Witness 8 is another slick, propulsive thriller from Steve Cavanagh, and it doesn’t disappoint. Once again, we’re back in the courtroom trenches with Eddie Flynn—everyone’s favorite ex-con-turned-lawyer—and this time, the stakes feel higher than ever.

The real star of the show, though, is Ruby Johnson. A character who walks the razor's edge between sympathetic and sinister, Ruby is the kind of unreliable witness you love to hate and hate to underestimate. Once a member of Manhattan's elite, now quietly cleaning their homes, she sees everything—and uses what she sees in ways no one expects. Her motives are murky, her past even murkier, and that moral ambiguity makes her absolutely magnetic on the page.

Eddie Flynn is as sharp as ever, bringing his usual mix of street smarts, courtroom swagger, and just enough vulnerability to make you root for him. His team brings both heart and hustle, helping to balance the darker corners of the story with moments of humanity.

Cavanagh’s plotting is tight, and the twists hit hard—though one or two felt a little too convenient, keeping this from being a full 5-star ride. Still, the pacing is relentless, and the final reveal is both clever and satisfying, sticking the landing with style.

If you’re a fan of legal thrillers that blend psychological tension with action and a bit of grit, Witness 8 will have you flipping pages late into the night. It’s a darkly entertaining dance between truth and manipulation—and nobody plays that game better than Steve Cavanagh.

This is book 8 in the Eddie Flynn series. I think it is understandable as a standalone but is best to read the series in order to fully understand the backstory.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

This is another unputdownable Eddie Flynn thriller. If you are already a fan then you know how good Steve Cabanagh is. If you are new to the series then get ready for a fast paced read that will keep you reading into the night. When Ruby Johnson witnesses a murder, she sees it as a way to solve all of her problems. She is a nanny and maid who works in an affluent neighborhood. She used to live in one of the homes before her father lost all of their money and disappeared. Her grandmother always said that there was something wrong with Ruby and as you get to know her you can see why. She retrieves the weapon that the murderer discarded and uses it to lay the blame on the father of one of the families that she works for. The family also happens to live in the house where she grew up. For some reason she wants them out of that house. An anonymous call to the police and the discovery of the weapon with the husband’s DNA on it is an easy conviction for an ambitious DA. That is until Eddie Flynn takes on the defense. Flynn is a former con artist who knows his way around the justice system and never gives up.

Cavanagh throws some major twists into his story from the very beginning. In an opening court appearance, Flynn wins a case that upsets a powerful mob boss. Now there is a contract on him, forcing him to dodge assassins as he investigates the murder. The courtroom scenes are tense, while the accusations against his client, a prominent surgeon, bring out the worst in his neighbors. Ruby is manipulative, using blackmail and murder to get what she wants while oozing sympathy and offering help to the same family that she is targeting. With a cast of familiar faces and an assassin obsessed with Marlon Brando, Cavanagh’s story provides entertainment and suspense that should not be missed. I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Publishing for providing this book.

Steve Cavanagh knows how to write a great twisty crime thriller that is fast paced and intriguing.

Eddie Flynn is back trying to solve the case for his client John Jackson. John is accused of killing his neighbor. He is adamant he did not kill her but somehow his DNA is found on the gun. Eddie has to put all the puzzle pieces together to solve this crime. The Flynn team is off and running using their unconventional practices, gathering information, questioning witnesses and ruffling feathers.

This book was interesting from the start. I really liked how all the characters are tied to one another and slowly their involvement in the plot is reveled. I felt the pacing was good and the chapters were not overly long. This is my second book of the Eddie Flynn series and I am definitely going to read the rest.

"𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞; 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫."

Eddie Flynn returns in this eighth book of the streetwise ex con-artist-turned-defense attorney series!

Eddie Flynn has a lot to balance: the defense in the trial of a respected surgeon accused of murdering his neighbour in the wealthy West 74th street neighbourhood, the corruption of the newest DA, and trying to stop the hit on his life! Eddie is an easy character to love, intelligent and street-smart, but so are the people he surrounds himself with: fellow lawyers Kate and Harry, admin assistant Denise, and investigators Bloch and Lake. This motley crew that has been assembled together to form a team who only take on clients whose innocence they believe, are strong in their convictions, but also aren't above pulling the tricks they need to get the justice that is deserved. The story is definitely a legal drama, with lots of distinct points of view, but that doesn't mean that it isn't packed full of action. Steve Cavanaugh has constructed a tale of corruption in New York City, with a side of craftiness in unreliable witness, Ruby. She is a fascinating character who grapples with feeling invisible as the help from the families of the street she grew up on; I waffled between admiring her cleverness and shuddering at her wickedness. Once I got into the story, I couldn't put it down; Cavanaugh doesn't help back punches with storytelling, using clever cliffhangers and misdirection until its satisfying (and surprising in a couple places) ending.

Witness 8 is a fascinating legal thrillride that balances elements of suspense, corruption, police procedural, while making Manhattan come alive as almost a character itself. I've fallen in love with Eddie Flynn, and will be on the lookout for more of this series! Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the ARC!

Something is wrong with Ruby Johnson. When she witnesses a murder she decides not to tell the truth and works to keep all her secrets hidden. Ex con man turned attorney, Eddie Flynn works the case and will have to keep an innocent man from being framed. Can Flynn's team beat Ruby at her own game?

What i enjoyed about the book:
Ruby is a flawed character and manipulator. She acts as a naive, well mannered nanny, meanwhile she is out for revenge.
Ruby has a dark side and tries to frame her employer for a crime they did not commit

What I found challenging:
The multiple points of view
There seemed to be too many characters to follow each plot point specifically
There was a lot of court room dialogue that I thought was a bit dragged out

Overall a solid mystery read

Psycho thriller with twists to keep you surprised. Ruby goes from life of wealth to working as a maid. She witnesses a murder and changes the story. Eddie is a defense attorney with an unusual team working to solve the murder and uncover Ruby. There is a hit man out to kill Eddie so his team is trying to protect him.

WITNESS 8 – by Steve Cavanagh – Eddie Flynn Series – Book 8

‘Something is wrong with Ruby Johnson.’

‘A former resident of the ultra-elite Manhattan upper class, Ruby now works as a maid in the type of houses she used to live in. Unassuming, she sees everyone’s dirty secrets from the inside of their beautiful, renovated brownstones. But when Ruby witnesses a murder, she has wicked plans in mind that don’t involve telling the authorities the truth.’

That. Was. Awesome! I love everything about this Book, and I cannot wait to dive into the beginning of this series.

All The Boxes Ticked—Pacing, Characters, Mystery, and Murder—Yes, Please!

Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books (Simon & Schuster Publishing), for providing me with an eBook of WITNESS 8 at the request of an honest review.

Steve Cavanagh delivers another smart and suspenseful legal thriller with Witness 8, blending courtroom drama, layered twists, and morally gray characters into a story that keeps you reading late into the night. As expected, Cavanagh’s writing is crisp, immersive, and emotionally reactive—his characters don’t just exist on the page, they provoke something in you. Whether it’s side-eyeing someone’s shady decisions or quietly rooting for Eddie Flynn to pull off the impossible, you’ll find yourself fully invested.

The plot unfolds with a deliberate, slow-burn pace that allows tension to build, pulling readers into a legal and psychological game where every move matters. The twists are smart, and while seasoned thriller fans may anticipate one or two reveals, they’re still executed in a way that feels satisfying rather than predictable. Personally, my background in medicine and love of the genre may have tipped me off a little early, but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of seeing it all play out.

Eddie Flynn remains one of the most compelling legal protagonists out there—witty, principled, and just slick enough to walk the line between courtroom charisma and street-smart edge. Cavanagh continues to craft him with nuance, and it’s a pleasure watching him operate under pressure.

Overall, Witness 8 is a strong installment for longtime fans and a solid entry point for newcomers alike. It’s ideal for readers who appreciate a cerebral legal thriller with emotional stakes, carefully placed reveals, and a cast of characters you can’t help but react to. While it didn’t hit home run status for me, it’s a confidently written novel that earns its place in Cavanagh’s ever-expanding catalog of courtroom suspense.

The story centers on Ruby Johnson, a former member of Manhattan's elite who now works as a nanny and maid on West 74th Street. One night, she witnesses a neighbor's murder and anonymously tips off the police, identifying the killer. However, Ruby's account is deceitful, setting off a chain of events that entangles Eddie Flynn, a former conman turned defense attorney, who is tasked with defending the wrongfully accused.

I simply loved this book and could not put it down. The only drawback was that it took me a minute to grasp all of the characters, but I was hooked from the very beginning. Steve Cavanagh is an automatic read for me, and this was another fantastic story! Highly recommend.

Ruby is a maid in the wealthy area of Manhattan, and she witnessed a murder. Although she reports the crime she lies her and blame someone else to benefit herself. This is where my boy Eddie comes into play. Eddie is a con artist turned lawyer; his tactics can sometimes make you give him the side eye, but he always gets the job done. He’s a badass, and the “con” is still deep within him! Eddie is hired to defend John Jackson, the innocent man accused of murder, and it ain’t looking good for him. Eddie has his work cut out for him.
I apologize, Mr. Cavanagh; this is my first book by you, and I wasn’t familiar with your game! But let me tell you—“Witness 8” ATE THAT ONE, LIL THING, SIR!!! I was so hooked that I hurried to Libby to borrow the other books in the series because I WAS ALL IN and needed to listen to the audio. I was truly intrigued. Why didn’t y’all tell me about this Eddie Flynn series? I couldn’t put it down! The novel features multiple points of view, which can be tricky for me, but my boy Stevie (Can I call you this? We Family Now!!) wrote it so well that I didn’t miss a beat. I appreciated the action elements; the scenes extended beyond the courtroom, keeping me engaged. The twists, turns, and surprises had me on the edge of my seat. I also felt vibes of watching a cross between “Law & Order” and “White Collar”—we need that scheming and those unorthodox tactics involved LOL!! I loved it! While I believe this book could be read as a standalone, I feel that if I had read the previous books in the series, my experience would have been even more elevated. I wasn’t familiar with the main character's storyline, but don’t worry—I’ve already gone back to the first book to catch up. Listen, I’m not typically a huge thriller reader, but I’m excited to find a series that I love. This author can write a damn good book, and I’m here for it! If you’re looking for a series you can binge, where sometimes things aren’t always black and white, pick this one up! Stevie!!! We’re in this together now. We’re family now!

This was not for me. The writing and dialogue was very corny, but I’m not a fan of mob and hit men storylines in general. I thought there was too much going on and none of the storylines were fully fleshed out. All of the sudden at the end it was just like “it must be Ruby!”. I didn’t love the ending, but I didn’t see the twist coming (that Ruby and her mom had killed her dad and hidden him in the wall), but it also felt corny. Overall, I can see how some people may enjoy this but it wasn’t for me.

Cavanagh’s good at setting up tension and throwing in twists, and there were definitely a few moments where I found myself flipping pages faster just to see what happened next. The pacing was solid, and it had that classic courtroom-meets-crime-drama feel he’s known for, which is always kind of fun.

The main character was decent—smart, determined, a little rough around the edges—but not someone I felt deeply connected to. Same goes for a lot of the cast. I didn’t dislike them, I just wasn’t super invested either. Some of the emotional beats felt a bit surface-level for me, like they were almost there, but not quite.

The big reveals? Not bad. I didn’t fully guess what was going on, so props for keeping a bit of mystery alive. But at the same time, once it all came together, it felt a little familiar—like something I’d seen done before, just with slightly different pieces.

Overall, Witness 8 was a solid, if not super memorable, legal thriller. Good for a weekend binge or if you're just in the mood for some quick suspense with courtroom vibes. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either—it just kind of landed in that “pretty decent” category.

I’ve really come to enjoy Steve Cavanagh’s books. He just has a way with drawing me into his story telling and making me want to know more about the villains in his story and this one was no different. I was so invested in this story and didn’t let up. I’ll definitely be recommending it to my friends.

First off, thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the copy of my ebook!

In Witness 8, we follow along Ruby Johnson who works as a nanny and maid in the Upper West Side. Ruby witnesses a murder and decides to withhold the truth and using this secret as leverage. Eddie Flynn, an ex-con man and now lawyer decided to take the case for John Jackson who is being framed for the murder.

Initially, I was very excited to read this as this is my first Steve Cavanagh book and I've heard great things about his books! I should've started off with another one as this didn't really grasp my attention. I found there was maybe a few too many POVs to keep track of which made it hard to really connect and deep dive into the characters and their stories. I'd get to a new POV and sometimes find it confusing and forgetting who all these people in the book were. If it just followed Ruby, Eddie, and Mr. Christmas I think I wouldn't have been able to put the book down. Something more thrilling just feels like it was missing for me that could've made the book great. I wasn't ever really surprised or caught off guard which is my favourite part of reading thrillers and mysteries!

My favourite part of the book was Ruby's and I would've loved to know a bit more about her past. I think she just fell a little flat for me as a main character and part of the story. I will definitely read some different books from the Eddie Flynn series and more Steve Cavanagh books!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a pretty good thriller (more of a legal thriller than a psychological one) - I didn’t know it was part of a series but it works as a standalone story. Seemed a little too long at parts and I was more interested in the Ruby parts (truly didn’t care which of the two men was the murderer) but overall I enjoyed it!

Cavanagh is excellent at his craft- he evokes emotions and depth in each of his characters, leaving you wanting more. Eddie Flynn is a lawyer I would want in my corner- precariously balancing that fine line between legal and illegal, knowing how to bend the system to best suit his clients. His motley crew of employees are quirky, funny and endearing. Ruby, the possible antagonist, is odd and eccentric, with somewhat of a vendetta towards her past that remains a bit unclear until the end. This book has all the twists, turns and side stories (including a hired hit, framed suspects, and a budding romance) needed to make a great novel! Thank you to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for the Arc!

Happy for another Steve Cavanagh! An intertwined tale of the suspect and the witness. Well written and kept me engaged.

This was a fast paced read with complex character development. It had several unexpected turns and ended up being quite the joy to read.