Witness 8 An Eddie Flynn novel

Eddie, formerly a con man, is now a defense lawyer. He usually takes on clients who can't find another lawyer, but this situation is a little different. Dr. John Jackson is accused of murdering his neighbor; Jackson is wealthy, he's represented by a high-priced legal firm, and they have recommended Eddie take lead on the case. Almost immediately after he says he'll do it, the murder weapon is found in Jackson's home, with his DNA on it. Eddie's instincts, honed through years of playing other people, tell him something is fishy--but he's not prepared for what he finds out. Cavanagh's first Flynn novel, The Defense (2015), was a wonderful introduction to Eddie and his unique investigative methods, and each subsequent book has opened up new windows into Eddie's past life; he's become a complex and immensely likable fellow, and we find ourselves actually worrying about him as, here, he might for the first time be disastrously out of his depth. A terrific addition to a series that mystery fans should consider a must-read.

Cavanagh sacrifices plausibility for plot surprises in his disappointing eighth thriller featuring New York City con man--turned--attorney Eddie Flynn (after The Accomplice). A prologue introduces 22-year-old maid Ruby Johnson, whose financial troubles have reduced her to working in the kinds of Upper West Side homes she once lived in. Ruby sees an opportunity for a new life after witnessing an unnamed man she recognizes gun down one of the residents on the street where she works. Ruby retrieves the gun the killer abandoned in a garbage can and uses it to frame Dr. John Jackson, one of her employers, for the crime, then takes credit for tracking him down. Jackson retains Flynn to fight the ensuing murder charge--a difficult proposition, considering Ruby managed to plant his fingerprints on the gun. Meanwhile, Flynn tries to dodge a hit put out on him by an unknown enemy, which draws out-of-town gunmen to New York once Flynn's mob boss friend ensures that no one local accepts the contract. Cavanagh stretches both plots quite thin, with reveals that are equal parts outlandish and underwhelming. Here's hoping the next installment is a return to form. Agent: John Wood, RCW. (Mar.)

Excerpted from Witness 8: A Novel by Steve Cavanagh All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.