
Member Reviews

Thank you Atria books for the arc of this book!
This was so good. A lawyer who used to be a Conman, and a seriously twisted witness behind the scenes. So many twists and levels to this plot. I had a great time as this one unraveled.

Prepare to enter the world of wickedly unreliable narrator Ruby. Her family has suffered a spectacular fall from grace, and she has gone from being one of the uber rich to working for them. Having to silently bear witness to their dirty secrets and misdeeds, the whole time being invisible, her resentment is building to an explosive level.
When she witnesses one neighbor murdering another, she decides she can use this information to her advantage. And in this, telling the truth doesn’t play a factor.
But she didn’t count on Eddie, a savvy lawyer and former, or maybe not so former, con man who has the uncanny ability to see what others can’t. Especially when it comes to the truth. Especially when it comes to exonerating his falsely accused client.
The author brilliantly depicts the borderline sociopathy of Ruby, her thoughts and actions like those one might expect of a poisonous spider. In opposition the portrayal of Eddie is full on scrapper and savior! I also need to applaud the secondary characters, all alive on the page, none more so than a gentleman assassin who calls himself Mr. Christmas.

Read If You Like:
- Legal thrillers with intricate courtroom drama
- Protagonists with a morally complex background
- Fast-paced narratives with unexpected twists
- Stories exploring themes of justice and redemption
- Series featuring a recurring, dynamic lead character
In the latest installment of the Eddie Flynn series, the former con artist turned defense attorney faces one of his most challenging cases yet. Known for his unorthodox methods and relentless pursuit of justice,
Eddie is drawn into a high-stakes trial where the lines between guilt and innocence blur. As he navigates a labyrinth of deceit, powerful adversaries, and buried secrets, Eddie must rely on his street smarts and legal acumen to uncover the truth.
This novel delivers a sophisticated, emotionally complex thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, culminating in a showstopping finale.
Steve Cavanagh masterfully crafts a narrative filled with explosive, game-changing reveals, making this a must-read for fans of legal suspense and character-driven storytelling.

I really enjoyed this one! Eddie Flynn is such a great unique and original character. He’s easy to get invested in. I love the fast paced twisty plot and hopefully there will be more for this series! Well written and overall will be recommending to everyone

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the advanced e-book to review!
While this was technically book 8 in a series, it was well constructed to the point where I did not feel as though I was missing anything for not having read the rest of the books. Don’t be afraid to just pick this one up and jump in!
This read like an episode of a longstanding crime tv show, the kind that’s always on tv that you can just flick on with no context and it’s a standalone story you can enjoy without knowing any of the main characters too deeply because everything you need to know about them is contained in the episode.
Think a Criminal Minds episode but for fans of Saul Goodman.
I liked this one, but more as the perfect book to grab from the airport bookshop before a long flight than as a great mystery/thriller I’d recommend to fans of the genre, if you know what I mean? Entertaining, but a bit heavy on exposition and some parts made me roll my eyes because of how contrived they were.
I enjoyed the character of Eddie, I detested the “twisted witness”, and I was intrigued by Mr. Christmas.
Overall, I found Eddie to be a compelling enough character that I’d gladly return to his world in other adventures.
For you if you like: to be entertained without thinking too hard about it, Saul Goodman, critiques of the American justice system
Maybe not for you if: Contrived mysteries annoy you. There’s one part where we’re in the head of someone who knows exactly what happened and they think something like: here are the possible murderer suspects and everything I know about them, it was one of them! As if anyone ever would think that. There were a few choices like that that just felt…. strange.
Like I said, entertaining, but not life-changing.

First time reading this author
It was a great book
Keep your interest and had many twists and turns
I really didn’t expect all that happened toward the end.
Was surprised with all of the outcome

Ruby now works as a maid and nanny for families of the
wealthy neighborhood where she once lived herself, and the
families there trust her because she used to be one of their
own. But when Ruby witnesses a murder, she keeps the identity
of the killer to herself, even when the father of one of her young
charges becomes the prime suspect. Eddie Flynn, ex-con turned
lawyer, is hired by this man to clear his name. The more Eddie
digs into things, the harder this becomes. There is A LOT going
on in this novel. Lots of characters, lots of sub-plots, lots of
red-herrings, and yet, it all works. I loved the unique characters,
and the plot was refreshingly different. This was my first book
by Steve Cavanaugh, and l've already put a library hold on my
next.

This was my first Steve Cavanagh in the Eddie Flynn series and I would definitely try out more. This was a solid legal thriller with just the right mix of courtroom and investigation with quick chapters.
Ruby grew up wealthy until her father lost all their money. She used to live on the street where she is now relegated to cleaning houses. One night as she was leaving work, she witnessed a murder in a neighboring house. Instead of calling the police, she chooses to keep this information to herself. This sets off her plan and intertwines her into the police investigation. She quickly tips off the police as an anonymous caller and points them in the direction of another resident on that street, just not the real killer. Eddie Flynn steps in as this man's lawyer and has to use a few tricks up his sleeve to keep him from getting convicted for a murder he didn't commit. In addition to the main storyline, there are a few other side stories at play that kept the Eddie Flynn character on his toes as well as shared more why Ruby chose this particular resident to accuse.
I enjoy when an author is able to outline a good legal thriller by laying out the breadcrumbs slowly and pulling all the pieces together like a puzzle. You know that everything is interconnected but you don't quite know how until you reach the end of the story. It's also fun to see a former con man use his former skills to help him as a defense attorney, which makes for more entertaining courtroom scenes.
Thank you to Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review.

4.5 stars!
Con man turned lawyer Eddie Flynn takes on a new case. A wealthy upper-west-side surgeon is charged with the murder of a neighbor, but we know he is innocent. While investigating, Eddie has to dodge hitmen and other hijinks.
Wow! I was unaware of this series before getting approved for the ARC. I had heard the author's name but had never looked more into his body of work - my loss! Eddie and the gang are so much fun; I can't wait to go back and start the series from book 1. I've been on a spree of detective series lately but forgot how enjoyable a legal thriller series can be!
Thank you, Netgalley and Atria books, for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. This was really good, such a thriller. My first book by this author and I would definitely be reading more by him.

Kudos to Steve Cavanagh! He does it again, totally transporting into the world of his books. I can picture it all perfectly, all the details and the suspense totally kept me captivated. You can easily read as a standalone or part of the Eddie Flynn series. My only disappoint was having to put it down and go to work! Steve Cavanagh has a way of truly engrossing you in his books and I am never disappointed. Another book well done! Highly recommend.

Witness 8 is another excellent addition to the Eddie Flynn series by Steve Cavanaugh. I have read all the book in the series that are available here, and this one is just as smart and twisty as the rest of them. If you are looking for ex con men who are unconventional lawyers, hit men with their own set of morals, shady policemen and wealthy people being frames for murder, look no further!
In this book, Eddie and his team set out to defend a prominent surgeon who is accused of murdering one of the neighbors in his well to do community. There is a witness to this crime, but she is looking to use this information to her advantage as she knows a lot of secrets as the "invisible" maid/babysitter who works for several of the families. An additional storyline is added as Eddie angered the wrong people and now has a price on his head.
This book is faced paced and continues to advance the stories and the characters we have come to love. The team races against the clock to save an innocent man while avoiding the various hitmen that are trying to fulfill a contract. The book takes some unexpected turns and has a satisfying conclusion. I do think it would also be enjoyable as a standalone book as high-level background is given, enough to enjoy the story without being lost while, not totally rehashing items for the series followers
I highly recommend this book and thank NetGalley and Atria books for the advanced copy.

Wow what a wild ride !! This author never misses ! Great writing as usual and full of mystery ! Great plot and I highly recommend.

4.5 stars…I love Steve Cavanagh! This book was wild. The twists, the tension, the way everything just kept getting messier—I couldn’t put it down. Eddie Flynn is back doing what he does best: defending the impossible, outsmarting the system, and somehow making it all look effortless.
But the real scene-stealer? Ruby Johnson. She’s so sketchy, and I loved it. She’s not your typical witness—she’s playing her own game, and you know she’s lying, but figuring out how much kept me flipping pages way too late at night. Meanwhile, Eddie is stuck defending a guy who looks guilty as hell, and the deeper he digs, the more dangerous everything gets.
The pacing is fast, the courtroom scenes are sharp, and the twists actually got me. (Like, I thought I had it figured out. I did not.) My only tiny complaint is that the crime world stuff felt a little over-the-top at times, but honestly, I was having too much fun to care.
If you like legal thrillers that feel like a rollercoaster—high stakes, smart characters, and plenty of “oh sh*t” moments—this one’s for you.

Witness 8 was my first book by Steve Cavanagh and it was an easy five stars. It was book #8 in the Eddie Flynn series but I was able to enjoy it as a standalone without any difficulty. However, I loved it so much that I want to go back and read the entire series!
Characters can really make or break a book for me, and they were flawlessly executed in this one. While Eddie was my absolute favorite, I loved every single member of his team. They were all distinct, well-developed and interesting.
I was also a big fan of the case that this story was centred on. There were so many layers to uncover, and my heart broke for John Jackson and his family.
Thank you so much to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!
Read if you like:
✨Found family
✨The Lincoln Lawyer
✨Legal thrillers
✨Morally grey characters

Solid crime thriller with a well-liked cast of characters. Not my favourite of the series, but was a good read with an intriguing premise.

This book is a wild and unbelievable ride. Our protagonist, conman turned defense lawyer, Eddie Flynn, remains lovable despite hanging on to many of his earlier traits. And our primary villain - there are several - presents as crazy and evil, yet, strangely, very clever. You need to suspend disbelief if you want to enjoy this novel, but if a fast-moving and exciting tale floats your boat, this book is for you.

Steve Cavanagh is one of my favorite authors. I devour his books every time. He does such an excellent job at developing the plot and the characters and having twists that fit but also come out of left field (in a good way). I can't wait to read more by this author, especially more Eddie Flynn! I would give this book (and all his books) higher than 5 stars if I could!

https://www.instagram.com/share/reel/BAErN5fcviRuby is a formerly part of the Manhattan upper class, but now she works for them as she tries to make ends meet while caring for her ailing mother after her father ran out. Seemingly invisible, she is privy to their darkest secrets, including murder but, with her own agenda in mind, can she be relied on to tell the truth?
Eddie Flynn is a street wise defense attorney who is asked to defend the alleged murder whom he knows is innocent. Can he unravel Ruby's lies in time to save his client?
Thoughts 💭
There are a lot of moving parts to this one. You have Ruby, the unreliable witness who is tampering and misleading everyone she comes into contact with. John Jackson is the surgeon accused of murder after the gun who killed his neighbor is found in his house. Eddie Flynn is an ex-con artist turned defense attorney who takes on Jackson's case. With Eddie comes other lawyers, private detectives, criminals, hitmen, and even a serial killer. At times, all of this noise makes it hard to keep up with what was happening. This was still a fun thriller that kept me on my toes with twists I didn't expect. I got attached to most of the characters, and the rest of the series sounds like a fun read. Thriller fans, this one is for you, just keep in mind this is book eight.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a really fun read with many different POVs and story lines which were all really
Intriguing. There wasn’t a dull moment. This is part of the Eddie Flynn series book 8 but can be read as a stand alone
This book is about maid/nanny who is former resident of an upper class street, named Ruby. But when Ruby witnesses a murder, she has twisted plans with this information.
Eddie Flynn, an ex con-artist-turned-defense attorney, is back at it again and takes on John Jackson’s case when the gun who killed his neighbour is found with his own DNA in his home .
Such a good read! Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC