Massacre

The Erin O'Reilly Mysteries #8

by Steven Henry

There's no line we won't cross for love.

Detective Erin O'Reilly's mom always wanted her to find the right man. Instead, she found gentleman gangster Morton Carlyle. They've been helping each other survive New York's mean streets, while building a precarious relationship.

But now, in the wake of a brutal mob hit, Erin and her K-9 partner Rolf are following a trail that implicates some of Carlyle's associates. Loyalties are strained to the breaking point as the bodies pile up in a burgeoning underworld war.

Along the way, Erin and Carlyle confront impossible questions: How far will you go to protect those you love? Where do you draw the line? And if you have to betray someone, can you live with the consequences?

Genres: Mystery

239 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 27, 2020

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Barbara Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

by Barbara Kelley

Massacre is Book #8 in the Erin O'Reilly K-9 Mystery series by Steven Henry. Just like every single other book in this series, I read it until my eyes could no longer see the words before I had to put it down and rest my eyes. Each book is better than the last, and the characters are so well-rounded that I can actually see them. My favorite characters in these books are Erin O'Reilly and her K-9 partner, Rolf, Morton Carlysle (Erin's Irish gangster-type boyfriend who is old enough to be her Daddy, but who can resist that Irish debonair charm), Vic Neshenko (Erin's human partner), and each member of Erin's immediate family (mom, dad, brothers, sister-in-law, etc.).

I can actually see this series being made into movies, beginning with the first book in the series, Black Velvet.

This book was about a massacre at a restaurant in Manhattan, where several bodies are found, both inside and outside the restaurant, and the restaurant was burned down. Besides criminals being killed, innocents were also amongst the victims. Then the shooters are being popped off one by one by rival gangsters. Erin has to find out who the original shooters were, what gang they were affiliated with, and try to protect one or two of them before everybody's dead. She also has to find out WHY they are being killed.

I love the romance between Erin (about 32 years old) and Morton Carlysle (Cars - in his 50s). He has that soft Irish brogue and calls Erin "Darling" all the time. I am part Irish myself, on my daddy's side (last name Farr) whose family immigrated from Ireland during the Irish potato famine in the 1850s, and I married a man (last name Kelley) whose father's family immigrated from Ireland in the 1880s. So I always love me some Irish characters.

I recommend this series to everybody out there who likes to read mysteries and about K-9s. I gave this book 5 stars, like I gave all of the books in this series.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was intense as the stakes were raised in this book. Carlyle's 'daughter' showed back up in this book although I wasn't really fond of her character to begin with so I can't say I was thrilled to see her. Liam (who was introduced last book) also shows up in this book as a key player. Erin's relationship with the OMalley's gets more complicated into the story. I don't know who the mole is in the story but there are strong hints of that already. Perhaps I have watched a little to much Blue Bloods but I am leaning towards the Bloodhound. There is just something about him that I really don't like. I guess it is this feeling like you can't trust him for some reason. I was happy to see Junior show back up. He and Erin's dad are my two favorite characters from Erin's family. I wonder when Erin's other brother will show up. Vic might perhaps get a romantic partner (although I do like her character I am not even going to attempt to try and spell her last or first name because I am fairly certain I will misspell it) so I can't wait to see where that goes. I was glad to get a little more on Ian this book (he was introduced in Black Magic but is a character I enjoy when he shows up).

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does not disappoint. I have read all in the series, and I would pick this one as my favorite thus far. Erin is an Irish/American police detective who believes in justice and doing the honorable thing at all times. Somewhere along the way of working with Carlyle, an ethical Irish mobster they fall for each other and into a relationship. This book puts it more to the test and brings up the questions of....can this work, will she someday have to arrest him, turn against her morals and become what she hates most, "a dirty cop", or they both end up dead because of his connections. There is no "out" with the mob.

This story is more personal than the others, Carlyle has to choose between helping Erin or being loyal to his organization and someone else very near and dear to his heart. I'm not going to give the ending away, highly recommend you read as the suspense is worth it.

[papasteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very fine story by Steven Henry. It’s been a while since I’ve read one of the Erin O’Reilly series. I’ve traveled far and wide and through time and space before coming back to it. As always, I like the snarky dialogue between the detectives. I had some apprehension about Erin and Carlyle’s relationship, but Henry is developing it with all the tension it should involve. I’m not sure how many deaths I have witnessed via my reading, but this book certainly upped the count.

[MELISSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Please keep me from the "Life." A few very busy days for Erin and team as the Colombians and Irish mix it up over drugs and Erin walks the fine line of keeping her cop ethics and Carlyle out of harms way. Again, lots of action, police procedure and tough dialogue written with just the right amount of tension. Great read.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome story

Wow this was an exciting and intriguing storyline in this great series. These characters have me really hooked in their lives and pursuits I was on the edge of my seat several times during this book and I was never quite sure what was gonna happen next. I cannot wait for the next book now. Also the narration as always was excellent.

[Jo Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another title for book 8 in the Erin O'Reilly Mysteries could be "Bloodbath." A restaurant has been shot up and firebombed. At the back of the restaurant are three dead Italian mobsters. After Erin starts asking questions, she learns Irish mobsters have gone after a Columbian drug dealer and stolen his product, and now the Irish mobsters are being gunned down. I think this is the largest body count yet. And the stakes for Erin and Carlyle are higher yet as Internal Affairs and head of the Irish mob start looking a little closer at them. As always, a fast paced and captivating story.

[Marylou Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book. Erin and Cars have to walk a fine line when there is a drug war between the Irish, the Italians and the Colombians. This was a tense story and exciting. Siobhan is back in New York. What trouble is she up to this time. Only time will tell. What great characters. They draw you right in to the storyline.

[patricia cleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cops and Robbers. Not a child's game

The series of Erin O'Reilly K-9 mysteries through book 8 is great reading. I couldn't put it down. They were the best mysteries I've read this year. Danger abounds on a daily basis for all involved and includes a very dangerous romance as well. Be prepared to stay up late!

[christine a hagar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just keep getting better

Can't put it down. Then you can't wait for the next one . You personally know the characters by now.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

These read like short stories, at the end before you know it. The characters are interesting and their interactions add to the plot. There are just enough twists to keep your interest.

[Kotawolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of these down. I have been really enjoying the series.

Why did she have to hook up with CARS though? I like the characters, but just doesn't seem to be ideal.

[Kathryn A. Sievers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep going, Steve Henry

I've read them all and I've loved them all. Waiting on the next installment eagerly. Please keep it going. I'm waiting to see how this situation can be resolved.