Death of Riley (Molly Murphy Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Rhys Bowen (Author)

Book Description

Series: Molly Murphy Mysteries | Publication Date: December 7, 2003

Molly Murphy has finally begun to forget the unpleasant murder of a would-be rapist back in Ireland, not to mention her investigation into the murder of a fellow recent Irish immigrant, and is finally free to begin her life in New York City. Given her experiences so far in the New World, Molly has decided that her first order of business is to become a private investigator, a people finder of sorts, working for families in Europe who've lost touch with relatives in America. Not only might this put some food on her table, but her second order of business is to hook the handsome NYPD police captain Daniel Sullivan, and she envisions lots of opportunities to "seek his counsel" in her new profession.

Paddy Riley is a tough old Cockney P.I. who specializes in divorce work, and with a little persuasion he's ready to take on Molly as an apprentice. It's not exactly what she imagined, but she plans to make the most of it. That is, until she comes in to work one day to find her new world turned upside down and all expectations for her professional life suddenly up in the air.

Before long, Molly has set off on a journey that will take her through the back alleys of Manhattan and into the bars and lounges of the literary scene, where she spends time with writers, actors, poets, and musicians. It's quite an eye-opening turn for innocent young Molly, but she's resolute in her decision to find out exactly what happened that day in the office of Paddy Riley. Armed with nothing more than her fiery will and matching wild red hair, Molly has no idea of the danger her pursuit may bring in this fascinating, well-researched, and suspenseful second novel in Rhys Bowen's Agatha-award winning series.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this second series title (after Murphy's Law), Irish immigrant Molly becomes an apprentice P.I. Unfortunately, she's soon investigating the murder of her boss-with a little help from a likable police detective. An authentic historical about New York in the early 1900s.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In Bowen's second Molly Murphy cozy historical, which follows the Agatha Award-winning Murphy's Law (2001), Molly reluctantly accepts a job as a companion to Miss Van Woekem in order to pay the bills. Intrigued with a man who is apparently investigating a neighbor of Van Woekem's, Molly tracks down Paddy Riley and convinces him to let her work in his office. To Molly's chagrin, he does not allow her to do any investigating, only light cleaning. However, one day when Molly reports to work, she finds Riley near death and glimpses his murderer leaving the scene. Molly decides to solve the murder on her own and perhaps even continue to run Riley's business. Her investigation leads to new skills and experiences with the intellectual crowd, and she unmasks the killer in a rather far-fetched denouement. However, Molly is a smart, feisty, independent heroine, and turn-of-the-century New York City is realistically portrayed, along with the Irish immigrant experience, in this appealing series by the author who also writes the Evan Evans mystery series. Sue O'Brien
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (December 7, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312989687
• ISBN-13: 978-0312989682
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #136,242 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rhys Bowen's books have been nominated for every major mystery award and she has won thirteen of them to date. She currently writes two historical mystery series, each very different in tone. The Molly Murphy mysteries feature an Irish immigrant woman in turn-of-the-century New York City. These books are multi-layered, complex stories with a strong sense of time and place and have won many awards including Agatha and Anthony. There are 10 book so far in this series plus the free Kindle story, The Amersham Rubies--a great way to introduce new readers to Molly's spunky personality.

Then there is Lady Georgie, Rhys's latest,and very popular, heroine. She's 34th in line to the throne of England, but she's flat broke and struggling to survive in the Great Depression. These books are lighter and funnier than Molly's adventures. They poke gentle fun at the British class system--about which Rhys knonws a lot, having married into an upper class family rather like Georgie's, with cousins with silly nicknames,family ghosts and stately homes. The fifth book, Naughty in Nice, is in stores now, and watch out for a big Christmas book in time for the 2012 holidays.
This year the series received the Readers Hoice Award for favorite mystery series.

Rhys was born in Bath, England and spent a lot of time growing up in Wales with her Welsh relatives. Those childhood experiences colored her first mystery series, about Constable Evans in the mountains of Snowdonia. 10 books including the Edgar nominee Evan's Gate. She has lived in Austria, Germany and Australia, but has called California her home for many years. She now escapes to a condo in Arizona during those cold California winters. When she's not writing she loves to travel, sing, hike and play the Celtic harp.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Molly's in Danger Again, December 10, 2002

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Death of Riley: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Hardcover)

It's been several months since Molly arrived in America, and she's still trying to find her nitch in New York City. Her strong will and sharp tongue have gotten in the way of several jobs. She has her heart set on becoming a PI to hunt lost relatives. After much persuasion, she starts to assist Paddy Riley with his PI business. But she hasn't been there too long before she walks into the office one day to find her new boss dead. Why was he murdered? Molly's determined to find out. Meanwhile, her relationship with Daniel hits a major snag. And her living situation gets very sticky when Seamus's relatives keep showing up.

I enjoyed the second in this historical fiction series. The author has done her research, and it shows. The detail is fantastic, and I was drawn into the world of 100 years ago. The plot moves better here then in the first in the series, and the subplots add the right mixture to the overall storyline. Molly's really grown on me, too. She's the right mix of stubbornness and the naiveté that would come from her previous life in a small Irish village. The historical aspect of this is done right as well, mixing real life people into the fictitious story.

I've recently been rediscovering my love of historical fiction, and this book is a perfect fit in that genre. Ms. Bowen seamlessly mixes history and mystery into an engrossing story.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Molly's at it again, February 24, 2003

By 

"tsm224" (Cleveland ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of Riley: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Hardcover)

Molly Murphy has decided after many failed attempts at employment to be an investigator. Since this is the early 1900's in NYC many find this announcement nonsense and dismiss it as foolish behavior. Well she meets Paddy and convinces him to give her a job cleaning his office. She bothers him everday about his
cases and ask question after question. Upon coming to work one day, she discovers a robbery in progress and her world is turned upside down. Molly manages to irritate everyone with her determination to find the criminal. Her actions place in her danger and it is up to Daniel Sullivan to rescue her from her
shortcomings. This sequel is not as tightly written as the debut novel. I found myself skimming the last third of the book as Molly actions were just over the top where the plot was headed. Bowen does manage to reel Molly in and the conclusion of the story was solid yet murky. Rating 7

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Molly is wonderful!!!, September 14, 2010

By 

tricia "Tricia" (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death of Riley (Molly Murphy Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Each and every Molly mystery is filled with historical information, which is fed ever so lightly and creates a realistic flavor. The characters are well developed, the stories well plotted and each a treasure in its own right. I read these 9 books in just 3 weeks. Once started, I couldn't stop! I am happy I read them in order, and you may want to consider this as well. Since many of them have been awarded mysteries top writing awards, I have created a list for you to read which book received which award, and placed them in order according to publication date in case you too would like to read them in order:
Murphy's Law (2001)
2001 Agatha Award for Best Novel
Finalist 2002 Mary Higgins Clark Award

Death of Riley (2002)
Finalist 2002 Agatha Award for Best Novel

For the Love of Mike (2003)
2004 Anthony Award for Best Historical Novel
Finalist 2004 Macavity Award for Best Novel

In Like Flynn (2005)
Finalist 2006 Macavity Award for Best Historical Novel

Oh Danny Boy (2006)
2007 Macavity Award for Best Historical Novel
Finalist 2007 Barry Award for Best Novel

In Dublin's Fair City (2007)

Tell Me, Pretty Maiden (2008)
Finalist 2009 Bruce Alexander Award

In a Gilded Cage (2009)
Finalist 2010 Bruce Alexander Award

The Last Illusion (2010)

I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did!!