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naomisbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nitabee's review against another edition
3.0
Molly finds herself in a bit of danger after identifying a pickpocket in a local grocery store who turns out to be very well connected to a dangerous gang. Daniel decides the best thing for her is to get out of town for a while and asks her to work a case for him, although he doesn't first reveal his primary motivation for giving her the case is to keep her safe. Molly leaves New York, going undercover to Senator Flynn's house, pretending to be one of his many cousins from Ireland. About six years ago, Senator Flynn and his wife Teresa lost their son to a crazed kidnapper who told them his body had been buried with limited access to air, and not to call the cops. The cops were called, of course, and one cop shot their chauffeur who had been lurking around, thinking he was the culprit. The chauffeur died, the boy was never discovered, and Teresa is now a shadow of her former self. She's hired a pair of spiritualist sisters who claim they can help her talk to her son from beyond the grave, and Daniel thinks they're con artists. Molly finds herself liking Teresa, and is saddened when
One of the best plots in this book comes from Barney's neighbors, the man who held the senate seat before him. They turn out to be hosting a visiting Englishman and Irishman, and the Irishman is none other than the boy who attempted to rape Molly in Ireland, the one she pushed and thought she murdered and fled to NY to avoid persecution for -- he's alive after all! His vision is afflicted from that accident though, so he doesn't recognize her immediately but gradually realizes who she is. He threatens to expose her, and she points out that in America they don't have a light view on attempted rape, and she had merely been defending herself, and he hadn't been that hurt after all, at which point he leaves her alone. So yay, Molly's free from that looming over her head!
Molly hooks up with Daniel, who tells her he loves her and will be leaving his fiancee, but then she encounters them at Barney's neighbor's house, and Daniel doesn't leave Arabella immediately, so she's terribly upset, of course.
Spoiler
Teresa's discovered dead one morning, thought to have committed suicide. Molly keeps getting sick, and Daniel arrives to check on her, discovering she's being slowly poisoned. The poisoner turns out to be Cousin Clara, who isn't necessarily dangerous but is afraid of Molly replacing her in Teresa's life, who keeps Clara around as a companion. Molly finally discovers Teresa's murderer was one of Barney's advisors, who set up the missing son scheme to gain the sympathy vote. The son wasn't ever buried and is in fact alive and out west somewhere, and Barney resolves to locate him.One of the best plots in this book comes from Barney's neighbors, the man who held the senate seat before him. They turn out to be hosting a visiting Englishman and Irishman, and the Irishman is none other than the boy who attempted to rape Molly in Ireland, the one she pushed and thought she murdered and fled to NY to avoid persecution for -- he's alive after all! His vision is afflicted from that accident though, so he doesn't recognize her immediately but gradually realizes who she is. He threatens to expose her, and she points out that in America they don't have a light view on attempted rape, and she had merely been defending herself, and he hadn't been that hurt after all, at which point he leaves her alone. So yay, Molly's free from that looming over her head!
Molly hooks up with Daniel, who tells her he loves her and will be leaving his fiancee, but then she encounters them at Barney's neighbor's house, and Daniel doesn't leave Arabella immediately, so she's terribly upset, of course
jenpsz's review against another edition
5.0
Well, it's always a bad idea to read reviews before you read a book. I enjoyed this even after reading several negative reviews. It was great. Read it regardless of the reviews below.
nikkitadcomeau's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
erinstjames's review against another edition
5.0
This one has been the best in the series so far! Murder, seances, kidnapping, and Molly's very much alive Justin Hartley from Ireland.
I will say in the copy of the book I had there were a ton of errors. I was surprised at the lack of editing but it didn't take away from the story.
I will say in the copy of the book I had there were a ton of errors. I was surprised at the lack of editing but it didn't take away from the story.
luffy79's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this book had me comparing it to another cozy mystery, A Bitter Truth, by Charles Todd, the mother and son duo of writers. Clearly, Rhys Murphy is at least a lesser writer than them, as far as her ability to tug at the readers' heartstrings is concerned. The tragedy of the early death of a child is often used as a device in less cerebral books.
Rhys Bowen is, however, at the top of her game here. That's because she is able to move her characters around like a skilled gamer. The change from New York is a winner as a location for the story. I wasn't surprised at all, though, when one of the supposed dead characters returned from the grave. It was also daring for the author not to show the full extent of the fate of the lost son of the Senator. In all, it's been a good read, and I was entertained and rewarded in persevering with this series. But there's something about the latter which makes me compelled to keep reading the books, even if I rate them a 1.
Rhys Bowen is, however, at the top of her game here. That's because she is able to move her characters around like a skilled gamer. The change from New York is a winner as a location for the story. I wasn't surprised at all, though, when one of the supposed dead characters returned from the grave. It was also daring for the author not to show the full extent of the fate of the lost son of the Senator. In all, it's been a good read, and I was entertained and rewarded in persevering with this series. But there's something about the latter which makes me compelled to keep reading the books, even if I rate them a 1.
jenilyn's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, light mystery. Although the Daniel-Molly thing is annoying.
erincorrine's review against another edition
3.0
Another solid entry into Molly's world. a good, quick read ... enjoyable as always :)
debrajoreads's review against another edition
4.0
Although still a fabulous story, this installment takes Molly away from her current life, her little "family" and friends in NYC. I enjoyed the story line and mystery but missed the characters that I have fallen in love with.
Molly is hired by Daniel to investigate a pair of sisters claiming to be able to speak to the dead. Molly goes undercover and winds up uncovering much, much more. Molly is also faced with a ghost from her past.
Molly is hired by Daniel to investigate a pair of sisters claiming to be able to speak to the dead. Molly goes undercover and winds up uncovering much, much more. Molly is also faced with a ghost from her past.