Witness 8 by Steve Cavanagh

 

Ruby Johnson lived in the posh West 74th Street neighborhood as a child. When her father lost all their money and abandoned her and her mother, she was forced to leave. Now she works as a babysitter and maid for the residents of West 74th. One night while walking home, she witnesses a murder. She knows the victim and the murderer. But Ruby isn't running to the police. Ruby has a different plan in mind.

Former con man turned lawyer Eddie Flynn is brought in to defend Dr. John Jackson, who is accused of the murder. The case looks impossible as the gun was found in his home with his DNA on it. But Eddie believes he is innocent. Proving it means he has to figure out what really happened. This is made all the more difficult when some people he's pissed off put out a contract on his life. It's going to take all his wits and skills to survive the trial, let alone win it. One thing common to his con man past and legal present: He doesn't play fair.

The Eddie Flynn books are always a lot of fun. Giving Eddie a con man past was a brilliant decision. He's not just a lawyer who is pushed into gray areas. Gray areas are his bread and butter and part of who he is. 

Knowing that Ruby has framed John doesn't lessen the mystery. Why him? How exactly did she do it? What is her goal in all this? 

Eddie believes that John is innocent, based mainly on his gut instinct. There's a lot of evidence piled up against him, so Eddie knows he's going to have to do some fancy lawyering to get him out of trouble. That, and figure out what really happened. And he has to do it while dodging the hit men out to kill him, a result of another stunt entirely of his own making. 

Eddie is a fascinating and engaging character, which makes following him so much fun. Eddie's investigators, Bloch and Lake, are also entertaining, with their own peculiarities and motivations. Loyalty to Eddie and a dogged commitment to justice fuel them. Ruby is a chilling character who is a little hard to sympathize with, but rather terrifying. 

Cavanagh knows how to spin a plot and keep the pages flying by. The twists keep coming, and you'll find your jaw dropping every few chapters. The case seems unwinnable all the way to the end, but you know that Eddie always has one more trick up his sleeve. The revelations at the end will leave you with your mouth hanging open.

This is the best type of legal thriller. Challenging predicament, clever and dogged protagonist, and action and surprises on every page. Cavanagh is a must-buy every time out, and his Eddie Flynn books are an especially good time!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.