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thenia's review
3.0
Molly Murphy gets acquainted with the world of illusionists when she gets a case from the famous Harry Houdini's wife and we get to see behind the scenes of some interesting magic tricks.
There's quite a bit of arguing between Molly and Daniel, who is pressuring her to quit being a detective and stay out of the suspicious accident they both witnessed in one of their outings at an illusionist show, where Houdini was supposed to perform. She seems to be unable to do that, since she's too curious by half and manages to get involved in yet another dangerous situation.
With a bit of luck, a lot of tenacity and some solid detective work, she manages to solve both her case and the mystery of the accident, that.
I found myself getting annoyed with Daniel's high-handedness at times, especially when he was dictating to Molly what she shouldn't do. I realize he is simply concerned because he loves her, but his manner could use some work.
As usual, the author ends the book with every loose end tied up in a neat little bow and now Molly is supposedly ready to finally settle down and become an obedient stay-at-home wife.
Her adventures continue in [b:Bless the Bride|7898607|Bless the Bride (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #10)|Rhys Bowen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1301294464s/7898607.jpg|11145983], where we'll see how things turn out.
There's quite a bit of arguing between Molly and Daniel, who is pressuring her to quit being a detective and stay out of the suspicious accident they both witnessed in one of their outings at an illusionist show, where Houdini was supposed to perform. She seems to be unable to do that, since she's too curious by half and manages to get involved in yet another dangerous situation.
With a bit of luck, a lot of tenacity and some solid detective work, she manages to solve both her case and the mystery of the accident, that
Spoiler
turned out to be connected with another of Daniel's big casesI found myself getting annoyed with Daniel's high-handedness at times, especially when he was dictating to Molly what she shouldn't do. I realize he is simply concerned because he loves her, but his manner could use some work.
As usual, the author ends the book with every loose end tied up in a neat little bow and now Molly is supposedly ready to finally settle down and become an obedient stay-at-home wife.
Her adventures continue in [b:Bless the Bride|7898607|Bless the Bride (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #10)|Rhys Bowen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1301294464s/7898607.jpg|11145983], where we'll see how things turn out.
erinstjames's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one very much! There were so many different ways the outcome could have been!
luffy79's review
1.0
It's almost always the case that I can recognize a book that will score 1/5 right off the bat. The author, Rhys Bowen, should be ashamed of forging ahead with a bad sketchy idea and wrongfully persevering in laying this bad egg. She is totally out of her element. She probably loved bad spy novels and pulp fiction and thought imitation was flattery.
The alarm bells started ringing when the big setup of the Scarpelli guy failed to impress on me. Usually Rhys Bowen's victims hit me hard, but not this one. Every single sentence was a pain to read. I can't account for the spectacular loss of form of the author. Both main characters Daniel and Molly act like muppets in this book, despite the fact that they were on opposite sides. That takes some doing. I had to skip several passages. I usually never do that. Kudos for that must go to Rhys Bowen. There was always something underwhelming in most of the 9 Molly Murphy books I've read. But this particular book takes the cake.
The alarm bells started ringing when the big setup of the Scarpelli guy failed to impress on me. Usually Rhys Bowen's victims hit me hard, but not this one. Every single sentence was a pain to read. I can't account for the spectacular loss of form of the author. Both main characters Daniel and Molly act like muppets in this book, despite the fact that they were on opposite sides. That takes some doing. I had to skip several passages. I usually never do that. Kudos for that must go to Rhys Bowen. There was always something underwhelming in most of the 9 Molly Murphy books I've read. But this particular book takes the cake.
omnibozo22's review against another edition
1.0
Bowen has produced one of the worst magician in trouble mysteries I have ever read. I'm guessing that Bowen is British, though I don't care enough to check. While this story takes place in NYC, and has an Irish immigrant protagonist, Bowen keeps slipping into British language, even when the speaker is American. Irritating. Then, there are the continual absurd things he has Houdini doing. The
"Historical Note" at the end makes it clear that he has only read one book about Houdini, and didn't pay attention to most of it. He also screws up magic history pretty thoroughly.
"Historical Note" at the end makes it clear that he has only read one book about Houdini, and didn't pay attention to most of it. He also screws up magic history pretty thoroughly.
thenia's review against another edition
3.0
Molly Murphy gets acquainted with the world of illusionists when she gets a case from the famous Harry Houdini's wife and we get to see behind the scenes of some interesting magic tricks.
There's quite a bit of arguing between Molly and Daniel, who is pressuring her to quit being a detective and stay out of the suspicious accident they both witnessed in one of their outings at an illusionist show, where Houdini was supposed to perform. She seems to be unable to do that, since she's too curious by half and manages to get involved in yet another dangerous situation.
With a bit of luck, a lot of tenacity and some solid detective work, she manages to solve both her case and the mystery of the accident, that.
I found myself getting annoyed with Daniel's high-handedness at times, especially when he was dictating to Molly what she shouldn't do. I realize he is simply concerned because he loves her, but his manner could use some work.
As usual, the author ends the book with every loose end tied up in a neat little bow and now Molly is supposedly ready to finally settle down and become an obedient stay-at-home wife.
Her adventures continue in [b:Bless the Bride|7898607|Bless the Bride (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #10)|Rhys Bowen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1301294464s/7898607.jpg|11145983], where we'll see how things turn out.
There's quite a bit of arguing between Molly and Daniel, who is pressuring her to quit being a detective and stay out of the suspicious accident they both witnessed in one of their outings at an illusionist show, where Houdini was supposed to perform. She seems to be unable to do that, since she's too curious by half and manages to get involved in yet another dangerous situation.
With a bit of luck, a lot of tenacity and some solid detective work, she manages to solve both her case and the mystery of the accident, that
Spoiler
turned out to be connected with another of Daniel's big casesI found myself getting annoyed with Daniel's high-handedness at times, especially when he was dictating to Molly what she shouldn't do. I realize he is simply concerned because he loves her, but his manner could use some work.
As usual, the author ends the book with every loose end tied up in a neat little bow and now Molly is supposedly ready to finally settle down and become an obedient stay-at-home wife.
Her adventures continue in [b:Bless the Bride|7898607|Bless the Bride (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #10)|Rhys Bowen|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1301294464s/7898607.jpg|11145983], where we'll see how things turn out.
krisrid's review against another edition
2.0
I thought a story about a spunky Irish female private investigator in early 1900's New York City sounded interesting. Especially since Harry Houdini was her client. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this.
The main character of Molly Murphy seemed continuously torn between being a modern, independant woman, and bowing to the expectation to become a docile, boring proper wife to her policeman fiance. While I understand that she probably would be facing such a choice, I just found that her constant angst and inability to decide what she wants and go for it quickly became tedious and annoying.
I also had difficulty believing Molly could possibly be a successful investigator. She just seemed a bit ditzy and flighty, and given the type of city New York was at that time, I seriously doubt that Molly could have kept herself out of trouble long enough to solve any client's case.
This just didn't work for me. It was a disappointment.
The main character of Molly Murphy seemed continuously torn between being a modern, independant woman, and bowing to the expectation to become a docile, boring proper wife to her policeman fiance. While I understand that she probably would be facing such a choice, I just found that her constant angst and inability to decide what she wants and go for it quickly became tedious and annoying.
I also had difficulty believing Molly could possibly be a successful investigator. She just seemed a bit ditzy and flighty, and given the type of city New York was at that time, I seriously doubt that Molly could have kept herself out of trouble long enough to solve any client's case.
This just didn't work for me. It was a disappointment.