Member Reviews
Ruby Johnson witnesses the murder of a woman - then she contacts the police anonymously naming an innocent man as the perpetrator.
Eddie and his colleagues believe in the innocence of the man accused and are determined to have him released. Meanwhile there is a hit out on Eddie Flynn which is attracting the interest of man hit men.
Steve Cavanagh never disappoints - another real page turner.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Steve Cavanagh/Headline for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
A new instalment in this superb series is always an event, and Witness 8 is well worth the wait. As always Steve Cavanagh's writing is exemplary, and the plotting is spot on. Eddie Flynn, the former conman turned lawyer, is a delight, even if his methods may be questionable! He finds himself in grave danger but shows his customary resilience while working to prove the innocence of a client. Brilliant!
I was never NOT going to love this! My favourite author & one of my favourite cast of characters - it was always going to be a firm favourite 2024 release.
I loved the two storylines running side by side and the way the plots all threaded together towards the end so interestingly.
Ruby had this way of making you root for her, whilst also thinking what an awful person she is. An amazingly written morally grey character.
I loved seeing more insight into Lake as a character!
It was all so tricky and twisted & just.. perfection. I can’t wait for the next Eddie instalment. I’m counting down the days!
Cavanagh's latest Eddie Flynn caper is a rollercoaster ride with a few too many flat spots. While the plot twists kept me hooked, it lacked the razor-sharp intensity of his previous work. Kate's evolution is a welcome addition, but the courtroom showdown feels like an afterthought. Still, fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy.
Steve Cavanagh is back with an Eddie Flynn story that will force you to turn paste after page in the anticipation of the next plot twist! Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.
I found this book very entertaining. The plot is not as tight as some of his other works but it is good enough for you to not be distracted. I am enjoying Kate's character development as this series progresses. She was always presented as a formidable woman but she is coming into her own with tight cross examinations, learning some of Eddie's ways and making a space for herself in this world.
My one criticism here is that the courtroom drama section is reduced to the last quarter of the book. This series is partly great because of the interesting courtroom scenes and I was slightly let down in that aspect. But if you enjoy the Eddie Flynn series as a whole you will enjoy this installment as well.
💭Eddie Flynn is back!!
In the eighth instalment of the Eddie Flynn series, Cavanagh once again delivers a gripping courtroom drama, though this entry, Witness 8, doesn’t quite soar to the dizzying heights of its illustrious predecessors.
As always, Cavanagh's storytelling is a masterclass in pacing, with short, punchy chapters and a rotating cast of perspectives that keeps the narrative brisk and engaging. Yet, there’s a slight shift this time around. The plot twists, typically Cavanagh’s trademark of unpredictability, felt a bit like déjà vu—foreseeable rather than startling. In past novels, I was kept on tenterhooks, eagerly second-guessing every twist. Here, the revelations were a tad more transparent, which sapped some of the thrill.
One of my favorite elements of the series—the electrifying courtroom scenes—was notably scarce. The high-stakes drama of cross-examinations and courtroom showdowns, which usually leave me biting my nails, was largely absent. Much of the case unfolds away from the courtroom, which left me longing for the adrenaline rush and unexpected turns that are the hallmark of Eddie’s legal battles.
However, the series’ beloved characters continue to shine. The evolution of Eddie and his team remains a joy to follow, and the new villain, Mr. Christmas, adds a deliciously menacing touch with his obsessive commitment to etiquette.
While Witness 8 may not hit the same exhilarating highs as Thirteen and Fifty-Fifty, it’s still a stellar 4.25-star read. Cavanagh's sharp writing and complex characters ensure that it’s a worthy addition to the series. Fans will find much to appreciate here, even if it doesn’t quite capture the magic of earlier books. I’m eagerly anticipating the next instalment, hopeful that it will restore the series to its thrilling glory.
𝐏.𝐒. To date, this series remains unmatched in its excitement and gripping legal drama.
🔸𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
🔸𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒆: Legal Thriller
🔸𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔: Eddie Flynn ( Book 8)
🔸𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: Holly Molly Yes!!
*Thank you to Headline for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Another incredible book from Steve Cavanagh, this guy really knows how to grab your attention and some characters, like Mr Christmas will stay with you for a while, this is a character who could have a series of novels all of their own. Witty and engaging I cannot recommend this book highly enough and it is certainly my best read of the year so far and will definitely feature in the book awards for 2024. If you have never read any of the Eddie Flynn series firstly, why not and secondly - no really, why not?? The only thing to do is to dive in and read them from beginning to end
Steve Cavanagh does it again, he is a true master of this genre and I know when I pick up one of his books that I will entertained throughout. Witness 8 sees the return of lawyer Eddie Flynn and his bandit of friends and colleagues as they work on a case involving a murder on a prestigious New York residential street where a man has been wrongly accused of the murder or his neighbour.
There are awesome twists, cracking dialogue, lightening fast pacing and as always, an unexpected yet satisfying conclusion.
Loved it. Recommend.
4-4.5 stars
This was a great read that I sat down and finished in 1 day. The story centres around the maid Ruby, who is not all she seems and appears to be ruled by a painting of a cardinal priest. The characters are so well described and the areas that are described really bring the activity alive. This covers how the richer side of society lived and the activity of the criminal side of life. The book kept me on edge as the twists were frequent and made me rethink what was going on and what would happen next.
#Witness8 is a brilliant gripping thriller. Book #8 in the Eddie Flynn series. It can also be read as stand alone too.
I absolutely loved it.
It’s fast paced with lots of twists. I couldn’t put it down. It’s full of action, courtroom scenes, mystery, secrets and more.
Some interesting likeable characters particularly Ruby and Mr Christmas. Eddie Flynn is such a brilliant character.
It’s cleverly written and very entertaining. The storylines are intricately interwoven, keeping you turning the pages.
Definitely recommend.
With thanks to #NetGallery @headline for an arc of #Witness8 in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 1 August 2024.
Another masterpiece!
22 Year old Ruby Johnson works as a maid/ baby sitter/ cleaner to families in the ultra wealthy New York West 74th Street, where once her own family had lived. Going home from a baby sitting evening session she witnesses the murder of a woman - one of the local residents - and determines to turn this to her advantage.
John Jackson, a wealthy local resident and one of her employers, is charged with her murder and his lawyer engages Eddy Flynn, once a con man, now a lawyer, as being the right man to represent him in court. Eddy doesn’t usually get involved with wealthy clients, but he does have a crack team to support him.
These include Kate Brooks, Eddie’s partner, who had risen from a poor background to become a feisty lawyer with great empathy for her clients and a determination to ensure that being a woman should be no barrier to success.
Bloch, Eddie’s investigator, a woman with little to say but with a remarkable skill in rapidly reading people and situations.
Gabriel Lake, an occasional member of Eddie’s team, disheveled, ex FBI and now a brilliant investigator/ strongman, with a well deserved reputation.
Harry Ford, a dedicated poor black man who through study and determination and a a fine legal brain had become a judge and was now retired and had become Eddie’s friend and mentor, and part of his team.
Each chapter of the story follows one of the various characters involved - including the interesting professional assassin, Mr Christmas, in the run up to the trial.
The plot is fast paced and intricate and with the chapters stopping between the actions of the various participants the reader is often left guessing as to what is happening.
Steve Cavenagh is a master of plot and pace and this is another great example of his genius.
I read this book from a pre-publication copy kindly supplied by the publisher, but this is an honest review with no concession to their generosity.
Another masterpiece!
Witness 8 a great thriller in the Eddie Flynn series. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. This book has everything you want in a thriller. Fast-paced with lots of twists, I couldn't put the book down. Some great characters - Ruby is particularly fascinating. This was my first read in the Eddie Flynn series and now I am eager to read the rest.
A highly recommended 5 star read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of Witness 8 in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Excellent. Action, legal issues, mystery, twists and turns. This book has it all. I highly recommend reading this as soon as possible. Really looking forward to more from Steve Cavanagh
OMG! I can't believe how gripping this book is. Although everything seems obvious, there is always more than meets the eye.
A real page turner. Love the characters! Love the amount of characters. There are many, and they are all unique and enthralling.
The twist at the end is sublime, and I can't wait for more.
And now I have to go back and read more books by this author.
Book #8 in one of the best series with some of the best characters in the mystery / thriller genre. In most cases, I'll choose a thriller title and in all cases if there's a new Steve Cavanagh title, I'll be losing sleep that night. The plot has some twists that feature Ruby Johnson, a woman with serious issues with the truth. Ruby figures the world owes her and she'll get wealthy by hook or crook.....mostly crook.
The story begins as we meet Ruby when she witnesses a murder. She has made it her business to know everyone's business in this wealthy community so immediately recognizes the victim and the killer. Ruby does what is best for Ruby and identifies an innocent man as the killer. If she knew he'd hire Eddie Flynn, she might have pointed the finger in a different direction. What follows is another exciting journey through an investigation and trial that never follows a straight line. Every clue counts in the twists that Cavanagh throws his dedicated readers. You'll guess the killer a dozen times as the clues pile up. The race to the end is one that needs a seat belt when the brakes hit home. What a ride! What a story! 5 stars.
I love Eddie Flynn so I'm completely biased about this series. Any chance to read about these characters will always be welcomed. It maybe wasn't my favourite Eddie Flynn book but it was still miles better than most other thrillers.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a fun read which I thoroughly enjoyed. The story features the popular Eddie Flynn and his friends. Some twists and turns throughout the story. A few very interesting characters, mainly Ruby and Mr Christmas. There is of course a murder to be solved, an innocent man has been charged, can Eddie Flynn prove he is not guilty? This author can weave a clever, entertaining story, which makes this a fast paced read from which the reader will not be disappointed.
I haven’t read all of the Eddie Flynn series, so this can definitely be read as a stand a lone book.
I love this author and I love Eddie Flynn and his team. This story was a bit more complex and I did shout at him "look what's in front of you" a few times, but I did like the story and the way things unfolded. I read this in just 2 afternoons. I devoured it, then felt immediately sad that I now have a long time to wait for the next book
Ruby works as a nanny and maid for the wealthy families on West 74th Street. After leaving one of the families late one night, she unwittingly happens upon the murder of one of the street's residents. Very quickly, Ruby realizes that she can use this to her benefit, but will she get away with her plan?
This is book 8 in the very popular Eddie Flynn series. Although I have heard many great things about the series, before this, I had only gotten around to reading book 0.5, which is a little novella. I really enjoyed that one. Jumping from that to book 8 was no problem at all. This is definitely a book that can be read without any prior knowledge of the series.
The characters in this book are wonderful. I loved the fact that Eddie is not your typical lawyer, and this is not your typical courtroom drama. In fact, very little of the book actually plays out in the courtroom. This book has everything going for it....murder, deceit, double crosses, hit men...I can honestly say I've never read a book quite like it before. Once I started reading it, I could not put it down.
I am very grateful to NetGalley and Headline for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Although I already have the other seven books in the series sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read, I could not pass up the opportunity of this one. I am really looking forward to going back and catching up on the series so far.
It has been a while since I have read a Eddie Flynn book so I have missed a few in the series. This latest one, Witness 8, reads well as a standalone book and some things have happened that the author mentions but doesn't go into detail about. This does not spoil the reading of this addictive courtroom and investigation thriller.
Eddie Flynn has made an enemy, it won't be the first and I don't imagine for a moment that this will be his last. He discovers he has a target on his back, and while it will hamper his latest case, it will not stop him from doing all he can to represent his client. Eddie has a past and while it should not shine well on his career as a lawyer, it does stand him in good stead for what he is going up against now. He generally keeps his past in the past, but it does crop up occasionally.
A surgeon is accused of killing a woman, and the murder weapon is found on his premises. John Jackson is not someone who you would associate as being a murderer, his wife stands by him and they try to protect their son and also their reputations and standing in the local community.
Ruby, she is a witness but she is not truthful. She is manipulative but in her head, there is a good reason for bending the truth the way she has. It is only a matter of time before the truth comes out, but who will remain standing?
This is another amazing book in the series and it reads so well, I wish I had kept up with the series, but at least I have managed to read the latest one so it's still good. The author has such a good way of using his characters. The main one of Eddie is great, he is devious and sly in the way he approaches things, but he only supports innocent clients. That makes him special.
This was such a quick book to get into, a dramatic start and one that kept me hooked. There are many twists and turns and some unexpected moments that I didn't see coming. I think this has been very cleverly put together, with some great characters and some shady ones as well. Even though this is a murder story, there is a strange sense of doing the right thing wound within this one, it makes for an exciting read.
If you are looking for a courtroom and investigative thriller then this is one to keep an eye out for. I adored this book and I would definitely recommend it.