Murphy's Law: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Molly Murphy Mysteries, 1)

From 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, Inc.

From Booklist

Nimble of plot and fleet in the telling, Bowen's latest begins a new series starring the plucky Molly Murphy. Hiding her fiery red hair but not her audacious ways, Molly escapes from her Irish village after inadvertently causing the death of the young laird who tried to rape her. She finds herself in possession of a steerage ticket to New York and the custody of two small children when the kids' consumptive mother begs her to deliver the youngsters to their father in New York. The passage to America and the tumultuous events of Ellis Island, where another murder takes place, are vividly described, as is Molly's negotiation of the Cherry Street Irish ghetto, Hell's Kitchen, and the children's overwhelmed Da and his unsavory relatives. Run-ins with the police and Tammany Hall are only a few of Molly's adventures. The murder is solved in unorthodox ways, Molly finds love and work, and there's promise of more adventures. History-mystery fans should add Molly to their lists of characters to follow. GraceAnne DeCandido

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Review

"Bowen tells a phenomenal story, and it will be a real treat to see what fate has in store for Molly and Daniel." --Romantic Times, top pick

"Perceptive and poignant writing... make us look forward to Molly's return." --Chicago Tribune

"Rhys Bowen launches her Molly Murphy series with the same skill that has made her five Constable Evans novels so enjoyable... Entertaining." --Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Conveys a nice sense of place and period in this debut of a new historical series with its spunky, 19th century heroine." --Publishers Weekly

From the Author

Molly Murphy is a very different character from Constable Evans in my other series. She's brash, flamboyant and doesn't always know when it is good to keep her mouth shut. She is thus destined for a life of trouble, and fun.

Fans seem to identify strongly with her.