Thanks to Atria and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So, this is a series, which I didn't realize; I probably would have gotten more out of it had I had any connection to the recurrent characters, for whom we are clearly meant to feel some spark of concern or emotion. but there are SO MANY of them. So many that I had to stop and reorient myself any time I picked the book up again after a day or two (which I did often, because I didn't find it all that compelling).

Add to that another myriad of non-recurrent characters, all with their own machinations. A girl who will do anything, ANYTHING, to "save" her sainted, sickly mother (I feel like I'm seeing a lot of this in suspense novels lately, and I'm not a fan); a couple of wholly interchangeable murder suspects; the group of child traffickers; the gang of ex-policeman drug runners who are out to get Edie; oh and let's not forget THE HITMAN WHO IS PLAYING 3D CHESS who also has a silly nickname. The whole thing seems to have come straight out of a 70s movie but with another dozen characters added. I gather that other books in this series are better, but this one is Not For Me and I will probably be avoiding this author/series for the foreseeable.

Witness 8 was definitely a roller coaster of a read. I knew I was in for a treat from the very beginning when an already questionable character witnesses her neighbour get murdered and has a very STRANGE response to it. I definitely had to find out exactly how dark her morals went and where her plan in motion would take us!

I enjoyed the lawyer aspects of this book too, there was a lot of style, finesse and some excellent bluffing that made me *mentally* clap hands 😂

Definitely give this book a try I assure you you’ll have a fun time reading.

**note - this is the first book I’ve read with the Eddie Flynn character so if you haven’t read the previous books don’t let that put you off you don’t need any background to dive into this one!**

Thank you to Atria Books and Steve Cavanagh for the EARC!

Publish date: March 11th 2025

This my first book by Steve Cavanagh and it did not disappoint! Mystery/Thrillers have always been my go-to reads and this is a perfect book for anytime of the year. I loved the easy flow of the writing, keeping the reader engaged from the very first page. I have said this many times before and I'll say it again - I absolutely LOVE multiple POV, especially when it comes to this genre. It keeps things fresh and interesting, and as the reader it keeps me guessing throughout the entire book. You have a multitude of complex characters which makes the story as a whole even more intriguing. I know that this is part of a series involving our detective Eddy Flynn, but I read this as a standalone and it was perfect! I will definitely be reading more books by this author. I highly recommend if you love a murder mystery and crime. This checks all the boxes!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced eCopy of this book!

Fantastic addition to the Eddie Flynn saga. I tore through this book in two days and could not put it down. This book finds Eddie trying to help an innocent man accused of murdering his neighbor who he didn’t even really know. John Jackson is a surgeon who is only guilty of having a babysitter who knows everyone’s secrets and uses them for her own reasons. Definitely my favorite in the Flynn series, not to be missed.

Witness 8 had my mind running with possibilities of how this book was going to end. I was totally engaged until the end. The ending was just ok. All the suspense and then a very poor ending. I was totally let down.

Hard to believe nobody had a Ring camera.

Synopsis: Ruby Johnson, a nanny on an affluent New York street where she used to live growing up, witnesses a murder, uses the information to her advantage and frames her employer. Lawyer Eddie Flynn defends the accused, Jack Johnson, while watching his every move. Witness 8 follows clues to uncover the real perpetrator.

What worked for me: Strong, engaging characters; very in-depth scenes that read like you’re watching them happen on your TV screen; twists and turns. You can just tell Steve Cavanagh is an established, research-heavy writer.

What didn’t work for me: So. Many. Characters. And POVs. I couldn’t keep track! Rudy vs. Ruby and Jackson vs. Johnson. If you’re going to have dozens of characters, then please do not have similar first or last names.

Note: I did not realize this is part of a series. While the book absolutely can be read as a standalone, I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more had I known some of the potentially previously established plot points — because there was a LOT going on.

Did I easily know what was happening every page? No. Did I stay up late to find out what would happen next? Yes. Strong 3.5 stars.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced reader copy of #Witness8. To be published March 11, 2025.

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Witness 8" by Steve Cavanagh is a masterful legal thriller that had me hooked from the very first page. The story follows Eddie Flynn, a former con artist turned lawyer, who is drawn into a high-stakes trial involving a pivotal witness whose life is in danger. Cavanagh’s sharp writing and fast-paced narrative made it impossible for me to put the book down.

I found myself completely invested in Eddie’s journey, especially as he navigates the murky waters of the legal system while trying to protect his witness. I can’t agree more with a fellow reviewer who described Eddie as “the kind of character you can’t help but root for.” His blend of charm and cunning truly makes him a compelling protagonist.

The tension in the courtroom scenes was palpable. I was on the edge of my seat during the trial sequences, where every piece of evidence felt like it could tip the scales of justice. I resonated with another reviewer who mentioned that Cavanagh “weaves intricate plots with brilliant twists,” as I found myself consistently surprised by the twists and turns throughout the story.

I also appreciated how Cavanagh explored the moral complexities of the legal profession. Eddie's internal conflicts really struck a chord with me, especially when he faced difficult choices regarding how far he would go to protect his client. I found a comment from a fellow reader particularly insightful: “The ethical dilemmas Eddie faces add layers to the story that are thought-provoking.”

The pacing is relentless, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, Cavanagh delivered another shocking revelation. I caught myself gasping at the unexpected turns, which made for an exhilarating reading experience.

In conclusion, "Witness 8" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys gripping legal thrillers filled with suspense and depth. Cavanagh has crafted a story that not only entertains but also keeps you reflecting long after the last page. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this complimentary review copy.

Twists and turns, multiple villains, unexpected surprises along with Eddie's gang of well-rounded and quality crew that you can't help but admire as they tackle another high-profile case.

I would expect nothing less from Cavanagh. Eddie Flynn is as entertaining as ever, solving another case, and off course a hitman hot on this trail. Brilliant plot line, intricate yet easy to follow.

4.5 stars

I swear, Steve Cavanagh knows how to truly right the most suspenseful stories that leave bread crumbs, and then it all adds up in the end. Eddie was amazing, I loved his "outside of the box" tactics. A little grey in areas, but overall, a solid dude. I was SHOCKED by Mr. Christmas and Ruby. Both creeped me out from the moment they were introduced. This story took me on a ride, and I was on the edge of my seat for the majority of the story. The twists were twisting, and it SHOOK me. I literally did not expect half of this. I gasped SO loudly near the ending. Brilliantly written and such a wild chase for answers that you'll never expect!

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Atria Books to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

This was a great read. It was hard to put down! The only thing I didn’t like about it was the two totally different plots going on at once. It could have been two different books.

This is another in the Eddie Flynn series. Eddie grew up with a father who was a con man and of course Eddie learned a lot from him. He became a lawyer but can’t quite leave all the conning behind. He is brilliant in using various cons to win his cases. This one is no different. Unlike some of Mr. Cavanaugh’s books, we know who the killer and the villain are in the story from the beginning but we just don’t know why. With one blackmailing the other and hiding the truth from the police and the lawyers, how does Eddie find the truth and stay alive while several people are targeting his life?

The book contains quite a bit of vulgar language, especially from one minor character. There is no graphic violence or sexual situations.


Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it in exchange for my thoughts.

I went into this not realizing that it was apart of a series. That said, I managed to finish it just fine but I'm sure reading from the beginning of the series would have been very helpful as far as learning the characters better but it did work as a standalone. Overall, I did find this to be an engaging and entertaining read. I was definitely at the edge of my seat reading this, I enjoyed it very much and would recommend you add this series to your TBR!!

Great and unique idea for a book; where unbeknownst to the crime solvers, there is a witness who is manipulating everything ... who's a suspect, who's a going to get rich, who's going to live or die. Creative to be sure ... but unfortunately for me, the plot just didn't deliver a great book.

I love the Eddie Fynn series, mostly because of how unique and quirky Eddie is .... but in this book, he sort of takes a backseat to the controlling witness and therefore we never get the full force of Eddie's magic. And we certainly never see that magic in the courtroom.

I'll always give props to an author for trying something different ... and by no means will I tell people to not read this book. It's just that the first 7 books of the series laid such a phenomenal groundwork for courtroom thriller brilliance, I was ultimately a little (but just a little). disappointed with the final product.

Steve Cavanagh's books are always at the top of my list to read, and Witness 8 did not disappoint. The premise is definitely one not explored often, is the witness worse than the killer. Cavanaugh invites you along to make that decision, while keeping the reader guessing as to how the pieces, players and the ending might all come together. I really liked the variety of characters, especially Eddie Flynn and his team, as well as the myriad of other criminals that Cavanaugh weaves into the story. I absolutely could not Witness 8 down as I tried to race through the story to figure out how it would end!

#Witness8 #NetGalley

I thought this book started out really promising, with an engaging narrative, intriguing characters and plot.
But then it came some revelations and the pacing started to bother me a little.
By the end I thought this book was trying to do too much and the author failed to hold my attention during the second half.
From this author I've only read Kill Me, Kill For You, and even though I personally liked that book more than I did this Witness 8, I remember having some similar feelings, negative points with that one, too.
I am now reconsidering if this author is for my personal taste in thrillers.
Yet, I do recommend this book to anyone who has ever read a book by this author before and enjoyed it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria books, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Witness Eight by Steve Cavanagh is my first book in the EddIe Flynn series. I don’t feel like I missed much jumping right in. Ruby is a maid and nanny for families in a very affluent neighborhood. The twist is that her and her family used to live in that same neighborhood, and she knows their secrets. One night when everyone is gathered for a big party, Ruby witnesses a murder. She saw more than she should. Ruby anonymously calls the police and ends up with rapscallion lawyer, Eddie Flynn. Eddie was a con artist and hasn’t completely hanged his ways. Twits, turns and a good storyline, as to be expected by Steve Cavanagh.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC for my honest review.

Thank you @atriabooks @netgalley #partner for the free copy of this eARC!

After reading Kill For Me, Kill For You last year I jumped at the chance to read this one. And after doing so, one thing I know for certain after reading both is that you are guaranteed a wild and twisty ride!

In this one we have quite the main character, Ruby. She’s odd. She’s unique. She cannot be trusted. She is a maid for a wealthy neighborhood and knows all the skeletons in their closets. She also has a master plan to get what she wants after witnessing a shocking murder.

I really enjoyed this one! I think my favorite part was I just how ruthless ALL of the characters were. Between Ruby’s antics and the courtroom trickery I just couldn’t get enough. I thought every character for the most part was despicable but it worked for the book! I know this is the 8th in this series, I haven’t read the previous 7 but absolutely would go back and read them all. This did read just fine as a standalone. 🤩 The pacing was fast, chapters were short making it easy to fly through! Steve is a master of entertainment and I am continually wowed and impressed with the direction he takes his thrillers!

Witness 8 is another gripping, entertaining, well written, and well thought addition to the Eddie Flynn series! I enjoy Eddie Flynn who is a former conman turned defense attorney who knows both sides of the law which make him a force to be reckoned with. In Witness 8 he has been called in to help an innocent man who has been accused of murder. I enjoyed being back in Eddie Flynn's world. He is tough, smart, cunning, and clever. Eddie, as usual, has gotten on the bad side of someone and a man called Mr. Christmas is hot on his tail. But that won’t stop Eddie as there is a man to defend and a case to be solved!

Ruby is the maid and nanny for the man accused of killing a neighbor. When she was younger, Ruby lived in the same posh Manhattan neighborhood as the family who employs her. It is a hard pill to swallow having been one of the elite and now having to clean their homes and care for their children. Ruby makes a call one night, seizing a chance to change her life......

This book kept me on my toes and turning the pages. I enjoyed the mystery, the tension, the banter, the humor, the relationships between the series characters, and the writing. I enjoyed the cat and mouse aspect of this book. I also enjoy seeing Eddie being vulnerable with his mentor, Harry in this book.

Steve Cavanagh continues to write a gripping and well thought of series. I enjoy his characters, their relationships with each other, and the cases they work on. I enjoy how Eddie has not forgotten where he comes from and continues to have a relationship with his childhood friend who is now a crime boss. I also continue to enjoy his bonds with not only with Harry but with those he works with. I am always on the lookout for new books in this series and look forward to reading what comes next for Eddie and the gang.

I’ve been a fan of the Eddie Flynn novels for several years and am always excited to read a new one. As I began to devour this one, I gradually realized how little I was enjoying it. It was different from previous novels. Eddie was different. To begin with, he just didn’t seem to be around as much as usual. Secondary characters were taking over a great deal of the action, especially in court. Then, there were all those points of view and plot lines! There was an over abundance of both which was very distracting.

But, it was the characters that really annoyed me. For the most part they just seemed shallow and one-dimensional, including the recurring ones. Unfortunately, even Eddie had little of his usual charm or flair. Hopefully, Eddie and friends will be back on track in the next book.

My second Eddy Flynn book read, but #8 in the series. Doesn't matter that I don't know all the ins and outs of Eddy Flynn to like his audacity and gumption to fight for his clients and outsmart the other side. This is a great book that does a partial courtroom, but more about the crime.

I felt like I knew what was going on most of the time, being kept in the loop for the most part, but there were still some satisfying tricks up Cavanagh's sleeve.

There are many characters so I think this book is best eyeball read. I think if i had been listening I would've gotten lost.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the advance e-copy of this book.