Enjoyable historical cozy mystery series

I enjoyed this second book in the series just as much as the first. This one was more mystery and less history. Molly's naïveté can be frustrating sometimes but she is so delightful that it doesn't bother me as much as it might in a different character. Nicola Barber does a very good job narrating the audiobook despite the fact that her American accents are not the best and all American men basically sound the same. Her voice for Molly is great as are her voices for all the immigrant characters. All in all, a solid performance and an enjoyable series.

5 people found this helpful

Sigh ...

I wish I could give this a good rating because I so adored Murphy’s Law. Nicola Barber is enchanting and I hung on her every word. She does the same astonishing job in this book, but Rhys Bowen seems to of spun this book from one mere thought. This one idea has been stretched for the duration of this book. I found myself actually saying out loud, get on with it already. Your waiting for this big scene that is going to grip you but instead your simply failing an endless trail. I am going to try book three, however if they keep at this pace... which is possible because I’ve already scanned the reviews, then sadly I will have to end this series.

4 people found this helpful

Great Story. LONG Story

This story was good. not as good as the first one. it was just dragged out for too long and the connection to the Historical event was too unlikely and not very believable. otherwise I enjoyed it. Will continue to listen to the series.

3 people found this helpful

Delightfully fun series

Just finished this and Murphy's Law (#1) can't wait to keep going. The narrator I already loved from The Rose Garden (check it out!!--I've listened to it twice and my daughter loved it too.) The narrator makes this character completely believable. If you liked Nancy Drew once upon a time, think of this as Nancy-Drew-for-grown-ups except without the unbridled confidence and worldly-wise-ness of Nancy (which was always annoying anyway--so this character is far more believable than Nancy). Light and relaxed adventure/detective/romance. I always looked forward to turning it back on. Just enjoy them. (I've gotten the whole series.)

3 people found this helpful

Mystery resolved but big loose end left hanging

Would you listen to Death of Riley again? Why?

No. I love Molly but the mystery wasn't a very good one, although following her as she tried to solve the murder was very interesting. Leaving the big personal issue unresolved left me very unhappy. It was just lucky for Audible I had bought books 2 & 3 of the series at the same time so could go right on. The last book that tricked me like this - Joanne Fluke's Blackberry Pie Murder - made me so mad that I wouldn't buy the sequel even when it was on sale cheap (even tho Blackbeerry Pie left the plot hanging with Hannah about to be tried for homicide); I washed my hands of the whole series, which had been going downhill for a while--the in-medias-res ending was the last straw.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Dissatisfaction because the personal issue was left unresolved.

Which scene was your favorite?

Daniel's timely arrival in the carriage is a candidate. Loved when Sid & Gus joined the fray to help save Molly from the intruder.
Also happy when they invited Molly to move in & her subsequent habitation with them Molly's visit to Emma Goldman was interesting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I like saving these books as a treat for the evening before bed. They're relaxing and I love the narrator's voice with her lovely Irish lilt. They're to be savored over several days, a treat.

1 person found this helpful

Mystery at the Turn

What made the experience of listening to Death of Riley the most enjoyable?

Nicola Barber does a fine job of bring the colorful characters within Rhys Bowen's book. I love the setting of New York city during the first of the 1900s. What an exciting time to live, with so many new ideas and beginnings.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Death of Riley?

Molly meeting anarchists and free thinking liberals within the pubs, as she searches for the killer, was so much fun.

Have you listened to any of Nicola Barber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Rhys Bowen's first Molly Murphy's book, was the first time I had the enjoyment of listening to Nicola Barber's narrations. She put the paint onto Bowen's canvas, which brings Molly and the others alive.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A new century and new to New York, a young woman invents herself a life of a private eye.

1 person found this helpful

Spunky Irish Woman, Great mysteries

If you could sum up Death of Riley in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Rich

What did you like best about this story?

Molly is a newly arrived Irish immigrant. The mysteries themselves are not exactly the most baffling, I found that I had part of it solved before Molly caught up, but that's part of the strategy. However, I'm addicted to these. Rminiscent of the Royal Spyness series, yet completely different, but just as entertaining. They beg to be devoured. Every woman will identiy with Molly's spunk, frustration as being seen as less because she is a woman, and her perseverance in defying societal standards.

1 person found this helpful

Riley pulls the story forward

Rys Bowen is a great story teller, her editor(s) is spot on and never misses anything and Nicola Barber is the perfect narrator for this book. Characters are well developed and there's always a surprise or two at the end. If you like Rys's writing, this is a great next chapter.

Very Entertaining

Loved book 2 in the series. Good mystery and kept my interest to the end. Can't wait for book #3!

Typical males, So happy we are no longer like this

This is the first novel in a new to me series, and THAT'S what I love most of all, continuing characters in new adventures. As a trucker, I love the novels that keeps my left door shut and several hundred miles behind me before I realize I need to stop. Great novel but the narrator is absolutely amazing and perfect for the authors creation. So happy to see I have a new goal in collecting them all and going thru every one of these. Thank you to all who has made this possible... Sincerely The novel dragon 🐉 as I outgrew Bookworm years and several hundred novels in my collection years ago.
Really happy she knows what she wants and will try all she can to make herself a success. It's always a learn8ng experience and true, If Riley would have trained her she would already be a success, but, It is what it is and She is learning as she goes. I myself have devoured the first 2 novels and going on to enjoy the 3rd on my load home. Thank you all again for this commitment to your readers who has to have audio to feed the storyline cravings.