I just don't think i'm getting it. This is the second Steve Cavanagh book i've tried to read and i've not enjoyed it. I don't find the characters engaging and the story doesn't grip me. I need to care about the characters and want to see what happens to them (even if i don't like them) but the characterization was completely forgotten in this. You can have dozens of twists but they won't have any impact if readers don't care about the people involved.

When I read Steve Cavanagh's last Eddie Flynn novel I noted how the author always managed to continually raise the stakes and see them. The ride he took us on in Thirteen was incredible and looked forward to the next one, confident that he could take it even further, even if I couldn't imagine how. Well, one way you could look at Twisted is that Cavanagh has pulled back, writing his first standalone thriller outside the Eddie Flynn series. The other way of looking at it is that he's raised the stakes again by blindsiding expectations and heading in a different direction. He certainly knows how to keep the reader on their toes.

Anyone who knows a Steve Cavanagh thriller knows that it's all about the twist. Maybe not all about the twist, because he takes the reader on an amazing ride before they get there. In a novel called Twisted, well he's obviously going to pull out all the stops and you better believe he carries it off. The twist in Twisted is that the twist comes at the start and he spends the rest of the story unravelling the mystery. Even then you know you're not going to get the whole story until the end, and there will be a number of plot complications and, yes, additional twists to get your head around.

And in a way, the story he has chosen to tell is one that lends itself very well to such dramatic twists; it's about a writer, a highly successful writer of thrillers, a mystery writer who is himself a mystery and has a dark secret of their own. And if I read it correctly - it's easy to get confused - and without giving away any spoilers, the twist at the start is that someone is planning to murder the writer who has been going under the name of J. T. LeBeau at the funeral of J.T. LeBeau, only to be confronted by someone who knows that he is J.T. LeBeau.

How's that for convoluted? And actually there's potentially even a twist earlier than that, because Twisted carries two title pages, the first identifying the author of Twisted as Steve Cavanagh, the second crediting Twisted to J.T. LeBeau, and indeed the book carries the name of J.T. LeBeau on the top of the recto page of the novel throughout. So are we reading a Steve Cavanagh novel or a J. T. LeBeau novel?

Well, you've got a while to let all those matters simmer while the author (whoever it may be) relates how Paul Cooper's secretive life as a writer in Port Lonely starts to unravel when his wife Maria discovers a bank statement in his drawer and finds out that he has twenty million dollars in a J. T. LeBeau Enterprises account. Maria is furious that Paul has been keeping this a secret from her and is ready to confront him, but Daryl, a waiter who works at the local Country Club who she has been having an affair with, recognises the name J. T. LeBeau as being one of the most successful writers of blockbuster thrillers in the USA, his identity a closely guarded secret. If they play their cards right, Maria and Daryl can set up a nice little life for themselves.

It sounds like classic 50s noir material, a Double Indemnity-like plot where the wife involves some poor sap who is head-over-heels for her to get rid of a rich and unwanted husband so that she can get her hands on his money, or maybe she wants the money and the lover. Unfortunately, there's no legal way she can do it, and not even a lawyer like Eddie Flynn could pull that off for her (Cavanagh's hustling street lawyer getting a little reference here, nothing more). The traditional techniques of murder, blackmail and impersonation are employed, but Cavanagh has plenty of other cards in the deck to play with in his own highly charged, fast-moving, quickly evolving tale.

To say any more about the plot of a Steve Cavanagh thriller is unnecessary, and it goes without saying that there are plenty of twists and turns, murderous intentions, cliff-hanger revelations and complete reversals of direction in Twisted. Whether it's a parody of this genre is harder to say - Cavanagh namechecks a number of similar authors who are supposedly connected to the pseudonym of J. T. LeBeau - but that's a fine line that Cavanagh likes to play with even in his Eddie Flynn books. I'm not sure I'm as much a fan of J. T. LeBeau as I am of the author's Eddie Flynn series, but it's good to see Cavanagh stretch himself further and Twisted is every bit the compelling page-turner you would expect it to be.

I have love this authors books, so much so I would read them all again. However this book seemed different, like the author was testing something new, this I admire so much . The plot was clever yet far to much going on with the twists and turns, so much so that I lost where I was at times. I also did not gel with the characters like I normally do with this authors books. This book was just not for me that being said I look forward to his next book.

Wow what a book. So many twists kept me guessing right to the end. Absolutely brilliant. Easy five stars from me. Thank you Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this book

Sometimes you read a book and wonder why the title is chosen, sometimes you get it at the end of the book - the title is apparent pretty quickly, this book is twisted! J.T Lebeau is an author who is super popular, his books fly off the shelf and no one knows who he is. The book opens at a funeral, only four people know the authors identity and "one of them is about to eat a bullet" and then we go back four months to where it all kicks off!

Ooft what an opening to a book, well that and the whole threat from Lebeau in the authors note. It is a book that has you knocked off from the opening. Maria is married to Paul and it is disclosed pretty quickly there is an affair with Daryl. Pretty but a bit dim he makes Maria happy and Paul is so distant, cold and often working away she doesn't feel bad. When a simple action breaks open a secret held by Maria's husband everything chances, this is what Maria needs to get everything she wants. Sometimes one action can kick off a chain of events no one could have predicted, Maria has no idea what she is about to unleash and no one could forsee the consequences the need for a wee smoke could kick off.

Sheesh! you know you read a book and folk say it pulls the rug right out from under you? Well this book does it multiple times throughout. The title is apt because the book just throws/twists/shocks/ pretty much throughout. The author Lbeau wants his identity kept a secret and stops at nothing to keep it that way, nothing! Maria has a secret, her husband Paul has a secret, Daryl is Maria's secret and nothing is what is seems. It is a hard book to review because I don't do spoilers and one thing leads to another, to another, to another. It is fast paced, something is always going on, threat is looming and you just don't know what is coming.

I think it is very cleverly written, it keeps up the pace throughout the whole book - I just wanted to know what was happening and what was coming next. Sometimes you can predict where something is going and when I thought ah ha I know where this is going, no, no I didn't. Hats off to anyone who say they worked it out, any of it, as I was surprised pretty much throughout. A few times I found myself saying no waaaaaaaay - it is certainly an entertaining book and I just was just left wondering what on earth is coming next. Themes of murder, infidelity, love, lies, relationships, secrets and very much cat and mouse, 4.5/5 for me. This is only my second read by this author, it won't be my last!

Very clever and definitely very twisted!
Lots of twists and turns and the writing is superb, but I have to admit I did get a bit confused at times about the motivations of a couple of the characters. This is only the second book of Steve Cavanagh's that I have read, I need to go back and read the rest of the Eddie Flynn books. Very enjoyable book with some hideous characters and some that I loved like the two detectives, I would love to have read more about their backgrounds. I would certainly recommend this book.

Another well-executed, rip roaring, edge of the seat, full on action thriller. Steve Cavanagh has a knack of really getting inside the head of his protagonists, seeing what makes the character tick and then carving his story around them with phenomenal results.

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

In some ways it's strange to think that Northern Irish crime writer Steve Cavanagh's debut THE DEFENSE was only published four years ago. His tales featuring New York City conman-turned-defense lawyer Eddie Flynn have already become one of the best legal thriller series around. For me, Flynn and Cavanagh are the best tandem to hit the courtroom crime scene since Michael Connelly introduced 'Lincoln Lawyer' Mickey Haller more than a decade ago.

But don't just take my word for it: the Crime Writers Association awarded THE LIAR, the third book in Cavanagh's series, the prestigious Gold Dagger last year, effectively naming it the best crime novel in the world. At the same time the fourth Eddie Flynn tale, THIRTEEN, was firmly ensconced on bestseller lists for months, and then appeared on numerous 'best of of the year' lists to end 2018.

Now, Cavanagh throws readers a curve ball with an exceptional standalone that further demonstrates that the big man from Belfast has elbowed his way onto the top table of crime writing already.

TWISTED is like the crime fiction equivalent of a Penn & Teller show, where Cavanagh lays out some of the tricks of the trade up front and then still dazzles you with his skill and delivery anyway. Readers are forewarned to distrust the narrator and expect some twists, but unlike some other highly publicised 'amazing twist' books out there, that doesn't diminish or distract from the story itself.

It starts with a couple who's relationship is shattered after the wife discovers her husband might be JT LeBeau, a famously secretive and incredibly successful author with a dark past. When the wife ends up in a coma and the husband flees, who should the reader believe? We think we know what happened, even if those investigating the crime don't, but can we believe we've been told the truth?

And regardless of where the truth may lie, it's a heck of a rollicking read to uncover how it all unfolds. Once again Cavanagh delivers a compelling book that's so much more than it's high-concept hook, both upturning and over-delivering on reader expectations or any marketing hype.

TWISTED underlines why the former bouncer from Belfast has rocketed up the crime ranks.

Wow! This is the first book I have read by Steven Cavanagh and it won't be the last! What a plot - it kept me gripped from start to finish. Very fast moving, punchy, and Twisted very certainly describes the plot! Definitely, definitely recommend!

My thanks to NetGalley for free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Another great read by Steve Cavanagh. From the introduction of the authors note warning you that the book may or may not be a work of fiction I was hooked.

There were plenty of twists throughout and another great ending. Really enjoyable and well paced thriller that will keep the reader guessing throughout

This is without a doubt where the title of the novel absolutely lives up to it’s name!

What to say about this book. I really don’t know where to start and even then it is actually very hard to say much about it at all without giving anything away. This one will probably be one of my most evasive reviews so far and for that I won’t actually apologise, as believe me when you read this book for yourself you will be glad I didn’t really tell you anything.

Now what I will tell you is that this novel is utterly brilliant. The story line is just phenomenal. So many times I had to go back and re read what I had just read as I struggled to comprehend what I was reading. I really don’t mean that in a bad way either. The twists when they start coming, come thick and fast, of which some totally floored me. It’s one of those books you want your friends to hurry up and read so you can see if they saw any of it coming or if it took them by total surprise also.

Twisted is the most twistiest of books I have ever come across. It totally messed with my head, shocking and surprising me, yet thrilling me all at the same time. There is no other story like it that I for one have ever come across. If you love a story with a good twist, and come on, who doesn’t? Then hands down they don’t come any better than this.

What a cleverly written book this was. This is definitely written for readers. And most definitely for those that love deeper twists in books that they think they’ve worked out.......but I beg to differ.
This was a puzzled within a puzzle.

Just who is this writer, no face, no identity?

Really made me sit up and take notice!

I do own one of his other books. Not read.....yet. But this sure is an eye opener to talent.

I must confess and with all the excellent reviews this author gets, this is the first book of Steven Cavanagh’s I have read. I have his previous novel but, not read it yet.
Twisted is a story, within a story. J. T LeBeau is the world’s prolific writer. But no one knows what he looks like. There are no profile photos on his books and there have been no book signings either. When Maria Cooper finds a bank statement from a hidden account. With deposits from LeBeau enterprises stating there is millions in the accounts. She thinks her husband Paul Copper is LeBeau. Herself and her lover Daryl wants to confront Paul and take the money for themselves.
This story has a cleverly written plot, with lots of twists and turns. I did enjoy this but, I thought it in some places there was too much going on and it didn’t have the WOW factor for me, especially the ending. It was quite disappointing.
Thank you NetGalley and Orion for a copy of this book.

I don't want to give away too much but in short summary - an anonymous author, mysterious money, adultery, greed, murder and suspense.

Twisted seems to have it all.. but I can't say this is my favourite and am slightly underwhelmed by it. I've been left with a minor whiplash as the story took too many 180 degree turns and it was exhausting to read at times.

It is the author's first stand-alone and I know I shouldn't draw comparisons between his super successful Eddie Flynn series, which are t h e b o m b by the way, but I had gotten used to his legal thrillers and Twisted is a whole new kettle of fish.

Quite fittingly claimed to be written by a different author under the name of  J. T. LeBeau because it was so different to Cavanagh's previous books.

Don't get it twisted (pun fully intended) the book is good and definitely worth a read, but not exactly what I was expecting. I need to let go of my prejudice in the future and jump in head first with no assumptions.

Having said all that I'll be getting a paperback copy not only to complete my Cavanagh's collection but to change my mind about only giving it 4 stars out of 5, <em>this hurts me because lets face it, the author is a bad-ass and deserves nothing but full scores!

A slightly different take on the crime novel makes for an interesting read. It's a difficult book to review without giving any details away. Glad I had the pleasure of reading it!

I adored this book. Tightly plotted, great characters and well executed. I'm hesitant to go into any further detail as it may give something away. Cavanagh is a master of his craft and this book is well deserving of the praise it is receiving.

Steve Cavanagh is brilliant. This book has some unhinged and addictive characters who compliment the plot incredibly. While it is a stand alone novel, he can’t help but put in a cheeky reference to the well lived lawyer Eddie Flynn. This book is a must read if you are a fan of thrillers - it take it to a whole new level.

Stunningly clever thriller I really couldn't put down. Brilliant read , well thought out plot with a twist I didn't see coming.

Twisted - a very apt title for this book. My brain is slowly untwisting! The beginning a bit strange, and had to go back and read again, but after that got into the story. Didn’t see the first twist coming!! After that couldn’t put the book down. A great read.

Thank you to Netgalley, publisher and author for this ARC.

I found Twisted a little too "twisted" in the story line for me to keep up. That being said, it was a good read and I would recommend it.