Ask any cop: domestic disturbances are the worst. Family squabbles are ugly, emotional, vicious fights that can turn deadly in a heartbeat. And when the family you’re talking about is the Mafia, you’d better be ready for anything.
The Lucarelli Family’s new boss is consolidating his grip on the Mob. But not everyone is happy with Vinnie the Oil Man’s leadership. A routine trip to court lands Detective Erin O’Reilly in the line of fire when gangsters start shooting right on the courthouse steps. To keep her promise to a dying man, Erin finds herself working with Witness Protection to guard a gangster’s son.
Meanwhile, when a young woman in Brooklyn is savagely murdered, evidence points to the victim’s Mafia connections. Erin and her trusty K-9 Rolf sniff out a terrified witness who can point them to the killer… if the woman can be convinced to testify.
Then Erin gets a job offer from the most unlikely source imaginable. All she has to do is silence the witness—permanently. Erin and her lover, reformed bomb-maker Morton Carlyle, will have to lay it all on the line in a desperate plan which could nail a murderer and save an innocent woman’s life… or blow apart everything they’ve been trying to build.
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.
This book has certainly started to up the stakes for the series. Erin is also being forced to make some morally gray choices that have her questioning her ethics. Corkey is slowly redeeming himself throughout this book. Phil and Ian have been really good this book and I really love both their characters. I like how annoyed Rolff was throughout this book because Erin kept having to leave him behind. Having the final meeting between Erin and Phil at the end of the book in the Catholic Church was an interesting choice. I guess it kind of matched the theme of the book though. I am also starting to wonder how people come up with the name of these cocktails. I was kind of with Vic when Erin suggested a Angel Face at the end of the book (like really?) Levine gave me a chuckle or two at the end of the book when she is politely reading Erin the riot act. On a very unrelated note, this book had a lot of weird grammatical and spacing issues (in terms of the words on the page not the way the author wrote it) that I haven't seen before. I don't know if my copy was just a misprint of some kind or what but this is the first book I really noticed anything like that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Wow. Can it get anymore complicated? All the books in the Erin O'Reilly series have been action-packed and full of police procedure and mob-type criminals with Erin and crew faithfully doing their jobs. "Angel Face" has Erin juggling three outstanding issues and partner Vic backing her as much as possible. No spoilers, so no details in this review simply know that if you pick up this book to read you will be up to your neck in risky situations. Author Henry keeps the tension high and me guessing how in the world Erin could possibly handle it all. I am stuck on this series for many reasons one in particular being how Erin and Carlyle and Corky will ever disentangle themselves from the scary mess Mr. Henry puts them in. Well, then there is charming K-9 Rolf and crazy, funny Vic. Plenty to continue holding my interest.
A young woman has been brutally murdered--stabbed--and Erin and Vic catch the case. As they interview the other people living in the apartment house, Erin realizes that one woman knows something that she isn't telling. Of course the killer's father is a mobster and when his son is arrested after a witness steps forward, Erin is summoned by the father and offered "50 large" to make the witness go away. So far she has taken one young man from the US Marshals who have him in protective custody and now she has come up with idea to save the witness, which means she has to thwart the US Marshals again. In order for her plan to work, more people must be let in on the secret that she is working undercover to take down both the Mafia and the Irish gangsters. Lots of action, a touch of humor and a lot of fear for Erin.
Such GREAT writing, Steven Henry! I have read all the books and loved them all. That's kind of rare, but you never miss a beat and are so true to each character, including New York. It is its own character. Thank you. 🙏 Looking forward to the next one .... and the next one ... 👍❤️
I can not get enough of this series!! I absolutely loved how this story played out. Literally heart-pounding action that made it impossible to put down. The way Erin's story is woven between her being a detective and being in with the mob is flawless and terrifying. Love this story and absolutely can't wait for the next.
Erin and Rolf. What a team! Add in the dynamic personalities of Erin’s posse and it’s a top notch story. The characters are well defined and relatable. I’m so glad to have found this series!’
As far as cosy mysteries go, Steve Henry does a great job of keeping his characters true to form. The background keeps moving but the current situation is also exciting enough that the over arching story does not drag.
First thing I would say, is a Thank You. Creating stories that challenge the reader, is a gift. I think you will have a long peaceful career. And , in the mean time give us some enjoyment. I gave it 5 stars, it was worth it.
What a crazy ride! Erin learns anew how difficult it is to have multiple faces and to be all things to all people. Outstanding story, highly recommended.
Finished 8/4/24. The things we do for those we love... This is the one where Erin and Cars work together on a mob job--the story just keeps getting more exciting!
A Murdered Woman, A Frightened Witness, and Angel Face!
by Barbara Kelley
"Angel Face" is Book 18 of The Erin O'Reilly Mysteries, written by my number one favorite author, Steven Henry. This series should be read in chronological order, so the reader meets all the characters and knows the ongoing storyline. My favorite character is Detective Erin O'Reilly's K9 partner, Rolf, a beautiful German Shepherd dog that has his very own psyche and personality, just like every single human in this series. Detective O'Reilly cannot decide which is worse: getting shot in the chest, even if she's wearing a Kevlar bulletproof vest; or enduring her mom showing her Irish mobster boyfriend (turned undercover informant after a near fatal incident) Erin's baby pictures from the family album. This episode is mainly about protecting witnesses, whether they are innocent or not so innocent, and who she's willing to trust with her own life for the protection of these witnesses. The This episode is mainly about protecting witnesses, whether they are innocent or not so innocent, and who she's willing to trust with her own life for the protection of these witnesses. The This episode is about protecting witnesses, whether they are innocent or not so innocent. The first part of the story is to protect Alfie Madonna, the son of an Italian mafia guy that got whacked in Book 17. But before Alfie's dad died, he made Erin O'Reilly promise to protect his son from the men who gunned him down: henceforth, Witness Protection for Alfie. However, there is a leak in the police department, or the F.B.I., or maybe even higher, because the mafia is one step ahead of both Erin and the U. S. Marshall's office, causing Alfie to flee the compromised safe house and into the wind. Then there is the brutal stabbing of a young Italian woman in an apartment building, and the frightened school teacher who saw a young man with blood all over his clothes and a huge butcher knife in his hand. She recognized this man and knows who he is. Erin talks her into testifying, puts her in Witness Protection, and puts her in the custody of the U. S. Marshalls. However, when the murder suspect is arrested and put in jail, this innocent witness is in danger. The Mob wants her dead, and since they think Erin is a dirty cop, they pay her to get rid of the witness. What will Erin do? Both of these witnesses, Alfie and the school teacher, are connected with the mob, and it is up to Erin, Rolf, and only a select group of trusted friends that will be able to pull off a real "Sting" effect on the Italian mafia. I gave this book 5 stars, just like I have every other book in this series. This book is continued in "Tequila Sunrise" by Steven Henry. That book is the James Corcoran story and his protection of the innocent school teacher witness from "Angel Face".
Erin o reilly #18 Another page turner action packed fast paced read from this series. I just love the characters so much! There were a lot of “team moments” and it was a blast! Iykyk. I dont want this series to end. Ever. Through a reading slump, or when i dont know what to pick up i can always rely on this series. I totally see myself reading and re-reading my favourites again! Totally loving it!