Rhys Bowen is a dab hand at presenting a historical setting with verisimilitude and a liveliness that generally gets along well with modern sensibilities. I don't have to say that is hard to do and hard to find. This book in particular, thanks to bringing in progressive politics of the time, is one I would recommend to people who love historical fiction, but get riled up over the portrayal of period treatment of women.While the last book left our Molly at the end of a harrowing adventure and in the arms of security and Daniel Sullivan, she begins this one in financial straits and uncertainty again. Especially when she discovers that despite getting her a job as a companion, Daniel is already engaged.And so, in a fit of pique, Molly quits the companion job after a single day, and nags a private investigator into giving her an apprenticeship.Which is really Molly at her best. "In a fit of pique, she does this crazy thing." The private investigator, Paddy Riley, is also a staunch woman-hater. It's seriously the thing that everyone mentions as his signifying trait, and his behaviour bears it out, though in an almost likeable way. He's so bizarrely chatty for someone who wants Molly to butt out and actually, if she would, piss off entirely.Mixed feelings when the title plays out as you might expect. Paddy disseminated a lot of personal information, which kind of comes to nothing. For example, he makes a big deal out of being a Londoner and keeping nothing from his Irish birth but his name. It could just be good character, but I doubt he'll get much mention in even the next book beyond the obligatory callback to explain why Molly has her own PI business that's called P Riley and Associates.The real shining moments are when Molly insinuates herself into a group of students and progressives. She's trying to follow one of the open cases Paddy left behind, and it's pretty obvious what the skinny is. But she first meets Gus and Sid, an awesome lesbian couple who adopt her and let her live in their house so she can escape the evil Nuala a second time. She's really heinous in this book, though thankfully not around for long. I hope she gets typhus.Molly's early days with Gus and Sid are fairy-tale-like and it's nice to see a character get to be happy without a bloody cost at the end. When she tells them the truth of her goals, they get excited about the whole dangerous business. Because badasses get bored.Also Daniel has Reasons, but Molly has a bitch attack every time he tries to tell them to her. It's kind of contrived. However, Molly having a bitch attack is always funny, so I didn't care. I do wonder how he'll fix it though. He made an intriguing suggestion that I'd like to see play out, rather than his actual "plan."Oh yeah, and there's the whole finding out who the killer is thing, but he kind of tops himself... not like that. I mean he does something at the end that is a bigger deal than killing Paddy. History buffs will get it much sooner than people who think American history is boring.
After I finished the first book in this series, I couldn't wait to read the second, and since I'd picked it up awhile ago at a book sale I dug right in! Though not quite as good as the first, Death of Riley was still an excellent book.Molly has finally started settling in to her life in New York but she still can't find a job that suits her. So, when circumstances lead her to Paddy Riley she desperately wants to be his assistant, even though he's not sure if he wants or needs an assistant yet. However he takes Molly on and when Paddy is found dead, Molly inherits the business and a murder investigation. As Molly digs deeper into Paddy's cases to try to find who killed him things start to get dangerous, and when the police offer little to no help Molly must try to find the killer before the killer finds her!Once again, I had absolutely no complaints about Molly, she is everything I look for in a MC. Daniel is also a great character, though he frustrated me in this book. Seamus and his kids reappeared in this book, and I must say I hope they stay on for awhile, though I could do without his cousin Nuala. Gus and Sid were also refreshing; I hope they reappear, too.The mystery in this book was very good. A lot of action and adventure mixed with the mystery of being in a huge sity. I love Ms. Bowen's talent of weaving nonfiction and fiction together. Honestly, I learn something new every time I read one of her books.Another just great book. With (mostly) great characters and a great plotline, yet Daniel's drama (which I could have done without) and Nuala, Death of Riley gets 4/5 stars. Can't wait to read the next one!
What do You think about Death Of Riley (2003)?
The second in the Molly Murphy series continues the enchantment with a feisty Irish lass named Molly, who has recently arrived in America and New York City. She seems to find trouble wherever she goes, so it only makes sense that she decides to become a private investigator, helping both herself and others out of unpleasant situations. Unfortunately, her knack for uncovering or falling into secrets leads her to unsettling information concerning the man with whom she's fallen in love, Captain Daniel Sullivan of the New York Police Department.Molly is more than ever determined to make it on her own in this second installment of her transformation from Irish country girl to New York City one among the masses. Molly is equally committed to meeting the challenges of surviving on her own terms. Her dogged persistence lands her a job an assistant to a private investigator named Paddy Riley, a seasoned Cockney p.i. Molly's idea of an assistant is to learn the ropes of the business. Paddy's idea of one is to clean up the office and run errands, like getting lunch. Before the two can compromise on expectations, Paddy Riley ends up dead from an apt placed knife stab. Molly is sure that Paddy's death must be connected to one of his three active cases, but she has her work cut out for her in the complex mess that was her employer's system of doing business. Of course, as is becoming the norm for this fascinating character, plunging ahead into a maze of confusion and danger is all in a day's work. It is a maze of characters and events that leads Molly not only to the answers but to a bright new circle of friends.Hooked on yet another great series. Life is good.
—Kathy
I like Molly. I especially like her reaction to The Bad News in her personal life (don't want to be too specific)--she doesn't despair, she gets mad, and then she makes a plan for the rest of her life. She reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore when she first goes in to interview with Mr. Grant. "You know what you've got, Mary? You've got spunk. I hate spunk."Molly's got spunk, too. She might even be unsinkable, and even if she isn't, this series would be worth reading for the local color, New York City in 1901 and all the hustling, bustling energy and ambition of a fresh-off-the-boat population. A fun read.
—Dana Stabenow
Death of Riley3.5 StarsIrish immigrant Molly Murphy is acclimating to life in New City at the turn of the century, but is finding it difficult to hold on to a position due to her fiercely independent nature. After witnessing a private investigator at work, Molly is determined to apprentice herself out to him and all seems to be going well until Paddy Riley is murdered and Molly sets out to discover who killed him.It took me a bit longer to get into this installment as compared to the first book mainly due to the slow pacing while Molly attempts to find employment. The story picks up in the second half with the murder and Molly’s investigation, and the inclusion of an actual historical event makes it all the more interesting.Molly is an endearing and likable character albeit somewhat naive about the harsh realities of life. This could be explained by her rural upbringing or a reflection of a time in which people were more trusting of others. Sid and Gus are a charming pair, but meeting them is, once again, a very lucky coincidence.Molly’s romance with Daniel takes an unexpected and disappointing turn. His potential as a love interest was established very well in the first book, however, his actions in this one leave much to be desired. I really hope that this plotline does not drag on for too long. Looking forward to Molly’s further adventures.
—Lauren
