Cream Puff Read

3 near rapes, 3 murders and one more attempted... sounds a bit intense, but it is really a cream puff read. We follow beautiful, naïve, and spunky, Molly Murphy as she immigrates from Ireland to New York and watch as one little lie has to follow the next. I enjoyed the historical background wound into the story, the plucky heroine and that it really is a clean, positive read. The plot depends on repeated coincidences, that at times strain belief... but I personally enjoyed it more than Rhys's "Royal Spyness" series. The narrator is fantastic. Yep, I'll be getting next one, but will wait for a while since it's a dessert read and cream puffs can be addictive.

74 people found this helpful

A clean mystery.

Where does Murphy's Law rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was a great read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Molly is such a great character, full of fire and persistence.

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

I haven't listened to Nicola Barber before but I loved her performance. She has a great voice and does the accents well,

Any additional comments?

I like to listen to Audio books in the car with my family. It is difficult to find adult books that are appropriate for my young kids to listen to. I do love to listen to kids and young adult books but it is so refreshing to listen to an adult mystery that is not full of sex and graphic violence. This book does have a love interest and there is some kissing but nothing graphic or that I would feel uncomfortable with my kids hearing. The book is a murder mystery and so there are a few deaths in the book, but no graphic violence. I look forward to listening to all the Molly Murphy mysteries.

63 people found this helpful

A genuinely fun listen.

Just finished this one and the second in the series and 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.)

20 people found this helpful

Charming

I love Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series, so I was curious to see if I’d like her Molly Murphy series too. It was enjoyable, I’m in for more and thankfully there are lots! Both series are light yet interesting, and the installments are short and enjoyable… an excellent formula for when I just want to be entertained.

They both center around a plucky, adventurous-for-her-times-yet-still-naïve, murder-mystery-solving heroine and the plots remind me a bit of Agatha Christie novels (“the murderer is someone in this room!”). I liked the peripheral characters in this book, loved that it’s set in turn of the century NYC and I especially enjoyed reading about the immigrant's experiences arriving though Ellis Island.

Looking forward to discovering more of Molly’s continuing adventures!

13 people found this helpful

Absolutely Delightful!

Molly Murphy is a strong, interesting, smart, yet flawed heroine. I was elated to see another series by Rhys Bowen on Audible. I have devoured the Her Royal Spyness books all in one year, so knowing there is another group of cozies by the same talented author is thrilling. Set stateside a few years after Lady Ranoch's setting, Molly's story is not one of wealth and privilege, but a grittier tale of the working class Irish in New York City. As usual, the author seasons her story with heaps of history just by virtue of the setting itself. I found myself empathetic to the immigrants' journey to and through Ellis Island and into the city of tenements and Tammany Hall politics even as I was enthralled in a nicely constructed murder mystery.

If you have never read Her Royal Spyness, well go buy the first in that series now too. If you have read and enjoyed the former, you will love Molly Murphy. Either way, treat yourself and get acquainted with a new delightful heroine as you embark on this series!

27 people found this helpful

Delightful

I am a male and somewhat addicted to history,war stories,Napleonic sea adventures such by Patrick O" Brian and authors like Stephen King.Tom Clancy etc.This borders on being a "Ladies"book.Yet I found it engrossing ,well written and VERY well performed.
Americans like stories where someone is thrown into a strange environment and with limited resources and succeeds through there intellect,pluck,an wit.
All the better if it is a City of Immigrants like New york city at the turn of the century.
Molly Murphy is a spunky Irish Lass who through a series of circumstances is forced to emigrate to America where she immediately finds herself embroiled in a tricky situation with no money and no place to live.I don't want to give away the plot but it's a great read and Rhys Bowen is setting the ground work for the series.
WARNING:......At the end of the book don't listen to the free 1st two chapters of book # 2,
...........unless you want to be compelled to buy it.
I did and I already bought it.
Being hooked like this is a real pleasure.

41 people found this helpful

Great start to series

I really enjoyed this first book in the series. I would categorize this book as a historical cozy mystery. There were enough historical aspects to the book to be interesting but not so many as to bog it down. It was perfect for me. I am not normally a huge fan of historical fiction but when the history part is not overpowering and it's mixed with a light mystery and interesting characters, I tend to enjoy it. Molly Murphy has a lot of spunk. I look forward to seeing what happens to her in future books. Nicola Barber's performance was excellent. This book was well worth the audible credit.

8 people found this helpful

Good Once - Better Twice

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I'm listening to "Murphy's Law" for the second time and enjoying it more than the first time. Molly's resourcefulness, cleverness, bravery, and determination are a delight. She should be safe, she should find a job at a hat shop but she can't let a criminal get away. Rhys Bowen makes New York City come alive with rich detail and remarkable historical knowledge.

6 people found this helpful

Ignore reviews! It's good!

If you could sum up Murphy's Law in three words, what would they be?

What a woman!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Molly Murphy, of course. She flees to America to escape "justice" for defending her honor--she shoved the landlord's son away when he tried to RAPE her & he clonked his head on the stove & she ran when she saw a pool of blood. Just as glad we didn't see this incident but meet Molly when she's on the run trying to keep a low profile on a train. Stubborn and smart, Molly takes some dubious risks but you have to admire her pluck.

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber – was your favorite?

Molly of course.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Molly's verbal duels with Officer Sullivan are great. I felt really bad with the photographer's fate. There were some definite hair-raising moments.

Any additional comments?

Have read a number of Her Royal Spyness books & thought I'd try this series by same author. I always look up reviews and some sounded lukewarm. Glad I bought this--thoroughly enjoyed it.

5 people found this helpful

Luck of the Irish?

If you could sum up Murphy's Law in three words, what would they be?

Wait for it.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Molly herself, an intelligent young woman on the run from injustice. Had the will to survive under harsh circumstances and the intelligence to seek out the truth. Looking forward to more.

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber – was your favorite?

Molly, again, her soft irish accent was easy and a joy to listen to while driving.

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

A young Irsh lass finds out what it means to come to the Home of the Free and the Brave!

5 people found this helpful