The Devil's Advocate by Steve Cavanagh

 

My thoughts

I read this book and held my breath in many places. The awful things going on made my skin crawl. It's sad but it is happening every day in this country now. In this state. I live in AL and have no doubt there is so much corruption and unlawful things going on. I wish things were different but it's at the very top so that may take a good long time. 

This book takes us to a small town close to Mobile, AL. A young black man is on trial for murder. His life hangs in the balance. A very corrupt prosecutor has every intention of seeing this young man go to his death for a murder that he, the prosecutor, knows he didn't commit. He loves to see people die. He lives for that. He's a very sick man. And he is getting away with it. Over and over. AL is a death penalty state. 

When Eddie Flynn and his gang go to Alabama to take on the defense of Andy Dubois they are heading into the midst of one of the worst places in AL. They are going to find so much corruption and evil. Andy is a young black man. He was friends with the young lady, Skylar Edwards, who was murdered. She left work and hitched a ride. She thought she was safe with the man she got the ride from. It was her last day alive.

This case takes you through a lot of bigotry and violence. Through several murders, some covered up and others left to be found. Warnings for Flynn and his associates. Things look very bleak for Andy. 

With the New York attorney and the other people with him maybe Andy stands a chance at least. Andy has been beaten. He's been starved. Glass put in his food. Awful things happened to him. He signed a confession under duress. They told him he could go home. See his mother. That no harm would come to her. 

This was a bit hard to read because of all the things that happened. But it was realistic for a small town in AL. At least the way I've seen it or heard about things in this state. There is corruption in all areas but I have no doubts that in small southern towns where bigots live it's worse. 

Eddie has his work cut out for him. And the jurors. 

Thank you to Atria for this ARC. 

4.75 stars rounded up to 5.  

About

This high-octane legal thriller from the international bestselling author of Kill for Me, Kill for You will “make your palms sweat and your blood run cold” (The Times, London) as it follows a highly successful lawyer who is hiding a deadly secret.

He’s won every trial…because he’s behind every murder.

Ambitious District Attorney Randal Korn lives to watch prisoners executed. Even if they are not guilty.

An innocent man, Andy Dubois, faces the death penalty for the murder of young girl. Korn has already fixed things to make sure he wins a fast conviction. The one thing Korn didn't count on was Eddie Flynn.

Slick, street smart, and cunning, the former con artist and now New York lawyer has only seven days to save an innocent man against a corrupt system and find the real killer.

In a week the judge will read the verdict, but will Eddie be alive to hear it?