Rhys Bowen

The first book in the Molly Murphy Mysteries introduces young Molly Murphy who has to flee Ireland after causing a gentry man who assaulted her to die. Fearing that she'll be tried for murder, she runs to England with just a few coins in her pocket and no future plans.

Molly meets Kathleen O'Connor and her two young children and agrees to escort the children to America to join their father. Katleen is dying of consumption and knows she'll be turned back at Ellis Island. But to successfully manage the trip. Molly will have to pretend to be Kathleen O'Connor.

The trip across the ocean in steerage and the days at Ellis Island would be harrowing enough, but when a man who was seen arguing with Molly is found dead with a slit throat, Molly needs to find the killer before she can start her new life in America.

Going after her sleepwalking young charge means that Molly is the only one who might have seen the killer. Police Lieutenant Daniel Sullivan a second-generation Irish American is on the case and initially suspects Molly even while being attracted to her.

Molly puts herself in all kinds of danger as she investigates the murder but, luckily, Sullivan is always just a step or two behind.

This was an entertaining historical mystery which begins a long-running series.… (meer)

In Sunshine or in Shadow is the twentieth book of the long-running historical mystery series Molly Murphy by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles.

Growing up in the Catskills I can definitely say that Bowen and Broyles described the area and life there in the very early part of the 20th century perfectly. I remember my Grandmother telling me about the resorts built for Jewish families escaping the New York City during the summer heat as air conditioning had not been invented yet. There was a lot of animosity towards Jews and the women’s suffrage movement at that time, and Bowen and Broyles addressed these issues with the finesse that they deserved. The main and secondary characters were all fleshed out with very distinct personalities and voices making this story an even more enjoyable experience.

This is my first time reading a Rhys Bowen book, and I am excited to say it will not be my last. The mystery totally engrossed me, and I read enthusiastically through to the end trying to figure out who the killer was. I am sure to get the most out of this series it would be beneficial to read them in order. However, not having read any of the previous books in this series, I had no problems whatsoever as it read as a standalone.

Thank you Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this wonderful book via NetGalley. I was under no obligation whatsoever to write a favorable review and all opinions are my own.… (meer)

It is December, 1902 and Molly Murphy, female private detective is becoming very busy juggling three cases at once. We learn that the first case is trying to find the son of a very wealthy Jewish family whose automobile is discovered wreaked against a tree. Then she is approached by a Broadway musical star to find out whether her new play is being harassed by a ghost. Lastly, when Molly stumbles over the almost frozen body of a young woman buried in a snow bank in Central Park, she feels she must take on the care of this mysterious woman just to keep her out of the local asylum.

She has many friends and an admirer whose job as a New York police detective provides assistance and protection when things get dangerous. An enjoyable read which also provides information on what life may have been like in turn of the century New York City.… (meer)