📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

Witness 8 By Steve Cavanaugh
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
Publisher: Atria Books

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Huge thanks go out to Atria Books #partner and NetGalley for this #gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

Witness 8 was a fast-paced action thriller that pulled me in quickly and didn't let go until its incredible conclusion. This was my first foray into the world of Eddie Flynn, a former con-artist-turned-defense-attorney who practices law a little unconventionally and is a complete badass...and I can't get enough! This book thoroughly entertained me and Cavanaugh's writing kept me in suspense the whole time.

Told with alternating chapters of multiple POVs, this book provided character development that made me care about the characters. Not only did I love Eddie, but I was obsessed with his team of associates who were the epitome of moxie and badassery. And I'm not sure I've ever hated a character as much as I hated Ruby -- for nearly all of the book.

Though Ruby used to live in the elite neighborhood on West 74th Street in Manhattan, her family fell on hard times and she's now working as a maid and nanny for several families on her old block. When she witnesses a murder of one of her former neighbors, she decides to use that knowledge to her benefit. When one of the neighbors, pediatric surgeon John Jackson, is accused of the murder, Eddie agrees to take him on as a client. As the defense team investigates the case, Eddie find himself in the crosshairs of a pretty powerful organization in Manhattan who puts a bounty on his head. Can Eddie save not only his client, but also himself?

This book was full of intelligent twists and brilliant turns that left me gobsmacked again and again. When I finished reading the book, I simply sighed, "Wow," and just sat still for a few minutes to process everything. Cavanaugh is SO GOOD with giving unexpected twists, and I can't wait to read all the other Eddie Flynn books now. Everyone says the series can be read in any order, which makes me so happy, as I've got two more in the series to dive into next.

If you're a fan of action-packed thriller series with legal undertones and mysteries to solve, along with a host of badass characters who will have you on the edge of your seat with everything they do, you've got to introduce yourself to Eddie Flynn. Out now!

#Witness8 #SteveCavanaugh #AtriaBooks #gifted #AtriaInfluencer #ARCs #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #fivestarreads #mustreads #bookreviews #bookrecs #thrillerlover #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookaddict

Another great thriller by Steve! This novel is a very quick read and very fast paced.

Eddie is defending a surgeon this time around. Named jack. He is defending him for murder. And he had his work cut out for him.

Ruby babysits for jack and has decided that she is going to frame him.

So many people die in this novel it will keep you guessing till the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc

Former socialite-turned-maid Ruby Johnson sees a murder—and keeps it quiet for her own reasons. Defense attorney Eddie Flynn must clear an innocent man while staying a step ahead of dangerous criminals in this gripping thriller.
I enjoyed the criminal aspect of Witness 8—it was well-paced and kept me engaged from beginning to end. The plot had enough twists to keep the pages turning, even if it didn’t leave a lasting impression. It’s part of a series, but jumping in midstream didn’t leave me confused; the story stands well on its own. Overall, it’s a solid, entertaining read, though not one that will stick with me for long

Ruby Johnson used to live in the exclusively rich part of Manhattan; that is until her parents lost everything. Now she is a nanny for the families who live on the same street she did at one point. On the way home one evening she sees a murder, but doesn't tell the police the whole truth of what she saw. Ruby is hoping to use this murder as a way to get some cash and change her life back to the way it used to be. That is until Eddie Flynn enters the scene. Eddie is a conman turned lawyer and will do whatever it takes to find the truth.

I enjoyed this book as I knew I would. Steve Cavanagh has a way to keep you turning the page, with his cliffhangers and twists and turns.

Thank you Steve Cavanagh and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

OH myy, another GREAT Eddie Flynn installment!
Are you sick of me talking about this series yet? Well better not, because i am just getting started!

This is the 8th installment of the fastest crime/legal thriller series i have ever read!

but also this is my 4th book i have read in this series (will say it again, you can read this out of order- Steve does a unique and wonderful job of telling you just enough recap about who are the characters, and some backstory to where you are well equipped if you are reading this out of order, but also never too repetitive if you have read all the books)

1- The story delivers everything that you have come to expect and more, fast paced, intense, twisty legal thriller wit haperfect mix of a psychological thriller. we get diverse characters with great backstories that adds depth, we get well plotted mysteries, and amazing twists and turns

2- also safe to say, this book would be perfect for those of you who prefer a bit more psychological thriller vs. strictly legal thriller! i can easily say its about 50-50 in this book! so if you are unsure, just start with this, the psycho character was very interesting and has her own pace- which was unique while reading

3- my only comment ( not a Con): this story was naturally different pacing as the ones we are used to in his other eddie flynn series, and this is so expected when reading a psychological thriller, and i can guarantee the different pacing was only while reading HER chapters... again.. expected!

note:
i have seen some people comment about the priest in the picture ( iykyk) - but i think if you think a bit, you can clearly see what it meant, the representation, and why she talked to him ( if you know what i mean) - it is very clear toward the end why this was happening and what it meant!

Thank You to Atria Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion

Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

An unconventional New York lawyer faces off against Ruby, a manipulative 22-year-old who fell from Manhattan elite society to working as a maid and babysitter for families of the same social class she once belonged to, and who's apparently trying to frame his client for murder. This legal thriller delivers all the expected twists and turns, with shifting third-person limited narration that's particularly unreliable—and disturbingly psycho—during Ruby's chapters. All in all, a fun read that stands on its own despite being the 8th Eddie Flynn book. I jumped in without reading the previous entries and never felt confused or like I was missing important context.

I've never read an Eddie Flynn book before, but it was easy to follow, even though this was the eighth book in the series. It gave off a very Lincoln Lawyer-type vibe -- a lawyer too cool and smart for the law, with a con man angle.

We have Ruby Jackson, a young woman from a once wealthy past who now works as a maid and babysitter for rich people in NYC. This gives her plenty of opportunity to spy and snoop on her employers. One night, Ruby witnesses the murder of Margaret Jackson; instead of calling the police, she files the information away for her own use.

Meanwhile, Eddie's new client is John Jackson, accused of murdering his wife Margaret, with the gun found in his possession, DNA evidence and all. Flynn is convinced John Jackson is innocent, but it is going to be tough to prove it.

This is a wild and crazy tale, filled with corrupt cops, hitmen, and all sorts of killing and blood! It's certainly a dark and violent story, with plenty of murder. I am always impressed when the author can make you interested in the bad guys, though.

There are plenty of moving plot threads in WITNESS 8 but they weave together well. So many of the characters have dark pasts, and some are rather evil, but certainly intriguing. The book has a courtroom aspect and a mystery side, as well as learning more about Ruby and her past.

This is a great page-turner that keeps you reading. I'd definitely like to go back and read more about Eddie.

Not the best but a decent read, feels like the plot was under developed and could use more oomph. I feel like more care could have been taken in the development stage

Initially when I requested this book, I didn't realize that it was part of a series, and I was super bummed out that I hadn't read any of the previous novels. I've only read one other Cavanagh before this and really enjoyed it, so I figured I would give this one a shot anyway.

And to my pleasant surprise, it reads just like a standalone! There are definitely things that I assume were referenced from previous books, but it didn't detract anything from my reading experience and I really enjoyed this book.

I loved the plot, the twists, and the characters. This novel and its team of investigators have so much heart and love for one another, and I really liked their family vibes and camaraderie.

I'll definitely be adding the rest of this series to my TBR, I can't wait to read more about them! And Cavanagh is just a top tier thriller writer!

I wish netgalley would have showed that this was book 8 in a detective series. still, I tried to jump in. I just didn't enjoy this. the writing and main character were ridiculous and it was hard for me to get into the story.

am unsure how I went so many years without reading anything by @sscav

Kill For Me, Kill For You was one of my favorite books last year. I was lucky enough to get Witness 8 from @atriabooks and two more books from the Eddie Flynn series to continue my obsession.

The writing is so good. Eddie Flynn is such a well written character. I love the courtroom aspects. But the intricate plot is probably my favorite part. I love Cavanagh’s brain and how he thinks of these insane plots.

Definitely recommend this series (even if you’re just jumping in like I was!)

When Ruby witnesses a murder, she decides to be very helpful to the police - with her own agenda. Defense attorney Eddie Flynn is tasked with defending the man accused of the murder. But he claims to be innocent - and Eddie believes him. I enjoyed this quite a bit, and there were a couple twists I didn’t see coming! There’s blackmail and murder left and right, and I liked how the ending wasn’t toooo wrapped up. And I always enjoy Eddie Flynn and his gang getting to the truth. There are a lot of threads to follow, but when you pull them all together you get a really fun thriller!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for my copy! ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. i've been hooked on cavanagh's books for awhile now and this one was great. eddie flynn is such a good character and i think i would read every book in the series.

This was such a fun, fast-paced read. Eddie Flynn is as sharp and entertaining as ever, but what stood out to me about Witness 8 is how much of the tension happens outside the courtroom this time. The legal drama is still there, but the story puts more focus on the psychological games and the dangerous situations Eddie finds himself in while trying to uncover the truth. It’s a fresh take that really shows off his investigative side and had me constantly second-guessing what was going on.

The characters are messy in the best way: flawed, unpredictable, and never quite who they seem. And just when I thought I had something figured out, the story would pull the rug out from under me in a way that actually made sense.

If you’re a fan of the series, this one feels a little different, but in a good way. And if you’re new to it, this is a solid place to jump in without feeling lost. Either way, it’s one of those thrillers you pick up planning to read for a few minutes and then somehow it’s hours later and you’re still going.

This book was really good. I enjoyed the plot and it kept a steady pacing . I would recommend this read even if you haven’t read the series

Thank you to Netgalley, Steve Cavanagh, and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun one!
This book follows Ruby Johnson, a maid and Eddie Flynn, a defense attorney who can think like a criminal, because he used to be one.
Ruby is odd. But she has a unique history. The family she is now a maid for lives in the home she used to share with her family. Until her father left her and her mother alone and buried in his debts. But she has goals and will do anything to accomplish them, including blackmail, lying and maybe even murder. Eddie comes in when he takes on the defense of John Jackson, who murdered his neighbor, or did he?

We get multiple points of views in this story and crumbs that connect storylines, that you don't necessarily realize until the end. Though this was a quick read, I felt I was going back and re-reading certain chapters (so probably just my issue, lol).

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh is a fast paced criminal thriller with surprises coming at you until the very end. I’m not sure how Steve Cavangh does it, but he consistently delivers fast paced thrillers that grab a hold of you like a vice grip, failing to release you until the last words. This is just another day in the life of Eddie Flynn and his team, where Eddie will make someone mad, and once again will be in the crosshairs of danger, mystery, and intrigue. The team is used to hard cases, but when they get hired to defend accused murderer, John Jackson, everything will heat up, landing them in more danger than ever before.

This book was so good that I couldn’t put it down. I love Eddies quick wit, and the way him and his friends work out problems is entertaining and interesting. I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us. I definitely recommend this if you’re into thrillers or criminal fiction.

Eyes wide open, I stayed up past 3 last night reading till I discovered how Cavanagh pulled together all the twists and turns in this action-packed eighth Eddie Flynn legal thriller. A New York former con man turned brilliant but unconventional defense lawyer, Eddie shares this book’s landscape with his unique associates, a wealthy neighborhood full of drama,
threats, murders, suspects, and crooked characters in the courtroom and across the city.
Enter into the mix Ruby, the damaged, secretive protagonist whose motives we strive to discover, and Cavanagh has concocted an exciting, surprising installment. With the careful plotting of a police procedural and the human interest of a buddy novel, fans of Mickey Haller and Harry Bosch will enjoy it.

I don't always love a series but I love SC. I love Eddie Flynn and all his imperfections. This story is packed with suspense and jaw dropping scenes. It was exactly what i expected but at the same time totally shocked. For fans of Karin Slaughter and Pat Cornwell would enjoy Steve Cavanaugh's Witness 8.

This is my first Eddie Flynn book. I’m now a fan and can join the ranks of those who worry about Eddie. There were many reasons to do so in this story. It’s all centered around a murder that took place on 74th Street and most of the action is done before we find out the answer to the mystery. The twist and turns and the multiple plot lines keep us busy wondering what will happen next.

Five stars for this one. I really enjoyed it!

I received a copy of the digital ARC via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.