⚖️ WITNESS 8 by Steve Cavanagh is a gripping, fast-paced legal thriller that had me hooked from the first page!
I loved Kill for Me, Kill for You, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this one. Witness 8 is the 8th book in the Eddie Flynn series, but it absolutely works as a standalone — this was my first, and now I can’t wait to go back and read the rest!
📚 Synopsis:
Eddie Flynn is a former con artist turned defense attorney, known for his unconventional methods and fierce loyalty to his clients. He’s been hired by a top law firm to defend a man accused of murdering his neighbor — and the only damning evidence is an anonymous witness. But that witness may be even more dangerous than the accused.
Meanwhile, Ruby — once part of Manhattan’s elite — is now working as domestic help for the same people she used to party with. When she becomes a witness to a murder, she finds a risky way to finally get what she believes she’s owed.
💭 My thoughts:
I loved Eddie’s no-nonsense attitude and his relentless pursuit of justice. He doesn’t just defend — he fights for his clients, often at great personal risk. I also really enjoyed getting inside the minds of some of the morally gray (and downright dangerous) characters. The pacing is tight, the courtroom drama is intense, and the twists kept me turning the pages.

In Witness 8, Steve Cavanagh delivers another masterclass in legal suspense, blending courtroom drama with psychological tension in a way that keeps the reader riveted from the opening scene to the final twist. Known for his Eddie Flynn series, Cavanagh again proves his skill at crafting high-stakes thrillers with sharp dialogue, morally complex characters, and a deep understanding of legal strategy.

The plot centers around a key witness whose testimony could make or break a major case—but the deeper the story goes, the more we’re forced to question what truth really looks like when memory, motive, and manipulation collide. Cavanagh structures the novel with precision, building tension through layered revelations and expertly timed turns that keep the reader guessing.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its pacing: never too fast to lose clarity, yet relentless enough to make it difficult to put down. Cavanagh’s writing is clean, immersive, and cinematic, making Witness 8 feel like a binge-worthy legal thriller ready for adaptation.

Characterization is strong throughout. The protagonist—flawed but deeply human—is easy to root for, while the antagonists feel chillingly believable. The courtroom scenes are especially compelling, written with authenticity and dramatic flair.

Verdict: Witness 8 is a gripping, intelligent legal thriller that satisfies fans of both courtroom drama and psychological suspense. With its expertly woven plot and razor-sharp writing, this is Cavanagh at the top of his game. A must-read for fans of John Grisham, Michael Connelly, and readers who love twisty, high-stakes fiction.

In Witness 8, Eddie Flynn is hired onto John Jackson's case. Jackson is accused of murdering a neighbor in a very rich and powerful neighborhood of Manhattan. Police have found the murder weapon in Jackson's house, with Jackson's DNA on it. On top of that, Eddie is a target because of a past case, with all the lives close to him in danger. Involved in the case is Ruby Johnson, a maid for many of the people in the neighborhood, has her own motivations in the case that Flynn will have to uncover.

Witness 8 is another solid Eddie Flynn legal thriller. I'm glad to see Atria Books is catching up with publishing them in the United States, since this is a fun and enjoyable series. I think Ruby's plotline was a little oversold, and I did not enjoy her plotline as much as the other dangerous narrator introduced in this book. Since its a legal thriller, there's a couple well-done courtroom scenes (though I would not have crossed one of the experts that way) though they do not play as prominent of a role in this book as the other Flynn books I have read. But Witness 8 is fun and easy to read, even if you haven't touched the other Eddie Flynn books.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for a copy of Witness 8 in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little worried going into this book that I would not be able to understand all the players as I found out this is the eighth (!!) book in a series, but I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to catch on quickly. I thought the author did a fantastic job of leaving a lot of little bread crumbs to help you solve the mystery as Eddie Flynn, our main character did, and I really enjoyed how it tied it all together at the end. My only gripe is that I had to suspend a lot of belief in some of the investigation practices of the police, and it felt a bit too convenient at times. There were also A LOT of characters, which I was able to keep straight by the end but felt a bit overwhelming at the start of the read. Overall, I really did enjoy Eddie Flynn and will certainly be reading more in this series because I love a police procedural/courtroom drama especially when it is centered around a con man turned lawyer. I had fun! 3.5/5 Stars

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

A new installment in the Eddie Flynn series is always among my most anticipated reads. I really enjoy Eddie Flynn who is a former con man turned defense attorney who knows both sides of the law.
A former resident of the ultra-elite Manhattan upper class, Ruby now works as a maid in the type of houses she used to live in. Unassuming, she sees everyone’s dirty secrets from the inside of their beautiful, renovated brownstones. But when Ruby witnesses a murder, she has wicked plans in mind that don’t involve telling the authorities the truth.

I loved everything about this book! highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I’ve liked them both. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but they’re all different enough that it’s okay. The story moves quickly and makes sense. There are a couple of good twists. Very engaging story.

This is a part of a series, and I don’t feel like I needed to read the others to understand this book.

I found new favorite author—enjoyed this book so much! A former resident of the elite neighborhood now turned maid, Ruby is there to witness a murder. Instead of reporting to the police, she has other plans. Hooked from the first chapter and always needing to know what happens next it was a quick great read for me!

Loved this book and couldn't put it down. While this book is part of a series, this book can be read standalone as this is how I read it. I enjoyed all the aspects of this book from the alternating viewpoints to the attention to detail that the author included. I loved how there was enough detail about law and the crime however there was also the thriller aspect to the book that hooked me and had me guessing throughout. I never would have guessed the twist at the end though and never anticipated the ending.

When a book is described as “unputdownable,” this is the kind of book that comes to mind! Could not stop reading! This is not my first Steve Cavanagh book (Also gave Kill for You, Kill for Me 5 stars), but it is my first Eddie Flynn novel. I need to go back and start from the beginning, because I’m absolutely obsessed!! Not having not read the preceding books didn’t take away from my enjoyment in the slightest. But now I just need to know everything about Eddie, because I LOVE him!!!

I would be sure to try this author again, but this book just did not hold my interest. When I requested, it did not indicate that it was part of a series. You can read alone, but I always like starting with first of the series. It was a bit slow and underwhelming. There was not enough twists to keep my interest and this took me a bit to get through.
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the early copy of this ARC.
3 star

A meticulously well-written crime novel with a did-not-see-that-coming twist and an ending that will leave you wanting more!

I was nervous to read Witness 8 because I have not read books 1 through 7 of the Eddie Flynn series. However, at no point did I feel out of the loop and if anything I am intrigued with the main character of Eddie Flynn and will most definitely be reading more of the series.

The plot grabbed me from the very first chapter and moved at a consistent pace. The characters are interesting and unique, helping you to keep track as there are quite a few players and sometimes there are random new POV chapters inserted to keep things interesting. All in all, a great crime read.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book!

This is my first Steve Cavanagh book, I had no idea it was part of a series, but I will definitely be checking that out. This installment starts with Ruby Johnson, once part of an elite New York neighborhood and is now working as a maid and nanny. While working she witnesses the murder of a wealthy socialite and seizes the chance to manipulate the truth for her own gain. Meanwhile, defense attorney Eddie Flynn is tasked with proving the innocence of a renowned surgeon accused of the crime. As Eddie navigates the complexities of the case, he must also evade hired assassins sent by powerful enemies from a past case, including the dangerous Mr. Christmas. With high-stakes legal drama and criminal threats converging, Eddie and his team face a relentless race to uncover the truth while staying alive. This book is the definition of a thriller! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

First, thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this granted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I unfortunately did not finish this book at 35%. I was immediately interested in the very beginning but soon found myself struggling to keep a plethora of characters straight and trying to make the connection to one another. The dual storylines/flashbacks are distracting and found myself wanting to know more about the current drama unfolding rather than knowing about the past of the defense attorney. I also acknowledge that this book is a part of a series and I probably would have been absolutely hooked had I read the 7 other books about Eddie Flynn. I didn’t realize this was book #8 and probably wouldn’t have requested it had I realized it before. I just felt bored and didn’t want to pick it back up.

3.5⭐️

I have read a couple of Steve Cavanagh’s book and they are always entertaining thrillers. This is my first Eddie Flynn book and I think it worked well as a standalone book. There was a lot going on and several POVs, but there was an unexpected twist that I loved. I am looking forward to reading other books with Eddie Flynn.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Steve Cavanagh never disappoints with his Eddie Flynn series. This book sees Eddie taking on the case of John Jackson, a prominent surgeon accused of murdering a neighbor woman. This is from multiple points of view and is a whirlwind ride. Full of action and humor, it's a story you can't stop reading. The prologue alone is enough to get you hooked. I hope Mr. Cavanagh continues Eddie's story forever!!

DNF. The first chapter of this started out strong and I was excited for a fast paced thriller. But as soon as I got to the second chapter the pace slowed all the way down and I was pretty bored with it. I tried reading this in a couple different formats but ultimately it wasn't for me.

Thanks Netgalley and Atria Books for providing this ARC to me!

Oh my gosh this is such a fun book! Twists and turns abound and the characters are fantastic! Eddie Flynn is an amazing character with a great backstory. Ruby scares the crap out of me and I’m pretty sure I will have nightmares about Mr. Christmas. And who can forget Tony “Two Fucks”??? Great characters and a story that kept me enthralled until the very end.

This is not my first Steve Cavanaugh novel but it is my first with Eddie Flynn and it won’t be my last. I will now need to read the seven previous novels in this series.

Highly recommend!

Witness 8 was a fun book, there was so much going on, but easy to follow. This book is part of a series, I have read one or two from it, but I did not have a hard time with it or feel like I was missing too much. It was a good mystery and I most likely will continue the series.

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC for my honest opinion.

I received this ARC copy courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first book by this author and I am glad I requested it! Thrillers are not my go-to genre but my love for John Grisham (Pelican Brief and more) and John Lescroart (13th Juror) books drew me to this legal thriller. Now, as an attorney, I read (enjoy and scrutinize) them a little differently but applaud how the author approach this story. Looks like there are quite a few books in the broader series that I need to go and catch up on! 4 stars.

You know that feeling when you finish a book and immediately wonder how you've missed an entire series? That's exactly where I landed after "Witness 8" by Steve Cavanagh. Somehow, this was my first Eddie Flynn novel, but it won't be my last.

In "Witness 8," former Manhattan socialite Ruby Johnson now cleans houses instead of living in them. She witnesses a murder, and instead of helping, she decides to play her own game. Enter Eddie Flynn, the con-artist-turned-lawyer willing to take on the hopeless case of John Jackson, a man accused of murder with what looks like rock-solid evidence against him. Cue the chaos — and the twists.

This book had me guessing from start to finish. Cavanagh spins a web so tight that I found myself muttering "what the hell is going on" more than once (and loving it). I'm usually good at predicting thrillers, but this one kept me on my toes.

The pacing is fast but not rushed, the characters are sharp, and the whole thing reads like it's begging to be adapted for TV. (Seriously, why isn't there a Steve Cavanagh series yet?!) The only small challenge was keeping up with the multiple perspectives at first, but once you adjust, it adds more layers to the story.

If you love a twisty, clever thriller that refuses to let you get comfortable, "Witness 8" should be your next read. And don't be surprised if you end up adding the whole Eddie Flynn series to your TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.