Eddie Flynn is a fine hero for Steve Cavanagh’s six-strong legal thriller series: both an ex-con-artist and a lawyer for underdogs, he is determined and smart. ”The Devil’s Advocate” has a sensationalistic plot that roars into action from page one: a relentless “death row” prosecutor in rural Alabama, a young man accused of a grotesque murder, a defense attorney gone missing, and Flynn drafted in to save the day against impossible odds. The author is a sprightly stylist who piles on the action, buttressing it with vigorous characterisation and wonderful dialogue. I thoroughly enjoyed the first five Flynn outings and The Devil’s Advocate is just as much a roller-coaster ride as they were, but this time round, the expertly wrought pacing is unwound slightly by cartoonish villains, an overly complex web of characters supporting Flynn, and a twist that had me shaking my head in disbelief. If, like me, you’re a fan, stick with this fun outing, but if you are new to Eddie Flynn, tackle the first few books.
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