
Member Reviews

“Witness 8” by Steve Cavanagh is the latest novel in the Eddie Flynn series. This particular cases focuses in on a high class neighborhood when a woman witnesses a murder. This woman, Ruby Johnson, used to live on the street before her father lost all their money- now she babysits and cleans for the people she once called neighbors. It quickly becomes clear Ruby isn’t interested in helping the police, Ruby is interested in manipulating the situation for her own gain.
Okay, as far as endings go, this book had a great one. I probably should have guessed it, but I enjoyed just being along for the ride this time. Watching Ruby and Eddie circle around each other building to that final reveal was nothing short of entertaining.
This book definitely took a minute to warm up. The Ruby sections of the book flew for me, but the Eddie half with lawyering and bending legal strategies took me a bit to get into. I don’t read many lawyer or cop thrillers, so the vibes are just different.
In the end, this book was a solid 4 star read for me. I definitely need to go back and start this series from the beginning!
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an ARC! This book publishes on March 25th!

Let me preface by saying I LOVED Kill For Me, Kill For You but felt very meh about the Eddie Flynn series. This follows the same pattern. I just can't into Eddie's unorthodox ways that always seem to work in his favor. There were also so many characters/POVs to keep track of. I liked Mr. Christmas and hopefully they will use him more. But I was pretty bored the first half. It started to pick up and I wanted to find out what was going to happen but ultimately felt unsatisfied. I don't think I will request any more from the Flynn series.

This review has been posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on March 5th, 2025. Links provided.
Ruby Johnson, once a member of Manhattan’s high-society, now scrubs the floors and is a nanny for the families in the luxurious brownstones she once called home. Quietly going about her business, Ruby acts as a fly on the wall, silently uncovering the sordid truths behind the polished facades. When she witnesses a murder in the seemingly perfect neighborhood, Ruby devises a cunning plan to exploit the truth, choosing not to tell the police but rather use the situation for her own benefit. Meanwhile, Eddie Flynn, former con artist turned defense attorney, is known for taking on difficult cases, and John Jackson’s is no exception. With the murder weapon found with Jackson’s DNA on it and in his closet, Flynn and his team must outsmart everyone to save an innocent man, all while trying to stay alive as deadly criminals target Eddie to silence him for good.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It offered a perfect blend of suspense, wit, and complex characters. I didn’t realize this was a part of the Eddie Flynn detective series but thankfully it reads very well as a stand-alone so I wasn’t confused or felt like I was missing out on different character developments or backgrounds. I loved the pacing of this story and how it constantly kept me guessing what was going on behind the scenes. I also really enjoyed having multiple points of view throughout book and I felt like it kept me on edge for most of the story. Ruby’s story really pulled me in and kept me guessing what her true motives were. I also really loved Eddie Flynn. There are a lot of books out there about lawyers and defense attorneys, but Eddie’s background as a con artist makes his personality and antics so much more fun to read. While it was my first Eddie Flynn book (as well as my first book from Steve Cavanagh!) it most definitely will not be my last.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read to an ARC of Witness 8 in return for my honest review.

𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑺 𝟖 𝒃𝒚 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒗𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒗𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒉 is a suspense that had me in its grip from the first pages until the last, thanks to @atriabooks & @netgalley!
I know this doesn't come out until March 25th, but I couldn't wait any longer and even though I am entering into the Eddie Flynn series at, well, the 8th volume, I still found the story thrilling and creepy and everything I needed just now.
A murder happens in an affluent community, and one woman sees who pulled the trigger. Unfortunately, she is just as dangerous and unreliable as any murderer. While Flynn is investigating this wild story, he is also keeping low as there are multiple people out to see him dead as well.
I did really enjoy the fast-paced nature of this story and stayed up too late finishing it, but I regret nothing. The fresh nature of this plot made it riveting. I did not feel like entering into the series here was at all confusing or difficult to catch up, so I recommend it to fans of the series as well as standalone fans.
I was fascinated to ponder what makes a witness reliable and what our standards are to provide credible testimony.
For a really fun read later this spring, pre-order or Mark your calendars for this wild ride!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

This is my third book by Cavanagh (and my second from the Eddie Flynn series....I didn't realize when I started reading that this is book 8 in a series), but it won't be the last. Cavanagh is great at writing engaging thrillers that keep you guessing. Although this one had many POVs, it was easy to keep track of who each character was and what was going on. Some twists I could see coming, but there were some that I did not predict at all. The character development and plot were all well done, and I look forward to catching up on Cavanagh's backlist!

i did not realize this was part of a series when i requested, so i was a bit lost at times but it was still okay as a stand alone. giving 4 stars because i think this could have only been better with more context and background.

As I was reading this book I realized that I was late to the show so to speak as this is #8 in the Eddie Flynn series. That being said, I had no problem following the story and getting to know the characters. If anything, it makes me want to go back and read those earlier books and get to know more details about so many of the people in Eddie's world. For a book that was gritty and had a toughness to it, I found that it wasn't so much to be off-putting for me who does not love reading violence. I feel like I could see this playing out in my head in a way that I don't always see. I believe this was because of Cavanagh's writing style.
Thank you to #netgalley and #atriabooks for an arc of this book. I was really excited when I was given this ARC and I was not disappointed.

This was my first Steve Cavanagh book and it won't be my last! I know this book is technically part of a series but I didn't read the others. I don't think it took away from the book at all! I loved the short chapters and I was hooked from the start. There were multiple twists that left me SHOCKED. I am horrible at guessing the plot twists in thriller mysteries and this book was no different. I love a thriller mystery that can keep me on my toes and this book did just that! I'm definitely gonna be recommending this book to everyone!

I really enjoyed this book, the beginning was somewhat slow but once I got going I could not put it down. The storyline was very well written and kept me engaged and not wanting to stop reading.
Although I was able to figure out the ending somewhat it didn’t stop me from finishing the book. I really appreciated the epilogue as well. I am thinking maybe there will fe another book? I can’t wait to read more books by this author.

If you love legal thrillers with A LOT of action, this is the book for you! A host of unlikeable characters, crime, deception…this has it all!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh
Steve Cavanagh delivers another twisty, high-stakes legal thriller with Witness 8, and once again, Eddie Flynn proves why he’s one of the most entertaining lawyers in the game. The mystery is intricate and keeps you guessing, packed with deception, double-crosses, and a cast of gloriously unlikable characters you’ll love to hate. While some twists stretched believability a bit, the ride was too fun to complain. If you enjoy courtroom drama with razor-sharp dialogue and a protagonist who’s always ten steps ahead, this one’s worth picking up!

Is there every going to be a time when I give one of Steve Cavanagh's Eddie Flynn books anything less than 4-5 (usually 5) stars? No, probably not. Cavanagh is easily one of my favorite writers, and continually comes up with twists that keeps us on our toes. This time around, Eddie has to contend with a witness who is actively manipulating the trial for her own benefit. We get everything we want from Cavanagh: a mystery to solve (with enough clues along the way that we actually have a chance to figure it out, a key part of a good mystery IMO); suspense; a threat to our beloved Harry's life; found-family hijinks; and those classic, wiley, con-man tricks. Cavanagh has a formula that works, but so far it hasn't felt stale for me. You can jump into the series without having read the previous books, although that's getting harder and harder to do, or start from the beginning. We're getting more and more characters that stay with us, and I'll probably reach a point a few books from now when I'll need to re-read everything to be able to keep track of it all... and what a genuine joy that will be. I'm so glad to see Cavanagh reaching more and more success - he deserves it. Can't wait to see where things go from here.

Sometimes you need a good, reliable thriller and Steve Cavanagh delivers every time. I love Eddie and his crew and this twisty story kept me guessing until the last page.

This book had tons of twists and turns. There was so many different characters that were not good people. The plot moved quickly from start to finish and had me entertained. My biggest issue was so many different character POVs. It sometimes made it confusing who was who.

Witness 8 sounded like a really fun premise but it wasn't until I got the book I realized it part of an ongoing series about characters. I did okay not knowing anything about the previous books, the author recaps a lot. But I wish I would have realized it was a series before I requested it! It was a lot of characters to randomly be dropped in on. The story was really fun and original and I can see why the series is doing well, they were a fun group to follow. The writing was easy to read and had a lot of twists and turns!!
Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the eARC, publishes 3/25.

this was just okay for me. i read kill for me kill for you & really enjoyed the majority of it, but i haven’t read his other eddie flynn books. this was a legal drama/thriller that follows a murder that happens in a affluent neighborhood in nyc. the murder is witnessed by ruby, who is a nanny/maid for several of the families. but she keeps the information to herself & uses it to twist the situation for her benefit. eddie is a con artist turned defense attorney that’s assisting the man wrongfully accused for the crime. but things take a turn and eddie ends up with a target on his back. the best part of the book was ruby and her insanity lol. books like this just aren’t really my jam and that’s okay! i still enjoy steve cavanaugh’s writing style and his characters are always really well written.
thank you atria books for the early e-book!

a good plot but a little chaotic for me. there were a lot of characters and everyone had so much happening that it took me a while to read because i would forget details. the epilogue was great, though.

This is the eighth book featuring former conman Eddie Flynn, turned defense attorney, and the first book in the series I’ve read. I found that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the previous books; the author did such a good job of giving each character’s backstory that I found the premise of a con artist becoming a lawyer intriguing since many lawyers are portrayed as shifty characters.
Ruby’s early childhood was one of wealth and privilege until her abusive father gambled away most of their money and then disappeared. Now, Ruby earns a living working for the people she grew up with, barely making ends meet as she cares for her dying mother. When Ruby witnesses a wealthy socialite’s murder, her first thoughts aren’t of reporting it to the police but how she can make some money.
Doctor Joe Johnson is charged with the murder, and the evidence is damning: the murder weapon is found in his home with his DNA on it. Knowing that he faces an uphill battle, Eddie Flynn agrees to represent Joe. However, proving Joe’s innocence isn’t Eddie’s most significant problem because he’s crossed the wrong person, and now there is a hitman after him.
I liked Eddie and enjoyed how he outsmarted a mob boss and a prosecuting attorney while staying one step ahead of a hitman. There are good supporting characters, and I even rooted for Ruby toward the end despite her manipulative nature. The pacing is good, and there were enough twists to keep me guessing. 3.5/5 stars.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The publication date is March 25, 2025.

I’m gonna be honest and say I did not realize this was #8 in the series. Eddie Flynn I was unfamiliar with your game. It was truly thrilling and a page turner! However I feel I did miss some lore involving Mr. Flynn. It just makes me want to read the previous novels however. 4/5 ⭐️ thank you Netgalley, Steve Cavanaugh and Atria Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What if instead of revealing the whole truth to authorities, a witness to murder contemplates using the information as expensive leverage. This is the precarious position a young caregiver, Ruby Johnson, considers after an elite socialite in a familiar neighborhood is shot and left for dead. What will happen when Ruby’s fears of poverty far surpass her fear of a known killer?
Eddie Flynn returns as a streetwise defense attorney who wholeheartedly believes in his client’s innocence. He and his colleagues may have to get super creative to prove that to a jury who hears testimony to the contrary.
He sets ‘em up to knock ‘em down, you simply can’t go wrong with Cavanagh! I love how he blends sharp wit and a zig-zagging story line . . . buckle up buttercup or you’ll get whiplash during those finale twists.
I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy clever cat and mouse type antics, zippy dialogue, or thrilling crime and courtroom dramas.
I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Witness 8 for my unbiased evaluation. 5 stars