Helpful Score: 9
The first in a terrific turn of the century mystery series based on the life and times of an unforgettable heroine. Molly fled her cherished Ireland because she commited murder in self defense, leaving her identity behind for the anonymous shores of America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to breathe easier. A man is murdered on Ellis Island, a man Molly was seen arguing with, she becomes a prime suspect in the crime. Molly escapes Ellis Island and sets out to find the wily killer on her own to help a young man who befriended her aboard ship. Pounding the notorious streets of Hell's Kitchen and the Lower East Side, Molly makes it her desperate mission to clear her name and her friends name.
My grandmother came through Ellis Island about five years after Molly arrived. The descriptions were so much like my grandmother's stories I could see the immigrants waiting to be processed. At one point Molly brings up the things that were stolen from the immigrants. My grandmother always told the story of the quilt her mother made her that was stolen. How she had her money sewn into her underwear to keep it safe and how her brother was waiting for her in New York.
My grandmother came through Ellis Island about five years after Molly arrived. The descriptions were so much like my grandmother's stories I could see the immigrants waiting to be processed. At one point Molly brings up the things that were stolen from the immigrants. My grandmother always told the story of the quilt her mother made her that was stolen. How she had her money sewn into her underwear to keep it safe and how her brother was waiting for her in New York.
Helpful Score: 2
First in a series about a young Irish woman who immigrates to the US at the turn of the 20th century. Molly is a bold woman for her time, which sometimes gets her into trouble, but helps her to solve a mystery or two. Good, quick read. Historical fiction with mystery and romance.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a wonderful historical mystery that puts you into the world and the hard life of Irish immigrants to New York City at the turn of the century. Molly Murphy is on the run from her native Ireland. She finds herself caught up in a sordid murder of a not-so-nice individual who was on the ship. She has to find the murderer, all the while trying to find her own way and help the two young children who were put in her care. It's a terrific story. You will sympathize with the hardships and adventures of Molly all the way.
Helpful Score: 2
Forced to leave Ireland after an incident involving her familys landlords son, Molly is able to board a boat bound for NY under a false identity. The murder of a fellow passenger on Ellis Island exposes her to police scrutiny. The only way to begin her new life is to help the police, in the person of Captain Daniel Sullivan, solve the crime.
The first in the series set in turn of the century New York City, it is a well-balanced blend of history and fiction depicting the lives of the different classes of society.
The first in the series set in turn of the century New York City, it is a well-balanced blend of history and fiction depicting the lives of the different classes of society.
Helpful Score: 2
#1 Molly Murphy historical mystery set in early 1900's New York. Molly is fresh off the boat from Ireland, having made her way by escorting two young children of a mother dying of TB back in Ireland to their father. Since Molly had killed a young nobleman who tried to rape her back in Ireland and is on the run herself, she's not too happy about being part of a murder that happens on Ellis Island while she is being processed. When a young man who was on the ship with her is jailed for the murder, she vows to find the real killer and clear his name. Enjoyable, quick read, good historical detail and a likable main character. Although this is not my favorite time period historically, I'll read more for sure; I've already got the next three in the series here. LOL
Helpful Score: 2
Molly Murphy is charming, I really like this series! Set in the 19th century New York, it is very interesting as well.
Helpful Score: 1
Molly Murphy's mother told her she was trouble as soon as Molly learned to talk. Molly was told that if her mouth didn't get her in trouble, her curiosity would. Well, Molly is surely in trouble. She is an Irish peasant who has just killed an aristocrat. She knows that it won't matter that she killed in self-defense, so she runs away. She ends up on a ship to America having assumed the identity of another woman. There is more trouble in store for her when she arrives at Ellis Island - a murder is committed and the police keep coming back to Molly to question her. This was a fun murder mystery. I liked the descriptions of turn of the century the immigrant experience - those people had to be tough!
Helpful Score: 1
An Irish woman, on the run herself, steps off the ship at Ellis Island and soon finds herself one of the suspects in a murder. If you can accept a long string of startling and often unbelievable coincidences that follows this woman from Ireland to England to the United States, you will enjoy this book.
Despite the murders, this is actually a light-hearted and enjoyable book, and I think this must be the reason it won the Agatha Award.
Despite the murders, this is actually a light-hearted and enjoyable book, and I think this must be the reason it won the Agatha Award.
Helpful Score: 1
The character of Molly Murphy is quite engaging. Seeing New York through her eyes was a pleasure.
Helpful Score: 1
I really like the heroine, an Irish immigrant with a lot of gumption who keeps falling over dead bodies or some great mystery. She's feisty and doesn't seem to fear anything, even with the events and happenings of turn of the century New York city.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent story set in turn-of-the-century New York City. Full of likable characters, especially the protagonist, Molly Murphy. Molly is on the run from Ireland and luckily finds passage to America under an assumed name. Lots of twists and turns in the plot. Also really enjoyed the details about the immigration process at Ellis Island.
I can't wait to read more of this series!
I can't wait to read more of this series!
Helpful Score: 1
First in a series featuring Irish immigrant Molly Murphy who arrives in America in the late 1890's. Good period piece with well-defined characters and descriptions of "old" New York City.
Helpful Score: 1
This was an excellent cozy mystery about an Irish woman who flees her home and immigrates to America. I loved the historical detail. First in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
The first in a great turn of the century mystery series based on the life and times of an unforgettable heroine, a woman who lives by her own set of laws. "Molly fled her cherished Ireland because she commited murder in self defense, leaving her identity behind for the anonymous shores of 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. Using her Irish charm and sharp wit, Molly 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 makes it her desperate mission to clear her name before her deadly past comes back to haunt her new future."
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun and quick read.I plan to read the rest in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
An Ellis Island mystery.
Very good read
Molly Murphy flees her native Ireland for America during the 1800's. She has committed murder and is fleeing for her life. Using her charm and wit, Molly makes it her desperate mission to clear her name.
Molly Murphy comes to the U.S. as an immigrant from Ireland. She kills a man in Ireland in self defense, then on Ellis Island a man is murdered and she is suspect. She tries to find the true killer in this turn of the century thriller.
A bit pat, but a fine sense of period
The first in the Molly Murphy mystery series. Interesting characters and settings.
This book was not quite what I had expected and I found myself constantly telling the main character not to do things. She seemed to walk into trouble that I felt she should see coming.
I really enjoyed this book. It was set at the turn of century. Molly has to leave Ireland quickly. She has no money or family to depend on. Through the kindness of strangers she gets passage on a ship. Only to find herselve messed up in murder.
This book give the reader what life was like in the early 1900's. Molly with nothing has to help solve a murder. I look forward to reading more in this series
This book give the reader what life was like in the early 1900's. Molly with nothing has to help solve a murder. I look forward to reading more in this series
Well I think Molly is delightful! Good mystery and well written. I will read more of this series.
Interesting book
Molly Murphy commits murder in self defense and flees Ireland to America.
I have not read this book yet. I own a 2nd copy. I know it's the first in a mystery series about an Irish woman who finds herself in New York.
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, and her identity, for the anonymous shores of 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.
Using her Irish charm and sharp wit, Molly 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 make sit her desperate mission to clear her name before her deadly past comes back to haunt her new future.
Using her Irish charm and sharp wit, Molly 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 make sit her desperate mission to clear her name before her deadly past comes back to haunt her new future.
