Rhys Bowen

In this one Molly Sullivan is pregnant with her second child and visiting her mother-in-law for the summer with Liam and her adopted daughter, Birdie, due to typhoid in New York City. While in Westchester, she visits Sid and Gus who have also left the city to stay the summer at a women's camp in the Catskills. Molly goes to visit which brings her to the Friedman's farm and cabins, a small Jewish camp, also in the Catskill's just over the hill from the women's camp. Sid's parents have asked her to visit her grandfather because he was not well. This is actually a lie because they wanted her there to present her with her betrothed, Professor David Rosen, along with the betrothed of her cousin Mira, Mr. Levin. This was a surprise to both women, neither of which wished to marry. Mr. Levin is murdered. Molly attempts to solve the crime. Captain Sullivan turns up to help since the local police were very anti-Jewish and threatening to arrest Mira who found the body.… (meer)

I picked this book up to the TBR Jar Challenge I am doing. I really enjoyed this story. I found myself not wanting to put the book down. You have Molly Murphy who leaves her home in Ireland after killing someone in self defense. I loved reading this book due to the Irish accents written. I could hear them speaking as I was reading the story. Molly leaves Ireland under a false identity to America in the late nineteenth century.

As she is on the Ellis Island waiting to be allowed to enter New York a murder occurs and Molly is the prime suspect! Molly has a mouth on her and is determined to prove she is innocent. The way the storyline progresses kept me entertained and interested in the characters and the story. I do plan to read more of this series and to see what ultimately happens to Molly Murphy.… (meer)

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)