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July 2020 Group Read: Thirteen, by Steve Cavanagh
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Nancy, Co-Moderator
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Jul 01, 2020 02:58AM
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Hello everyone. I'm Leena and as this is my first time as a moderator ..do bear with me. Happy Reading to all
This is a terrific book, that rightly won top UK awards for crime fiction. Although it is part of a series, it can be read on its own, as the amount of back-story is quite small. Steve (who I have met many times) is a lawyer by training. Although based in Northern Ireland, the Eddie Flynn series is set in and around New York. The premise for this story is right there on the front cover: there is a serial killer on the loose, and he is sitting on the jury for a case being handled by Eddie. The plot unfolds with parts told from Eddie'e perspective and parts from the point of view of the serial killer, whose identity is part of the mystery. I know several other crime writers who are deeply envious that Steve came up with this hook. And I was hooked. I raced through this, which is unusual for me. In places it is a bit over-the-top; but to me that was all part of the fun of the ride. I gave it 5/5.
I agree Paul. I've started and am finding it hard to put down.
I am new to this. So I will get the book and check back here I guess.
I just finished the book and really enjoyed it. It is suspenseful and keeps you guessing. I listened to the audible version. Highly recommend it.
Thank you. I somehow can't like audio versions of any book. It doesn't allow me to assimilate and integrate the words and its essence.
My blog post on this book says it all. No spoilers. I only read 53 pages of this before I couldn’t take it any longer. I’d give it 1 star based on what I read, but it might have gotten better later on, so I’ll give it another for the benefit of the doubt. Every character in the book is a fantasy supernatural being. The main character is a defense lawyer who refuses to represent guilty clients. There is no such creature. That would be like an emergency room physician who refuses to treat sick or injured people. When I was in law school a criminal defense lawyer – a true believer in civil liberties, etc. – told our class that 98% of his clients “told me a guilty story and most of the other 2% were lying to me.” Another major character is a serial killer who is also a master actor, mimic, skilled makeup artist, accomplished hacker, and all-around genius. He is also willing to change his body weight and break his nose and his arm in order to accomplish his murders. I was in the FBI for 25 years and found that every serial killer was pretty much just a thug. Most of them were stupid although a few were skilled con men and some were good at avoiding detection by operating at night with masks, gloves, etc. In addition to that, the lawyer character was unethical as the opening scene proved, so I couldn’t get behind him from the beginning.
Russell wrote: "My blog post on this book says it all. No spoilers. I only read 53 pages of this before I couldn’t take it any longer. I’d give it 1 star based on what I read, but it might have gotten better late..."
Of course, technically Russell is correct. But it is difficult to imagine readers enjoying books where lawyers, with howsoever great a skill, regularly getting not guilty verdicts for rapists, serial killers.
Thus, the assumption that the client is always innocent. There have historically been two ways to deal with exceptions.
One is when the lawyer gets his client off and then discovers that his client was actually guilty and uses some trick to get the said client jailed anyway( e.g. - Michael Connelly).
The other is for the lawyer to discover that the 'true' client was someone else (Perry Mason)! This is also true for non-noir private detectives (Nero Wolfe).
I'm about 1/3 of the way through this book. The premise is unique; unlike any crime novel I've ever read. I'm thoroughly enjoying it and can't wait to read it all the way through! I've already recommended the book to my coworker!
I need this one too! If I didn’t just order 20 books between Thrift Books and Bookoutlet I would get it!! I’ll be late on these 😮
I'm 1/3rd into the book. Yes, I do find Kane a very improbable character. His intelligence in planning and executing his kills are amazing. He also thinks on his feet. I actually hate people like him. They feel entitled and are beyond arrogant. Eddie is refreshing. He is conscientious and feels responsible towards his actions.
I've read a little over half. This is one of the better legal thrillers I've read in years. Can't wait to get back to it.
@Stephanie We have lots of time. I'm hoping to read your thoughts on 13
Just finished the book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm new to the Eddie Flynn series. After reading thirteen, I'm intrigued. Are the other books in the series just as good? Do any of you guys have any suggestions?
I read this last year and loved it. Going to read it again and participate. ❤😍📚☕🍪
Deepak wrote: "Just finished the book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm new to the Eddie Flynn series. After reading thirteen, I'm intrigued. Are the other books in the series just as good? Do any of you guys have any ..."Glad you loved this Deepak. No, I haven't read any others in the series, but I plan to start from the beginning and read the complete series on order. ❤😍📚☕🍪
Same here Deepak and Sandy. I'm going to read the series too inspite of not liking the book too much. I've not managed to pick up the book again yesterday. Hopefully today will be different.
I've finished this book today. I'm a little disappointed with the writing, plot and glaring loopholes. Mr. Cavanagh has tried to sensationalise the super intelligent serial killer to an extent that he's mislead us intentionally. I didn't like that.
Looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately can’t begin until late July. Happy reading all 📚 ❣️
I was a tad bit disappointed by Thirteen. Even though the plot is definitely interesting the writing is mediocre. Having said that, it does keep your interest enough to keep reading somehow. The book progresses pretty evenly for about 75% of the book and then seems to go off the rails at the end. Plot twists are always good if they are built into the entirety of the book a little at a time but this was like the author threw in 17 plot twists in the last 7 chapters and it came across as far-fetched. Overall, it is pretty good, not exceptional.
IM.ok.with plot twists. Its willfully misleading his readers that I have an issue with. Im still trying to understand the extent of the cops hatred towards Eddie. That doesn't make sense at all.
Just finished this book and handed it off to my coworker, who is excited to read it too. All I can say is WOW....I finished reading it about 3:30 am because I couldn't put the book down. Plot twists all over the place. Totally surprised at the ending and I'm a seasoned crime novel reader. Kudos to the author and yes, now I DO want to look for other books in this series. Really liked the con artist turned lawyer premise...well, why not?
Jaime wrote: "I was a tad bit disappointed by Thirteen. Even though the plot is definitely interesting the writing is mediocre. Having said that, it does keep your interest enough to keep reading somehow. The bo..."You have pretty much expressed my feelings about this book. I was interested in the premise, but the writing fell short for me. I've been catching up on some Grisham that I haven't read, and just finished A Time to Kill, where Jack Brigance mostly follows the same example as Eddie in trying to represent "worthy" clients, so it's not unheard of. And like Russell said, Kane is pretty unbelievable. Still, I read it all in record time, definitely a page turner.
Hi everyone, I hope to join in before the end of the month, as soon as I finish my current book. I started reading this one last summer but didn't finish it, so it'll be good to fix that!
Definitely looking forward to your thoughts
Deepak wrote: "Just finished the book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm new to the Eddie Flynn series. After reading thirteen, I'm intrigued. Are the other books in the series just as good? Do any of you guys have any ..."Hi Deepak,
I read "The Defense" the first, I did have to suspend belief throughout, there was one situation that was beyond anything but the stuff of SuperHero accomplishment. Though I am have only completed the first quarter of this book, I liked that one better.
Read this one a while ago and while the premise was fascinating, it wasn't a Wow, must read more by this author moment. Just how realistic is the US court setting given that it is written by an Ulsterman living in Dublin?
3 stars
i agree Cbristina, thewow of the plot supercedes the how. So many loopholes that needed plugging. All the hype is confusing. This book seriously needed a good editor.
Just finished this afternoon and rated 3 stars initially, can post some more detailed thoughts next weekend!
I've stalled. I'm half way through. I want to finish so I look forward to sharing.
I’m finishing up this read by the 31st which’s my birthday 🍰
Kimiko wrote: "Just finished this book and handed it off to my coworker, who is excited to read it too. All I can say is WOW....I finished reading it about 3:30 am because I couldn't put the book down. Plot twist..."I am with you on this one Kimiko. Loved it and want to read the others in the series. I have never been a fan of legal thrillers, but this one blindsided me. I found the book to be vibrant and exciting.
