After reading Kill for Me, Kill for You, I was very excited to receive an arc for this book. I was hoping for the same type of twisting thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. While this novel did deliver edge of your seat thrills, there is also a backstory and character development that I missed by not starting this series from the beginning. I think I may have enjoyed it more and taken a lot more from the story if I would have not read it out of order. This also reminded me more of a police style mystery/thriller, so it read a little differently. I do intend to read the series now, though, to see how it all comes together.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of the ebook!

I must start off my saying I read this authors other book Kill for me Kill for you and I automatically requested this book but I didn’t realize this is book 8 in a series. I wish I would have read the others as I did feel a bit lost as far as not knowing the Eddie character very well. I did love the POV from Ruby and it had me interested in the book but again I wish I would of paid attention that it was book 8 so that I could of enjoyed it more.

Truth is its own witness.

But then, whose truth is really the truth?

Steve Cavanagh is back again and he's packin'.......a full-out thriller here with all the bells and whistles. I've read a few of the previous books in this standout series and not always in order. Witness 8 reads perfectly as a standalone. You'll be tempted. Even I will go back now and pick up the breadcrumbs of the previous books that I didn't catch before. That's how good this series is.

Cavanagh introduces us to Ruby Johnson. Ruby wears many hats on the high-end West 74th Street lined with mansions and the well heeled residents who carry on grandly behind their doors. Ruby is a maid, a housekeeper, a nanny, a babsitter, and a jack of all trades. She's the sole support of her ailing mother. One thing we'll find out is that Ruby and her mother were once golden and living in one of those mansions years ago. But all that has changed.

It was after midnight when Ruby began walking home to her rundown apartment. Fate put her in the moment. She gazed up at a window and witnessed the murder of one of those residents. Ruby hid and followed the perp as the gun was hidden in a nearby garbage bag. Ol' Ruby knows how things will play out going forward.

Eddy Flynn, ex con artist turned sensational lawyer, will step in. He's representing John Jackson, a renowned New York City surgeon, who has been charged with this murder. Jackson pleads innocent. It's up to Eddy and his famous team to dig through this one.

Cavanagh doesn't make it easy for Eddy. He never does. Eddy knows the streets of New York like the back of his hand. He's dealt with the underbelly for years. But this time the underbelly is coming for Eddy. Eddy has a price on his head after messin' with New York's Finest. We'll meet a hitman by the name of Mr. Christmas who has a penchant for Marlon Brando. Mr. Christmas has Eddy in his scope.......every move......every breath.

I absolutely enjoyed Witness 8. Steve Cavanagh keeps his readers engaged from the very onset with twists and turns and bolts of humor here and there. You can actually start with this one and wind your way back to experience just how Eddy's team formed their bond. Don't pass this one up. Bravo, Steve Cavanagh, just bravo.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Orion Books and to the talented Steve Cavanagh for the opportunity.

Loved, loved, loved! This story was wonderful and I enjoyed every moment of it!
Even though this book is part of a series I think it did just fine as a stand alone.

Thank you to the publisher, Steve Cavanagh, and Net Galley for the opportunity to receive an ARC!

This was my first Steve Cavanagh book and I loved it! There were so many twists and turns. I was NOT expecting that ending!

Thank you Atria Books for granting me an ARC! All opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by the publisher.

I’ll be honest and say that I have not read all the Eddie Flynn novels, so I am by no means an expert. But I liked how this book added new aspects to eddies character and life that were not in the books I read previously.

Ruby was an interesting character I spent the entire time wondering what was her stake in it and why she didn’t just tell the police what she witnessed.

I really like the fact that there is a case that is this specific story, but that it all ties into the larger tale of Eddie and his friends. It reminds me a lot of procedural dramas (my favorite kind of tv show).

Around 60% things started to come together and it started to REALLY get interesting. And the ending…totally worth it.

*Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Fair warning, I've been jumping around in the Eddie Flynn series. I've read #4 and now #8. In all fairness, they are fairly independent. But I think for the best reading experience, I should've read all of them.

That being said, the plot is diabolical. There's no limit on PoVs and we get new ones popping up in the most opportune places. I didn't realize how the frame job shaped up until the last minute, but the clues were all there. There's action, crime, corruption, the whole shebang! And of course, your typical Eddie Flynn con artistry.

I seriously couldn't put this book down and can't wait to go back to the earlier books.

Steve Cavanagh’s Witness 8 is yet another gripping installment in the Eddie Flynn series, and it doesn’t disappoint. As a huge fan of Cavanagh’s work, I’ve been eagerly waiting for this one, and it definitely lived up to the hype. If you’ve been following Eddie Flynn’s journey from conman to defense lawyer, this latest book is a perfect next chapter in his complicated, action-packed world.

The story kicks off with Ruby Johnson, a young woman in her twenties who works as a maid and nanny in a fancy New York neighborhood. Ruby’s got some history with the area—she used to be part of the elite crowd, but now she’s on the other side of the fence, cleaning the homes of the rich people she once hung out with. One night, Ruby witnesses the murder of a wealthy socialite, and she decides to use what she saw to her advantage. Enter Eddie Flynn, the conman-turned-lawyer, who gets dragged into defending a doctor accused of murdering his neighbor based on some suspicious evidence. But things get messy fast. Not only does Eddie have to prove his client’s innocence, but he’s also got dangerous criminals gunning for him after some bad blood from a previous case.

Cavanagh does a fantastic job of weaving together multiple plot threads and perspectives, keeping the tension high and the twists coming. Eddie is as smart, witty, and resourceful as ever, but it’s the supporting cast that really makes the book shine. Alongside Eddie are his loyal team members—Kate Brooks, Harry Ford, Melissa Bloch, and Gabriel Lake—and the dynamic between them adds a lot of depth to the story. While Eddie isn’t quite in the spotlight as much in this book, Cavanagh gives his team plenty of room to shine, which keeps things fresh and exciting.

The pacing is fast, with short, punchy chapters that keep you turning pages like crazy. Some of the twists might feel a little familiar if you’ve read the previous books, but Cavanagh has a way of keeping you on your toes and subverting expectations just when you think you know what’s coming. One of the best new additions in this book is Mr. Christmas, a cold-blooded hitman who’s got a personal vendetta against Eddie. He’s a great character—menacing and full of surprises—and I’m hoping we see more of him in the future.

As usual, there’s a perfect mix of humor and tension throughout Witness 8. Eddie’s quick wit and street-smart ways provide plenty of laughs, even when things are getting intense. There’s a scene where Eddie has to use his old conman skills to dig up some crucial evidence, and it’s just so satisfying to watch him work his magic.

What I really liked in this book was seeing Eddie’s more vulnerable side, especially in his relationship with Harry Ford. Eddie’s always been tough and a bit of a lone wolf, but there are some moments where he leans on Harry for support, and it adds a nice emotional layer to the story. It’s a great reminder that Eddie might be a master at navigating the criminal underworld, but he’s still got a lot to learn from the people who’ve had his back all along.

Witness 8 doesn’t quite have the same complex twists as some of the previous books in the series, but it’s still a super enjoyable read. The stakes feel high, the characters are as compelling as ever, and the twists will keep you hooked right to the end. Cavanagh once again proves that he’s a master at blending action, humor, and heart in a legal thriller.

If you’re a fan of fast-paced, character-driven thrillers with plenty of humor and tension, Witness 8 is definitely worth picking up. Eddie Flynn’s world is one I’m always excited to return to, and I can’t wait to see what trouble he and his team get into next

This was my first read of the Eddie Flynn series and I am OBSESSED. This reminded me of the good old mobster movies from back in the day. I immediately went to Libby to see what else was available in this series. This is my second Cavanagh book and I am officially a huge fan!

Twisty and turns. Witty and a great complicated story. I didn’t realize it was part of a series and it was totally fine as a stand alone book. However this made me want to go start at the beginning! Great thriller.

When I requested this one I didn’t realize it was part of a series, and while it can be read a standalone I think have some background information would have helped. So over it It was okay for me, didn’t love it or DNF it.

I wasn't sure what to expect because I had not read of these books by Steve Canagh before. It wasn't my favorite thriller of all time but I did like the ending.

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanaugh is a masterclass in legal thrillers, combining sharp wit, high-stakes tension, and richly drawn characters. This dark and twisty novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats as it explores secrets, lies, and the price of truth in a world where nothing is as it seems.

The story centers on Ruby Johnson, a woman whose life has been turned upside down. Once a member of Manhattan's ultra-elite, Ruby now works as a maid in the very brownstones she used to inhabit. Though she’s relegated to a lower status in society, she still holds the keys to the lives of the wealthy—secrets she’s privy to simply by being an observer of the privileged. Ruby's life takes a dangerous turn when she becomes the unwitting witness to a brutal murder, but rather than turning to the authorities, she devises her own wicked plans.

Enter Eddie Flynn, the charismatic, street-smart ex-con-turned-defense attorney known for taking on hopeless cases. Eddie has made a name for himself in New York City’s criminal defense world by using his sharp instincts and unconventional methods to get justice for his clients, no matter how bad the odds.
Cavanaugh’s writing is tight, fast-paced, and full of twists that keep readers hooked from chapter to chapter. He does a fantastic job balancing the character-driven drama with the intense legal procedural that forms the backbone of the plot. Eddie Flynn’s character is one of the book’s greatest strengths—he’s a sharp, no-nonsense lawyer with a personal stake in protecting the innocent. His motivations are complex, and his willingness to bend the law to serve justice makes him a fascinating and morally ambiguous figure.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of Witness 8. I really liked this book. It kept me on my toes and I loved the character development throughout the book. I took away one star because I was devastated about a loss in the book and I felt like the character made the story great. Overall, I definitely recommend this book.

Although I haven’t read any of the other Eddie Flynn novels yet, Witness 8 easily earns a 5-star rating from me! I was hooked from start to finish. Even though it’s part of a series, I felt it worked perfectly as a standalone. The alternating point-of-view chapters were brilliant, and the way they all came together in the end was masterfully done. The twists toward the conclusion had me on the edge of my seat!

The pacing was spot-on, never dragging, always making me want to read just one more chapter. The characters, particularly Ruby and Mr. Christmas, were fascinating, with great depth that added layers to the story. If you’re a fan of thrillers, especially crime and legal thrillers, Witness 8 is a must-read!

Big thanks to #Netgalley and Steve Cavanagh for providing the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. WITNESS 8 will be available March 2025.

4.5 STARS! Thank you so much at Netgalley for this e-Arc. I have been very interested in reading more books like this, and this one was fantastic. You know how they say there is a thin line between love and hate and it's mostly how you interpret it? That is exactly how I feel about Eddy Flynn. He is a once con man turned lawyer and the similarities are uncanny. He really thinks outside the box and that makes him really great at what he does. The team he has built with Kate and Lake is so amazing to read. They fit together like a perfect puzzle.

This book not being my regular romance I found is fascinating how I still became so attached to the characters. Even Ruby, who I did not like, I was still so intrigued by her. She was something else to say the least. The twists upon twists that kept coming made it impossible to put down. There was even a moment of pure sadness where I couldn't see the pages through my tears. I love the way this was written and I feel I need more of Eddy Flynn and his team.

꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂

She recognized the sensation. It wasn’t fear. It wasn’t revulsion. It wasn’t shock. It was excitement.

In the beginning, and in the end, it all comes down to money.

“Money can take care of a lot of things in life, but it can’t fill your heart. And it sure as hell can’t mend it when it breaks.”

Everyone needs a little help from a stranger.”

I was not able to finish this book. It did not grab me in the way I expected it to. I got through about 25% of it and lost motivation to continue.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me this advanced copy.

I happily requested an ARC of Witness 8 after recently reading Kill for Me, Kill for You. I love Steve Cavanagh's style and was extremely excited to snag his newest book. As always, I loved the alternating POVs and the fast-paced plot. Needless to say, I could not put Witness 8 down and am now going to go back and read all of Cavanagh's previous Eddie Flynn books!

This 8th book in the series is my first taste of Steve Cavanagh and his main character, Eddie Flynn, and I can't wait to go back to the beginning! This was everything you could possibly want in a mystery/thriller and then some! I enjoyed all of the cons and tricks and wins, as well as the loyal relationships between Eddie and his partners. I never saw the twisty twist at the end coming and goodness it fit together with everything so well! Note- one of the characters swore far too unnecessarily.

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley!

Steve knows how to write stories!! I love this entire series and always look forward to his books coming out! This book reminded me of the game clue in a sense. Who did it?? Why were they framed?? So much to unwind within the story but not predictable either