Murphy's Law (Molly Murphy Series #1)

( 52 )

Overview


Murphy's Law is the captivating first entry of Rhys Bowen’s New York Times bestselling Molly Murphy series

Molly Murphy always knew she'd end up in trouble, just as her mother predicted. So, when she commits murder in self-defense, she flees her cherished Ireland, under cover of a false identity, for the anonymous shores of late nineteenth-century America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to ...

See more details below
Paperback (First Edition)
$12.20
BN.com price
(Save 18%)$14.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up in Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (25) from $5.16   
  • New (16) from $8.03   
  • Used (9) from $5.16   
Murphy's Law (Molly Murphy Series #1)

Available on NOOK devices and apps  
  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK HD/HD+ Tablet
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for Windows 8 Tablet
  • NOOK for iOS
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK for Windows 8
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for Web

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

NOOK Book (eBook)
$7.99
BN.com price

More About This Book

Overview


Murphy's Law is the captivating first entry of Rhys Bowen’s New York Times bestselling Molly Murphy series

Molly Murphy always knew she'd end up in trouble, just as her mother predicted. So, when she commits murder in self-defense, she flees her cherished Ireland, under cover of a false identity, for the anonymous shores of late nineteenth-century America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to breathe easier. But when a man is murdered on Ellis Island, a man Molly was seen arguing with, she becomes a prime suspect in the crime.

If she can't clear her name, Molly will be sent back to Ireland where the gallows await, so using her Irish charm and sharp wit, she escapes Ellis Island and sets out to find the wily killer on her own. Pounding the notorious streets of Hell's Kitchen and the Lower East Side, Molly undertakes a desperate mission to clear her name before her deadly past comes back to haunt her new future.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Praise for the Molly Murphy series

“For pure entertainment value, Rhys Bowen simply cannot be beat. . .Her skill as a storyteller is almost unmatched.”
—Robin Agnew, Ann Arbor Living

“Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavor of early 20th-century New York and bringing to life its warm and human inhabitants.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Bowen tells a phenomenal story.”
—Romantic Times (Top Pick)

“Molly grows ever more engaging against a vibrant background of New York’s dark side at the turn of the century.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Publishers Weekly
The prolific Bowen, creator of Welsh constable Evan Evans (Evan Can Wait; Evan and Elle; etc.), relies a bit too much on coincidence but conveys a nice sense of place and period in this debut of a new historical series with its spunky, 19th-century Irish heroine, Molly Murphy. Defending herself from the unwelcome advances of the local landowner's son, Molly accidentally kills him and flees her village to escape hanging. She heads for the anonymity of London, where a twist of fate introduces her to Kathleen O'Connor. Kathleen has two small children and tickets for a ship to America, where she plans to join her husband. But knowing they won't let her on the ship because of her tuberculosis, Kathleen persuades the desperate Molly to take her children to America. On board, Molly attracts the loud attentions of a crude, boisterous type named O'Malley. Her public argument with him comes back to haunt her when he is found murdered on Ellis Island; Molly becomes a prime suspect, along with a young man she befriended. The handsome young policeman investigating the case, Daniel Sullivan, appears to believe Molly's protestations of innocence, but Molly decides her she'd better investigate on her own behalf and that of her friend. Wending her way through a vivid, Tammany Hall-era New York, Molly struggles to prove her innocence, aided by one coincidence after another. (Oct. 15) Forecast: Bowen's solid reputation will generate strong sales for this series debut, though Constable Evans fans should beware that the gentle humor of those novels is lacking here. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
Publishers Weekly
In Bowen's second Molly Murphy adventure (after 2001's Agatha-winning Murphy's Law), the spirited Irish immigrant is determined to bring a killer to justice and, in doing so, break all the rules for proper young ladies amid 1901 New York City society. As Molly's beau, Daniel Sullivan, New York's youngest police captain, informs her, "women do not become investigators." Molly attempts to follow Daniel's advice rather than her own desires by taking a more appropriate position as companion to an elderly lady friend of the Sullivan family. The job is short-lived when Molly learns that her Daniel is already engaged to the old lady's niece. But the fury of the woman scorned spurs her to pursue her own dream, and she lands a job with PI Paddy Riley. Also short-lived is her new employer, as Molly barely escapes death when she interrupts Paddy's murderer searching his office. The police show little interest in solving the case, making Molly doubly committed to solving the crime on her own. Molly's hunt leads her to Greenwich Village's artsy community and results in her posing as a nude model. Bowen nicely blends history and fiction as she whisks Molly into a plot involving anarchists and even the assassination of President McKinley. This light romantic mystery should please most cozy fans. (Dec. 16) FYI: Bowen is also the author of Evans to Betsy (Forecasts, Feb. 18) and five other novels in her mystery series featuring Welsh constable Evan Evans. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781250014085
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press
  • Publication date: 1/22/2013
  • Series: Molly Murphy Series , #1
  • Edition description: First Edition
  • Edition number: 1
  • Pages: 240
  • Sales rank: 180357
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.10 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Meet the Author

Rhys Bowen

RHYS BOWEN is author of the Anthony and Agatha Award-winning Molly Murphy mysteries, the Edgar Award-nominated Evan Evans series, and the Royal Spyness series. Born in England, she lives in San Rafael, California.

Read More Show Less

Read an Excerpt


One That mouth of yours will be getting you into big trouble one day.”
My mother started saying that as soon as I could talk. It turns out she wasn’t far wrong. By the time I was ten my refusal to hold my tongue had almost gotten us thrown out of our cottage. And a week before I turned twenty-three, I was on the run, wanted for murder.
The rhythmic puffing of the engine calmed me back to my senses. I had no clear memory of getting to the train station, but the pain in my ribs when I tried to breathe and the way I could feel my dress sticking to my back told me that I must have run every step of those five miles. About the state of the front of my dress I chose not to think. I pulled my shawl more tightly around me and glanced at the other people in my compartment. An old farm couple with weathered red cheeks already dozing in the far corner, a young mother with two lively little ones, plus another on the way, and a priest. He returned my glance and I looked away hastily, just in case priests could somehow read thoughts—or extract confessions. Wouldn’t he be surprised to hear mine right now?
Every time the conductor walked through the train and glanced into my compartment, I was sure he was looking for me. I But then that was stupid, wasn’t it? Justin Hartley was lying dead on my own kitchen floor but nobody would even know he was missing yet. My father and my little brothers weren’t due home until evening and Justin was hardly likely to have told anybody at the big house where he was going. I couldn’t picture him saying at breakfast, over the deviled kidneys or whatever disgusting dish the upper class had eaten this morning, “I’m just off down to the peasants’ cottages to have my way with Molly Murphy.”
So I had a few hours yet to make my escape. This train would take me all the way to Belfast. And then I probably had just enough money for a boat to England. After that, I couldn’t say. Maybe I’d be able to lose myself in a big city like Liverpool. Maybe I wouldn’t. Likely as not the police would catch up with me soon enough. It wouldn’t be too hard to spot an Irish girl on the run, especially one with flame red hair like mine. Since I knew nobody in England, I had nowhere to hide. So it was only a matter of time, but I was going to go on running as long as I could. I’ve never been known to give up on anything without a good fight.
I stared out of the carriage window. It was a picture perfect day, sky like blue glass, sparkling clear, with just a hint of frost in the air—the sort of day that doesn’t happen often in our Irish winters. The sort of day that would have made me rush through my chores, put the stew on the stove, and be off to walk along the cliff tops, with the wind at my back and the ocean at my feet. The sort of day when the gentry would be out, riding to hounds. A picture of Justin in his red coat flashed into my head. I’d always thought how handsome he looked in his red coat. I suppose I’d been a little in love with him when I was younger. Lord knows I never meant to kill him. I could almost feel that priest’s eyes boring into the back of my head as I stared out of the window.
Green fields dotted with fine horses in them flashed past. The horses looked up in alarm as the fire-breathing monster approached, kicked up their heels, and ran off. How well they looked. If I could run that fast they’d not find it so easy to catch me.
When they did catch me, it would mean the rope around my neck—not much doubt about that. My hand went instinctively to my throat and I shuddered. Did you feel anything when they hanged you? Was it all over in an instant? Would it hurt? They certainly wouldn’t listen to my side of the story. I’d killed an English landowner’s son. That had to be a hanging offense, even if I was just trying to preserve my honor. But then peasant girls have no honor, do they? As Justin said, I belonged to him as much as any of his farm animals. I couldn’t think of anyone who’d speak for me. Not my da—he’d be angry enough when he found I helped myself to the emergency fund in the teapot on the mantelpiece. It was supposed to be secret. We children all knew about it, of course, but the thought of my father’s leather belt across our backsides had prevented us from dipping into it. Right now a leather belt across the backside seemed a good sort of punishment compared with what else might be waiting for me. My hand strayed to my neck again.
No, I wouldn’t be counting on any sympathy from my da. He’d probably say I was leading Justin on with my loose ways. My loose ways had never stretched beyond going dancing on a Saturday night and maybe letting a boy walk me home, but that was enough for my father. In his day girls never talked back to their elders and never went out dancing without a chaperon. I did both. Frequently.
If my ma had still been alive, she’d have said I asked for it, too—always did have big ideas beyond my station and a mouth that was going to get me into trouble. It’s a pity she hadn’t lived long enough to say “I told you so.” She’d have enjoyed that.
It suddenly came to me that I was completely on my own. Our relatives were either dead or emigrated to other lands. I had no real friends in the village of Ballykillin anymore. The other girls I’d played with when I was little were long married to local clodhopping louts without a thought in their head but food, beer, and bed. Myself, I was holding out for something better, although I wasn’t sure where I’d find it. The funny thing was that those girls pitied me—I was the spinster, too old for anyone to want me and hopelessly on the shelf. I’d drifted apart from them long ago, of course, when I was chosen for schooling at the big house with the landowner’s two girls. Not that I could call Miss Vanessa and Miss Henrietta my friends, either. They’d always managed to make me feel like an interloper—in their well-bred, genteel way, of course. And now they’d gone off into English society and only managed a polite nod when their carriages passed me.
So I had no one on my side in the whole wide world. It was a frightening thought, but challenging, too. It meant I owed nothing to anyone. I was free of Ballykillin, free of all that cooking and cleaning for four ungrateful males, free to be who I pleased . . . if I could only get far enough away to start over. One thing was sure—I didn’t intend to die yet.
It was late afternoon by the time we pulled into Belfast station. I covered my head in my shawl and blended in with all the women coming out of the linen factories, allowing myself to be swept along with the tide until I could make my way to the docks. Nobody stopped me as I got on the boat, but I kept my head covered and my face well hidden all the way across to England. I didn’t sleep more than a wink all night, and by the time the coast of England appeared in the cold morning light I was hollow eyed and groggy.
Then I was there, in a strange city, a strange country, with fourpence in my pocket and no idea what to do next. As I came down the gangplank I looked across to see a big, beautiful ship with two fine funnels.
“Look, there’s the Majestic. White Star Line,” I heard a woman behind me saying. “You know—the one the O’Shea’s boy is sailing on to America.”
America, I thought with a wistful smile. That’s where I’d be headed if I had more than fourpence in my pocket. Irish boys were always running off to America when they got themselves involved in the troubles with the English. I stepped out of the stream of passengers for a moment and stared up at that fine ship. My but she was huge. Standing there on the dock and looking up was like looking up the tallest cliffs I’d ever seen. You could put the whole of Ballykillin in her and then have room enough left for a couple of cathedrals.
The tide of people jostled around me, sweeping me onward and out of the docks. Then the crowd dispersed, as if by magic, and I found myself alone, facing a wide promenade lined with tall, elegant buildings, the likes of which I’d only seen in pictures before. One of them even had columns at the front, like a Roman temple. There were carriages outside them, and hansom cabs and ladies in big, beautiful hats and fur-trimmed capes strolling past. I forgot that I was penniless and on the run, and I stood there, savoring the moment. I was really in a city at last and it looked just how I had imagined it! The building with the columns had a sign on it saying Cunard Line. The other, even taller in red-and-white brick, White Star Line. Both their balconies were draped in black. It took me a moment to realize that England was still mourning the death of the old queen, now over a month in her grave. Yes, the flags were still flying at half-mast. I hadn’t seen any such public displays over in Ireland, in fact I heard there had been dancing in the streets in Dublin. But then Victoria had never shown any particular love for the Irish, had she? Not that we hoped the new king Edward would be any better for us . . .
I was gazing up at those big buildings as I crossed the street. A blaring horn made me jump out of my skin as something low and sleek and powerful roared past me. So that was a motorcarl I stood watching it in admiration as it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. One day I’d have one of those, I decided, until I remembered that I was a criminal, on the run and not likely to be alive much longer if I didn’t use my wits. At least I was in a big city now. I should be able to blend in with the thousands of Irish who lived here already. I’d get myself a job in a factory, find myself a room, and maybe I’d be just fine. Maybe.
I set off, wandering the back streets. I’d never even been in a city before—until yesterday in Belfast, of course, but Belfast wasn’t half the size of this, and I’d been too frightened about getting caught to notice anything. I’d dreamed all my life of going to live in Dublin, or even London, in a fine house with my own carriage, and servants, lots of servants—always one for big dreams, I was, only they weren’t exactly turning out the way I’d planned.
I soon decided that cities weren’t all they were cracked up to be. Oh, to be sure, there were the grand houses along the waterfront, but a couple of streets back and it was a very different picture. Lots of gray, dirty streets with smoke hanging over them like a pall. It wasn’t like the sweet, herby peat smoke of home. It turned the air brown, and the burned, bitter smell stuck in my nostrils.
I walked and walked. All those houses so close together—rows and rows of them crammed into the dark shadow behind the big wharf buildings. Tired, gray-looking women standing in doorways with babies on their hips. Hard-faced children playing in the streets. One of them threw a rock at me, then fled when I turned on him. I was suddenly feeling hungry but I had no money for food. First a job, then I eat, I told myself.
By the end of the day I was back in the dockside area, still hungry and still jobless. I’d found plenty of factories but they all had signs outside saying, No Workers Needed or, even worse, No Irish Need Apply.
The gray morning had turned into a rainy afternoon, not the gentle refreshing rain of my home in county Mayo, but a soot-laden drizzle that painted dirty streaks down my cheeks and spattered my white cuffs. A bitter wind was blowing off the ocean. My feet were hurting me. I was cold, tired, and hungry. The fear that I’d managed to keep at bay until now was seeping through. They’d surely be looking for me by now. If I didn’t find a place to hide they’d find me soon enough and then it would be all over. Exotic smells came from the tall wharf buildings, spices and scents that conjured up distant ports. Maybe I’d be lucky enough to find an open door and a place to sleep for the night. Maybe something to eat, too.
I was making my way down a narrow alley, trying one door after another when I looked back and saw blue uniforms and helmets behind me. Two policemen were following me. I threw my shawl over my head and quickened my pace, but their heavy footsteps echoed from the high brick walls as they came after me. The alley turned a corner. So did they. Then I saw that I was trapped. It was a blind alley—high walls were all around me and the only way out was blocked by those two policemen. A door on my right was open a crack, although no light shone out. I had to take my chances. I pushed it open and stepped inside.
Read More Show Less

Table of Contents

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 52 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(27)

4 Star

(20)

3 Star

(3)

2 Star

(1)

1 Star

(1)
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 52 Customer Reviews

  • Posted Tue Dec 09 00:00:00 EST 2008

    more from this reviewer

    Descriptive historical mystery

    Though her family is farmers in Ballykillion, Ireland, Molly Murphy received an education way beyond the normal level for her station in life. When her mother died, her education and her dreams died too as Molly takes over running the house for her father and brothers. Now, twenty-three, Molly flees her home when she accidentally kills the landowner¿s son Justin Hartley by shoving him away from her when he tried to rape her. He fell and hit his head. <P>Molly reaches Liverpool where Kathleen O¿Connor, dying from consumption, offers a fresh start. Molly escorts Kathleen¿s two young children across the Atlantic to their father pretending to be their mother. On the overcrowded ship, Molly meets the odious O¿Malley who knows she is not Kathleen and the young kindhearted Michael Larkin. At Ellis Island, Molly and her charges await approval to leave for New York City when someone kills O¿Malley. Molly and Michael who had public run-ins with the nasty victim are the prime suspects especially since she was seen near the male dorm, the crime scene locale. Molly knows she must prove her innocence though all the evidence makes her seem guilty. <P> MURPHY¿S LAW is a superb historical mystery starring a delightful cast, but what make this tale so good is the descriptions of the era. The ship voyage and the time on Ellis Island are so vivid; readers will taste the salt air. The mystery is also cleverly conceived leading sub-genre fans to conclude that Rhys Bowen is quite a talent (see her Evan Evans series if a reader has doubts). <P>Harriet Klausner

    2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Mar 20 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    great read!!

    You know it is a good book if you are sorry that you have finished the last page!
    References to the historical period make it all the more believable.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Oct 12 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Another great story

    After reading Murphy's Law I couldn't wait to get the next one!!!
    Rhys Bowen has become my favorite author. Her characters are amazing; plot is suspenseful; and when you get to the end she leaves you wanting more. I highly recommend all her series.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    A good easy read.

    Nice, leaves you wanting more. I am pretty much a prude and I could read this.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Mar 20 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    more from this reviewer

    The characters are stereotypical but it's a promising beginning

    This is the first book in the Molly Murphy mystery series, and while the characters from Molly on down are somewhat stereotypical, and the plot twists a bit too coincidental, this is still a worthwhile story and a good beginning to what sounds like a promising series.

    Molly is your typical flame-haired Irish lass at the turn of the last century who, having accidentally killed the son of her "landlord" while fighting off his none-too-subtle advances, has fled her homeland for the wilds of early twentieth-century New York. It would take too long to explain how she managed to get there, but on the ship she meets a boorish lout who goes by the name of O'Malley. This same boorish lout winds up dead shortly after the ship docks at Ellis Island, and through circumstances too convoluted to explain here Molly becomes a suspect in his murder.

    All of the characters in this story, from police captain Daniel Sullivan to Alderman McCormack, and including Molly herself, sound like Barry Fitzgerald clones - but the story still flows logically and you worry about Molly and what kind of danger she's going to get into in the next chapter. And the ending reads exactly like a pilot for a TV series - but how else is Bowen going to explain Molly's chosen profession for the remainder of her series?

    Bear in mind that Bowen is no Agatha Christie and you'll do just fine.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2007

    Not disappointed

    The characters are believable. You pull for Molly from the start. Her character epitomizes the Irish immigrant. The historical background is great.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Apr 19 00:00:00 EDT 2013

    more from this reviewer

    I didn't think I would care for this book before I started, but

    I didn't think I would care for this book before I started, but oh how that changed as I began reading it. It seemed that I became easily
    hooked and desperate to continue reading just to find out what was going to happen next. It was so good that I will not hesitate to continue
    on with the series.

    I found that the story moved along quite nicely and kept the reader hanging in all the right spots in order to necessitate the desire to never
    put the book down until it's finished. However, it was a very easy, smooth flowing, read! It was extremely understandable and concise! I
    thought that Rhys Bowen wrote a beautifully hanging ending that draws the reader in, leaving them with the desperate feeling to continue to
    the next book. The story is a wonderful historical mystery that gives the reader another look at immigration and Ireland and New York in the
    early 1900's! It appears that Bowen did her research for writing this book and it shows in her writing!

    The characters were well developed, each with their own story. You had your typical protagonists as well as plenty of antagonists to keep
    the characters interesting. 

    Overall, this was a very easy, quick read, that leaves you with the feeling like you can't get enough and wanting more! This sounds like a
    very promising series to continue!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Wed Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2012

    .

    .

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sun Mar 18 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    Reading this book was a nice light break from life. It takes pla

    Reading this book was a nice light break from life. It takes place in Ireland and New York City, Molly Murphy is running from the terrible thing that happened to her in her hometown back in Ireland, she doesn't know what she is going to do until she runs into Kathleen O'Malley. The hijinks start from there and they go on, there is enough intrigue and mystery and I found myself thinking of Mrs. Marple who is one of my favorite literary sleuths. The book is so descriptive that you can almost smell the stinky tenements and the food sold by vendors on the street. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Thu Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2012

    A fun page turner back in time

    This first book got me hooked on the series. The author has two other different series of books that are unique and enjoyable. However this is my favorite! I love Rhys Bowens description of turn of the century New York along with following Molly as she gets into all kinds of trouble... Suitable for teen+

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Fri Mar 09 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Highly Recommended

    An excellent book

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Mon Feb 27 00:00:00 EST 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Bowen's prose brings the city as it was to life

    Murhpy's Law is the first novel in Rhys Bowen's series of Molly Murphy mysteries. (Bowen was previously known for her popular Constable Evan Evans mysteries.) Set in New York City at the turn of the century (ie. the 19th century), this mystery is rich with historical details about New York and the immigrant experience while also being an entertaining, suspenseful read.

    Although Molly Murphy dreams of leaving behind her small life in a small Ireland coast town, she never really thinks she'll get away. Certainly not to bustling New York City. But, when Molly kills a man (in self-defense), fleeing the country seems to be her only option.

    Traveling under a false name, Molly gets to Ellis Island only to become a suspect in the murder of a fellow immigrant. With the help of dangerously charming police captain Daniel O'Sullivan, Molly has to try to clear her name in this crime before her past catches up with her.

    Having studied New York City history in college, I'm always interested in novels with historical New York as a backdrop. Bowen's prose brings the city as it was to life from her depictions of Hell's Kitchen to discussions of New York's notorious Tammany Hall government. The city is brought to life as carefully as any of the books characters, and I might add, to great effect.

    In 2002, Murhphy's Law won the Agatha Award for best novel, and it shows in the writing and storyline. The cover art and titles add to this novel's charm. Named for a popular saying (Murphy's Law: If anything can go wrong, it will.) the title does, unfortunately for Molly, tie into the plot. The same goes for latter books in the series.

    If you want to read more about this determined Irish redhead, she was next spotted in Death of Riley.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Jan 26 00:00:00 EST 2012

    Good Read

    A friend had told me about the Molly Murphy series and I decided to try it out. Enjoyed the first book and will be purchasing more as time goes on.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 EDT 2010

    Great beginning to a great series

    I first read one of the later Molly Murphy books, not realizing it was part of a series, and then went back and started at the beginning of the series. One thing I like about this series is that you don't necessarily have to read them in order. Molly's a fun, feisty character, and the books are well written- the dialog's natural and it's a great example of historical fiction. I've picked up some interesting details about turn-of-the-century New York, Ireland, and US immigration. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the last book due out this year.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Mon Feb 22 00:00:00 EST 2010

    Great Mystery

    Really good plot with well developed characters. Holds your interest from page 1 until the end.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2009

    Great Book!

    I picked up this book after having read Rhys Bowen's "Her Royal Spyness." Two very different books, but each enjoyable in their own way. Murphy Brown is a down to earth heroine that we can't help but root for her as she overcomes life's circumstances and finds a better life for herself in turn of the century New York. Each of the books in the Murphy Brown series just keeps getting better and better. I could hardly put the book down. You won't be disappointed.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Sat Mar 10 00:00:00 EST 2007

    GOLLY, MOLLY IS GREAT !!

    Read the Molly Murphy mystery series...it doesn't matter which order you read them in, just read them!! The character is wonderful, the time period is extremely interesting and the supporting cast is terrific. I eagerly await the next book in this series, 'In Dublin's Fair City.'

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Mon Nov 07 00:00:00 EST 2005

    Welcome to the country, Molly Murphy!

    This is my first Molly Murphy mystery and it certainly won¿t be my last! Since I am interested in history as well as historical mysteries, I gravitated to this novel as soon as I spotted Ellis Island on the cover. Ms. Bowen must have done an incredible amount of research to write this novel. The details of the voyage across the Atlantic, as well as the elaborate descriptions of Ellis Island made me feel as if I was sitting right next to Molly awaiting my turn to pass through immigration. I enjoyed many of the characters in the novel. Molly and Michael seemed like the kind of people I would have befriended had I also been sailing on the Majestic. I hope to see more of Michael, Bridie and little Seamus as the story of Molly¿s life progresses. Only Ms. Bowen knows what will happen between Molly and Daniel, but I¿m looking forward to finding out what¿s in store for them both. The only problem I had with the novel was that Molly¿s ¿Houdini-esque¿ escapes seemed a little far-fetched at times, but the excellent historical descriptions of New York City at the turn of the century far outweighed the small problem I had with some of the plotlines. MURPHY¿S LAW was an easy read and a nice way to spend my weekend. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries. I can¿t wait to read the continuing story to find out what trouble Molly will get herself into next. Take a chance. I doubt you will be disappointed.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Fri Jun 10 00:00:00 EDT 2005

    Very witty, humorous, and historical

    Great book! I enjoyed learning more of the history of New York. This book is humorous, easy reading, and well worth purchasing. Enjoy!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted Thu Mar 11 00:00:00 EST 2004

    Complete, A Mystery and History

    The research of the time period gives this story so much more depth and interest. I really enjoyed this as well as the rest of this series.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 52 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)