Fast paced and gripping story with a few twists I did not see coming. This is my first book by Cavanagh and I hadn't realized it was part of a series when I read it, but that didn't limit my enjoyment at all. Great characters and I'd love to catch myself up from the beginning of the series. Parts of the story drove me a little crazy - how did no one give Ruby a second glance in the investigation until we were nearly through the story - but overall this was definitely a hit for me.

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh is a fast-paced and thrilling legal drama that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Ruby Johnson, a former member of Manhattan’s elite, now works as a maid in the very houses she once inhabited. Unassuming and quiet, Ruby is privy to the deepest, most dangerous secrets of the city's wealthy residents. When she becomes a witness to a murder, her plans take a dark turn, and she decides that the truth isn’t the most important thing—revenge is.

Enter Eddie Flynn, a former con artist turned defense attorney with a knack for taking on hopeless cases. His latest client, John Jackson, is caught in an impossible situation, with damning evidence against him that seems to guarantee a conviction. Eddie, along with his unconventional team, must use every trick in the book to prove Jackson’s innocence while facing off against ruthless criminals who are gunning for Eddie's own life.

Cavanagh’s writing is sharp, clever, and full of unexpected twists. The narrative bounces between Ruby’s increasingly dangerous actions and Eddie’s race against time to save his client and himself. With well-developed characters, particularly the morally complex Ruby, and an intricate plot full of tension and suspense, Witness 8 is an absolute page-turner. Fans of legal thrillers and gritty, fast-paced stories will find plenty to love in this electrifying read.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ruby is a housekeeper, babysitter, personal assistant in a wealthy neighborhood in which she used to live. Ruby has secrets of her own to hide when she unwittingly becomes a witness to a murder.

👀 W A T C H O U T W E D N E S D A Y review 👀 featuring “Witness 8” by Steve Cavanagh!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

There is something OFF about Ruby Johnson. Once living the same glamorous life as the Manhattan elite, Ruby is now working as their cleaning lady and babysitter for multiple wealthy families on her old street. Her father lost all their money and abandoned them when she was a child, and now Ruby is living in a scummy area always worrying about money and her mother’s health.

However, Ruby has the inside scoop on all the drama and dirt she finds out about while working inside all these homes and hopes to use it one day to her advantage. BUT witnessing an actual MURDER on the street is an added bonus and one that she can use as leverage …

HOLD ON TIGHT and beware of who you let inside your home! I did not know that this was Book 8 in the Eddie Flynn series and I haven’t read any of the other books. Needless to say, this book can totally be read as a stand-alone and is one hell of a WILD RIDE 🎢! If you have ever watched the show The Mayor of Kingstown, then you will love the similar gritty vibes!

Thank you kindly to @sscav @simonschusterca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases on March 25, 2025!

Witness 8 is a masterpiece! In fact, everything in the Eddie Flynn series is a work of art. I felt like I was with Ruby when she witnessed a murder, the story was so descriptive and real. I’ll read everything this man puts out - he’s the real deal since he’s lived the courtroom days. 10/10

A very engaging thriller! I really love the cast of characters in this book. I didn’t realize it was a series before going into it but you can 100% read this as a standalone, I did and I was able to understand everything fine! There is so much going on in this book it feels like there’s a plot within the plot within the plot and it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed seeing multiple POVs from various characters as they each tried to solve their own mystery going on throughout the book. The ending tied things together really well! I’ll definitely be reading more from this series and author

Steve Cavanagh got me back into reading a couple years ago, and this book was great just like I expected. As per usual, the twists in this book were unexpected and it was a book you couldn’t put down!

I received an ebook of the ARC in exchange for an honest review. WOW! I really enjoyed not only the story as it developed, but the twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I loved reading this story. The great detail about dual worlds of good versus bad acts and the reasons behind life choices made this story even better. Loved it!

I didn’t know when I picked to read this that this was a series which was my bad I always try to read book one first when I can but reading it as a standalone it wasn’t that hasn’t hard to get into I am just wondering how much I missed of this story .
Besides that this is a fast moving story with a plot full of twist and turns. And a great thriller I think you will enjoy
I would recommend always starting with book one in a series but with this book you can read it as a standalone and enjoy it.
Thank netgalley

I could NOT put this book down. I read in one sitting and stayed guessing the entire time. It was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat!

An absolute delight! I loved not only the pacing of the story, but the telling of it as well. From start to end, I was given an adventure!

5 star ARC for Steve Cavanagh’s 8th book in his Eddie Flynn series is coming out August 1st and you DO NOT WANT TO SKIP OUT ON THIS SERIES.

Every single book Steve Cavanagh writes - I will DEVOUR. And his Eddie Flynn series is probably hands down one of my favorite thriller series out there.

Witness 8 can be read as a standalone but you won’t regret reading the others as well. The author does a wonderful job at letting you know who is who so if you decide to jump into any book in this series you won’t get confused or feel left out.

In this book we have Ruby a maid and nanny for a family in her old Manhattan neighborhood. On her way home she witnesses a murder and contacts the police but let’s just say Ruby has an agenda and may have some secrets to make her want to give false information. Eddie previous con man turned lawyer and his team once again have to fight for their lives to get a possibly innocent man to be let go of these charges.

Witness 8 🏘️💰
By: Steve Cavanagh
Story: ✨ ✨ 2.8/5
Narration: N/A

Ruby cleans and babysits for some of the most elite families on West 74th Street. Aside from being in and out of these homes everyday, she’s pretty familiar. How you might ask? Ruby used to be in one of the well off families who lived on 74th street. Now, she’s on the other side of things and itching to get back to the life she deserves. So one night, when she witnesses a murder take place and no one else around, Ruby knows this is the perfect way to get what she’s asking for.

Eddie is a defense attorney who will get the job done by any means necessary. And trust, the means aren’t always…ethical. But now he must take on one of the hardest cases of his career defending the neighbor who was framed for murder…on 74th street. Oh, it should also be mentioned, someone is out to get Eddy too.

For those who don't know me, my name is Chanel and I'm everyone's favorite self-proclaimed Book Tea Spiller.

What did I think of this book? See below for my Final Sip ☕️:

I thought I was getting into my new next obsession similar to The Housemaid, yet this one I did not finish. The first couple of chapter drew me in, but after that I found myself getting distracted. I gave this a 2.8 rounded up to three for the interesting character plots and impressive descriptions.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC! It's fast-paced and full of twists and turns. BUT I didn't realize it was the 8th in a series when I requested it, and so I do think I would have enjoyed it more if I had realized that in advance and "knew" the character and his back story/past experiences a bit more!

This is my first Steve Cavanaugh read, and I was hooked from the Prologue. I will absolutely be reading his entire backlog. JUST WOW. This book raised the bar for every other thriller. From the character development to the twists and turns that make this book truly “unputdownable.” Ruby was an interesting character, to say the least, and Eddie was absolutely impossible not to love. Lincoln Lawyer vibes from him and his team, and that’s a massive compliment.

Excellent read. Highly recommend.

I will be sharing to social media closer to the release date. But WOW.

I'm not usually a fan of jumping into a series midway, but this one wasn't too hard to get into.
Although it may have been nice to have a bit more of a backstory and relationship with our main character, I still found myself invested in the story/mystery.
A fast-moving plot, a lot of twists and turns, and definitely a thrilling mystery!
Will be on the lookout for more from this author.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley

This is my first Eddy Flynn books and I read it can be read as a standalone. This was such a page turner! It had me wanting to read more and more trying to figure out the whole story line.

The ending was not expected with Ruby’s past, I was completely surprised. It was such a great read, highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the early copy of this one! Everytime I thought I had this one figured out, another twist happened! Really enjoyed this one and can't wait to read more by this author!

Another fantastic read by Steve Cavanaugh! Eddie Flynn is such an entertaining, multi dimensional character, and I enjoyed reading about him and his development. Ruby Johnson was laced in past childhood trauma, which led her to make shattering, deadly choices. Her perspective, actions, and motivations were engaging. The multiple storylines were spun together expertly and came together well in the end. My only gripe was with the end of the book, it seemed rushed and Ruby's final actions seemed to be out of character for her - but maybe this was the intent, as she was somewhat unpredictable throughout the story. 4 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of Witness 8! I highly enjoyed this book.

Wow.

Edge of your seat suspense. Nothing is predictable. An absolutely wild ride.

I love these characters. I love the, always intricate, story lines. I love the settings. I love the author's writing style. I just love everything about this novel.

Can't wait for more Eddie Flynn and fam in the future!