Howie Carr

Howie Carr is a conservative American journalist, author, and radio talk show host based in Boston, Massachusetts. He has written multiple books focused on organized crime in Boston and hosts "The Howie Carr Show" which broadcasts throughout New England. Since joining the Boston Herald in 1979, Carr has become known for his coverage of crime and politics, particularly his reporting on the Winter Hill Gang and figures like James "Whitey" Bulger. His books "The Brothers Bulger" and "Hitman" became New York Times bestsellers, establishing him as an authority on Boston's criminal underworld. As a radio personality, Carr has maintained a significant presence on WRKO since 1994. His commentary often targets local politicians, particularly Massachusetts Democrats, and his sharp criticism has made him a controversial figure in New England media circles. Carr's work has earned him membership in the Radio Hall of Fame and various journalism awards. Beyond his media career, he regularly appears as a political commentator and has written columns for multiple publications including the Daily Beast and Breitbart News.

Readers consistently note Carr's deep knowledge of Boston crime and politics, particularly appreciating his insider details about the Bulger brothers and Winter Hill Gang. Many Amazon reviewers praise his investigative reporting and ability to connect complex relationships between criminals and politicians. What readers liked: - Detailed research and firsthand sources - Fast-paced writing style - Exposure of corruption between criminals and government officials - Local Boston knowledge and context What readers disliked: - Political bias and partisan tone - Repetitive content across different books - Some factual discrepancies noted by local readers - Writing style called "tabloid-like" by some Ratings across platforms: Amazon: "The Brothers Bulger" 4.4/5 from 580 reviews Goodreads: "Hitman" 3.9/5 from 892 reviews "The Brothers Bulger" 4.1/5 from 1,246 reviews One frequent Amazon reviewer noted: "Carr knows where all the bodies are buried in Boston politics." A Goodreads critic countered: "The constant political attacks detract from otherwise solid crime reporting."

Hitman: The Untold Story of Johnny Martorano - A detailed account of the life of John Martorano, a former Winter Hill Gang enforcer who admitted to 20 murders before becoming a government witness.

The Brothers Bulger - An examination of the parallel lives of Massachusetts Senate President William Bulger and his brother James "Whitey" Bulger, the notorious Boston crime boss.

Rifleman: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi - Chronicles the criminal career of Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi, a longtime associate of Whitey Bulger and FBI informant.

Ratman: The Trial and Conviction of Whitey Bulger - Documents the capture, trial, and conviction of James "Whitey" Bulger following his 16 years as a fugitive.

Plugged In: The Generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work - Details career strategies and workplace dynamics for young professionals entering the modern workforce.

Hard Knocks - Presents stories of corruption and crime in Boston politics and law enforcement from the 1970s to the present.

Kennedy Babylon - Examines controversial incidents and scandals involving members of the Kennedy political family.

George V. Higgins wrote crime novels set in Boston's underworld with authentic dialogue and deep insider knowledge of law enforcement and criminal operations. His work "The Friends of Eddie Coyle" established him as the definitive voice of Boston crime fiction.

Dick Lehr covered organized crime in Boston as a reporter for the Boston Globe and co-authored definitive books on Whitey Bulger and the FBI's corruption. His investigative work exposed the relationships between law enforcement and criminal enterprises in Boston.

T.J. English writes extensively about organized crime across America with detailed accounts of real criminal enterprises and investigations. His work on Irish mob activity in major cities parallels many of the stories and figures in Carr's coverage.

Gerard O'Neill reported on Boston crime and politics for the Boston Globe, breaking major stories about corruption and organized crime. His investigations into the Bulger family and Boston politics laid groundwork for much of the modern understanding of that era.

Casey Sherman focuses on true crime in New England with deep reporting on major cases and investigations. His work examines both historical and contemporary crime stories in the region while maintaining connections to law enforcement sources.