Witness 8

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh
3/25/25; 416 pages
Atria Books
Eddie Flynn #8

Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh is a very highly recommended twisty psychological and legal thriller. This was un-put-downable, riveting page-turner that can be enjoyed as a stand-alone novel.

Ruby Johnson, 22-years-old, works as a maid, babysitter, and nanny for several homes along Manhattan's wealthy West 74th Street. It is a street where Ruby and her parents once lived before her father lost everything with his gambling and then abandoned them. Now her mother is ill and she's doing whatever she can to take care of her. After babysitting one night, she leaves the Jackson's house and witnesses from the street through a window a man kill a woman. She sees the man flee, finds the gun he used in a garbage can, and then uses it to frame Dr. John Jackson for the crime through an anonymous phone call to the police. She has a twisted plan she is setting in motion that will help her and her mother.

Eddie Flynn, a streetwise ex con-artist who is now a defense attorney, takes on Jackson's defense with help from his team: legal partner Kate Brooks,  office manager Denise, investigators Melissa Bloch and Gabriel Lake, and his mentor retired Judge Harry Ford. Eddie is known for using some questionable and creative tactics to uncover the truth. Complicating matters is the fact that a criminal organization has put out a hit on Eddie, so he is under a constant threat.

Everything about Witness 8 is entertaining! The writing and plotting is exceptional. The tension remains high throughout this fast-paced engrossing thriller as Eddie works out the defense and watches out for a hit man. You likely won't know what he's planning until it's already accomplished, but it is entertaining and intriguing to follow Eddie's actions and clever plans come into fruition. 

All the members of Eddie's team work well together and they all have distinct personalities. It is engaging and sometimes amusing to see Eddie's encounters with the wide variety of contacts he has around the city. Ruby is a deliciously deceptive and devious character. There is an interesting assassin called Mr. Christmas who becomes involved in the plot too. You might have to set a little bit of disbelief aside, which I gladly did because the whole novel is so well done.

Witness 8 is absolutely very highly recommended. Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advance reader's copy. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.