Twee gezichten is het negende deel in de bloedstollende Eddie Flynn-reeks van bestsellerauteur Steve Cavanagh, bekend van Dertien.
Influencer Elly Parker heeft een perfect leven, totdat ze ontdekt dat haar man een affaire heeft met haar beste vriendin. Elly is er kapot van, en dat is waar Tom Bachman op rekende. Ze ontmoeten elkaar in de metro van Manhattan. Hij loopt op krukken en zeult ook nog een koffer mee. Elly biedt aan hem de trap op te helpen – precies zoals Tom had gepland.
Elly’s kleine gebaar zet een angstaanjagende kettingreactie in gang. Om te overleven moet ze de wereld zien te overtuigen dat wat er die dag bij de metro gebeurde echt waar is. Tom is echter een meester-manipulator en weet zelfs de politie te overtuigen van zijn gelijk. Elly schakelt de hulp in van advocaat Eddie Flynn.
Eddie heeft echter al veel aan zijn hoofd; zijn ex-vrouw Christine en dochter Amy worden gestalkt door de wrede crimineel Arthur Cross. Hij wil wraak op Christines nieuwe man, Kevin, en is vastbesloten zijn hele familie te laten boeten.
Bachman en Cross krijgen allebei Eddie Flynn in hun vizier. Maar wanneer ze de handen ineensluiten, begint de nachtmerrie pas echt…
Steve Cavanagh is a critically acclaimed, Sunday Times best-selling author of the Eddie Flynn series which has sold a million copies in the UK. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime novel of the year 2019. FIFTY FIFTY was a Richard and Judy Book club choice, and the BBC Between The Covers book club choice. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards. He is a consistent International bestseller.
If you follow my reviews you know that I am VERY selective about what series I follow-preferring standalone books as a general rule, but this is one series that I have been following since before Atria acquired rights for the U.S. market-and I couldn’t be more thrilled that U.S. readers can now discover and enjoy his work!
This series just keeps on getting better and better!
Ellie Parker is a Tik Tok influencer known for her “RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS” #RAK.
So, unfortunately, a betrayal from those closest to her, is captured LIVE for all of her followers to see.
Yet, Ellie continues to practice what she preaches… A stranger on crutches in the Subway, needs help with some luggage, and of course, she stops to help.
AND things go from bad to worse as Ellie becomes victim to a RANDOM ACT OF VIOLENCE.
OR IS IT?
When she wakes up in the hospital, she finds herself handcuffed to the bed-accused of MURDER.
YES-all of this happens in the first few pages!
And, we haven’t even gotten to Eddie’s ex wife Christine and her husband Kevin, being threatened by a dangerous man.
Eddie and the team he has put together as the series evolved-co counsel Kate Brooks, investigators (and muscle) Melissa Bloch and Gabriel Lake, confidante Harry Ford, and office wizard, Denise-now have not just one case but TWO-both being fast tracked through the legal system, to be tried at the same time.
Con Artist turned attorney Eddie Flynn will have to put the pieces of the puzzles together quickly- for both cases-Fortunately, he has a few tricks up his sleeve.
OH SO CLEVER
Former Judge Harry counsels “ The truth doesn’t matter in the courtroom – it’s all down to which lawyer tells the jury, the most convincing story.”
For strait laced Kate-she must struggle with bending the law to save her innocent clients, Christine and Kevin.
Saving Ellie will be won or lost depending on the answer to ONE SINGLE QUESTION. Eddie has to make sure he gets the RIGHT ANSWER.
This might be my favorite Eddie Flynn book yet! The pace is fast, with each chapter highlighting what a certain character is up to-including our killer.
The last 100 pages alternates between the two trials, and I dare you to try and put this book down once you get to this point of this intricately plotted, entertaining story!
And, then if that wasn’t enough-there is one final twist-the cherry on top of the whip cream topped ice cream sundae! Delicious!
Steve Cavanagh has already announced EDDIE FLYNN #10! Since I am addicted to this series-I for one, can’t wait! ❣️
Expected publication date in the U.S. is March 24, 2026
Thank you to Atria for the gifted copy provided through NetGalley. As always these are my candid thoughts!
The first chapter of “Two Kinds of Stranger” was completely gripping and set the scene perfectly for this terrific legal thriller.
Former con artist turned lawyer, Eddie Flynn, doesn’t really have much respect for the law, but when he does step over the line, it’s always to help someone else.
This time around, he’s helping social influencer Ellie Parker, well known for her random acts of kindness which she shares with her many followers on her blog. Ellie has a wonderful life until the day it all comes tumbling down, and what’s worse is that she was live streaming the incident at the time, so millions of her followers were witness to it.
Eddie is also helping his ex wife Christine and her husband Kevin, but I’ll say no more about that, other than they’re being threatened by one seriously dangerous individual.
Ellie Parker has not only suffered humiliation and betrayal with millions watching, but she then becomes the target for a dark and dangerous stranger, and there are no limits to what this stranger will do to satisfy his twisted mind.
Eddie Flynn is not your average lawyer, he can be completely reckless, and plays dirty if he needs to, but you’d definitely want him in your corner!
Lots of twists and turns and some clever courtroom scenes, and wow, I never saw that twist coming at the end! Another winner for Steve Cavanagh.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC aim exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Oh boy—just give me a comfy couch, an endless tray of snacks, a chilled bottle of Santa Barbara or Monterey Chardonnay (2023 vintage, please!), and an Eddie Flynn book, and I’m in pure bliss. Honestly, you could hand me the entire series, lock the door, and forget I exist, because once I dive into one of these novels, I vanish into that world. Hours melt away, my phone goes unanswered, and real life can wait. Eddie Flynn books are not just a pastime—they’re my literary addiction.
This series has firmly earned its place as my all-time favorite in the crime genre. Sorry, Mickey Haller—you know I love you, but Eddie has outsmarted you in my book. He doesn’t need a Lincoln to perch in while surveying cases; Eddie Flynn is a lawyer, a conman, and a master strategist rolled into one, and he’s unbeatable. Every single installment is a wild, clever, adrenaline-fueled ride, and somehow, they keep getting better. The moment I finish one, my craving begins again, leaving me desperately waiting for the next fix. I devoured book nine in one greedy gulp—and now I’m practically begging for book ten to land in my hands.
This latest adventure is an electrifying, edge-of-your-seat thriller that weaves together two gripping storylines. The first follows Ellie Parker, a TikTok sensation and media influencer whose life takes a very public, disastrous turn. After catching her brand-new husband (six months into marriage!) in bed with her best friend—while she’s holding a plate of surprise brownies, no less—Ellie becomes internet-famous for all the wrong reasons. Determined to redirect her energy, she leans harder into her “Good Samaritan” content, making videos where she helps strangers in need. But fate plays a cruel trick. When she offers kindness to a man on crutches struggling with a suitcase outside the subway, she doesn’t realize she’s walking into a trap. Beneath his carefully crafted disguise is a sociopath who thrives on manipulation and cruelty. What begins as an act of compassion spirals into a deadly game. Ellie barely escapes with her life—only to find herself accused of murder and staring down a wrongful conviction. There’s only one man she trusts to save her: Eddie Flynn.
While Eddie gears up to defend Ellie, another nightmare looms closer to home. His ex-wife’s partner Kevin has just helped uncover a suspicious death and a forged will, putting him squarely in the crosshairs of two ruthless criminals. These men, reckless and merciless, are determined to silence anyone who stands in their way—and that includes Kevin, Eddie’s ex-wife, and their daughter. Suddenly, Eddie’s fight is not only for justice in the courtroom but also for the safety of the people he loves most.
Eddie is never alone, of course. He rallies his brilliant team: Kate and Harry on the legal front, and Bloch and Lake in the shadows, pulling strings as street-smart investigators. Together, they race against time to prove Ellie’s innocence while fending off threats to Eddie’s family. Lurking at the heart of it all is Logan, a terrifyingly intelligent sociopath who seems to anticipate their every move, stalking them from the shadows. The tension is suffocating, the stakes are sky-high, and the danger is as personal as it gets.
And this, right here, is what makes the Eddie Flynn series so addictive. It’s not just about clever courtroom drama or slick cons (though those are top-tier). It’s about the way Steve Cavanagh builds stories where legal strategy, psychological warfare, and raw human emotion collide. Eddie isn’t perfect—he bends rules, pulls off outrageous tricks, and dances with danger—but every scheme is aimed at doing the right thing, even if it means breaking the law to protect the innocent. That’s what makes him unforgettable.
Overall: This book blew me away. The pacing was flawless, the twists kept me glued, and Eddie’s daring, borderline-unethical methods had me cheering. The ending made me laugh out loud—it was sharp, brilliant, and perfectly executed. I adored Ellie as a character; she brought something fresh and emotional to the story, and I found myself rooting for her. As always, Eddie’s team was fantastic—every member shines in their own way, and together, they’re unstoppable. This series never misses, and this installment was no exception.
Five criminally perfect stars from me! I’m already counting down the days until the next Eddie Flynn case drops, because I know the ride will be just as addictive, clever, and thrilling.
Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this gem with me in exchange for my honest review. I can’t recommend this series enough—it’s my forever favorite.
Eddie Flynn is back with two cases, and this time, his family’s caught in the middle. Another intricate investigation that, in true Eddie fashion, walks the fine line between legal and illegal. It’s tense, fast-paced, and packed with action, with my favourite part being the two court trials running side by side. Really great writing from Steve once again. I can’t wait for the next instalment! Thank you NetGalley and Tria Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
In the beginning I couldn’t quite get into it, but the last part of the book made up for it. Then it was pulsating with life and I needed to know what would happen.
This time it's personal! Gripping, shocking, riveting, tense, and hard to put down, Steve Cavanagh delivered yet again with Two Kinds of Stranger! Eddie Flynn is back and as clever, intelligent, street smart, and determined as ever!!!! He has a lot going on in this book. Eddie Flynn is an enigma. He grew up on the streets and was once a con man. Now he is a lawyer who walks the tightrope between the scales of justice and having a crime boss as a close friend. Eddie is a little tough, a little rough, a little gritty, extremely intelligent and a genius at reading people. Eddie always helps the underdogs and is not afraid to get down and dirty, if need be, to solve a case.
Ellie Parker is a social media darling who promotes being kind to others. When she sees a stranger struggling with luggage, Ellie offers to help him. It was not only the wrong decision, but it was also perhaps the worst decision she has ever made! Life, as she knows it, takes a very serious turn. After accepting a drink from the man, she wakes up in the hospital handcuffed to her bed. She learns that she has been charged with murder!!!! She needs help and fast. Luckily for her, Eddie and his team are willing to take her case. Someone is out to ruin her life and see jailed for life! Who is this person and why are they targeting Ellie?
Then, Eddie learns that his ex-wife, Christine, her new husband, are being threatened and need some help themselves. Eddie can't handle this case as it hits too close to home, but he makes sure that they get the help that they do need.
Whew! As with the other books in this series, Two Kinds of Stranger was wonderfully written, well thought out, brimming with danger, tension, dread, and twists. Plus, there is a violent bad guy who always seems to be one step ahead. Has Eddie met his match?????
This was a great read, and I felt for Ellie. She is a nice person who sees herself thrust into the criminal justice system, locked up behind bars pending trial, and trying to survive from one day to the next! I also loved being back in Eddie's world and catching up with him and his team.
Plus, that ending!!!!!!!! Holy Crap!!!!! I mean, seriously, I did not see that coming at all!! Talk about a jaw dropping moment. Well done, Steve Cavanagh, well done! So clever!
*This was a wonderful witches words buddy read with Brenda~The Sisters~Book Witch! Please read Brenda's review as well to get her thoughts on Two Kinds of Stranger!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s social media influencer, Elly and James’ sixth month anniversary and she’s going to prepare a nice surprise for him, only she’s the one that gets a surprise. A nasty one with millions watching the betrayal. Two weeks ago everything is perfect and her 5 million and counting audience know it, because she trends partly because of #RAK (Random Acts of Kindness). Two weeks later she helps someone struggling in New York’s Grand Central Station, a random act of kindness that plunges her into a nightmare. Cue Eddie Flynn to the rescue, cape and all. The novel is told from several points of view which works extremely well.
A new Eddie Flynn is a cause for a celebratory happy dance and inevitably, exhilarating reading. Right from the start it’s very entertaining as Eddie goes into bat for the “little guy” about to lose it all. You’ve gotta love Eddie and the team – Kate Brooks, Bloch, Gabriel Lake, Harry Ford (not forgetting Clarence, his dog) and Denise. As ever it’s action packed, at times it’s dark but with humour sprinkled throughout which is a great combination leading to an addictive read.
It captures Elly’s fears perfectly (though her blog teeters into nauseatingly saccharine!), Eddie’s confidence and trickery, Kate’s trepidation, the steadfastness of Harry and the ready for anything of Bloch and Lake. They’re up against quite an adversary this time, a shadowy one step ahead opponent and they’re really up against it. This is a “never rains but it pours “ read as manipulative pressure piles on pressure.
There aren’t as many zingy courtroom exchanges this time, Kate is definitely not at the top of her game and there aren’t many Eddie tricks, flicks and shenanigans. However, it’s still very good and thoroughly enjoyable, and I like how the storylines intertwine. There are one or two fortuitous occurrences but hey, it’s fiction and there’s an excellent final twist. Well played sir.
Overall, I’ll happily read another and another Eddie Flynn, what higher praise can you give than that?
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Have you ever started a series with book nine, not knowing the eight previous books existed? Well, that was me when I picked up Two Kinds of Stranger. When I discovered this, I was dubious, but persistent. I don’t like not finishing things I’ve started.
Turns out it didn’t matter at all. This book was very fun. Eddie Flynn is a jewel, and I enjoyed him immensely. I can’t wait to go back and find out more about his story. It didn’t feel like plot elements from the previous books were necessary to appreciate this one.
It was a taut crime thriller, with non-stop action that constantly propelled the story forward. I didn’t lose interest for a single moment, and I was completely invested in these characters. I will be going back to this series for more.
Eddie Flynn and his team are back in Two Kinds of a Stranger helping Ellie Parker. Ellie had it all! The picture-perfect family, friends and job. But this all collapses as she witnesses the ultimate betrayal while working and all her millions of followers on live sees it too. Even with all the drama, Ellie never shy’s away from helping people out and she’s about to help the wrong stranger who turns her world more upside down than it already is. Eddie is here to the rescue, but the stranger is not only targeting Ellie but Eddie too!
This was such a fun read. Admittedly the beginning did not hook me as much, but I knew it would eventually spice up and when it did I was pleasantly surprised. I felt so bad for Ellie and was rooting for her all the way. Eddie and his team were enjoyable to read but also fell of the mark too. I feel like there was some things they should have caught on too quicker, but it kept the anticipation going I guess.
I hated the perpetrator in the book and just painterly waited for him to get his comeuppance. He was a good conman and was always one step ahead.
I would have loved more of the legal courtroom aspect to take place in the book, as I love a legal thriller, but I can’t have it all.
The ending absolutely floored me and had my jaw to the floor! I loved it!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⋆。°✩pre read⋆。°✩ Really enjoying this authors books! Saw he had a new release and had to scoop it! Hope this is another banger! 💚🤍❤️💚
One woman’s kind heart makes her the perfect target for exploitation by an evil and ingenious serial killer!
Elly Parker is a beloved TikTok personality, celebrated for her feel-good brand, centred on daily spontaneous acts of kindness throughout New York City. Until the day she helps the wrong stranger.
In the ninth instalment of this phenomenal series, Eddie Flynn and his team find themselves in the crosshairs of three ruthless killers. With three innocent lives at stake and two high-profile cases on their docket – one with deeply personal ties to Eddie – the tension was relentless. I was hooked from the very first paragraph, which opened with the audio description for @EllysLittleLife’s livestream, tailored for her visually-impaired audience. It was such a clever and original way to introduce a viral video, and it immediately endeared me to Elly. Her thoughtfulness in making her content accessible said so much about her charitable, generous nature, all without needing to spell it out. Whether I still felt this way about her by the close of the novel remains under wraps.
The twists in Two Kinds of Stranger had me frantically flipping pages (and switching between the audiobook and Kindle editions just to keep going). One scene was so tense, I genuinely forgot to breathe. I did predict one of the twists – but far from being disappointed, I was thrilled, because I knew it was going to be a knockout. And it was. Even better than I expected. Another heart-pounding scene occurred in the subway while I was listening on the train, so I decided not to help any strangers that day – well at least not in the vicinity of the train station anyway, just in case.
Narration was shared between Eddie, Kate, Bloch, and Lake, with Eddie taking the lead. We also got the chilling POV of a serial killer, as well as scenes from Elly Parker’s perspective, including snippets of her TikTok content, which added a current and relevant layer to the story.
Adam Sims returned to narrate – and as always, he was outstanding. I especially continue to love his voice for Gabriel Lake. And the way he voiced one of the villains – a breathy, gleefully malevolent tone – actually sent chills down my spine.
After being a little underwhelmed by book eight (Witness 8), I was nervous going into this one. But Two Kinds of Stranger blew me away. It’s a five-star read – and one of the strongest entries in the series.
Goodreads book giveaway winner!! 😊😊😊. This has never happened to me before!! Whoo-hoo me!!
Thoughts to come now that I have read the book. I am struggling trying to have them make any sort of sense, and writing them down first seems like a bit too much work since there are so many of them floating around. But I will say this for now; this is probably my favorite of the Eddie Flynn books. I am not sure if reading v listening to it factors in at all?
Rating and mini thoughts posted: 11/7/25
Okay, it’s been a few minutes and I did some thinking and you know what I realized? Marta Makes Sense is a confusing concept. I don’t want to throw anyone off by making too much sense, so that idea is out the window and Marta Rambles about who knows what and good luck following along is back.
Eddie Flynn. Those who have read him know how you kind of just can’t help but like him even if he goes about things in a sometimes less than kosher way. He seemed more in line with following the rules than usual with this one. Not saying he didn’t cross the line at any point, but it seemed more like a mild scribble outside of the lines as opposed to scaling the side of the building outside of the lines.
My thoughts jumped all over throughout the book. Jail guards/corrections officers was one topic that had me having a rather long internal conversation with myself. I have watched prison documentaries….it would not be my ideal job at all. (I deleted an incredibly long paragraph about this internal conversation 11/8/25…After re-reading it, it took up too much space and seemed really unnecessary. Sorry to the very few of you who actually read it🤦🏼♀️😑)
I won’t go into my internal debate about the justice system in general and the thoughts that stumbled around inside my head at various points in this book. You are welcome. 😁
I found the observations on human behavior by Logan, to be incredibly interesting.
Again, I guess read the synopsis provided by goodreads because this review contains basically none of that.
I didn’t like how Elly blamed herself for her husband and best friend’s fall from grace. She took the video down right away. Yes, it stayed out there, but she tried to make that not happen. She didn’t know what the thud she was walking in on would be. This isn’t a spoiler. Feels spoilerish, but it’s not. They both knew she recorded her life. Maybe they should have found a more discreet place to thud around in. Or just you know, not have done any thudding with eachother in the first place. But then we wouldn’t have a book.
This book centers around an act of kindness gone horribly, frighteningly wrong. But also, be aware. Don’t go into strangers apartments no matter how nice they seem. at some point, most people start out as a stranger to us though, right? So I guess, I don’t know where I am going with that. Kindness matters and this book kind of makes it a bit scary. But again, don’t go into a recently met strangers apartment. I guess be smart about your kindness is the moral of the story because terrible people are out there? And it’s really easy for some people to hide their terribleness.
All I know is that genuine kindness matters. Whether or not it’s recorded for the world to see or it goes unrecognized, it still matters. The other thing I know is that I would not do well in jail/prison. I wouldn’t last two seconds.
And now I believe it’s time to be done rambling!
Thank you to the goodreads giveaway for this book!! It was so fun to get that email and then the book in the mail! It’s much appreciated! The book comes out March 24, 2026.
Long ramble posted: 11/7/25 Really long paragraph deleted: 11/8/25
От наглед познати сюжети е извъртял страхотен трилър, с изненадващ за мен край.
And now we wait impatiently for the next story to come out!
Цитати:
"The so-called justice system can rip you apart just as fast as an assault rifle or a bag of heroin."
"In today’s world, where there was so much division, people carried their beliefs high on their shoulders. The truth was relative. There was your truth, and their truth. Facts and alternative facts."
Elly Parker is a successful journalist and social media influencer. Her life seems perfect - good career; perfect new husband; great best friend. Elly even "gives back" with her random acts of kindness videos.
But the ultimate betrayal derails the perfection and before she can find some peace she finds her life spiralling out of control in ways she could never have imagined. Thankfully she's heard of Eddy Flynn.
There are a couple of connected strands to this novel which Cavanagh knits together seamlessly. The action is fast and almost non-stop leaving you wondering what on earth can happen next.
I loved this book. It was really hard to put down. All the usual suspects are here with Eddy being ably assisted by Bloch, Lake, Harry and Kate. But there are also breaks in the action that involve Eddy's family.
It's a perfect combination and the end is extremely satisfying and twisty.
Very highly recommended whether you're already a fan of Flynn or not. Just be prepared to be hooked from the start.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Headline for the advance review copy. Most appreciated.
If you haven’t already started Eddie’s stories, you’re missing a great legal series!!!
Another instalment in this amazing series that I enjoyed so much!!!!
Every time an Eddie Flynn story is released I am giving up on everything and devote myself to reading! Now, I'll have to wait a whole year for the next book!
Within a few pages of the newest Eddie Flynn book, I felt like I was back amongst old friends, Eddie, Kate, Harry, Bloch and even Clarence!
This is such a brilliant series and Cavanagh has a great way of keeping it fresh and moving along with excellent character development in each novel.
This book tells the story of Ellie, an influencer, who inadvertently films the betrayal of her husband and her best friend for all to see. Quickly removing the video, Ellie is keen to move on, but when both her husband and best friend show us dead, it's clear the police are planning on proving Ellie is guilty of their murder.
Added to this, Eddie's ex-wife and her new husband are being threatened and when this threat includes Eddie's daughter, you know he won't let it go.
Two court cases run side by side as Eddie vows to defend important people in his life, against all the odds as usual.
Like I say, another brilliant novel in the series and I cant wait for number 10!
Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Confession: I haven’t read all the books in this series, but I can say this one wasn’t my favorite brew of the bunch.
What Lit My Mood Well, hex me sideways! I did not see that final twist bubbling up in the cauldron, and it absolutely won me over.
I can’t quite decide if this story lit my mood or just flickered like a waning spell, probably a bit of both. I used to believe in random acts of kindness, but let’s be honest… that kind of magic feels more like a social media illusion these days. No one does something for nothing, and Ellie learns that the hard way after she’s betrayed and it’s caught live on camera.
Did that make her a target for someone dark and dangerous? Maybe. But when I reached the end, I wasn’t entirely sold on the answer.
Where My Mood Flickered I adore Eddie and he’s the real shiny star of this series. The clever lawyer with a con artist’s spell and calculating wit always keeps me hooked. But this time, his magic didn’t sparkle quite the way it usually does. There were too many coincidences that felt a little too convenient instead of clever, which dimmed the thrill for me.
Witchy Mood Reader Rating Almost Aligned – The vibes were there, and I felt the pull, but the magic didn’t hold as strong this time.
Verdict Add this to your altar if you’ve been following the series and want to see where the story goes next. It’s a quick, twisty read with a little live-stream chaos, a dash of betrayal, and just enough mystery to keep your curiosity simmering. Be prepared to suspend a little disbelief along the way.
A Witch’s Words buddy read with Debra, my go-to coven mate for this series. Peek at her review to see if the spell worked its magic for her.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Steve Cavanagh returns with another stellar Eddie Flynn novel that is exciting from the opening pages. The series has a great take on the law and a protagonist whose past enriches his means to help his clients. Ellie Parker is a social media influencer who helps someone but ends up getting herself in a heap of trouble. She's charged with the murder of her husband and best friend, vowing innocence. While in custody, Ellie calls Eddie Flynn to defend her. He agrees and sets about trying to discover the truth. All the while, Eddie is trying to help his ex-wife and her husband, who are being threatened by a man with significant connections. Eddie has little time to lose focus, knowing that one wrong move could cost his client her freedom and his ex-wife her life. Steve Cavanagh delivers a gripping story that had me flipping pages well into the night.
Ellie Parker is an internet sensation, seeking to get all of her followers to undertake random acts of kindness to make the world a better place. Ellie is living the good life, not only because of all her followers, but she has married the man of her dreams and has the best friend anyone could want. Then, one day, it all comes crashing down after she is betrayed by the two people who matter most to her. Wanting to clear her head, Ellie heads out and commits one of her random acts of kindness, helping a man in need. One thing leads to another and Ellie realises that she may have fallen into a trap. She collapses and is taken to the hospital. When she wakes, the police are there, but they are not interested in her story about the man who turned the tables on her. Rather, they want to charge her with a double murder!
With little hope of anyone believing her, Ellie reaches out to a man she has heard can work miracles. Eddie Flynn is a defense attorney who appears to make things happen when there is no hope. Flynn agrees to help when he hears her story, but there is little evidence to get the ball rolling. As Flynn and his team begin working on the case, they learn a little more about Ellie and her random acts of kindness. Slowly and surely, they piece the narrative together, determined to find the man who received the random act and turned things around targeting Ellie. As Flynn begins to get some momentum, new legal challenges emerge and create roadblocks. Flynn will stop at nothing as the case inches to trial, seemingly an open and shut day in court. However, Flynn is not ready to toss in his cards, as he has a client who needs him more than anything.
In the shadows, Logan waits and hopes that his plan comes to fruition. He has been targeting random people and using his passion to deceive as a means of finding pleasure. He must sit and watch Ellie's legal plight, hoping that she will be put away like the others. However, he did not factor in the Eddie Flynn angle and truths begin to emerge that could put this frame-up on thin ice. As Flynn pushes things to the limits, he must also juggle personal issues. His ex-wife and her husband are being targeted by a man with a vendetta. In the middle of it, Flynn's daughter, who matters more to the former con-man than anything else. Things take a scary turn and Eddie Flynn finds himself in the middle of two cases that could cause mass chaos. Will he save the day or has his luck finally run out? Steve Cavanagh crafts a brilliant piece that had me eager to keep reading!
There is always something exciting in an Eddie Flynn novel, which shows how on-point Steve Cavanagh can be when he writes. The narrative works well and sets the tone for the book at large, while never letting the action dissipate. As things gain momentum, there is little time for the reader to rest, as there is something on every page that helps push things along to the climactic end of this legal thriller. Characters work well to shape the story, including some development of Eddie Flynn himself. Plot points are plentiful and nuanced at times, helping to keep the reader guessing as the story comes together. Cavanagh does well to lay clues out and let the reader collect them as things progress. I always enjoy Cavanagh's work and am eager to see what else he has in store for this series.
I suffered big time from FOMO; it seemed everyone was gushing about Steve Cavanagh books on my Goodreads feed, and I didn’t know who he was. The first chance I got to read one of his books, I enthusiastically took it.
I LOVED this story!
…and it’s not because we were both born and raised in the same city, either!
Cavanagh instantly placed himself on my auto-read list because of his stellar ability to (1) blindside me and (2) craft a character I love to hate. I love it (think the Lucky Charms leprechaun and his heel click) when this happens.
I was so intrigued by the concept of a perfect stranger and my fascination carried me throughout the story. Has it made me a little wary of helping others? Most certainly, this week, anyway! When an author can ignite my spidey senses and keep me guessing motives for the entirety of his/her work, I’m giddy. My heart was racing and I had to set the book down several times. Yes, I skipped some lines (think covering your eyes in a scary movie), especially about the needle scene in the graveyard. My toes were right on the line of comfort level and I loved the adrenaline rush.
I’m going to stop here because I’m keenly aware that I’m gushing. Just go read this book - any book by this author. You won’t be disappointed. I’m off to add Cavanagh books to my TBR list now.
I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
In this ninth installment of the Eddie Flynn series, social media influencer Elly Parker - whose brand is built on random acts of kindness - suffers a stunning betrayal by her husband and her best friend. Desperate and unmoored, she meets a seemingly disabled stranger with a yellow suitcase, not realizing that the act of helping him will trigger a descent into a nightmare she never sees coming. Enter former con artist turned trial lawyer Eddie Flynn.
Ever since I was first introduced to Eddie Flynn, his shenanigans have been some of my favorite must-reads - and they usually keep getting better with each new book. In "Two Kinds of Stranger", we meet a truly terrifying villain, making this installment especially gripping: the core plot, centered on a killer who rigs others to take the fall for his crimes, is utterly compelling, and author Steve Cavanagh's legal knowledge and his propulsive pacing make it hard to put down. In addition, there's plenty that keeps the series' strengths intact: Eddie's likable yet morally flexible persona, the smart courtroom hustle, and the ensemble of talented back-up characters.
That being said, this time around, I couldn't help feeling that some of the tropes were a little too familiar: the endangering of Eddie's family once again, the killer with a brutal childhood, the antagonist with dead, "black" eyes - all recognizable from other, lesser thrillers and leaving a slight sense of predictability. The moral ambiguity of the team's methods, especially toward the end where Eddie crosses into solicitation territory, raises interesting - albeit unanswered - questions about how far one may go in the name of justice.
Ultimately, despite its stellar premise, "Two Kinds of Stranger" didn't quite knock it out of the park for me compared with some earlier entries. Nevertheless, it's still a gripping, intense legal thriller that delivers the twists, the courtroom drama, and the clever con-artist flair fans like me have come to expect. If you're a fan of Eddie Flynn, this is an absolute must-read. If you're new to the series, this works as a standalone, though you might want to check out an earlier title for the full context (you won't regret it!).
Steve Cavanagh has already announced there will be plenty more books in this series to come - and I, for one, will be first in line to read them.
Many thanks to Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
"Two Kinds of Stranger" was first published in the UK on July 31, 2025. The US edition will be published by Atria Books on March 24, 2026.
Elly Parker is a podcaster who does random acts of kindness and is set up by a killer who watches her videos. Lawyer Eddie Flynn and his team take on this difficult case Not only does he have this case but also the case of his ex-wife and husband who is being targeted by criminals. This was an excellent story with great twists and turns. I loved the plot and characters and didn’t want to put it down. The ending was totally gobsmacking. Thanks NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC that will be released March 24, 2026!
Two Kinds of Strangers is so gripping and intense, it should come with a warning label: This novel is a non-stop, high-octane thrill ride. Once it starts, it doesn't let up. Reader discretion strongly advised.
When a TikToker named Elly catches her husband and best friend in bed together, there's no doubt she has the motive for murder. Except that's not what happens. Elly is framed by a psychopathic mastermind who gets off on watching others take the fall for his crimes; the only thing he loves more is the kill.
With the evidence stacked against them, Eddie and friends have to prove Elly's innocence. But, alas, when sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions. Eddie's ex-wife and her husband are also arrested for a murder they didn't commit. Now three lives are on the line, and the clock is ticking.
Expect: multiple POVs, graphic violence, moments of panic, heart-pounding action, two edge-of-your-seat trials, and an ending that will leave you gobsmacked.
If you're a fan of Eddie Fly, don't miss this book!
This has got to be my favorite series out there. Thank you so much to Steve Cavanagh and Atria Books for my copy of this one! This time, Eddie Flynn is defending Elly, a girl accused of the TikTok murders. She is known for doing random acts of kindness, but one day she helps the wrong person and her life turns upsidedown. She is accused of murdering her husband and best friend, and the worst part is she has a good reason to want them both dead.
Thoughts: ANOTHER AMAZING ONE! Steve Cavanagh's books just keep getting better and better. They are SO layered and SO twisted and I can't get enough. I thought adding the element with Christine and Kevin was a diabolical twist, and I loved the main mystery as well. There are so many little details that make these books amazing, and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how it all came together. Once again, there was never a dull moment and I can't wait to see what happens next! 5-stars!
Fantastically entertaining 9th book in the Eddie Flynn series. A combination of thriller and courtroom drama(s), we have a social influencer, recently married who finds her husband in bed with her best friend. After the shock and leaving both behind, while helping a needy stranger on the subway(do one good thing a day was her social media mantra and tag line) she has a near death experience which puts her in hospital. When she wakes up she finds out both her husband and best friend have been murdered and she is the chief suspect!
Yes a bonkers set up but it works perfectly.
We also have Eddie Flynns ex wife and daughter, along with the wife’s new man being threatened by a very nasty character. This story evolves alongside the main one.
We end up with two court cases as Eddie is separated from his usual team to defend the social influencer as his team defend his ex and her partner. Of course there are some bending and breaking of the law as only ex con artist Eddie can get away with.
I’ve read all the books in the series and they are always a fun read, even if some land better than others. Two Kinds Of Strangers is a blast from start to finish. The end might be a little too much for some and I was unsure about how I felt about it initially, but really it just added to fun, even if it added a near cartoonish finish to the story.
As you can probably tell I loved this one. Cavanagh is a really good storyteller and a pretty good character writer too. The series really is a joy to read.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Unfortunately have high standards for this author but this one left me disappointed. Other than the comfort of these characters I felt like there wasn’t a part of this book that was enjoyable. At no point did I feel engaged by the story and there was never really any mystery or intrigue to find out what would happen. The ending (which I did guess) was like the author forgot to put a plot twist in and it was a last minute thought sadly. Would have been more interesting if it was a plot point that came in half way through the book that helped build up the ending.
to tell you I was glued to my seat devouring this book, my family had to drag me to have something to eat.
I am not going to spoil, but I think this one is a bit different than all the other Eddie Flynn's books
I liked, as always, how everything was tied up together in the end
AND THAT FREAKING ENDING!!!!!!!!🤯
I also like the attention given to the other characters. Using the alternating between first person POV for Eddie and third-person for the side characters is a master move.
having said that, and as much as I liked this book, compared to other Cavanagh's, this one was the weakest.
I couldn't help feeling that many chapters were fillers. the side romance was unnecessary. the resolution could have happened more stronger than just delivering a shocking element.
Some revelations were introduced suddenly without background foreshadowing as usual for a SC book that I got whiplash while others were smack in the face but were unnoticed?!
This is easily one of my favourite Eddie Flynn books yet, and that’s saying something! What sets Two Kinds of Stranger apart is the way it blends courtroom tension with psychological suspense and a razor-sharp critique of internet fame. I loved how Cavanagh takes a seemingly perfect life and unravels it into a nightmare you can’t look away from.
Ellie Parker is a standout characters, flawed, relatable, and impossible not to root for, and the twists had me questioning everyone right until the end. Fast-paced, clever, and genuinely unsettling in the best way, this is Steve Cavanagh at his absolute best.
If you love legal thrillers with a dark, modern edge, this one’s a must-read.
Another brilliant thriller from Steve Cavanagh. When Ellie is accused of murdering her husband and her best friend, she calls and asks for Eddie Flynn to defend her. Eddie’s gut instinct tells him immediately that she’s innocent and with someone attempting to kill her as well, he knows they are trying to set her up for the murders. It’s a difficult case and Eddie needs to use all his skills to get be ready to defend her in court. He’s also concerned about his ex-wife and their daughter as someone is threatening them and this culminates in another murder. Eddie knows he can’t defend Christine as he’s too close to them so he eventually agrees to let Kate and Harry represent her. This is a gripping thriller that I absolutely loved. Thanks to Headline for the opportunity to read this book.