An NYPD detective is always on duty. Erin O'Reilly is just settling down for a drink with her favorite gangster, celebrating her promotion to Detective Second Grade, when she hears the call every cop dreads: "Officer down." Soon Erin and her K-9 partner Rolf are chasing a cop-killer through—and beneath—New York City, racing to stop a lunatic's plan to tear the heart out of her city. To make matters worse, rumor has it there's a dirty cop in Erin's precinct, and the watchdogs at Internal Affairs are sniffing around Erin. Now she'll have to prove herself like never before as terrorists, assassins, and even allies stand in her way as she fights to save Manhattan.
Steven Henry is the USA Today bestselling author of the Erin O’Reilly mysteries and the Clarion Chronicles.
Steven learned how to read almost before he learned how to walk. Ever since he began reading stories, he wanted to put his own on the page. He lives a very quiet and ordinary life in Minnesota with his wife and dog.
Terrorists, Irish ‘gangsters’ and Internal Affairs have Erin and Rolf and crew getting little rest with lots of detective work and action. Love the cop dialogue (especially with Vic) and the careful working through clues and the creative hunches. I am on to number 6.
Erin's relationship with Carlyle has not gone unnoticed but so far, his intel has been spot-on and it's actually saved lives. Still, she's a cop, he's a former IRA bomber and now a gangster with the Irish mob. A German terrorist thought to have been killed by Vic in a shootout on the docks has resurfaced and a rookie cop has been killed. When Erin's crew goes to the warehouse where the shooting took place, they are surprised to find a gorgeous redheaded Irishwoman who has a smart mouth and knows all about Erin. Why is she at a crime scene and why does she know who Erin is? The hunt for the German terrorist leads the team into the sewers under the city. Erin and Vic add to their kill list as they take out some of the German's hired guns. Rolf even gets to chomp a couple of baddies. Internal Affairs is looking at Erin as a mole in the team and she and Kira have words, as it was Kira, a former IA, who reveals her relationship with Carlyle to the higher-ups. Yet she remains a friend and warns Erin to be careful. As usual, plenty of action, a heartbreaking policeman's funeral and some retribution for the evil German terrorist by an assassin. You have no idea what you are missing by not reading these books. I'm hooked!
This book has received higher ratings the previous ones in the series, but even though I enjoyed the story it never really grabbed me. In the previous books I never really noticed any little inconsistencies, but with this one I found myself irritated quite often. Also I could have quite happily done without the last few pages.
Some of the best stories, I think, are those that create as many questions as they do answers. It's the dangling questions that make the reader (me, in this case) want to read more. Because this is a series, I know that maybe some of those questions may find answers in the future. But even if this was a stand alone book, with no promise of questions answered, it would have been a very good read. I enjoyed this addition to the story-line for several reasons. The characters are growing and changing. Mr. Henry can do this, since, as I've already mentioned, this is a series. But some characters in a series don't grow, aren't affected by their experiences, and remain like cartoon characters who never grow up or change over the years. Also, I find Erin's struggle fascinating, and think Mr. Henry is doing an excellent job with this. Erin's struggle in these first 5 books has to do with being a woman. But not just a woman in a man's world (the New York police department). Certainly there is that. In that kind of setting, a woman has to work twice as hard as a man to earn the respect a man normally gets simply because "he's got one." But that's not what's intriguing to me about Erin. Her struggle is about being a woman, period. What it means to be a woman. Her uncomfortableness with femininity. Her apparent abject fear of her sexuality. This installment of the series brought that struggle to the surface. Or maybe not quite to the surface--like a swimmer underwater, lungs nearly deflated, hoping to break the surface for that life-giving breath of air. Maybe she'll break the surface in a future book. Maybe not. And a question for you Steven (from another Stephen who spells his name correctly and biblically), how does a guy living a quiet life in Minnesota know about life in New York City? And the life of the Job? They say, write what you know, and you seem to know about what you're writing. I was also smiling when you quoted scripture at the officers funeral--correctly so, and verses that are actually used. I've seen other instances where authors try to quote Psalm 23 or some such verses and totally botch it. Thumbs up to you for not botching it. And, lastly, one phrase you used--"a biblical amount of paperwork"--I smiled at, and wondered what you meant.
This was another great addition to the series and I was so glad my prediction was correct. I knew Rudel was coming back so I kind of wasn't suprised to see him show back up. I felt really bad for Carl and Kira in this book although it sounds like Kira may be leaving the group at least for now. Rolf is such a overworked fuzzball in this book and really does have his work cut out for him. The book ends with Erin basically fixing to end up with Cars. I am not sure how I feel about that to be honest. On the one hand I am with Erin that the guy is a mobster and she should not be getting in bed with a mobster but I do like his character and think he is interesting. I guess I am on the fence about it and will see where it goes. I have a feeling Tommy Jay may be the new bad guy. I am not sure about Evan though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m thoroughly hooked on this series. The characters and storylines are fascinating and compelling. Watching as Erin navigates her new role is intriguing and the books are full of suspense and intrigue. Great narration too
I love everything about this series. Each of the books just gets better and better. The characters and the story line is well crafted and has an edge of your seat excitement. This is one you will definitely say "just one more chapter...". Almost impossible to put down and well worth the loss of sleep!
Gripping, suspenseful read! Each book gets better, hard to put down! Now I have to wonder who replaces Kiera? All the characters blend so well, you feel like you know them better with each book, then the author throws a curve ball!
Like a season finale, this book is the culmination of several story arcs - a terrorist on the loose in Manhattan, a dirty cop in Erin's precinct, and more. Packed with action, you won't be able to put it down. It keeps you guessing and keeps you wanting more.
Entertaining, but unrealistic kick-butt female, cop involved in way too many officer involved shootings resulting in death, but nonetheless, entertaining.
This series is really getting interesting. Erin' relationship with Cars has become more complicated and will be interesting to watch where it goes. The plot of the book was engaging and hard to put down, finished in one sitting. I have yet to be disappointed in any of the books to date.
I enjoyed this fast paced mystery set in New York City. The characters continue to entertain, and I liked watching Erin slowly figure out what was going on. The ending was a bit of a surprise, and I'm uncertain if I like where this is leading...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.