From Library Journal
In this second series title (after Murphy's Law), Irish immigrant Molly becomes an apprentice P.I. Unfortunately, she's soon investigating the murder of her boss-with a little help from a likable police detective. An authentic historical about New York in the early 1900s.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
In Bowen's second Molly Murphy cozy historical, which follows the Agatha Award-winning Murphy's Law (2001), Molly reluctantly accepts a job as a companion to Miss Van Woekem in order to pay the bills. Intrigued with a man who is apparently investigating a neighbor of Van Woekem's, Molly tracks down Paddy Riley and convinces him to let her work in his office. To Molly's chagrin, he does not allow her to do any investigating, only light cleaning. However, one day when Molly reports to work, she finds Riley near death and glimpses his murderer leaving the scene. Molly decides to solve the murder on her own and perhaps even continue to run Riley's business. Her investigation leads to new skills and experiences with the intellectual crowd, and she unmasks the killer in a rather far-fetched denouement. However, Molly is a smart, feisty, independent heroine, and turn-of-the-century New York City is realistically portrayed, along with the Irish immigrant experience, in this appealing series by the author who also writes the Evan Evans mystery series. Sue O'Brien
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"An evocative trip through old New York...in the company of Irish immigrant Molly Murphy, a spirited and appealing guide."--S.J. Rozan, author of Winter and Night
"Entertaining."--Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"Bowen nicely blends history and fiction."--Publishers Weekly
Review
"An evocative trip through old New York...in the company of Irish immigrant Molly Murphy, a spirited and appealing guide."--S.J. Rozan, author of Winter and Night
"Entertaining."--Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"Bowen nicely blends history and fiction."--Publishers Weekly
Book Description
Molly Murphy has finally begun to forget the unpleasant murder of a would-be rapist back in Ireland, not to mention her investigation into the murder of a fellow recent Irish immigrant, and is finally free to begin her life in New York City. Given her experiences so far in the New World, Molly has decided that her first order of business is to become a private investigator, a people finder of sorts, working for families in Europe who've lost touch with relatives in America. Not only might this put some food on her table, but her second order of business is to hook the handsome NYPD police captain Daniel Sullivan, and she envisions lots of opportunities to "seek his counsel" in her new profession.
Paddy Riley is a tough old Cockney P.I. who specializes in divorce work, and with a little persuasion he's ready to take on Molly as an apprentice. It's not exactly what she imagined, but she plans to make the most of it. That is, until she comes in to work one day to find her new world turned upside down and all expectations for her professional life suddenly up in the air.
Before long, Molly has set off on a journey that will take her through the back alleys of Manhattan and into the bars and lounges of the literary scene, where she spends time with writers, actors, poets, and musicians. It's quite an eye-opening turn for innocent young Molly, but she's resolute in her decision to find out exactly what happened that day in the office of Paddy Riley. Armed with nothing more than her fiery will and matching wild red hair, Molly has no idea of the danger her pursuit may bring in this fascinating, well-researched, and suspenseful second novel in Rhys Bowen's Agatha-award winning series.
From the Back Cover
Rhys Bowen, author of the Agatha Award winning mystery Murphy's Law, returns to old New York with a new novel featuring spirited Irishwoman Molly Murphy...
Death of Riley
Molly Murphy can't seem to fit in anywhere. Not with the new immigrants pouring in from the old-world and certainly not with the society folks she envies from afar. After bungling a job as a lady's companion, Molly decides to become an assistant to the notorious private investigator, Paddy Riley. Unfortunately, Paddy's possible underworld dealings have left him deader than a doornail and Molly in possession of his detective agency.
Using the tricks of the trade she learned from her employer, Molly sets out to find the wily killer responsible for the death of Riley. Unsure whether the culprit is connected to the crooked police force or a shady client, Molly keeps her sleuthing from Daniel Sullivan, the handsome policeman who has stolen her heart. Using only her wits and her newfound talents to ferret out the truth, Molly confronts her darkest fears in search of a murderer intent on stopping her investigation...by seeing her dead.
About the Author
Rhys Bowen won the Agatha Award for best novel of the year for her first Molly Murphy mystery, Murphy's Law. She is also the author of the Constable Evans mysteries. She was born in Bath, England, and now lives in Northern California.
Death of Riley FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Molly Murphy has finally begun to forget the unpleasant murder of a would-be rapist back in Ireland, not to mention her investigation into the murder of a fellow recent Irish immigrant, and is finally free to begin her life in New York City. Given her experiences so far in the New World, Molly has decided that her first order of business is to become a private investigator, a people-finder of sorts, working for families in Europe who've lost touch with relatives in America. Not only might this put some food on her table, but her second order of business is to hook the handsome NYPD police captain Daniel Sullivan, and she envisions lots of opportunities to "seek his counsel" in her new profession." "Paddy Riley is a tough old Cockney p.i. who specializes in divorce work, and with a little persuasion he's ready to take on Molly as an apprentice. It's not exactly what she imagined, but she plans to make the most of it. That is, until she comes in to work one day to find her new world turned upside down and all expectations for her professional life suddenly up in the air." "Before long, Molly has set off on a journey that will take her through the back alleys of Manhattan and into the bars and lounges of the literary scene, where she spends time with writers, actors, poets, and musicians." It's quite an eye-opening turn for innocent young Molly, but she's resolute in her decision to find out exactly what happened that day in the office of Paddy Riley. Armed with nothing more than her fiery will and matching wild red hair, Molly has no idea of the danger her pursuit may bring.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
In this second series title (after Murphy's Law), Irish immigrant Molly becomes an apprentice P.I. Unfortunately, she's soon investigating the murder of her boss-with a little help from a likable police detective. An authentic historical about New York in the early 1900s. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
A second sabbatical from her Welsh policeman hero Evan Evans (Evans to Betsy, 2001, etc.) takes Bowen back to the summer of 1901 for a second chapter in the life of Molly Murphy (Murphy's Law, 2001). Months after arriving from Ireland to New York, Molly still hasn't found a suitable job until she takes the suggestion of police captain Daniel Sullivan, her friend and, she hopes, more, and becomes companion to cranky old Miss Van Woekem. But when a chance encounter brings to Molly's attention Miss Van Woekem's niece Arabella-and the unhappy news that she's engaged to Daniel-Molly loses no time in quitting the job. Determined to become an investigator, she seeks out private detective Paddy Riley, persuading him to hire her, if only to keep his office clean. It takes only a few short days, however, for her ship to come in. One morning she arrives at the office to find Riley dying and herself sharing space with the killer, who slams her to the floor and makes his escape. All Molly's energies are now devoted to finding the assassin, starting with clues from Riley's correspondence, notebooks, and camera and ending, of course, with timely assistance from Daniel. Molly is a bit too clever and reckless to be totally convincing, but Bowen's highly detailed picture of New York at the turn of the century is a delight.
Art & Photography
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