Great thriller - my first from Cavanaugh (and of the Eddie Flynn books). I really liked that I was able to read this standalone without feeling like I’ve missed a ton of the Eddie Flynn story — I never felt lost.
A quick binge read keeping you on your toes as the web of lies keeps getting spun and trying to figure out how everything is connected.
Highly recommend and can’t wait to pick up the next one in this series!

Loved it. Started out kind of slow and a little disjointed with quite a few characters speaking. It didn't take long for Cavanagh to bring them all together in a way that made sense. Also lots of action, especially towards the end of the book, as well as twists that weren't expected.
I will definitely read the other Eddie Flynn books! I didn't realize this was a series.

Witness 8 is a gripping, well-crafted crime thriller that pulls you in from the very first page. This is a book within a series, but I do think it can be read as a standalone. The characters are deeply engaging — you quickly find yourself attached to them, invested in their fates, and eager to see where their stories lead. The details feel authentic, adding a layer of realism that makes the twists and turns even more compelling. If you enjoy a thriller that keeps you guessing and delivers well-developed characters along with a believable plot, Witness 8 is definitely worth reading.

I feel like sometimes it’s a little difficult to share a review of a thriller or mystery book because I fear I’m giving away too much or spoiling the story but this book was so twisty and interesting. The author does a great job at pulling you in and keeping you interesting. The story moves very quickly and the characters are very dynamic. I’ve never read a book quite like this before but I’m glad it was so different. I’m curious and would love to read more from this author because I enjoyed this book so much. I will be checking out more of this series.

WITNESS 8
Steve Cavanagh

This is my first time reading Cavanagh’s Eddie Flynn series. I was told I could jump in in the middle of the series and not be lost or spoiled which is true.

In WITNESS 8 we are following Flynn on his newest case. A man has been accused of murder and it seems like a lock tight case. There is a weapon, motive, and opportunity.

But with Flynn on the job anything is possible.

I liked but did not love WITNESS 8. I enjoy Cavanagh’s writing but I think I will stick to his novels that do not feature Eddie Flynn.

The story was good. It kept my attention throughout. However, there wasn’t anything within the text that has compelled me to follow along with the series.

Have you read the Eddie Flynn series? Will you be picking up WITNESS 8?

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copies!

WITNESS 8…⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eddie Flynn is back with another doozie of a case but then again do we expect anything less from Steve Cavanaugh? Dr. Jackson has been charged with first-degree murder in an affluent neighborhood in NY. Eddie and his team are, of course, working against a lot of obstacles in this unputdownable new thriller to put the right person away.

Not only is Eddie trying to keep his client out of prison, but he’s also trying to stay alive. Can he do both? You’ll have to find out by reading Witness 8.

I can see so many opportunities for other stories that should be told from this fantastic novel such as the stories of Ruby, Esther and Mr. Christmas. The way everything is woven like a fine piece of lace is phenomenal!!

One of the best authors out there! This book did not disappoint. This is another riveting legal thriller. Eddie Flynn is such a great character. I honestly could not put this down. But then I’ve felt the same way about all of Steve’s books! Enjoy reading this as I highly recommend to everyon!

I see Steve Cavanagh's past self coming out in this book with courtroom and investigation details. This is the first book I have read by him starting right in the middle of the series, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that I didn't feel lost not reading 7 came before this.

I'm sure we all expected the red priest to have significant role in the story; however, I didn't expect what it actually signified. For that, I salute you Cavanagh. Ruby was part of the clique in her previous life before her father left her and her mother with no money. Her UWS life came to an abrupt halt and she could only be the help to those she rubbed elbows once. Not sure if the trauma of falling from grace or something else, Ruby was talking to a painting in the house she was babysitting. It was telling her some violent things. Meanwhile. she witnessed a murder that turned the whole community upside down.

On top of Ruby and this community's story. we got the read about the trouble that Eddie Flynn was in and neither plots stole from each other. I really liked how con-man and detective in Eddie came out in a very balanced way to solve all the problems. I'm looking forward for the next one (and I'm not going to say why because spoilers!)

Steve Cavaugh is becoming my go to author. He weaves a tale that sucks the reader in and takes them for a ride! Ruby Johnson used to live on Manhattan's West 74th Street, with her parents. This is a very exclusive area, but the family lost everything, including their home, due to her father’s gambling. Her father disappeared leaving Ruby and her mother to deal with the aftermath. Now she works on that very street as a maid to some of the wealthy families, but she hates not being ‘one of them’. Ruby knows all their precious secrets, so when she witnesses a murder in one of the homes, she sees an opportunity to make some cash and change her mother’s life. The latest in the Eddie Flynn legal thriller series opens with Eddie in court doing what Eddie does best-pulling a Con to get a client off. This time, he has pulled the con on the wrong person-a crooked cop, and he will spend his time trying to stay one step ahead of the trouble that causes, while his associate, Kate, defends the innocent man, Ruby has framed for Murder. 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. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity.

I can't get enough of the Eddie Flynn series. It just seems to get better as it goes. I loved this one and will continue to read anything Steve Cavanagh writes.

I first read a Steve Cavanagh book a few months ago, Kill For Me Kill For you, and I suppose I did not realize it was the 8th Eddie Flynn aka part of a series. It was still good and kept me in suspense but I wish I had read some of the earlier ones first, totally my fault.

Thank you netgalley for the arc of witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh in exchange for my honest review. This story is actually a part of a series of books with common characters. Unfortunately i didn't realize that when i requested it. I feel like I was able to read it as a stand alone but Im not sure if there was a deeper connection to the characters I may have felt had I read it as a series. Cavanagh is an excellent writer who immerses you fully into the storyline. I enjoyed this book. Ruby is down and out. Once a member of high society she is now cleaning and babysitting for the wealthy. One night before heading home she witnesses a crime and figures out a way to make this profitable for her. Four stars.

I enjoyed this book pretty well. The plot twist took me by surprise which is pretty hard to do normally so any book that can do that is great in my book!! Solid 3.5/5. I don't have much to say about this other than I just enjoyed it. It was a good read and I had fun with it!

Witness 8 is the newest in the Eddie Flynn series authored by Steve Cavanagh. While walking home one evening Ruby witnesses something that will change her life and those of the street she works on. Ruby quickly makes some pretty drastic and life-changing decisions that will lead to arrests, trials, and plenty of speculation. This is a terrific legal thriller that has you guessing what might've happened as you tear through every page. Read and enjoy!

I didn't realize this book was part of a series, but that really didn't matter. If it's written by Steve Cavanagh, I'm reading it. This was easy to read as a standalone. I wasn't confused or lost in the least.

You already know what's going on very early, but that didn't take away from the suspense. It's a thicker read, but definitely worth it.

This is all in Steve's fashion. A point of view from the bad guy. A trial that is so tense and interesting, you must get to the end to see how it ends. Killers sent after Eddie. And all the grifting Eddie can handle. It is just a good series, and I'll keep coming back to his despicable characters.

Thank you to the publisher and Simon and Schuster Audio for my review copies.

My rating: 3.5 stars

Witness 8 was my first experience with the Eddie Flynn series and my first crime fiction book! I had a great time with this story. I loved how Cavanagh began the book on the night of a high profile murder in a wealthy neighborhood. We see the murder through the eyes of Ruby, a nanny for one of the neighbors, but we are not sure who the murderer is. Through the rest of the book, we are trying to figure out who Ruby saw and why she wants things to go her way so badly.

Eddie Flynn is New York City's local "bad boy" defense attorney. He is no thrills and doesn't beat around the bush with his lawyering skills. Flynn will do anything to prove his client's innocence, even if that means conning some people along the way. I find him to be the epitome of how you envision a con-man turned lawyer with one eye still in the NYC crime ring.

This is the latest book in the Eddie Flynn series, and I wish I would have read the others beforehand. While not necessary, as this is a standalone novel, I did feel like I missed some crucial details about the characters. It felt like there is an overarching plot that occurs throughout the series that I was unaware of. I think Cavanagh did a good job recapping, but I still felt like I missed some things. I never truly felt connected to most characters, even the Eddie Flynn.

I will absolutely be reading his earlier stories and even have the ARCs for Fifty Fifty and The Devil's Advocate, both part of the series. I'll slowly work my way backwards, and I believe I will end up with a deeper appreciation for these characters the more I read about them.

Thank you to Atria Books for a finished copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Witness 8" is my second book by Steve Cavanagh and Book #8 in the Eddie Flynn series. I always jump into a series at the wrong point. But I couldn't wait to try another book by the author, and the publisher offered this one! Thank you to Atria for the ARC via NetGalley!

Thanks to the recap of Eddie's background, I had no trouble reading this as a standalone. It made me eager to catch up on the earlier books in the series when I get the chance!

The story centers around Ruby, who comes from a once-wealthy family that has fallen on hard times due to her father's risky choices. Ruby works as a nanny and house cleaner for families they once socialized with to support herself and her mother. Ruby is smart, and when she witnesses a murder, she quickly devises a plan to seize the opportunity and change her life dramatically.

From the very beginning, the novel grabbed my attention with its gripping murder, and the excitement just kept building! The twists are relentless, leaving no room for a dull moment.

The pacing is spot on; the author knows precisely when to throw in a surprise. You're constantly guessing who to trust and when the next twist will come.

Eddie is an intriguing and unique character—with a moral compass that’s not always straightforward. The author adds other shady characters and an intense plot that is irresistible. Cavanagh excels at creating a fantastic plot with real characters and flaws.

The conclusion is undeniably wild! I was in such a hurry to find out how it all wrapped up, and I'm sure I missed any breadcrumbs left for readers!

All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

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The novel starts off strongly with a gripping narrative centered around a robbery and murder, complicated by a witness with a questionable history. Initially, I was really drawn into the storyline due to its intense premise.

However, as the book progressed, I found it challenging to stay engaged, feeling that the story could have benefited from a tighter edit to shorten its length. Additionally, not having read the previous books in the series sometimes left me feeling disconnected and a bit lost regarding some of the references and character relationships.

Despite these issues, the beginning was compelling enough that I'm interested in exploring earlier books in the series to fill in the gaps and to see if they enhance my understanding and enjoyment of "Witness 8."

This was my first Eddie Flynn novel by Steve Cavanagh, but it won’t be my last. I love this character! He is very smart and charming but also a bit wild and unpredictable. Eddie was a con-artist, now turned New York City attorney with an office of two other attorneys and a kick-ass female PI. A definitely unique attorney!
The story involves the murder of a wealthy woman by a neighbor – we know this because a maid/child care worker witnesses the murder and uses the information for her own gain. Not the police, nor the reader, nor Eddie’s team, knows the identity of the killer, but Ruby Johnson, now maid but a former resident of that wealthy neighborhood, does. Ruby plays a dangerous game while Eddie tries to put it all together, while at the same time Eddie has a hit out on him and multiple killers are on his trail.
A doctor is accused of the murder when the gun with his DNA on it is found in his home. Eddie and his band of maverick teammates use some unusual moves to keep this innocent man from prison. Is Ruby crazy? Why won’t Ruby go to the police? Is Eddie going to be killed by the multiple killers? Well, of course, Eddie will be fine, as I am sure after eight Eddie Flynn novels, Cavanagh still has some adventures in store for this character.
I would prefer to have more court room drama and less of the psychosis of Ruby in the book. But it is obvious that I have been missing a good series with Eddie and others. I plan to go back and remedy this!
My rating: 4 of 5

This ARC title was provided by Netgalley.com at no cost, and I am providing an unbiased review. Witness 8 was published on March 25, 2025.