𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4⭐️
WITNESS 8
🤍𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: thriller
📖 416 pages
𝗘𝗺𝗼𝗷𝗶𝘀: 🔫🚔🔪✉️👨🏻‍⚖️🔍😱🔨🏥👹💰🧬

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
◽️ multiple POV
◽️ blackmail
◽️ legal thrillers
◽️hit men & con artists

💛𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲💛

Thank you @simonaudio @atriabooks for the #gifted copy!

This twisty legal thriller kept me on my toes with its fast paced plot & gritty New York City atmosphere. Although it’s the 8th book in a series, it works well as a standalone—I hadn’t read the previous installments & still managed to follow along. The story is told through multiple POV, which added depth but also made it a bit tricky to keep track of the many characters at first. I definitely found myself jotting down notes to keep them straight, which might be where reading the earlier books could’ve helped.

Despite the hype surrounding this one, it didn’t fully live up to my expectations—but I still found it an engaging & entertaining read. The central plot, full of scandal, dirty cops, & high society drama, was what really hooked me. There were moments where I felt confused by the twists & tangled relationships, but thankfully @cozypagesss helped clear a few things up! If you’re into thrillers with action, corruption, & a strong NYC vibe, this one is worth checking out.

𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁: Ruby, once part of Manhattan’s elite, now works as a maid in the homes she used to live in. She quietly observes the dark secrets hidden behind their pristine walls. After witnessing a murder, she decides to manipulate the truth for her own benefit. Meanwhile, defense attorney Eddie Flynn takes on the seemingly unwinnable case of John Jackson, who is accused of murder with damning evidence against him. To save his client, Eddie must outsmart both the legal system & the dangerous criminals who want him dead.

#Witness8 #giftedbooks #thriller #mystery #suspense #crime #audiobook #Librofm #kindle #psychologicalthriller #legalthriller #bookaddict #whattoreadnext #botwxbs #bookcollector #booksaremylife #booksonbooks #crimewithaclaw #cozycorner

Firstly, woah. Secondly, WOAH.

I loved this book. The reader gets dropped into the fire on the first page, and from there until the end my head did not stop spinning. Characters upon characters, all the drama AND one of our main narrators is lying at every turn. Talk about a head spin.

This one took me longer than usual to read, but that had more to do with the amount of information that was packed into every page. I had to slow myself from devouring the book in order to keep up with what was happening. Regardless, the book was fast paced and ridiculously enjoyable.

Witness 8 is newest addition to the Eddie Flynn series, but according to Cavanagh the series can be read in any order. I will agree – this was a good standalone story, but it also left me wanting to know more about the relationships between Eddie and the rest of his team. A good thing that there are seven other books to keep me busy. If you are looking for a fabulous thriller that will keep you guessing until almost the end, then this is it.

Ruby, once part of the wealthy elite, is now living to get by as a maid and nanny. But with these jobs, she knows all the inside secrets of the lives of the people in her old neighborhood.

She witnesses a murder but doesn't want to be involved so she calls for the authorities from a pay phone. Why does she need to stay under the radar.

Eddie Flynn, a streetwise ex-con-artist-turned-defense-attorney, takes on a case that the police see as the man in custody is a murderer, yet Eddie always seeks out what really happened.

A compelling story I read in a day with a nice twist at the end!

My thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.

Major thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

Steve Cavanagh's newest Eddie Flynn book is nothing short of amazing, no surprise there! Ruby is quite the character in this story. I loved seeing how this went in different directions (it seemed) then tied all back together so nicely. I also love that we got a new character in this book that hopefully we'll be seeing again in later books!!

This series is worth everything. I really cannot recommend it more!

This story is told in multiple point of views. I usually don’t like reading books that have more than three point of views because it can get confusing. This author writes each character’s point of view so that it is easy to tell who is telling each chapter. I will definitely read more of this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

📚Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh

CWs for police corruption, graphic violence, murder, violence against children, stalking, and more

Story: 3/5
Audiobook: 3/5 (narrated by Adam Sims)
Length: 12h16min

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Witness 8 is a crime/legal thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s funny because this book has everything I usually hate in my thriller, but for whatever reason it just worked for me. The main plot was unexpected and I wasn’t sure which direction it was going to go. I liked how you already basically knew who the “bad guy” was, but didn’t really know the how or why behind their actions. The ending was a tad anticlimactic and I wanted just a bit more from the subplots, but I’ll definitely read more books from Steve Cavanagh in the future.

Of note - you definitely don’t need to read this series in order to enjoy it, so I’d recommend jumping around to the titles that interest you the most. I’ve now read Th1rt3en and Witness 8 and found both pretty enjoyable.

I ended up waiting to read until I could get my hands on the audiobook through my library, but a huge thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Great legal thriller with great characters who were very flawed but enjoyable to read about.

In a posh neighborhood, a nanny walking home witnesses a murder of a lady that she works for. She sees who the murderer is and calls the police, but does not give them the real assailant.

Eddie Flynn, a defense attorney, has the tough job of finding a way to convince a jury that his client, a pediatric surgeon, is innocent.

This book takes you on a rollercoaster ride through corrupt police, lawyers, hit men and rich people behaving badly. This was a fantastic, edge of your seat read.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. I have already recommended to fellow readers! #NetGalley #Witness8

What a suspenseful and well written book. I've read Thirteen (#4 in the Eddie Flynn series) and The Defense (#1 in the series) and loved them. I plan to read the entire series. Witness 8 is the 8th in the series. I saw an interview with Steve Cavanagh and he wrote the books so that they don't need to be read in order. Good to know. As usual, Cavanagh provides twists along the way that are not over the top and fit in with the clues he leaves behind. His courtroom descriptions are especially clear. He provides the rationale for why the attorneys make the decisions they do and I found this very interesting. A wonderful read!

“In the beginning, and in the end, it all comes down to money.”

What if the witness was more twisted than the killer, indeed! Holy hell. 4 1/2 stars! I don’t know if the books I have been reading lately have been watered down or what, but this one read more like a gruesome murder mystery than just your run of the mill whodunit thriller. I found myself shocked at the trajectory of the plot multiple times while reading this. Utterly engrossing!

Witness 8 is Eddie Flynn series book 8 but can easily be read as a stand alone. I haven’t read any of the other books but I will surly be doing so now. I also read Kill For Me, Kill For You last year and gave that 5 stars. So this author is a win for me!

Thank you to Netgalley, Atria Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Cavanagh does it again, with this intricate legal thriller. Eddie Flynn is back again as a street smart, morally gray lawyer in NYC. This time helping to defend a man framed for murder with a witness, Ruby, who is unreliable, unhinged and has an agenda of her own. The multiple POVs make the story come together, it keeps you on your toes throughout the book wondering how it will all come together. The side characters and storylines didn't distract but added to the main storyline. And the twists were well done but were not too far-fetched. An excellent and fresh continuation to the Eddie Flynn series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

If you like suspense/thriller fiction - you need to pick up Witness 8 from Steve Cavanagh.

“Something is wrong with Ruby Johnson.” I’m going to let you find out what’s wrong with Ruby. She’s the catalyst for what happens next…

And next brings in an absolutely fabulous group of characters. Driving things is Eddie Flynn - a con man who passed the bar. Supporting characters includes Kate, his partner, Harry, a retired judge, a private detective, an assassin, and many more. And the other side has just as many questionable employees.

Do you read ‘heist’ books, or movies? I do. I love the twists, turns and hoodwinking. That’s the same feeling I got in the first couple of chapters of Witness 8. I couldn't put it down. Cavanagh's plotting is so darn good. He juggles a number of threads and I was so happy that I couldn't predict how things would end. And there's a door that's been left ajar...

I'll be hunting down more great reads from Steve Cavanagh. An easy 5 stars.

I enjoyed this story, but I really think I need to go back and read the series from the beginning to have a proper understanding and connection with the characters.

The twists were twisty, but not enough for my liking. I also found myself getting lost with what was going on and would have to go back. Overall, I think I’m just missing something and will go to the beginning of the series and come back later.

I do enjoy Steve Cavanagh’s writing and will continue to read this author.

Witness 8: 👀🎱🚔⁣
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Thank you so much @atriathrillers and @simon.audio for my gifted copies!⁣
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I let my husband listen before me and he only had great things to say about it. We went though the highs and lows of finding out it’s a SERIES but it’s not released in order, and then acceptance it can be read out of order (it’s ok they’re standalones we can) Then, all my friends said it was also a 5 ⭐️ so I HAD to finally trudge myself through the TBR and move Witness 8 to the top. ⁣
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I loved the audio. It immediately made me think Eddie Flynn was Edward Norton and now I can’t unthink it. He’s my Eddie Flynn. I high recommend the audio, I couldn’t get enough of it.⁣
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The book itself is so good. I’ve never been a major fan of legal thrillers, but move over Law & Order, I need the rest of this series in my life. I absolutely loved the different POVs and really was into Ruby’s twisted mind to see her motivations for things.⁣
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Overall, a huge hit in the Sligh home as both are obsessed. Out now, don’t mind me as I start my ARCs for the others in the series because this is the type of writing I can get behind.

Rounded up from 3.75 ⭐️’s

You truly can’t go wrong with a Steve Cavanagh book. I was immediately sucked into the story and was eager to see how it played out. I also appreciate that you can skip around in the series as each book focuses on Eddie’s current case.

That said, it wasn’t my favorite of his. I love Cavanagh’s books because of how well plotted they are. You generally don’t need to suspend belief, which in my option, is really important when it comes to legal thrillers. Unfortunately, this had a MAJOR plot hole and that bummed me out. I don’t really think it is a spoiler, since I picked up on it right away, but to protect others’ reading experiences I will post it at the bottom of this review.

I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an early copy.

POTENTIAL SPOILER AHEAD ⚠️
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LAST CHANCE 🫣

Here is the plot hole that caused me to take off a star in my rating:
The murder takes place on an affluent street in NYC. The neighborhood is wary of outsiders, and full of busy body snobs. How is it possible that NONE of these homes have security cameras. Not even a ring camera?!? Granted, that would negate a lot of the “unknowns” in the plot, but it is such a clear omission.

Witness 8 is actually my first Steve Cavanagh read and I can say that I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work.
I enjoyed the wit of the protagonist Eddie Flynn as well as the passages told from the unreliable narrator’s (Ruby) perspective. I do wish I’d read some of the earlier books in this series before Witness 8 to get a better feel for the background stories of the numerous supporting characters.

Overall an enjoyable read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to read this book!

I’ve always been drawn to legal thrillers, but Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh took my interest to a whole new level. The courtroom drama in this book was absolutely gripping. I loved how Cavanagh managed to weave the legal proceedings in a way that was both intense and understandable. The tactical moves in court and the intricacies of Eddie Flynn’s defense strategies kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen next. It felt like I was right there in the courtroom, watching everything unfold with bated breath.

But what really made the story stand out for me were the characters and how they all intertwined. Ruby Johnson, the seemingly unassuming maid with a wicked secret, had layers to her that made the whole story unpredictable. Her relationship with the other characters added so much depth to the plot. I couldn’t help but get swept up in the way each character’s actions connected in unexpected and twisty ways. There were so many times I thought I knew where the story was going, only to be thrown off by another shocking turn.

The mix of the legal elements and complex character dynamics really made Witness 8 a page-turner for me. Every twist felt earned, and Cavanagh did a masterful job at keeping me guessing, right up until the very end. If you're a fan of tense legal thrillers with intricate relationships and jaw-dropping surprises, this book is a must-read.

I discovered Steve Cavanagh’s books when I joined Bookstagram, and since then, I’ve been hooked. There’s something about his stories that always draws me in—his ability to craft compelling characters and intricate plots is exceptional. This book, in particular, was twisty, riveting, and brilliantly executed.

This is my first book from Steve Cavanagh and I'm only upset that I didn't find him sooner. As someone whose favorite authors include Shari Lapena, Mary Kubica, and Meghan Miranda, this title falls right into my wheelhouse.

This book was thrilling, comedic, and entertaining with a plot line that will keep you needing to read more. I couldn't put it down. Will be reading more from Steve in the future.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for my review.

This book kept me enthralled from beginning to end. A thrilling book that keeps you turning the pages until the shocking ending. Full of twists and turns and shocks. Brilliant! I highly recommend reading this book! 📖

2.5 stars
This book took me forever to get through. I really like Eddie Flynn, former con artist turned attorney, but this book features two plot tropes that I personally cannot stand and that colored my enjoyment: a wrongly accused person and a hit put out on someone and them trying to avoid being killed.

Neither of those are spoilers, we know from the beginning that the person accused of and on trial for the murder did not do it, we just don't know why and how he was framed. And honestly, when push comes to shove and everything is laid out for the reader, I found the ending to be very lackluster and anticlimactic. There was an intriguing twist that I didn't see coming, but it was such a chore to get there that I honestly considered not pushing through.

One of the biggest problems was that there were too many points of view, too much going on, and it detracted from the main story. The whole hitman side story kept the plot from being engaging and cohesive for me.

Overall, this book felt like a season of The Rookie television show condensed down into one book. Entertaining, but not very believable and kind of forgettable.