosshairs as a terrorist. Aside from the tense drama and action, a major highlight of the book is Eddie’s manipulation of the court, the prosecution, witnesses, and his abductors. Our protagonist is in constant panic mode, yet he manages to out-maneuver whoever stands between him and his goal. But time is a constant enemy. The mob and the court each has its own schedule, and so does his daughter’s life. This is a tightly-written book with a great plot, interesting characters, and a twist every few pages. It’s one of those unbelievable tales that the author somehow makes us believe. It’s also one of those books that make it easy to root for the good guy without ambiguity. Cavanagh’s second book is The Plea, and I’ve got it on order....Jim Glynn

My Review 3.5 STARSI read this author’s popular fourth installment of his Eddie Flynn series earlier this year. I am talking about THIRTEEN which was published in 2018 and made quite an impression on popular authors, critics, and readers alike. Personally, I just loved it. Naturally when Cavanagh’s debut novel was featured in a promotional email at a reduced price, I hit the Purchase Button right away. I had been so impressed by the runaway bestseller THIRTEEN that I had intended to read more from this talented new-to-me author.By 25% into the book Eddie has been threatened by a Russian Mobster to murder the star witness for the prosecution in his trial for First Degree Murder, and the mobsters have kidnapped his 10-yr old daughter to ensure his cooperation. Great start to a novel---even if he murders the witness he realizes that he will be signing both his and his daughter's death warrant. Can a master con man save himself and his little girl using the tool's of a huckster's trade? The novel had an intriguing premise and it held my interest as the story line unfolded.However, by the time I had read to the 39% mark, the momentum had slowed and although the narrative remained at least interesting, it was somewhat dull but for Eddie's anecdotes about his days as a grifter and his successful exploits with insurance fraud. This observation remained pretty much the tale of the take until around the 75% mark, or final one fourth of the novel.That said, the action does pick up with a host of criminal elements, i.e., the Russian mob, the Italian crime family in New York, assorted other mobsters and the cartels. The core of the plot (Eddie's 10 yr. old daughter’s abduction by the Russian mafia to be used as leverage for Eddie to act as the crime boss's attorney, and to blow up the star witness for the prosecution) ultimately evolves into a more complex story line. Eddie is a tough street fighter and gifted grifter and con man (former that is) and the book picks up momentum when Flynn starts outwitting the bad guys and the narrative reveals the grand scope of the web within which Eddie has found himself trapped.Finally, this debut novel is better than many I've read. The few scenes in the courtroom were especially good. Eddie Flynn is a likable scoundrel who was a talented and successful con artist by trade before his mother's death guilted him into changing careers. Eddie went to law school and plied his previously well honed hustler skills to the attorney trade. The author gives Eddie a guilty conscience over a past professional mistake, makes him a haunted recovering alcoholic with a failed marriage and a young daughter who gets caught up in the train wreck he made of his legal career. He's flawed but charismatic enough to make you like him anyway. Mafia, mobsters, and organized crime aren't my cup of tea but Cavanagh spins an ambitious action packed yarn that pits Eddie against some heavy odds stacked against him. He has only his wits and a con man's instincts and talents to carry the day. The narrative dragged at times and I felt impatient for the tale to end.There is also one jarring scene toward the end of the book that I felt was completely unnecessary, but beyond that, totally unbelievable and a giant turn off as a reader. I am talking about Eddie physically assaulting the head of the Russian Mafia when the crime boss had just seconds earlier told Eddie that he would not harm him or his family. A mature man, a smart man, or a man who is portrayed as a cunning strategist slugs the mob boss and his bodyguard just for the hell of it.Loved THIRTEEN so would likely have read the next book featuring the exploits of the Eddie Flynn. The ridiculous action taken by Eddie at the end makes me feel like he is not a “thinking man” at all.

I love a good series, and this one starts with a bang and doesn’t stop. Love the characters and enough background information is provided to flesh out the motivations nicely. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

I suppose it was inevitable to read all about Eddie Flynn's back story in Book One of the series. I had just finished Book Four in the same series, 'Thirteen,' and was so thrilled with that book, I had to read more of Steve Cavanagh.So, back to the back story. Yes, it had to be there but I found the way it was introduced into the book was utterly annoying.I would get to some exciting plot point and off the author went telling me Flynn's life story as if I was reading a kind of fictional auto biography. I do think it could have been introduced in a better way without cluttering up the exciting plot lines.I am given to understand the author was or is a lawyer. It shows in his writing, especially the courtroom scenes and Flynn's asides as to trial lawyers' tactics. Much of what is written is factually correct. Yet, I do wish the author (putting on his lawyer head) would take his own advice: often the best trial lawyers keep it [the cross-examination]short and to the point. There is a type of trial lawyer who is over-confident, too full of himself. Those types alienate juries.What's my point? This author comes up with terrific plots and is an excellent writer but he "over-eggs" things at times forgetting his own 'lawyerly' advice to keep it simple when needed. It can be devastatingly effective.The author seems to strive to show the reader just how clever he is with some of the unexpected plot turns. Mostly, they work. But sometimes they not only fail to work, they are also utterly unnecessary.************DO NOT READ ON******POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT******************Exhibit A, members of the jury, is the conman Flynn, now lawyer, physically attacking the Russian Mafia boss and his bodyguard towards the end of the book.Come on, Mister Cavanagh. It was not needed and was so annoying. For me, it spoiled a good read and put me off Eddie Flynn books despite loving 'Thirteen' and mostly enjoying 'The Defence.'

The Defence is not Cavanagh's best known work, and I really want to read the more recent Thirteen and Fifty Fifty, but I am loathe to start in the middle of a series and so I embarked upon this first novel in the series. I had some idea of what to expect, but I did not foresee this adrenaline fuelled, explosive storyline which made me drop my jaw on the first page and not straighten it until the end. Cavanagh's writing is so immersive and I did not want to let go.The American legal system is not something with which I'm particularly familiar, but Cavanagh clearly has a lot of knowledge about how proceedings work and uses this to inform the reader. I imagine that in real life, some of the processes are actually quite dull but he manages to inject an awful lot of drama into the court scenes that held my attention for the whole novel.Eddie Flynn is not your average lawyer and to be honest, if he was, there wouldn't be much of a book. However, he charmed me and I am excited to see what he is involved in next. He has a complex back story that has been well developed and I loved his relationship with his daughter and I look forward to learning more about him.

Set In New York City, The Defence is an action packed courtroom drama. Although quite a lot of the story takes place in the court building it’s a full on, non stop rollercoaster which takes place over forty-eight hours. No conventional legal thriller here.Eddie Flynn, ex con-man and hustler turned lawyer, hasn’t set foot in a courtroom for more than a year, after a case he won turned into a tragedy. But now, Eddie’s life is about to spiral completely out of control. Hijacked in his favourite diner, his coat doctored to include a bomb in the lining, Eddie is forced into a car at gunpoint.Eddie’s former partner, Jack Halloran, was supposed to be representing Russian mob boss Olek Volchek, as he awaited trial for murder. It seems Jack is off the case–permanently. Volchek wants Eddie as his lawyer. The Russians have kidnapped his daughter. After scenarios flash through his mind, Eddie knows he has no choice. The trial starts that morning. He has two days to convince the jury to find Volchek not guilty and plant the bomb which will kill the main witness. Eddie is certain, whatever the outcome, he and his daughter won’t be allowed to live. Some quick thinking is required to stay ahead of the game, even as he realises there are things about the case that just doesn’t add up.Eddie’s first person perspective works really well, giving insight into his thought processes and character, portraying him as engaging, basically decent and empathetic despite his murky past. I love the way Steve Cavanagh draws the reader into Eddie’s mind, so you get to know how his life took the course it did, learning about his relationship with his daughter, how it all relates to the present and how he uses his knowledge and ’skills’ in the situation he now faces. I liked Eddie straight away, he has solid friends who are willing to go the extra mile for him and the antagonists are just what’s needed for this kind of story.The courtroom scenes are enjoyable, with quick thinking, smooth talking and craftiness. The drama kept the narrative moving along at a pace. A well crafted, tight plot with several unexpected twists kept me guessing, and even as credibility was stretched at certain points, it has everything a good action story needs. Steve Cavanagh can certainly spin a well written tale, and a debut at that.Suspend belief and enjoy the ride.

I just loved the books in this series! I've read them out of order but it is taking nothing from my enjoyment. This is the first book in the Eddie Flynn series so we get to know a bit about Eddie, his background and how he came to be a lawyer. In this book Eddie gets kidnapped by the Russian mafia and forced to defend one of them. As time goes on we realise there is way more going on here than meets the eye. Eddie's past as a con artist, hustler and criminal come in really handy as he seeks to uncover the truth of a situation built on lies and dishonesty.This book, like the others in this series, is full of twists and turns and there is something going on on every single page. I couldn't put this down! Its action packed and really clever!!

This is the first book in the Eddie Flynn series by author Steve Cavanagh. I started reading this series with book four 'Thirteen' which I really enjoyed but unfortunately the other books have failed to live up to that initial book. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the character Eddie Flynn and the authors writing style but struggle to score the other books in the series any higher than 3 stars.'The Defence' is a legal thriller, New York lawyer Eddie Flynn is representing Olek Volchek a Russian mobster. Eddie Flynn is an ex con artist turned lawyer so straight away you can see this is no straightforward legal thriller. Following a devastating trial 12 months ago Eddie chose to give up the law but now he isn't given a choice. Olek Volchek is on trial for murder and has kidnapped Eddie's daughter to ensure he takes the case. Eddie is left with no alternative but to get Volchek off or risk losing everything he cares about.I enjoy the character of Eddie Flynn and the books are fast paced with court cases that are a little different to the John Grisham style. That said I did feel this one was just too unbelievable to hook me. Not to be deterred I will continue with the series because I still find the books an entertaining read.