I’ve heard a lot about Steve Cavanagh’s books and when I saw this one jumped at a chance for the review. I wasn’t aware that it was part of a series, but was able to jump in and thoroughly enjoy this twisty thriller. MC Ruby is witness to murder but instead of calling it into the police, she holds out in order to benefit herself. Ruby was part of the social elite that she now works for and knows all of their dirty little secrets.

I fully plan on going to read the rest in this series as this author has peaked my interest with his fantastic writing style.

4-⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Would definitely recommend and good luck on publication day, March 25, 2025.

I was nervous to jump into this since it's technically book 8 in the series, but with the encouragement of friends, I picked this one up. They were exactly right, and though it probably would have been a richer experience if I had met the characters before, I had no problem getting my bearings.

Witness 8 was fast paced and action packed! The premise drew me in and I liked how morally grey most of the characters were. It was an interesting mix of personalities and I especially loved the found family. There were several different intricate plot lines in the book and I'm really impressed by how Steve Cavanagh wove them all together. Some parts were a bit too convenient, but there were also some great twists. I'm just starting my thriller journey and appreciated that this wasn't scary or overly gory (though there are some disturbing scenes/plot points).

There were quite a few characters/POV's to juggle in this one, but Adam Sims handled it with ease. He did a wonderful job voicing all of the different characters and I didn't want to stop listening once I started. I will definitely be going back and reading the previous books in the series!

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

Murder, courtroom drama, Peyton Place Manhattan neighborhood, family secrets, affairs, Gangs and police corruption all rolled into one thriller! Eddie Flynn, ex con, turned attorney is defending surgeon John Jackson who has been accused of murdering the "most popular" woman on the street. Ruby is the Jackson's maid and actually witnessed the murder and decides that she can make some money and stop the voices she hears by framing Dr. Jackson but also blackmailing the 2 best suspects who were having an affair with the victim. Ruby used to live in this neighborhood until her Dad gambled away all their money and now her Mom needs extra care and she can't afford it without the blackmail money. Meanwhile there is a hit out on Eddie as he not only tries to prove Dr. Jackson didn't do it but keep himself and his team safe from every hitman on the East Coast. There are a lot of characters and a lot happening in this book but I love the clever way Eddie uncovers the facts, what a badass his partner, Bloch is, and how Steve Cavanagh weaves everyone together to leave us guessing the whole time.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Steve Cavanagh has written the ultimate BEST series I've ever read. I cannot wait to see Eddie Flynn's series continue.

Ruby Johnson is different. She works as a nanny for the upscale/elite neighborhood, in which she lived with her own family before her and her family had to leave. She has infiltrated herself into the lives of all the important people in her former neighborhood. One night, she's leaving one of her current employers' residences when she witnesses the unthinkable. Ruby Johnson has just witnessed a murdered, in the elite neighborhood, and it's someone well known to the community. Now she holds the power to tell the truth to the authorities or play a game.

John Jackson has been arrested by the NYPD police for the murder, but he is professing his innocence. Al Parrish, John's attorney, has listed the help of Eddie Flynn. Eddie Flynn is a lawyer, former con artist, who knows all the tricks and loops to obtain a not guilty verdict. If Eddie thinks you're not guilty, he will do everything he can to prove it. He's enlisted the help of Gabriel Lake and Bloch. Eddie must also try to keep himself out of trouble and stay alive so he can prove Jackson's innocence.

It's no secret that I absolutely love Eddie Flynn, but I absolutely loved Lake and Bloch's characters as well. I did miss 3 novels prior to this one in the series, but I am absolutely going back to read those as soon as possible. Although I missed those novels, this is super easy to pick up and follow as a stand-alone. I feel like you get plenty of back story to help fill in any missing pieces.

This is a fast paced, engaging novel. Left on a cliff hanger. Multiple POVs. I really need Netflix or Hulu to make a series out of Eddie Flynn novels. I would absolutely binge watch every single episode.

Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I have only recently discovered Steve Cavanagh as an author. I started with Thirteen - which was so good I have started working my way through the rest of the series. When I saw this book on NetGalley I didn't hesitate to request. While I don't feel like this is quite as good as Thirteen - that is really just splitting hairs. Witness 8 is fast paced, its full of this motley crew cast of characters that not only serve the story but make you care and root for them. I love the crime elements, the legal elements - really all of it. The twists in this story are completely unexpected and I am pretty sure I gasped out loud at one point. I definitely teared up at least twice. There is a lot of depth to this legal thriller.
This is another great Eddie Flynn story. I can't wait to see what happens next!. 4.5 out of 5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to the author and publisher for an ARC copy

I love the multiple POVs and intermingling story lines. A full course whodunnit that leaves you guessing until the end.

I wasn't aware that this was a series when I requested so I was a little nervous going in. BUT I ended up being able to follow the story fine, there were a couple of times when I got a little confused with other characters, like I knew I was missing a little piece of info. I really enjoyed the multiple POV's too, I found them all pretty likable.
I'm thinking of going back and starting the series because I would like it to continue.

I absolutely love Steve Cavanaugh, his books never disappoint me, so you can just imagine how excited I was to get approved for an ARC on NetGalley by @atriabooks !

Here’s the basic spoiler-free plot:

Someone in the upscale neighborhood of West 74th Street in Manhattan was murdered. Ruby Johnson witnessed the murder, but she’s always believed knowledge is power, so instead of calling the police, she decides to use that knowledge to her advantage. Meanwhile, defense attorney Eddie Flynn has been hired to represent Dr. John Jackson, another resident of West 74th Street who’s been charged with the murder. He strongly believes in his client’s innocence and will do everything he can to get that not guilty verdict. Oh and by the way, Eddie previously pissed off a cop who is part of a criminal organization and now has a hit out on him.

Steve Cavanaugh knows how to suck you right in from the very beginning of a book and keep you turning pages until the end. I’m a lawyer by day and I love thrillers, so obviously I love a good legal thriller, and this delivered. Eddie Flynn is such a great character; a defense attorney who was a con-man in his past life and still has contacts with the underworld, who can spot a dirty cop a mile away, and is jaded but clever. He also strongly believes in justice, which is why he represents defendants he believes to be innocent.

I also love it when we get to read the “bad guys” from their perspective, and we get two of those characters with this book. It’s so interesting to watch their brains at work, even though we don’t get all the information until it all comes together at the end.

If you’re a thriller fan you will love this book! It publishes tomorrow, so make sure to grab yourself a copy!

Seeing there was a new book available by Steve Cavanagh I snatched this right up without realizing it was cleverly the 8th installment of the Eddie Flynn series. Never having read any of the prior 7 at first I was worried that I would be lost in Witness 8. This was not the case and if anything, it made me want to go seek out the other books! This was AWESOME! I loved Eddie Flynn's character and how he successfully straddled the line of con man vs lawyer (I mean, how different are they really haha). Some of the things he came up with were beyond clever and added such a fun twisty underpinning to this book. At first I wasn't super clear on where any of this was heading but loved the journey of figuring it out along the way. Even the most nefarious of characters you couldn't help but like at some points along the way. At first I thought I would have a tough time keeping different characters/story lines straight (might not be so much the case if I had read the first books) but as things progressed this was no longer the case. As mentioned, I really liked all the characters, laughed out loud at certain points (I mean come on, a guy named Tony Two F*cks?!? Brilliant). Overall I found this to be quite entertaining and not at all like I expected. I also enjoyed the little teasing at the end for the next installment in the series.

I'd highly recommend for readers who enjoy a good whodunnit type book with twists, laugh out loud moments, clever surprises, and likeable main characters who keep you guessing the entire way.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read in exchange for my honest review. So glad to meet Eddie Flynn and his group of cronies. Looking forward to checking out some of their other previous (and future) shenanigans.

I might need to go through and read all of the 'Eddie Flynn' series by Cavanagh. I have only read Th13rteen and can already tell after finishing this one I need more Eddie and team! I think I am drawn more to the chapters of the main characters than the investigation itself. I did find the secondary characters to be a little bland. I think it's because there was minimal suspense and lead up to know whodunit. However, this did not deter me from finishing this rather quickly. I thoroughly enjoy Cavanagh's writing style in the courtroom and police procedural.

Although Witness 8 was a decent legal thriller I found that I was missing some context since this was my first Eddie Flynn book. However just as I was able to enjoy it, I feel others can also read it as a standalone to the series.
The novel revolves around Ruby a housekeeper to New Yorks wealthiest people. Ruby comes from a once powerful and rich family who are now disgraced. She witnesses a murder and rather than tell the truth, and sends an anonymous tip framing an innocent man. Enter Eddie Flynn, once conman turned lawyer who must unveil the truth from lies, so his client can be cleared of murder.

Read this is you like:
-multiple POVs
-an interesting and complex character in Ruby as an unreliable witness
-the charming and resourceful Eddie Flynn character
-morally gray characters with hidden agendas
-courtroom procedural and crime thrillers
-drug trafficking, hitmen, and organized crime tropes
-multiple twists and turns
-satisfying ending

My rating 3.5 out of 5

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC that will be released March 25 2025.

Well, I didn't read the preceding 7 installments for this series, but that took nothing away from this story. It was so darn readable, with great characters and fun (???) situations. I love me some kick em in the head, shoot em up, action...and I got plenty of that here. If you like action paced crime/legal thrllers, pick this one up for sure!!!

I wish I had realized this was part of a series before requesting it, but I will say it wasn't too difficult to come into the story without reading the other books. (I personally just prefer to read books in order). This book was okay for me, I didn't feel too compelled by it. I did like Steve Cavanagh's writing style, so I look forward to checking out his other books.

I remember randomly stumbling upon my first Eddie Flynn novel at the library years ago, and I was instantly hooked. I wish this series would be made into a TV show. I the ex-con man, turned lawyer and how Eddie gets himself out of trouble, for the most part. As for Witness 8, I was hooked right away. I loved the different perspectives from the different characters. Around 60% I was a little worried about how everything was going to connect together, and I think the story ended nicely with everything making sense. Witness 8 is definitely one of my favorite Eddie Flynn novels. Thank you for the ARC.

This book was interesting, but it's book 8 in a series, and while everything I looked up said it CAN be read as a standalone, I definitely felt really lost as to who all the side characters were, and there are clearly some plotlines/relationship story arcs that are overarching across the series that I feel like I missed out on. Overall it left me a little dissatisfied, and I feel like I'd have appreciated this book more if I'd read the series in order.

I am a huge fan of Steve Cavanagh and his clever and compelling books. I love this series he has created around Eddie Flynn, a former con artist turned defense attorney. In this latest outing, the quick-witted Flynn needs to save an innocent man from jail while trying to save his own life. It did not disappoint!

Binge-worthy, suspenseful, and fast-paced. I was kept on my toes and anxious to find out how the resourceful Flynn would navigate this high-pressure situation. One of the things I enjoyed most was that the eyewitness to the crime does not do the right thing. Instead, she attempts to exploit the crime for her own gain. This led to a layered, twisty and, at times, unsettling story with a great ending!

I love rooting for Eddie. He is a complex character using the tricks and skills he learned as a con man to obtain justice for his clients. With a unique understanding of human nature, it’s always entertaining to see how he uses this knowledge to outsmart his adversaries. His methods are unorthodox, unpredictable, and sometimes questionable, yet they undeniably get results. And it is these impressive results that often make him a target, adding an element of danger to the story. The secondary characters are also memorable, ranging from the lovable recurring ones like Harry to a few new faces. In this book, we meet an eccentric hitman named Mr. Christmas. Obsessed with Marlon Brando, and extremely well-mannered, he is chilling and a total scene-stealer.

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted ARC

Witness 8 was a crazy ride. I had my suspicions on who the killer was and I was right. But what I didn’t guess was that plot twist, my mouth was on the floor. Steve Cavanagh really knows how to keep you second-guessing everything. Fast-paced, intense, and full of shocking moments — this one definitely delivered.

When Ruby witnesses a murder, she has wicked plans in mind that don’t involve telling the authorities the truth.

Eddie Flynn, streetwise ex con-artist-turned-defense attorney, is the only lawyer in New York City willing to take on hopeless cases. And none is more hopeless than John Jackson’s—the gun that killed his neighbor found, with Jackson’s DNA, in his own home. But to save his client’s life, Eddie must first protect his own, as the scariest organized criminals in the city are out for his head.

Well, I am in the minority on this one. I do have to say, it is full of diversity. I enjoyed that it is part organized crime, law thriller and psychological thriller. But, since the story is ALL THIS, it felt a bit disjointed in places.

I loved Eddie and his intellect. He is one smart lawyer and he takes no prisoners. Now, Ruby, I could have done without. And yes, I know she is a main part of the story. And yes, she is elemental to this tale. I just had a bit of issue with her part of this novel. I think I would have loved this story much better if it was just a law thriller…I know, I know! Like I always say, read this for yourself.

Need a story with a variety of crimes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

Thank you to Atria Books for the advanced copy to review.

I am new to the Eddie Flynn series, and really wanted to read these in order prior to this book coming out, but as I am still waiting on my library audio hold for book one, here we are. The good news is that if they are all like Witness 8, you do not need to read them in order, as I was just fine reading this as a standalone. I love legal thrillers and I really loved how Cavanagh wrote this story and Eddie Flynn is such an amazing protagonist. This was intense, different than other legal thrillers I’ve read, and I cannot wait to read the others in this series.

If you enjoyed the show “How to Get Away with Murder” then you’ll enjoy this book! Ex-con artist turned well known defense attorney is asked to clear the name of John Jackson, but with his DNA all over the scene, the task will be difficult. The neighbors of West 74th street love to gossip and also have their fair share of secrets to keep. Read this if you like crime/mystery novels! I didn’t realize until after starting this that it was the latest book in a long series, but I was still able to keep up with the characters well, and it felt very much like a standalone book aside from previous cases that were mentioned!