Customer Reviews

Murphy's Law (Molly Murphy Mysteries)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Molly Murphy has just been given a get out of jail free card. Running because she's accidentally killed a man, she's offered the chance to take a woman's place on a boat bound for America. Once on board, she encounters a rude man and has a very public fight with him. When that man is murdered on Ellis Island, Molly finds herself and a new friend among the chief suspects. Frightened she might be sent back to face the hangman, she decides to find the real killer on her own. But can this new arrival find the killer in New York City when she doesn't know her way around and doesn't know anyone?

Molly is a head strong character who leaps first and considers the consequences later. It was fun watching her try to get herself out of several sticky situations. The setting, 1901 New York City, is brought to life, and I enjoyed learning a bit more about the time and place. My only real complaint is that the book took a while to get started. The plot starts slowly, but it picks up speed as it goes along.

As a fan of this author's Constable Evans books, I'm looking forward to reading more about Molly as well. There is potential here for another great series with another interesting setting. Write on, Ms. Bowen!

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen is the first book in the Molly Murphy mystery series. After accidentally killing a land owner, Molly Murphy must flee Ireland to avoid the gallows. She soon finds herself caught up with another family on their way to America, but once at Ellis Island, she's suspected of being involved with another murder, and the only way to clear her name is by finding the real killer. Bowen keeps things simple without extraneous detail, but her descriptions still shine, and Molly is a real character. There are no pretensions in Miss Murphy: she wants to live the good life, and she's not afraid to break a few rules to find it. I find Daniel Sullivan, the police detective in charge of the case, a little too good to be true, but future books will prove his worthiness for Molly. Molly is not a great detective, constantly putting herself in danger, leaping before looking, making all sorts of assumptions, but she's always entertaining.

I thought this was a very good book; easy reading and held
my interest. Couldn't put it down. Was happy I started with
the first, now I want to read them all in order. Highly recommend

Molly Murphy escapes to the United States after killing a man. She witnesses a murder onboard and tries to save one of her shipmates from being charged with it. During the police investigation, she meets a dashing police officer with a nice romance beginning. The story is predictable in many ways. However, it is quick, descriptive and predictable with a lively writing style that holds the reader's attention throughout. Molly is her own woman who will not be beaten down by her circumstances; this was definitely a challenge in the early 1900s in Ireland and the U.S. I'm definitely looking forward to#2.

I enjoyed the first of I hope many adventures of Molly Murphy. The heroine, escaping the hangman's noose in Ireland, escapes to America by pretending to be the mother of two children whose mother is diagnosed with Tuberculosis. The description of steerage class, the organized chaos of Ellis Island and differences of the various parts of New York City are well done. Some of the characters seemed to fit a generic mold, but through Molly's eyes they take on a new life. Her ability to survive and thrive makes her an interesting and terrific heroine. Here's hoping that her dream of being a detective doesn't get thwarted by fate or Daniel Sullivan. I couldn't put the book down and wondered when will the next one come out. May Molly have a long and happy life!!!!

This was my first book by Rhys Bowen so I had nothing to compare this book with. I thought it was really interesting and it kept me engrossed for the first half of the book. The second half seemed too unbelivable. Too many coincidences and I felt the end was way too simple.

Rhys Bowen's Evan Evans mysteries are fun but a little tooooo cozy for my tastes. I love historical mysteries, though, so I figured I'd try her new series featuring Molly Murphy. MURPHY'S LAW is a light, breezy read -- I got through it in two sittings. The depiction of Ellis Island and New York in the early 1900s is nicely done; you can really picture in your mind what it must have been like to arrive at the crowded immigration center, and then to make your way into the even-more-crowded, bustling streets where most newcomers to America lived in shabby tenements.

Bowen provides her heroine with a very good motivation to try to find who killed an Irishman at Ellis Island -- Molly is initially accused of the crime, and then a friend of hers becomes a suspect and is held in prison. Molly has a strong desire not to get in trouble with the law; she murdered a wealthy landowner in Ireland (albeit in self-defense), and would hang if she were deported back to her home country.

The end of the book neatly sets up the possibility of sequels, as Molly decides to become a detective of sorts. I'm a little concerned about her budding romance with a police detective -- that's so cliche! -- but I'll definitely be looking forward to the second Molly Murphy mystery.

This is the first in a series of period mysteries introducing Molly Murphy, an enterprising, turn of the twentieth century Irish woman who comes to America to escape the law in Ireland, having committed a serious crime in self-defense. Set in the early 1900s, the book is replete with period detail. Those who enjoy mysteries and historical fiction will find much to enjoy in this Agatha Award winning novel.

When Molly arrives in America, she immediately comes under the scrutiny of law enforcement, as a fellow passenger, with whom she had had a public argument, is murdered on Ellis Island. She meets Captain Daniel Sullivan in the process, and her Irish charm makes an indelible impression upon him.

Molly manages to leave Ellis Island under her own steam but, wary that she might be a suspect, she is determined to find the killer on her own. Her search takes her through various New York neighborhoods, all with a flavor of their own. She also gets to know Captain Daniel Sullivan a bit better, and the sparks fly.

This book certainly held my interest and made me want to read the other books in this series. With a well-plotted storyline, a host of interesting characters, and a plucky, intelligent heroine, this appears to be a promising series of books. Molly Murphy is a character that is here to stay.

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!!

I've been a fan of Rhys Bowen for awhile - I really enjoyed her Evan Evans series (Ms. Bowen does a marvelous job of capturing Wales and the Welsh, with all their quirky charm). Molly Murphy is even better. In reading this book, I felt transported to early 20th century New York, with its wild mix of raw immigrants all jostling together toward a new country. And Molly is a great heroine - modern and feisty enough to be continually interesting, but not so modern as to seem anachronistic. Oh, and the mystery was good, too! ;-)