Two Kinds Of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh

 

Social media influencer Elly Parker thought things couldn't get any worse when she found her husband and best friend in bed together, then she was arrested for their murder. All her hopes are pinned on Eddie Flynn, but Eddie has problems of his own to deal with.

Social media influencers are now a fact of life, and most don't come across well. Elly Parker is a little different. Yes, she documents every second of her life with James, her husband of six months, but she also tries to use her reach for good by carrying out a random act of kindness each day and encouraging others to do the same. In Two Kinds Of Stranger, author Steve Cavanagh highlights how an act of kindness can backfire with devastating consequences.

The opening of the book gives us a glimpse of Elly's day-to-day life and her bubbly personality as she streams to her millions of followers, unfortunately, she doesn't realise that she's about to live stream finding her husband and friend in bed together. Two weeks later, Elly is trying to rebuild her life and doesn't hesitate to help a stranger on crutches who is struggling with luggage. The encounter results in Elly waking up in the hospital four days later and being accused of the murder of her husband and friend.

Fans of the series will be aware of Eddie Flynn's talent for defending clients who seem to have no hope and the fact that he is willing to skirt around the edges of the legal system to get the right result. We are given a glimpse of this early on in the book. All of Eddie's trademark skills are really put to the test in his defense of Elly. Eddie is supported by his usual team of Kate, Harry, Bloch and Lake. Everyone's expertise is needed as they try to track down the stranger Elly helped.

The story moves at a blistering pace as the narrative jumps between various characters, including Logan, the stranger Elly helped. We learn that Logan is a sociopath who delights in killing people undetected. As Logan's character and actions are revealed, I kept getting a hint of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman.

To make things even more difficult, Christine, Eddie's ex-wife, and her family find themselves in the middle of an inheritance case, which initially puts their lives in danger. Events take a shocking turn, and the two cases end up merging. Eddie is faced with a dilemma; he can't defend both cases and knows he's too close to represent Christine effectively. Eddie has to put his trust in Kate and Harry.

Everyone's experience and abilities are truly put to the test as they seem to be fighting against a ghost. Some of the scenes are adrenaline-fueled, my heart was racing as lives were put in danger. Twist upon twist leads to a thrilling conclusion, and then Steve Cavanagh gives us a deliciously wicked ending.

Two Kinds Of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh will be published on 31st July 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.

Author Details

Steve Cavanagh was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and for twenty years he practiced civil rights law. All of his novels have been nominated for major awards and many are international bestsellers. His third novel, The Liar, won the CWA Gold Dagger for Crime Novel of the Year 2018. Thirteen won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2019. Fifty-Fifty was a Richard and Judy Book club choice, and was also selected for the BBC Between The Covers book club. Twisted, Fifty-Fifty and The Devil’s Advocate were all Sunday Times Top 10 bestsellers.