Customer Reviews

The Last Illusion (Molly Murphy Mysteries)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Molly and Daniel are enjoying a rare evening out viewing some magicians perform. Molly is especially excited because Harry Houdini is supposed to be the headliner that night. But then tragedy strikes and a magician's assistant is sawed in half on stage before Houdini can even go on.

The next morning, Houdini's wife, Bess, appears at Molly's door. Bess is convinced that the "accident" the night before was intended as a warning to Houdini, who seems to be troubled ever since they got back from Europe. Molly agrees to help find out what is really happening and try to protect the famous magician. But then another suspicious accident happens on stage. Can Molly find out the truth in time to protect Houdini?

I've got to admit I was a little shocked with just how quickly this book started. We open at the theater with the first incident about to happen. And the plot never really slows down from there. I pieced together a few things before Molly, but I didn't get the complete picture until the end. The end did seem a bit abrupt, but that's my only real complaint.

The characters were their normal, charming selves. I just can't help but smile at the antics of some of Molly's more outrageous friends. I actually found myself siding with Daniel in some of his squabbles with Molly this time around, too, which means I might finally have forgiven him for some of his past actions.

This was another great entry I couldn't read fast enough. Fans of the series will be thrilled.

In 1903 in New York City Molly Murphy and her fiancé police captain Daniel Sullivan attend a magic show at the Miner's Theatre on the Bowery headlined by the great Harry Houdini. However, their night out on the town turns ugly when the stunt of sawing-a-lady-in-half by magician Signor Scarpelli goes awry even before Houdini was to perform.

Someone obviously tampered with Scarpelli's equipment before the performance. Even further shocking is the corpse of the magician's assistant disappears. Worried that the intended target was her spouse, Houdini's wife Bess hires Molly to investigate while Daniel directs his fiancée to stay out of the way of the official inquiry. When Houdini's act almost also ends fatalyl, Molly agrees with Bess that her husband is the prey for a maniacal predator.

Proving once again she is not a coddled women In a Gilded Cage, Molly investigates while Daniel, who also is on the case, pleading with her to stay out of it as it is dangerous. Their inquiries make for a superb historical whodunit that brings to life Manhattan at the turn of the previous century while also cleverly refreshed by having Houdini appear to be the victim.

Harriet Klausner

I always like historical fiction and have read all of the Molly Murphy books. This one was no exception but I thought it took a while to "catch" me. It ended with interest but I really took longer to read this than most books. Usually if I really like a book I will stay up late to read it. I did not do this until the very end. But, that said, I will read the next one.

The latest in Molly's escapades is as good as always. It will be interesting to see where life takes her once she and Daniel marry. This book involves the great Houdini, and as always, is full of suspense and interest.

Once again, Rhys Bowen has created a memorable story. The Last Illusion is the latest in the Molly Murphy series. As a female detective, in an era not accustomed to women holding positions of strength, her process almost produces a shout from the reader, "you go girl!"

It was quite fascinating to see Bowen take a delightful fictional character in Molly Murphy and synergize her with an actual historical figure, Harry Houdini. The writing was clever, informative and of the highest caliber.

A long time Rhys Bowen fan, I still recommend for first time readers that you start at the beginning and watch Molly grow and season throughout the entire series of nine books. You will not be disappointed but instead, enlightened and entertained.

The books in Bowen's Molly Murphy series should be read in order. Growing accustomed to the characters (and their quirks) as they develop is a big part of the enjoyment in reading these books. Molly is an Irish immigrant and private detective in early 20th century America, when women just didn't do such bold things. This time she is hired by Harry Houdini's wife to protect Houdini, without his knowledge. For a while, Molly fears she is in over her head, unable to detect whether circumstances are real or merely illusions created by the master himself. Interesting and fun!

Molly Murphy is back in Rhys Bowen's latest novel THE LAST ILLUSION. She brings back life in New York City at the turn of the last century. This time Molly is hired by Harry Houdini's wife to find out if someone is trying to kill her husband. This novel has magic, the theater and even the hint of possible spies. Ms. Bowen does it again with her detailed historical imagery, her colorful characters and an enjoyable plot. I simply adore these mysteries.

This is where, sadly, I have to part company with the series. As with most cozy mysteries, the author relies heavily on formula, but this author more than most, in both this as well as the "Royal Spyness" series. While I enjoyed the series initially, I soon felt that I was reading the same book over and over creating a case of "the law of diminishing returns", and I finally had to put this one down mid-read. The series also suffers from the dropping of very broad clues early on so that the reader can pretty much figure out whodunnit long before the main character doe, which isn't much fun. The author's "Evan Evans" series is by far the best .. I heartily recommend that series over the other two.

Still torn between her love for police officer Daniel Sullivan and her own need for independence, private investigator Molly Murphy and Sullivan attend a vaudeville performance where the famous Harry Houdini will perform one of the acts. But during the act before Houdini's, the magician's assistant is mortally wounded. It is through this gruesome crime that Molly meets Bess Houdini, who wishes to hire Molly to protect her husband--Bess fears this violent act is a further threat to her husband, whom she feels is being followed. Although Daniel tells her not to get involved, Molly complies with Bess' wish. And, sure enough, at the least someone appears to want Houdini dead--or at least out of business.

I usually gobble these stories up, but I found I had a lot of trouble getting through this one. Not sure if I just wasn't interested in the Houdini storyline or was a bit weary with Molly's wavering between her job and her man, although I find her predicament understandable given the era. Perhaps it was just because her friends Sid and Gus had so little time. Many interesting facts were included about Houdini and his family, including the technique of several magic tricks (fans of the television series REMEMBER WENN will be familiar with at least one), and at least one facet of his life I found very surprising; not to mention Bowen's descriptions of the New York heat wave were very evocative. Just was a bit ambivalent about the story as a whole. YMMV!

A nice series to entertain and educate. More than a cozy really, an enjoyable learning experience highlighting the pre WWI New York City era, people, and events.