The Plea

“Rip-roaring legal thriller…Twisty, bloody, and convincing.” —Ian Rankin
An innocent client. A wife in jeopardy. Who will take The Plea?

When billionaire David Child is arrested for the murder of his girlfriend, Clara, the FBI believes they can get him to testify and take down a huge money laundering scheme.

Con-artist-turned-lawyer Eddie Flynn is given the job: persuade David to plead guilty and give the agents the evidence they need. If Eddie can’t get David to take a plea bargain, the FBI has incriminating files on Eddie’s wife – and will send her to jail. But David swears he didn’t murder anyone.

The evidence overwhelmingly shows that David killed Clara: the security video showed no one else entering their apartment, the murder weapon was in his car, and he was covered in gunshot residue he can’t explain. Yet as the FBI pressures Eddie to secure the guilty plea, Eddie becomes increasingly convinced that David is telling the truth.

With adversaries threatening, Eddie has to find a way to prove David’s innocence and find out if there’s any way he might have been framed. But the stakes are high: Eddie’s wife is in danger. And not just from the FBI…

The Plea is a locked room mystery from Steve Cavanagh, the author Nelson DeMille compares to John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Brad Meltzer.

“The Plea is one of the most purely entertaining books you'll read this year. It's a blast.”
—John Connolly, bestselling author of the Charlie Parker novels

Genre: Mystery

"A great thriller." - Mark Billingham

"This guy is the real deal. Trust me." - Lee Child

"Expertly combines his authority on the law with an absolutely great thrill ride." - Michael Connelly

"The Plea is one of the most purely entertaining books you'll read this year. It's a blast." - John Connolly

"If you're a fan of John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Brad Meltzer, then you will be a fan of Steve Cavanagh's The Defense." - Nelson DeMille

"Smart and original. This is a belter of a book." - Clare Mackintosh

"Steve Cavanagh is the John Grisham for a new generation." - Sarah Pinborough

"Rip-roaring legal thriller...Twisty, bloody, and convincing." - Ian Rankin

"Steve Cavanagh pulls off an enviable premise with panache." - Ruth Ware