Member Reviews
True confession: I'm in love with Eddie Flynn, the brash-talking, former con man turned lawyer. I have read all of Cavanagh's books, and he never disappoints me. Witness 8 centers around a murder that takes place in a wealthy neighborhood. There is one witness, Ruby, the maid. Ruby, at one time, lived in this neighborhood and enjoyed a life of luxury. Her father loses all their money and hits the road. Meanwhile, Ruby and her ailing mother are living in the slums. The families in the 'hood share Ruby as a paid servant. She cleans as well as babysits. And Ruby also hides a dark secret. No worries, folks, Eddie is defending the innocent neighbor who is on trial for murder. I could tell you the rest of the story, but then I would have to kill you. Steve Cavanaugh, thank you for giving me the many delightfully entertaining hours in your books with Eddie and Harry. Please keep writing.
I’ve read one other book in this series and felt like I wasn’t missing too much backstory to read them as standalone. Cavanagh does a good job filling in with just enough of the character details while also making me want to go back and read the earlier books in the series to uncover more on the characters. Eddie is a classic redemption driven character. I want to learn more about Lake, Bloch, and Harry.
The plot was very strong and had me guessing all the way to the end.
Ok, I had NO clue what I was reading. Totally thought I was getting just another thriller, and missed the fact that this is #8 in a series and it’s a LEGAL thriller. But anyway….none of that matters because I loved this book so much! Lots of twists and turns and action and I couldn’t put it down.
No need to read any of the other Eddie Flynn novels, although if I were to go back and read them, I’m sure I just read a lot of spoilers for those. But I might anyway!
Eddie Flynn gives me total Saul Goodman vibes, which are the best kind of vibes. Highly entertaining and I love to see the fragments of things start to come together both in his actions and in the unfolding of the story itself.
Took away one star only because the way things ended up with Ruby seemed a little out of nowhere.
Loved this book! My first Steve Cavanagh book and definitely not my last. The twist and turns were great, although not all came as a surprise. I didn't love Kate or Bloch, something rubbed me the wrong way about both. Would definitely recommend this thriller to other people though and check out other books by Cavanagh myself.
🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Witness 8
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Steve Cavanagh
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: March 11, 2025
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝:
⇥ The opening scene and initial chapters had me hooked!
⇥ I love a book that makes you wonder how all the puzzle pieces will fit together, and then reveals the big picture at the end.
⇥ This would make an amazing movie!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐝:
⇥ How many times do I need to hear that Eddie, the main character, was a conman before turning his life around to become a lawyer? Sixteen times, in various forms like "con-artist" or "conman." It got old quickly. Repetition really stands out for me.
⇥ The tagline: "What if the witness was more twisted than the killer?" was severely overhyped.
⇥ At one point, the story felt like two separate plots. There were chapters where I'd think, "Oh right! This isn't just about Eddie's personal life" (Plot #1), "but also the trial for the murder" (Plot #2).
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
★★★★.5
This is one of those books that doesn't explain everything right away, which keeps you reading further in hopes that it will all make sense. And it does! While the middle dragged a bit, it was worth it in the end. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. You can tell there are stories and prior history between the recurring characters. You’re never lost, but there's definitely a backstory from previous books. I read Thirteen (Book #4) years ago and was floored by its creativity. Cavanagh is such a phenomenal author. Keep this on your radar for release next year!
From the very first page I was absolutely indulging this book. I could not put it down and almost gave myself a reason to call into work! If you love twists and mind blowing endings that leave you questioning what you just read, this book is for you! I’d like to thank Steve Cavanagh and net galley for this amazing opportunity! I will definitely be reading more of his books!
I was super intrigued by this and really wanted to like it, but I just didn't. I didn't really like any of the characters and I wasn't super invested in the story or the outcome. The pacing and the writing was good, just not one that will go down as a favorite.
I've been eager to read another book by Steve Cavanagh after Thirteen, which remains my favorite. However, I did enjoy Witness 8, It started off strong and captured my interest fairly quickly. I thought the plot was very intriguing and kept me guessing about how everything would connect in the end. The main issue I had with this book was the numerous points of view, which made it difficult to keep track of the characters. Overall, it was a decent read, and I can't wait for the next one.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Family.
Steve Cavanagh has written another Eddie Flynn novel and hit every single emotional nuance. Eddie Fly is one of my favorite hero’s. He is part con artist, part magician and has a “family” surrounding him that are the perfect sidekicks and back ups.
I’ve read almost all of the previous Eddie Flynn books I could get my hands on but I’m still missing a few I can’t get on audiobooks. So I ordered the print versions. I need more of this series forever!
This book was fantastic! I was delighted and intrigued. I didn't realize it was part of a series when I requested, but it can definitely be read as a standalone novel. I never felt lost or confused. This book kept me entertained and interested the whole time. I finished it in 2 sittings. This book made me want to go back and read the rest of the series as well as the other work by this author. Honestly I definitely recommend this title!!
Attorney Eddie Flynn is back in Witness 8, the latest in this series from Steve Cavanagh. When down-on-her-luck maid Ruby witnesses a murder in her swank neighborhood, she sees the answers to all her problems, and instead of telling the police, she puts a plan into motion that has unforeseen results. Eddie is then hired to defend the murderer, and also learns there’s a contract on his life, resulting in a free-for-all as there’s no shortage of takers. There’s a lot going on this book, with various subplots that seem scattered but eventually all the pieces fall into place. It’s a bit disconcerting for the reader as you try to keep track of all the players and their roles, and that detracts from the main plot. But there’s enough intrigue here to keep you afloat, but this was a struggle at times due to all the storylines. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wish they would have told more about the love story of the victim and murderer. I guess that is the point, though, that actual murder isnt the main plot. Guess I wanted more about the motivations of characters and less about the lawyers inner thoughts.
Haven't read any of this series before and maybe that was what made me want more plot instead of on going growth of the main lawyer and his team
Wow this was a wild ride! You really didn’t know who you could trust and in the end you’re left speechless.
Thank you to Altria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I just finished reading “Witness 8” by Steve Cavanagh, and I have to say, it was a blast! This is the first Eddie Flynn book I’ve picked up, and now I’m hooked.
The story is all about Eddie Flynn, a former con artist who’s now a defense lawyer. He gets thrown into this intense trial where he has to use all his street smarts and legal tricks to defend his client. It’s clear that Eddie is not your typical lawyer. The legal drama unfolds with the perfect blend of courtroom strategy, mind games, and action, offering a fresh take on the legal thriller genre. His ability to outthink his opponents and navigate a case that seems unwinnable is what drives the excitement. The plot is fast-paced and full of twists. Getting the perspective of multiple characters kept it exciting, especially Ruby and Mr. Christmas.
Eddie Flynn is such a cool character. He’s got this rich backstory that’s hinted at throughout the book, making him really intriguing. Plus, the supporting characters are just as interesting and add a lot to the story.
After reading “Witness 8,” I’m definitely planning to read the rest of the series. Even though this was my first Eddie Flynn novel, I didn’t feel lost. Cavanagh crafts the story in a way that new readers can dive right in. That said, there were moments where I could tell there was backstory I missed, which only fueled my desire to go back and read the rest of the series. The chemistry between Flynn and other recurring characters, in particular, makes me want to discover more about their past dynamics.
Highly recommended for fans of legal thrillers, and if you’re like me and jumping in mid-series, don’t worry—you’ll want to go back and devour the earlier books too!
Ruby!!!
As always Eddie is on a mission to prove innocence while he fights for his own head. We don’t get to see in court as much, we see a lot of Kate this round. Which isn’t bad, she’s just not as fun in court.
Steve Cavanagh never lets me down! And neither does Eddie Flynn. Goodness. Cavanagh's books are like watching a movie in my head. He has a special gift of being able to write in a way that the reader can completely visualize everything, but also the plot is racing, but also you care about the characters, BUT ALSO there are so many threads weaving together! It's such an impressive feat. The reason this wasn't a full five stars for me is that the ending wasn't quite as strong S I had hoped and I wish there was one big twist that would've knocked me off my feet. BUT that being said, I had so much fun and will pick up whatever this man writes! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! Out March 11, 2025
This was read as a standalone and it was okay. It is a great legal thriller and the characters stick out. There are a lot of POVs which does make it hard to keep up.
Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh is a fast-paced, gripping legal thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. The plot is packed with twists and turns, and when you think you’ve figured it out, the story takes another sharp turn. The characters are well-crafted, and the courtroom drama is intense. My only reason for giving it four stars instead of 5 is that a few plot points felt rushed toward the end. But overall, it’s a fantastic read for anyone who loves a good, suspenseful thriller. Recommend!
This is the second book I’ve read by Steve Cavanagh, and from the prologue, I was instantly hooked. It has all the sharp wit and legal drama of the show Suits, but with an intense murder mystery twist. The plot is incredibly fast-paced, and every chapter leaves you eager to turn the page. Cavanagh masterfully keeps the tension high, making it hard to put the book down. If you're a fan of thrillers, this one is a must-read!
I couldn’t put this book down! Ruby Johnson’s shift from Manhattan’s elite to a maid with a front-row seat to everyone’s dirty secrets adds such a unique twist. Her decision to keep quiet about witnessing a murder sets the stage for a gripping story filled with suspense.
Eddie Flynn, the streetwise attorney, is fantastic as he takes on an impossible case while trying to stay one step ahead of dangerous criminals. The tension between Flynn’s efforts to clear his client and protect himself makes for a fast-paced, thrilling read. The twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end. If you’re into smart, intense thrillers with unexpected twists, this one’s definitely worth diving into!