As a longtime fan of legal thrillers, I have always been interested in the backgrounds of their authors. Some have actual experience in the courtroom, a few have been judges, and it may surprise you to learn that several of the most successful ones are not even lawyers.

But Steve Cavanagh, an Irish attorney from Belfast, is a rather unique writer of American courtroom fiction. He began his legal career as a solicitor, and his specialty was civil rights cases. The legal systems of European nations are substantially different from those of the United States. One major difference is in the method of practice. In Europe, lawyers divide their work --- some prepare cases, while others are in the courtroom conducting the actual trial. As I understand Cavanagh’s experience, he was on the preparation side of the law in Ireland.

"WITNESS 8 is another wonderful Eddie Flynn adventure. Great writers always want their readers to wonder what will be next. Steve Cavanagh is a great writer."

In reading his biographical notes, I believe that Cavanagh has not spent a great deal of time in the US. Still, his novels, set mostly in New York City, effectively capture the American courtroom. They are bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic, and he has won numerous literary awards. Prominent mystery writer Richard Osman calls Cavanagh “the British John Grisham.”

WITNESS 8 is the eighth novel featuring Eddie Flynn, a brash and arrogant New Yorker who meets all the stereotypical attributes that most people would think of when describing New Yorkers. When readers met him in THE DEFENSE, he was a reformed con man and hustler with little legal experience. He somehow managed to survive and is now an established lawyer, with a reputation and a record of success.

Kate Brooks is his partner at Flynn and Brooks. She left a Wall Street firm because she did not subscribe to the rules they applied to their practice. Flynn and Brooks employs investigators, one of whom is Bloch, Brooks’ life partner, who has an interest in cases impacting children. Harry Ford, a retired New York State court judge, was a mentor to Flynn as he began his legal career.

As WITNESS 8 opens, readers meet Ruby Johnson, a nanny and maid employed on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. One night, she witnesses a murder but decides to manipulate what she has seen to right a long-ago wrong, even if it means that an innocent man will be convicted. That individual is John Jackson, a prominent physician who will be represented by Flynn and his team.

But before the investigation and the preparation for trial begins, Flynn finds himself in a serious and threatening mess of his own making. A contract to kill him has been advertised by none other than high-ranking officials of the New York City Police Department. For a great deal of the book, Flynn and his associates must conduct their business with one eye on John Jackson and the other looking over their shoulders.

The strength of Cavanagh’s novels is the entertaining courtroom scenes. There is often the appropriate mix of judicial sarcasm, attorney aggressiveness, and exposing lying witnesses to move the action. While those scenes are lacking here, I think readers understand that the John Jackson case is not one where a jury will ever reach a verdict. Instead, Flynn will be more like Perry Mason and expose the real killer to the judge and prosecutors. Then he will extract himself from his self-made mess with the NYPD.

All in all, WITNESS 8 is another wonderful Eddie Flynn adventure. Great writers always want their readers to wonder what will be next. Steve Cavanagh is a great writer.