I have been hooked on Steve Cavanagh's books (especially the Eddie Flynn series) since the release of the fabulous Fifty Fifty and have never been disappointed. Witness 8 is the latest instalment and, although it could be read as a standalone, why wouldn't you want to read the others when they're so brilliant?!

One of the things I particularly appreciate about Cavanagh's books are the clever twists and turns. Eddie Flynn is a reformed conman (now lawyer) who uses his street smarts to help clients he is confident are innocent in cases where the stakes could not be higher. When Eddie's plans come together, you can't help but cheer and punch the air with glee! In a book that is so plot-driven, it's remarkable how much Cavanagh makes the reader care about his characters and this book, in particular, offered new characters that were nuanced and interesting to read about (in addition to our old favourites – I always have to flick ahead to check that Clarence the dog will be ok!).

This five-star page-turner with humour and heart was a fantastic addition to the series and I hope to read MANY more like it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy of Witness 8 in exchange for an honest review.

And Steve Cavanagh's done it again!

I have never been happier for a characters return as I am for Eddie Flynn. Witness 8 is a mind-bender. With multi-POV throughout with some of our favourites and some new interesting characters, such as Mr. Christmas!

Your mind never settles when reading anything by Steve Cavanagh but this one just took it to another level. With so many things happening at once, the case, a hit out on Eddie, an assassin I ended up liking and a new character who was causing a chaotic case for Eddie and the team, there was no part of the book that didn't have you questioning everything!

It's a must read!

It was great to be back in the world of Eddie Flynn and his colleagues.

The action kicked off quickly and we had a rollercoaster ride of murder, legal arguments, danger and secrets. My heart rate must have been raised on numerous occasions.

Thoroughly enjoyed the story and hope we will be back with Eddie in the future.

I have loved this series for some time and always wait the next instalment eagerly. This one’s another gripping read. Eddie is defending a man who has the odds stacked against him thanks to a criminally unreliable ‘witness’.

Eddie’s gang pull together in their usual way despite one member being hospitalised. Hitmen are gunning for Eddie and we are introduced to Mr Christmas, a hugely colourful and oddly likeable character.

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Highly recommended.

I just loved this book all the twists and turns, there was never a dull moment and I just flew through it. I read this book in one sitting and will now be trying to read the other books in this series as this one was so good..

All the quirky characters it was so good and you didn’t know who was going to turn up next.

It’s such a good read and I would highly recommend reading this book as it was just amazing.

I would like to thank Headline and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book early.

This is a new author for me and this book is one of a series but it read easily as a standalone novel The past experiences of the characters didn’t impinge on the narrative. This book is well written and well plotted with an interesting cast of supporting characters, in particular, Mr Christmas. A stand out in the rather popular “the maid did it” genre. Recommended.

As a huge fan of the Eddie Flynn books, I was super excited to read this next instalment!!

It was so much fun seeing Eddie back in action, he’s such a meddler and I love how all of his seemingly random plans always come together in the end.

The story itself was very strong - whilst it was intriguing to find out who the murderer was, most of the mystery was around the character of Ruby the nanny and certain dangers around Eddie, and I think both plotlines were pretty well-executed!

I will say that due to the several converging plotlines, it was a little overwhelming to be faced with so many characters to keep track of from the very beginning - though everyone from Ruby to the residents of West 74th Street was full of personality and there were never any POVs that I wasn’t interested to read about. Mr Christmas was my favourite new character by far and I really hope we’re not done with him!!

However, I was unfortunately left a little disappointed by the abrupt ending, and I didn’t understand the motivations behind a certain character’s actions - no spoilers, though, so I’ll leave it at that. Although it didn’t ruin the story for me, I was left feeling a bit like “Oh, it’s over?” at the climax, rather than having a sense of satisfaction.

But, overall, I really had a fun time reading this one!

Although this can be read as a stand-alone thriller, I thoroughly recommend reading the others in the series too if you enjoy the sound of this one :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Free courtesy of Netgalley

It has been a long time since I have really struggled to put a book down and get some sleep, being ill recently has left me able to read all night, with this exciting book

Eddie Flynn is a former conman turned defensive lawyer, who uses his knowledge of being the other side of the law to defend individuals who he believes are innocent. After embarrassing a police officer in a case, he sets off a chain of events that could see him and his small team get murdered.

Ruby is a cleaner/nanny for the wealthy, and one night walking home she sees one of her clients get murdered and she knows who did it. A short while later, another one of her clients is arrested for the murder and Eddie is asked to represent him, as he decides that he is innocent he takes the case, but it is a puzzling one as they have DNA evidence on the gun recovered from his home.

The book has different stories going on throughout the book and each chapter is told from a character's viewpoint, it intermingles and keeps you guessing who did what.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat and if you love a good, fast paced detective murder mystery this is the book for you.

Oh! Just excellent!
This is far more than a whodunnit or police procedural thriller.
The characters are, so beautifully written and I certainly fell in love with the lead lawyer / ex conman.
Somehow complex yet easily readable, this is the first time I think I've called a novel unputdownable and meant it.
Already scouring the net to order more by this author.
Easy 5 stars from me.

Once again, I awaited a Steve Cavanagh release with bated breath, and he never disappoints.

The Eddie Flynn series is my favorite from an author in a long time. They captivate you until the very end, and Witness 8 is no different. There's the central plot and various subplots unfolding.

Without giving away spoilers, I spent half the book eager to discover the fate of a side character I've adored since the first book. Mr. Cavanagh, please don't put me through that again!

I'm always grateful to Netgalley for the opportunity to read their books before release, as well as to Mr. Cavanagh and his publishing team. I'm eagerly anticipating what's next for Eddie and his team..

Another great Eddie Flynn novel from Steve Cavanagh. This one felt a bit different...or maybe it's because I've read so many novels with sinister housemaids in them, it seems to be the thing at the moment. There were two storylines running side by side, both involving Eddie which connect well together in the end.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

4 🌟
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the next book in the Eddie Flynn series. He's always up to no good and using his sneaky tricks to get him to where he needs to be to succeed as a lawyer. Yes, they may not always be the best choices but somehow they always manage to work out (thanks to Cavanagh obviously). There is a good amount of action, though the chapters jump between so many characters that you really have to concentrate to ensure you remember whose chapter you're reading. Generally though, a good amount of action and of course lots of murders as per usual, but it kept me interested throughout!

I am very late to the Eddie Flynn party, and I plan to stay around! As an ex-con, Eddie is definitely not your average lawyer! He has a huge challenge placed at his door in this book, with an innocent man accused of murder and overwhelming evidence against him, including a witness.

That witness is Ruby, and she did indeed witness the murder, but she lied in order to frame John Jackson, the wealthy man she works for, a renowned brain surgeon and all-round top bloke. Why?

The characters in this book are brilliantly written, Mr Christmas in particular was a great addition to the main story, bringing Eddie a whole new set of problems to deal with in this detailed and gripping plot.

I loved the twist and the ending has me intrigued and eagerly awaiting the next book!

4.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Steve Cavanagh and Headline for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I have been waiting for Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh for what feels like an eternity. The anticipation was so intense that I almost hesitated to read it, knowing that once I’d finished, the thrill of the unknown would be gone. However, picking it up felt effortless, and I was instantly reunited with old friends. Even though it had been a while since I’d read the previous books, I quickly remembered who everyone was and slipped back into the story with ease.
This book could certainly be read as a standalone. Any relevant past events are recapped succinctly, so it feels like you’re hearing about them for the first time rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary details. Cavanagh has a knack for weaving in backstory without it feeling intrusive, making it accessible to new readers while still rewarding loyal fans.
Eddie Flynn, as always, is a compelling character. His legal acumen and personal struggles make him a protagonist you can’t help but root for. Cavanagh’s portrayal of the legal world is both gritty and authentic, adding depth and realism to the narrative. The supporting characters are equally well-drawn, each contributing to the story in meaningful ways. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Eddie and his team, which adds a layer of camaraderie and tension to the plot.
The pacing of the book is swift, with Cavanagh’s trademark short chapters propelling the story forward. This makes for a gripping read that’s hard to put down. However, I did find that the plot twists were somewhat predictable this time around. In previous books, Cavanagh had me on the edge of my seat, guessing until the very end. However, in Witness 8, I could see some of the twists coming, which diminished the overall impact.
My expectations were sky-high, perhaps too high, and while I enjoyed the book, it didn’t quite deliver the wow factor I had hoped for. It seemed to lack a bit of Cavanagh’s usual magic and Flynn’s characteristic brilliance. The outcome and ending left me feeling slightly underwhelmed. I was hoping for a mind-blowing twist, but instead, it felt like the story just petered out, tying up loose ends and then concluding.
Occasionally, the events were a bit too predictable, which took away some of the suspense. The courtroom scenes, usually a highlight in Cavanagh’s books, felt somewhat formulaic this time. I missed the nail-biting tension and the unexpected revelations that typically come with Eddie’s cases. The stakes didn’t feel as high, and the resolution, while satisfying, lacked the punch I’ve come to expect from Cavanagh.
That said, Witness 8 is still a solid 4-star read. I enjoyed it, but it didn’t reach the dizzying heights of ‘Thirteen’ and ‘Fifty-Fifty’. Cavanagh’s writing is as sharp as ever, and his characters remain engaging and complex. For fans of the series, it’s a worthy addition, even if it doesn’t quite hit the mark of its predecessors. I’m hopeful that the next instalment will recapture the magic and deliver the thrilling experience that Cavanagh is known for.

Despite having multiple books by Steve Cavanagh on my bookshelf waiting to be ready for, embarrassingly this is the first one I’ve read and I must say, I’ve been missing out!
Even though this is the first I’d read in the Eddie Flynn series I had no trouble following the plot, I found it entertaining, filled with unexpected twists that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I was proven wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed Cavanagh's writing style and will definitely be starting this series from the beginning.

★★★★
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I want to thank NetGalley and Headline for the opportunity to review this book.

Whats not to like about Eddie Flynn, one time conman, courtroom genius, loyal friend, mortal enemy.
A brilliant, unputdownable read.

Another great read from Steve Cavanagh.
Eddie and the team are asked to represent a surgeon who has been accused of murder.
As always Eddie needs to look him in the eye to get the sense of whether he’s innocent or not, and in his view, he’s not a killer.
We also follow Ruby who is the one who made the call about the murder, but it’s clear she’s up to something. She works for the rich and wealthy and as the story progresses we find out more about her life.
Eddie and Bloch get into trouble as usual and there’s lots of twists and turns in this book to keep you hooked.
Another great book from Steve Cavanagh.
Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I could pick up any Eddie Flynn book without reading the blurb and know that within the first few pages I'm sucked in.

Witness 8 was no different. I love that Eddie's con genes are still strong and how he uses it for good.

Some interesting characters in this story, namely Mr Christmas, a man of contradictions.

In this story we follow Eddie and his team representing a man who they believe has been framed but who everyone else thinks is guilty. If we know anything about Eddie Flynn by now, it's that he doesn't take the easy cases.

I always love it when he shows his cards to the reader, we know it's coming and the reveal is always part of the ride.

Already looking forward to Eddie's next adventure.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book, this is my honest opinion.

Mr Steve Cavanagh has done it yet again.

The Eddie Flynn series feels like home to me, and the way in which Cavanagh writes feels so familiar and comforting, despite the chaos that is ensued throughout the narrative.

This instalment in the series centres around Ruby, the neighbourhood nanny, who witnesses a murder on the very close-knit street. When making an anonymous tip to the police, she decided to lie about who murdered the victim, but for what reason?

This book has everything I love about a thriller; dysfunctional relationships, deceit and a whole lot of action. As the king of a courtroom drama, Steve has excellently portrayed the heightened stress and pressure of being a lawyer, and an ex con-artist. It was a fast-paced narrative, full of twists and turns, and moments of distrust, and it was one that I genuinely could not put down, even if I tried. The way in which Cavanagh has written this novel is so unbelievably immersive that it feels like you as a reader are sat, in the moment, watching everything unfold and wondering who to believe.

Another fantastic book in the Eddie Flynn series. A great plot with subplots and lots of twists to keep the reader on their toes! I absolutely devoured this and it just kept me going back to read which was made easy with the short chapters. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Eddie and his tribe as I feel there is more to come with Mr Christmas & Ruby.
Huge thanks to Netgalley for the early read!