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!

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!