Atria eARC
When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was book eight in a series, but I decided to go for it and jumped right in. I am so glad I did because the characters were easy to follow. There was enough back story given without it feeling like an info. dump. I have got to read more Steve Cavanagh. This book was gripped and a true thriller. I had to know what would happen next with Eddie Flynn and his unconventional ways. I thought this was a solid criminal case. I love books with lawyers at their center, and this took me back to when I first started reading adult books because legal thrillers were my introduction. This was a lot of fun, and I want to go back and read the earlier books in this series after reading this one.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC!

Witness 8 is the 8th installment in Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn series, but this is the first I've picked up. They are interconnected standalones and can be read without reading the previous installments, but I actually think that after my reading experience it is indeed necessary to read them. I can only assume that Eddie, a conman-turned-lawyer, used to be charming, smooth, flexible, and a character that took risks without knowing whether or not they'd pay off. In Witness 8, these things are nonexistent so he comes across as cocky, smarmy, and seems to operate as if he's above the law because he knows the right people's secrets. For a lawyer, he is rarely in the courtroom, and this role is given to his right hand woman, whom we know nothing about (unless, I'm assuming, you've read the other books) so she is thoroughly uninteresting.

The overall plot was a little all over the place, weighed down by multiple POVs and ambitions and lies that got difficult to keep track of. Ruby's storyline was insane—and she was also written in a way I found difficult to digest. I don't think it feels cutting edge to have a mass-murdering character who drugs children, frames an immigrant for theft AND murder AND calls ICE on them—I think it feels out of touch and cruel. Especially since she doesn't get nearly what she deserves, and the end seems to set it up that she will be okay after all. I wish that those elements of Ruby's character had been removed or sensitivity read. I know this book originally released overseas in summer 2024, but issues with ICE and the fear immigrants have of it have existed since its inception and should not have been written so callously. In the same vein, issues against Black people, Jewish people, and other marginalized groups are mentioned throughout the story but not at all in a way that critiques them; they just seem to be brought up to bring a sense of edge to the characters who participate in the marginalization of these groups.

I think if you've read from this series before, you'll likely like this installment. But if you're new like me, maybe start with book 1 first. This isn't at all written poorly despite being written insensitively, but I think perhaps some of the things that rubbed me wrong about Eddie and other characters would have disturbed me less if I'd known these characters for seven books prior.

3 ⭐️s
🚨 Pub Date: 03/25/25

💭: What if the witness is more twisted than the killer? In this book, that is the case. Ruby witnessed a murder after leaving her wealthy employees home. She decides to frame employer, sending the story into a tailspin! Eddy Flynn is a former con man turned lawyer and he will stop at nothing to win his cases. When he finds out there is a kill contract out for him and all the most notorious hitmen around the country have it out for him, this story gets really juicy! It was action packed with many subplots that kept me turning pages and all came together in the end. I recommend this book!

It was a little hard to get into this one since I haven't read others in the series (but that's on me and not this book), once I wrapped my head around everyone it was pretty easy to get into and I enjoyed the story. It felt unique and had a few good twists along the way.

Eddie Flynn, conman turned lawyer in NYC, strikes again. This time he is crossing paths with an innocent local doctor falsely accused of murder on an exclusive street. A street upon which there is lots of money, lots of secrets and one young maid and nanny who is a little...unhinged. We know the accused is innocent, we know who pointed the finger at him, and we even mostly know who pulled the trigger, but Cavanagh still weaves a tale with lots of twists and turns. There is a full cast of your usual shady New York characters, and several unexpected ones as well. I found myself returning to my reading with anticipation to see just how it was all going to unfold.
I feel the ending has been nicely laid out for the next installment...but I'm sure it also will be full of surprises. This was my first Eddie Flynn (so these can definitely be read as stand-alones), but it will certainly not be my last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC. All opinions are mine.

This book will make you think twice about hiring people to work in your home……housekeepers, nannies, etc.
Every one of the characters is flawed, most in a not so terrible way. So the reader can definitely enjoy them. I might say the only 2 who weren’t flawed were the accused killer, our MMC and his wife.
A nice quick read for me and anyone who likes a little bit of vigilante in their lawyers.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

This book was engaging right from the first page. I really enjoyed the character development and the pace of the story. I guessed something that was sorta major but it in no way distracted from the thrilling twists and turns. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Atria books via netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Eddie Flynn is a con artist turned defense lawyer and is tasked to defend a high profile client who is accused of murdering his socialite neighbor. There is one witness who shakes things up for more than just the accused. This is the 8th book in the Eddie Flynn series and did not disappoint. It is my first time reading this series which I can say you can pick it up here and still enjoy the characters and get to know who they are. I enjoyed that there was more than just the who dun it? Plot going on. I will be going back and getting the rest of the series.

If you are a lover of criminal procedural books you will love this book. It has court drama and mob situations in it that keep you wanting to know more. I have heard a lot of great things about this author and can say I will definitely be reading more of his work.

𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲
eddie flynn’s client is innocent. but the murder weapon covered in his DNA is found in his house & a witness claims to have seen him kill the victim. while eddie fights for his client it’s soon uncovered that the witness is more twisted than the killer…..

𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬
i love a good crime procedural thriller and what an added bonus when there’s a crooked lawyer that’s front and center of controlling the narrative of the all of the drama!

i loved the way each characters dynamic played off of each other; making it so twisty that you couldn’t trust anyone. the plot was wild and our female lead ruby was batsh!t crazy- all the ingredients for a perfect thriller.

𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝟖 𝐛𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟓!

thank you @atriabooks @netgalley & @sscav for an advanced copy of this e-book in exchange for my honest review!

Eddie is back again!! Love all of the various storylines, Ruby….I would not want her in my house!! Fast paced and what you expect from Cavanagh!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC of Witness 8. I was intrigued to read more from this author after enjoying Kill for Me, Kill for You but was a little hesitant to jump into book 8 of a series (even though they can be read as standalone books). It was really enjoyable, kept me guessing throughout, and was the right amount of “creepy” - I definitely plan to read more of this series and books from this author!

Witness 8 is another mystery with unexpected twists and turns from Steve Cavanaugh. The story follows main character Ruby as she witnesses a murder, but decides to use it to her benefit instead of reporting it to the police. Ruby grew up in high society, but her father fell from grace and left her and her mother with nothing and nowhere to turn. As an adult, Ruby returns to high society as a nanny and house cleaner to get closer to those who shunned her and her mother after disaster struck. After thinking she has finally made it back in, Ruby is let down yet again but comes upon a opportunity that will change her life.
Alongside Ruby's story, defense attorney, Eddie Flynn, is being hunted by some of the best hitmen in the country. He's an ex-con turned lawyer who has agreed to defend a man accused of murder, but he's also fighting for his life and the lives of his friends.
This book is full of morally grey characters and unexpected twists sucking the reader in until the end where everything is wrapped up with a tidy little bow. Let me just say...THAT ENDING!!!!!!! It was hinted at the whole time, and I second guessed my gut every time it came up, but WOW what a punchy twist!

Steve Cavanagh is easily becoming one of my favourite psychological thriller authors; however, I didn't enjoy this one as much as Fifty Fifty and I think it's because there were so many POVs (I think I counted 9 of them?) and storylines intertwined that it was a bit difficult to keep up with. Everything does come together in the end but it was overwhelming at some points. I would have also preferred more scenes in the court room because this is where Eddie truly shines in the books.

There was one unexpected twist that I didn't see coming but aside from that, I didn't think Ruby was all that interesting as a villain. I'll definitely keep reading the rest of the books in this series as I've grown to love Eddie and his team.

This book was such a roller coaster! I was constantly changing my theories based on new information that was brought to light. I never suspected the last few chapters and my gasps were so loud when I read them.

I can’t wait to read more of Eddie Flynn’s series!

Witness 8 at its core was an interesting story with unreliable characters and moments I truly loved. I did struggle a. Bit getting into some of the courtroom chapters. It may not be my cup of tea but this was the first book I’ve read like this so I can’t say I won’t keep trying. This book was written very well and in a tone that wasn’t overly dramatic but give just enough to keep me hooked.

Witness 8 is another gripping legal thriller from Steve Cavanagh, packed with high-stakes courtroom drama and breakneck twists. This book had SO MUCH going on, but in the best way; hit men, gangs, dirty cops, and an all-star cast of colleagues. Eddie Flynn once again proves why he's one of the best defense attorneys in fiction—clever, determined, and always one step ahead. While Ruby Johnson isn’t the enigma the synopsis suggests, the story’s fast pace and intricate plot make this an undeniable page-turner. A must-read for fans of legal thrillers!

Thank you Steve Cavanagh, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

This is is the eighth book in the Eddie Flynn crime series. These books are always masterfully crafted and full of twists and expert cons from Eddie Flynn. Witness 8 started out with a bang, literally when Mags was shot to death. But the story slowed in the middle and did not pick up the pace until the last 10 percent of the book. There were a few delightful twists at the end helping to wrap up the book. For fans of Eddie Flynn you will not be disappointed with his cons as well as his heart warming friendship with Harry.

Cavanagh does it again an addictive thriller, short chapters to fly through as this multiple POV tale of a murder in upscale NYC. It’s got it all; a devious nanny, blackmailing two suspects, dirty cops, multiple hitmen, extra murders and unconventional former con man lawyer. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria books for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Legal Thrillers are not typically my thing, but I will pick up an Eddie Flynn novel every time! Steve Cavanagh has a knack for writing intriguing characters into twisty stories that you want to finish in one sitting. Witness 8 is no exception. The story kept me guessing at every turn and, while I almost had it figured out, the author had me fooled again. Readers familiar with the series will enjoy seeing Eddie and other favorite characters interact with new clients, suspects, and other players to crack the case. Witness 8 highlights one of my favorite things about this series - that you can pick up from anywhere and not feel lost. Cavanagh does a great job of "introducing" known characters to new readers without it feeling like a whole series recap for loyal fans. In addition, Witness 8 has fresh scenes & storylines - you don't feel like you've seen Eddie in the same type of place before. Witness 8 is a great continuation for followers of the series and a great entry point for new readers. I can't wait to recommend this one to others.

4.5 round up to 5

As a huge fan of Steve Cavanagh, I have had the pleasure of reading some of the Eddie Flynn books. Witness 8 did not disappoint. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with a copy of this book. The story revolves around a murder on a wealthy street, with an anonymous tip potentially identifying the killer. However, the nanny/housekeeper appears to know more than she is letting on. I think Mr. Cavanagh has demonstrated exceptional skill in writing this book.