Customer Reviews

Murphy's Law

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

First of all let me point out that this book has nothing to do with the well known Murphy's Law :)

Although the mystery part of the plot is not extremely elaborated, this book is worth reading. The author describes New York in the times were the Irish were immigrating to the city in a way that keeps you intersted throughout the book.

Very good choice for light reading!

British born author Rhys Bowen has written a fun and cozy chronicle of murder and intrigue on Ellis Island at the turn of the last Century. Her new Irish-American heroine, firebrand Molly Murphy, is fun to follow along the East Side, West Side and all around the Town on the Sidewalks of old New York. She's on the trail of a murderer. Does it have to do with "The Troubles" back home in Ireland? 'Tis a good choice for a light St. Paddy's Day fare. Reviewed by TundraVision.

Murphy's Law begins as the heroine, Irish red-head Molly Murphy, flees her home after accidentally committing a murder. She makes her way to America where she stumbles into the middle of another murder, this time as an ameteur investigator.
Molly's tale was somewhat entertaining and an easy read, but I felt cheated by both the beginning and the end of the story. The author omits a beginning scene that could have been wonderfully dramatic, the accidental murder of the landlord. While the details of the event are given later in the story, I felt I missed out on the drama that occured.
The second murder, which occurs on Ellis Island upon Molly's arrival to America, is tied up so quickly that I flipped back and re-read the ending to make sure I didn't miss anything. Apparently this was meant to leave the reader intrigued enough to purchase the next book in the series, but I, again, felt that I was cheated out of a resolution.
While I enjoyed the character of Molly and her friends, I felt their adventures were rather unbelievable. I do not plan to buy the next book in the series.

This is a surprisingly interesting book to read, and it has a little bit of everything to entertain just about everyone looking for a light-hearted book to pass the evening: the brief description on Ireland in the early 20th century is interesting, as is the scene on Ellis Island immigration station and the immigrant filled New York City of the time. One also gets some fairly interesting detective/mystery intertwined with romance. The reader follows the likable heroine, a young independent minded Irish woman, on her adventures and cannot help but root for her to find safety, securing and warmth in this strange city.

I hesitate to call this book a historical novel, even though the story develops against a historical background. Something about the dialogues, the innocent (but educated) heroine's observations seem to lack authenticity. Instead of hearing the heroine's voice set in the 1900s, I seem to hear the author's voice and see through the author's much better-informed-view.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading it.

Bowen brings Ellis Island to life with colorful characters and a building bustling with life. He carries over these details in showing the reading what NYC was like in the early 1900's. Molly is on the run from England for killing a man trying to protect her virtue. She meets a woman who is unable to travel to America with her children and rejoin her husband. Molly assumes her identity and all goes well until a man alludes to knowing her secret and making her life miserable. Upon arriving at Ellis she is almost free when the ship is detained due to a murder. After convincing the lead detective to release her to her husband even though he thinks she is hiding the killer she decides to seek out the truth. At this point Bowen loses a little creditability. In this era women didn't have a voice and running around the city like Molly did is a little hard to swallow. Rhys redeems himself by planting many reasons for the murder throughout the plot
and serves up quite an array of suspects. The ending was a splash and left the door wide open to sequels. Rating 9

In her new series, Rhys Bowen introduces us to Molly Murphy, a wonderful and likeable young lady who arrives on Ellis Island under the most unusual circumstances and who then proceeds to make a life for herself in New York at the turn of the century.
Such a change of pace and place for Rhys Bowen shows great versatility and makes for two series that I am now hooked on.
Speaking of place, you are there on Ellis Island and New York. Much research must have gone into this book to make it so vivid and so real life.
I can't wait for more--I'll take another Molly Murphy or Evan Evans any time knowing I'm going to be entertained and even educated.

Rhys Bowen usually writes delightful, light-hearted mysteries featuring Constable Evans of the contemporary Welsh police. Here she introduces us to Molly Murphy, a turn-of-the-century Irish lass who moves to New York under the most unusual circumstances. Fleeing the police after she accidentally kills an abusive suitor, she is asked to accompany two children to America when their mother cannot meet the health requirements for emigration.

A man is murdered when the ship docks in Ellis Island. Molly was seen arguing with the man, and she has even more motive for murder than the police realize. To save herself and her new shipboard friend, Molly ventures into some unsavory neighborhoods and asks impertinent questions.

Bowen is an experienced writer who knows how to keep her characters moving smoothly. The solution of the crime, as well as Molly's new romatic interest, rely a little too much on coincidence. Yet the potentially grim setting is leavened by Bowen's understated humor and the pages turn quickly. Readers who appreciate good writing, historical detail and an undemanding plot will not be disappointed.

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!

Molly Murphy is a peasant Irish girl who is trying to escape the guillotine after killing a landowner's son in self-defense. She flees to London where circumstances lead her to an unscheduled, but welcome voyage to America with two small children and a new identity. Unfortunately for Molly, she is once again accused of a crime, one she did not commit, and must use what little resources and energy she has left to clear her name in a city where she is a new immigrant and all alone. Save for a kind police captain, and sheer determination, Molly has no one and nothing to help her as she enters the dangerous streets of 19th Century New York in search of the truth.

Rhys Bowen has created a charming heroine in Molly Murphy. This first series installment is entertaining and well-written. The storyline carries few surprises and plenty of coincidences, but they work well with the characters and setting. Readers of Anne Perry rejoice!