The Defense

Irish author Cavanagh’s stellar debut provides everything a reader could ask for in a thriller—nail-biting suspense, a Russian nesting doll of a plot, and an original and compelling lead. Con-artist-turned-defense-attorney Eddie Flynn must pull off a miracle to save the life of his 10-year-old daughter, Amy, who’s being held hostage by brutal gang leader Olek Volchek. Volchek is about to stand trial for murder in Manhattan for ordering the hit of a subordinate. In addition to taking over representing Volchek, Eddie must smuggle a bomb into the courtroom to be planted under the witness chair in time to blow up the government’s key witness against the mobster. Eddie decides to pretend to cooperate in order to buy time until he can rescue Amy. Even if he were to do the unthinkable and murder the witness, he knows Volchek will kill him and Amy anyway. Cavanagh makes Eddie’s wide range of talents completely plausible, starting with an impressive and withering cross-examination, with little prep time, of a handwriting expert who matched Volchek’s handwriting with an incriminating note. Readers will have no trouble suspending disbelief. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management. (May)