Member Reviews

I jumped on the Eddie Flynn train only after reading one of Cavanagh’s other books. Let me tell you that once you read an Eddie Flynn book… there’s no turning back and Witness 8 is no exception. I will say this isn’t quite as gripping as Cavanagh’s others in the series when it comes to the courtroom scenes but still very enjoyable!

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I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read & review via ARC. I enjoyed reading this and it kept me interested and anxious to see what happens next. I liked the writer's style & would love to read more by them.

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4 stars!

All of my friends have been recommending Steve Cavanagh lately, I was super excited to have been approved for "Witness 8".

I was locked in from the first few pages, I really enjoyed his writing style and the way he describes the characters. This was my first read out of the Eddie Flynn collection, I will have to go back and start the series from the first book since I enjoyed this one so much.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

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I’ll be honest with you, I hadn’t read an Eddy Flynn book until this one (#8) but I loved his last standalone so much, I snatched this one up as soon as I saw it on NetGalley.

That being said, I was still able to follow the story with no issues at all, and will absolutely be going back to read the beginning of the series. I loved the characters, especially Eddy, and want to get their full background. The story was gripping, kept me on my toes, and still surprised me at times. Definitely check it out!

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for my ARC! Pub date 03.25.25

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This book pulled me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The character development was phenomenal—I found myself loving some characters and despising others in equal measure.

I especially enjoyed the multiple POVs, which added depth and complexity to the story. That said, Ruby's perspective stole the show for me. Her unhinged nature made her chapters irresistibly compelling, and I couldn’t wait to dive back into her twisted mind to uncover what shaped her.

The murder mystery was expertly paced, with twists and turns that kept me guessing. While the plot was intricate and packed with moving parts, it all came together seamlessly in the end. The secrets and revelations were well-thought-out, and the courtroom scenes were written with such tension and precision that they were a highlight of the book.

While it can be read as a standalone, I would recommend starting earlier in the series to fully appreciate the nuances and connections between the characters.

If you love fast-paced, action-packed legal thrillers with a mix of crime and mystery, this is definitely worth picking up!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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There is something really special about Eddie Flynn and something really wrong with Ruby Johnson. Ruby is a nanny and maid for the neighbors on the street she used to live on. A riches to rags story. When Ruby witnesses a murder she does everything except the right thing. This book pulled on my heart strings, made me laugh, and gasp. There were twists I did not see coming and the ending wrapped everything up perfectly and set up the next book. Cannot wait to read more about Eddie. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

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Cavanagh does an amazing job with the suspense, and the plot is packed with surprises that you won’t see coming. The characters are really well-written, and I loved how the tension built up throughout the book. If you’re looking for a page-turner with plenty of action and drama, Witness 8 is definitely worth checking out!

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Thank you for the advanced copy! This was my first by the author and I didn’t realize this was part of a series. I was only slightly lost at first but able to catch on to the series storyline. The suspense was high and great for procedural crime lovers. Lots of twists and turns to keep you engaged

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I didn’t realize this was a book that was a part of a series so I felt semi lost with the characters but not enough to where I didn’t follow the story. Lots of twists and turns! Enjoyed it

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I didn’t realize this was part of a series, but I had no issue reading it! I do plan to read the backlog because this was fantastic and I would love to get background on the character. Witness 8 is a perfect blend of crime procedural mixed with psychological suspense. Fantastic book and I’m glad to have found this series! Thanks so much for allowing me to read!

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This was an addictive lawyer/detective procedural, with lots of crime and murder sprinkled throughout. I loved the many layers of characters and plots, never mind the expertly-crafted details of different scams, crimes, and character descriptions. I was floored by how much I enjoyed this psychologically-challenging crime novel.. My takeaway: This author must be a genius. There is no other explanation for this perfect gem of a book. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Can’t wait to read more in the series!

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In Witness 8, the eighth installment of the Eddie Flynn series, we find our ex-conman-turned-criminal-defense-lawyer back in action. This dark, twisty legal thriller had me hooked from start to finish. Eddie and his team are always a delightful, surprising, and intelligent bunch.

This time, Eddie is defending a renowned brain surgeon accused of murder. A wealthy neighbor has been killed, and Ruby Johnson, a nanny and maid to the rich, witnessed the crime. She anonymously tipped off the police but then lied about what she saw. Now, she’s using this deception to her advantage. Meanwhile, someone has put a hit on Eddie, adding another layer of danger to the already complex case.

Set in the heart of New York City, the book delivers thrilling courtroom scenes that are always a highlight. We also follow Ruby as she executes her cunning plan. Will she get away with it? You’ll have to read to find out.

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I always look forward to a reunion with Eddie Flynn and his associates, but I have to admit that I did miss having Eddie in court, as Kate is more of a straight shooter and not quite as much fun-But Ruby and Christmas were GREAT new characters!

I do recommend that you read the series in order so you can meet the characters who become part of his ever growing team, but note, that the first may seem a bit cliche but Cavanagh’s writing has really grown since his debut!

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This was my first Eddie Flynn novel (yep, I started at the end and now I need to go back 🤣) and I’m absolutely hooked. Steve has a way of throwing you so far off the scent that when the twist comes, your jaw drops to the floor. He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with his ability to connect the reader to the characters. You get just enough of each to keep you wanting more and it’s brilliant. Highly recommend checking out his work!
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Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I really liked Kill for You, Kill for Me! It was my first Steve Cavanagh book. I was excited to read this one. Although I didn’t like it quite as much as the first one I read. I did like it. It was a good thriller.

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This was a really solid legal thriller. Plenty of action, plenty of courtroom scenes, plenty of twistiness. All of that kept the pages turning. The nice short chapters helped, too.

I love the Eddie Flynn character, former con man with a heart of gold, I'm a sucker for that, but what separates this book from the pack is not only a fantastic and singular lead character, but the entire group of supporting cast around him. They all have very specific backstories and very specific ways of interacting with each other, all of which makes every chapter in rotating points of view a pleasure.

If I had a beef of any kind with this book, and it's not a big one, it's that there were a few too many storylines for my taste. If he had cut out even one of the extraneous storylines, then I think it would've been a pretty perfectly crafted as it was, it was completely enjoyable, and I will definitely be dipping into the series again.

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Ruby Johnson witnesses a murder in an exclusive New York neighbourhood, launching her into a whirlwind of chaos. Steve Cavanagh did not disappoint with his latest novel. Witness 8 was a mix of action, courtroom drama, and a dose of dark humour. The characters were so unique and well-developed that you really became involved in each of their stories. What was most enjoyable was the author’s use of alternating characters in every chapter. This really lent well to the entertainment of the novel and allowed each character to have their own spotlight. I was hooked right up to the end. Excellent read.

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An intense psychological legal thriller that keeps you on edge throughout, Witness 8 is a riveting tale of murder, secrets, contract killers, organized crime and deceptive cons. Steve Cavanagh delivers another smash hit of a story that puts a bright spotlight on Eddie Flynn’s humongous brass balls and sharp legal mind.

Once a privileged member of Manhattan’s elite, Ruby Johnson now cleans the homes and watches the kids of those in her old wealthy neighborhood. Quiet, observant and smarter than anyone gives her credit for, Ruby is taking notes on her client’s secrets. And when Ruby witnesses a murder, she decides to exploit this opportunity for her benefit. This leads to Eddie Flynn, the former con man turned successful defense attorney, taking the case of the man accused of the murder Ruby witnessed. Meanwhile, Eddie has a contract out on his life for his actions on another case and has to navigate the dark underworld of New York’s organized crime and assassins to stay alive long enough to defend his client in court. All of which put Eddie’s unorthodox methods and dedicated team on full display to solve the case, get his client acquitted and find a way to get the contract on his head reversed.

Having an apparently innocent man charged with murder and his lawyer trying to find a way to defend him when the evidence is overwhelmingly stacked against the defense would be enough of a compelling story. But then add in the lawyer being targeted by a corrupt organization looking for revenge, a young woman adept at deflecting attention from her schemes, a hit man with an interesting moral code, a gangster falling in love with a legal secretary, and several other intriguing characters/storylines, and you have a novel that is incredibly thrilling from start to finish.

Oh yeah, then this book lands a haymaker of a twist near the end that sends you reeling while also tying up all the loose ends in a neat little bow. It’s fantastically executed from concept to final product. A non-stop white-knuckle journey to the truth. Once again highlighting Steve Cavanagh’s world-class storytelling and character development abilities through the continuation of this tremendously fun and exhilarating series.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher. Thirteen is my favorite thriller of all time, and Cavanagh’s books never disappoint. This was no exception.

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*Witness 8* by Steve Cavanagh is a twisty, fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing. Ruby, a maid with a front-row seat to the rich and powerful, witnesses a murder—but she’s got her own dark plans, and Eddie Flynn, the ex-con turned lawyer, must defend a man who seems guilty, all while dodging deadly criminals. It’s a wild ride full of surprises! Recommend for fans of Lisa Jewel.

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