Customer Reviews

For the Love of Mike (Molly Murphy Mysteries)

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

 

 

Molly is bravely trying to continue on with Riley's detective agency. But she finds divorce cases to be completely distasteful. Just as she's resolved to put them behind her, she gets an assignment to go undercover in the sweatshops to find out who is stealing designs from one man and selling them to his competitor. Then she is asked to find a young woman who ran away to America with her boyfriend. Molly is thrilled since finding missing relatives is exactly what she wanted to do all along. Now she just has to figure out how to balance the two since working in the sweatshops means working all day and the streets of 1901 New York City certainly aren't safe for a woman alone at night.

As if her life already weren't complicated enough, she still feels a responsibility to the O'Connors for her opportunity to come to America in the first place. They are once again living with their cousins, and Shamey is joining a gang. She feels she needs to figure out a way to get them into a better environment. Her already complicated love life gets another wrinkle. And she can't help but sympathize with the girls she's working with in the garment factories. Even though she needs to keep quiet, she feels she must do something to help make their lives better. With a little bit of Irish luck, she just might be able to pull it all off and come out alive on the other end.

Obviously, this is not your traditional mystery novel. As much time is spent on life in 1901 as on the cases themselves. But, as a result, Molly's world comes vividly to life. And there is so much going on you can't put the book down. Heck, I read it in little over a day myself. The pace never slackens, and there are quite a few tense scenes. Molly has really grown on me as a character, and I loved seeing her friends and adopted family again. This book does talk about the ending of the last book, so it's best to read the series in order.

If you're looking for a murder and five suspects, look elsewhere. If you want a historical mystery that will transport you to another time and place while entertaining you, this is the book for you.

I loved DEATH OF RILEY and FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE firmly establishes Molly Murphy as a woman to be reckoned with! Dauntless in her pursuit of criminals, Molly never loses her warmth or compassion. She is a character of many dimensions and a woman who will not turn away from the inequities of her times. This is a wonderful series filled with exhaustive research that portrays a window of New York in the early years of the 20th century so vivid, you can hear the rustle of long skirts and the snap of a parasol.

In 1901 private detective Molly Murphy decides to remain in New York City in spite of the recent death of her boss, Paddy Riley (see DEATH OF RILEY). Her plan is to continue Riley's detective agency though she lacks experience, having never flown solo.

Her first case without her mentor involves someone who is stealing the designs sketches of lower Manhattan's Mostel and Klein garment factory. Even worse, their biggest competitor Lowenstein is getting their garbs into the stores first. Molly goes undercover learning first hand how intense a sewing job can be in a sweatshop. While still trying to discover the thief she begins a second case. Her client Major Favisham sent her a letter from Ireland to find his daughter Katherine who sailed to New York with a bum Michael Kelly. Unbelievable at least to Molly, her two cases begin connecting even as the danger mounts to her.

Although this is in some ways darker than the previous two novels, this is a tremendous historical mystery. The star is a gritty New York at the turn of the previous century. The story line is cleverly designed so that the two subplots merge into a cohesive tale. The additions of a police officer romantic interest and Molly's just two steps above amateur status make for a delightful experience.

Harriet Klausner

Rhys Bowen's third novel in the award-winning Molly Murphy mystery series is a story sure to be recognized on its own merit. A combination of Murphy's Irish temper, loyalty to her chosen profession and stubbornness make for good reading.

After the death of her mentor, Murphy sticks with her attempt to earn a living as a female private detective in turn-of-the-century New York City. When she stakes out a client's husband as a possible wife-cheater, her troubles multiply. She's not welcome in bars or on the street late at night, places necessary for a private eye to operate. More than once, she is harassed by the New York City Police who mistake her for a criminal. Murphy is reluctant to seek help from her former lover, Captain Daniel Sullivan, at the precinct. But more than once he intervenes on her behalf.

Murphy's spunky spirit pulls her out of the doldrums on numerous occasions. At a time when she is penniless, without a client and nearly giving up, an opportunity comes her way to persevere. She's involved in the women's rights issues of the day when she takes on a case to locate a mole in the garment industry. Labor unions, gangland mischief and further tangles with the law become her daily companions.

At the same time, Murphy has accepted a missing person search for a family in Ireland. Their daughter, Katherine, has fled to the United States with her lover, Michael. Her father has reason to think that the runaways may have gone to New York City. Murphy's research leads her to a dead end. It appears as if the girl and her husband may have been murdered. However, Murphy doggedly follows any lead that might promise a positive outcome.

Bowen's Murphy is determined, relentless, plucky, pretty and definitely possesses an Irish temperament. She is stubborn when offered help, preferring her own instincts for survival. The men in her life seek to protect her, but she sees their attempts as interference. Jacob Singer vies with Capt. Sullivan for Murphy's love, but she puts her job ahead of them both. There is no satisfaction for the reader who wants a neat romantic knot tied.

FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE is full of the flavor of New York City at the turn of the century. Sweatshop turmoil and the plight of the lower end immigrant worker are given colorful treatment. The infancy of labor union struggles and women's suffrage movements are well documented. FOR THE LOVE OF MIKE is a well-paced and well-researched mystery novel that leaves the invitation open to the next book in the Molly Murphy series.

--- Reviewed by Judy Gigstad

In addition to the wonderful character of Molly Murphy, I love the descriptions of old NY (of course, I AM a NYer!) esp the conditions of sweatshops, the backbone (and scarlet letter) of the garment industry. many people think of the fancy mansions and the Astors when they think of that time period, before they think of the slums and inquality that existed at the time.

also, nice samuel clemens name dropping!

Molly Murphy gets her first real job in the bowels of the New York garment factories. Can Molly survive many six day weeks of twelve hour days in a sweatshop?

For the Love of Mike is a great sequel to Murphy's Law. This story is full of suspense and intrigue, and the descriptions of New York in 1901 are realistic and colorful.

For the Love of Mike tells the story of Molly Murphy as she strives for success in her chosen profession of private investigator. Molly is ahead of her time and continually receives discouraging remarks from the police and most men she encounters. Molly is stubborn and continues to try to become a success.

In this story Molly gets two commissions as an investigator. The first job is to investigate the theft of dress designs. Max Mostel, the owner of a garment factory believes someone is stealing his designs. Mostel asks Molly to find the spy and gather evidence to prove the crime. So Molly decides to work undercover in garment factories to discover the facts.

Molly's second commission appears to fit her dreams exactly. She gets a request from a wealthy Englishman to find his daughter who fled to America. Molly pursues this case vigorously. With two commissions, Molly Murphy enthusiastically charges into her work.
Rhys Bowen provides us brilliant descriptions of New York City and its neighborhoods. Bowen's detailed picture of work in a sweatshop clearly shows the horrible working conditions and helpless position of the young women who slaved in the garment industry in the early 1900s. For the Love of Mike is worth noting simply for its clear but gruesome picture of existence in the sweatshops of the garment industry.

Molly jumps into one dangerous situation after another. Several situations almost cause Molly to quit her profession and seek safer work. Molly learns that some of the wealthy believe that money buys anything. She also learn that some of the affluent will resort to despicable actions to protect their wealth.

I highly recommend For the Love of Mike. It is a well written story with clear characters, lots of suspense, intrigue and heart stopping action.

Feisty red-head Molly Murphy, a turn of the twentieth century immigrant in America, is trying to achieve the American dream. A woman ahead of her time, she is determined to become a private detective, despite the serious misgivings of her handsome, on-again, off-again, sometimes boyfriend, New York City Police Captain Daniel Sullivan.

Whether working undercover in a sweatshop to determine who is stealing the firm's designs or tracking runaways, Molly is on her game. As she bravely wends her way through the teeming streets of New York City in 1901, running up against some of the gangs that ruled the streets in those days, Molly applies all of her moxie and street smarts to getting the job done, but not without grave danger to herself.

The author has penned herself a sure fire winner with this series of historical cozy mysteries. As with all cozy mysteries, it is not so much the mystery that is of import but the characters that revolve around the mystery. While the mystery is intriguing, it is the framework around which the characters evolve. In the character of Molly Murphy, the author has created a character who is bound to win many fans.

Mystery, suspense, action, friendships and romance are interwoven so well that it will make you hours late for whatever you were supposed to be doing or wherever you were supposed to be. Watch out or you will finish the book without having meant to. Do yourself a favor and start the book during the weekend!

I have read all the molloy murphy mysteries and recommend them to any good mystery buff. The books move well and the plot is well developed with great twists and turns.

The history of this book transports you back to the turn of the century New York. Molly is a women that I would like to know. In fact she might have been my great grandmother.