Oh Danny Boy: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Molly Murphy Mysteries Book 5)

I have been a fan of Rhys Bowen’s book for a couple of years. I first discovered her Royal Spyness series, but I also enjoy her Molly Murphy mysteries. I have read all of the Royal Spyness books and most of the more recently published Molly Murphy mysteries, so now I am going back and reading more some of the earlier Molly Murphy books.Oh Danny Boy picks up several weeks after the events of the previous book, In Like Flynn. Molly is trying to return to her normal life, but she has not had much success in finding cases for her fledgling detective business. She is also busy ignoring the letters from Captain Daniel Sullivan of the New York Police; he was a bit of a cad in the last book.Molly learns that Daniel has been attempting to contact her because he has been arrested on charges of fraud and collaborating with a gang. Daniel insists that he is innocent, and that Molly is the only person that can help him because the force has turned against him. As Molly probes into the events that led up to the arrest, she begins to wonder if the perpetrator needed to silence Daniel. Could there be a connection between Daniel’s predicament and a killer who is targeting prostitutes.This was quite the thrilling mystery. Molly has a tendency to find herself in peril when she gets close to solving a case, but this felt extra perilous. Molly’s friends Sid and Gus played a smaller role in this book than some of the previous entries, but I was amused by their attempts at amateur sleuthing. I also enjoyed seeing Molly team up with a partner, whose insight into criminology helps Molly be a more professional detective.I would recommend Oh Danny Boy. Bowen includes enough background information at the beginning of each of the Molly Murphy books for them to function as standalones, but there is something satisfying about reading the series in order. I am looking forward to reading more of the Molly Murphy mysteries in the future, as well as anything else that Rhys Bowen can come up with!

Molly's busy trying to survive as a private investigator, but having g a hard time earning enough to support herself and her adopted family. She is estranged from her friend, Daniel, himself a detective for the New York police force. But then he is arrested, charged with bribery, and thrown into The Tombs, a dungeon-like jail. Everyone thinks that he is guilty so it falls to Molly to find out who is framing him. Despite their current estrangement, she starts to follow up on the two cases that he was investigating before his arrest--including trying to uncover a serial killer of young women. As usual, Daniel says to stay away, and as usual, Molly ignores him.This mystery has multiple strands, some exciting new characters, and plenty of plot twists and energy. (I particularly liked the scenes in Coney Island, probably because of our family outings there every summer; some of the rides had changed but the density of beach-goers and the humid heat seem just the same.)

Molly Murphy is frustrated with her life in New York City. Being a detective isn't going well and she is having a hard time paying the bills. Plus, after her last encounter with police captain Daniel Sullivan, she wants nothing more to do with him. She's seriously considering moving out west and becoming a schoolteacher, much to her friends' dismay.Then she finds out rather dramatically that Daniel has been arrested and is being held in the notorious Tombs prison. He's been accused of accepting a bribe, and the new police commissioner just happened to be on the scene to witness it. Of course, the charge is laughable. Daniel is one of the few people on the police force who would never accept a bribe. With most of the force turned against him, his only hope of proving his innocence is Molly. She reluctantly takes the case.After several false starts, Molly begins to suspect that it might be related to one of two cases he was working at the time. The first involves a doped horse at the racetrack on Coney Island. The second is far more dangerous and involves a serial killer murdering prostitutes in the East Side. Either case is sure to put Molly in grave danger. Will she find the proof she needs? Will she live to free Daniel?As if this weren't enough, Molly is having some health problems. And Daniel's ex-fiancee shows up requesting a favor from Molly. What's Arabella up to?My biggest frustration with these books has been the fact that Molly sometimes seems to stumble on the answer with little more then luck. I couldn't help but laugh as Molly herself discusses this fact several times over the course of the book.This is easily the best entry in the series. Several storylines weave together to form a logical conclusion. I only pieced everything together a couple pages before Molly did, and she did an excellent job of piecing things together herself. Even friends Sid and Gus get into the act. As always these neighbors provide some wonderful comic and tender moments. They continue to show their love for Molly, and it easily endears them to the reader.The other characters in the novel are well drawn as well. New characters like Gentlemen Jack and Sabella Goodwin not only provide the needed story points, but also help recreate Molly's world. The scenes with the Arabella are especially good; I wouldn't mind seeing her character again.The city itself plays a large roll in the story. Rhys Bowen brings the New York City of 1902 to vivid life. The sights, sounds, and smells made me feel like I was in the muggy summer weather right along side Molly.This series has only gotten stronger with each entry. Don't hesitate to pick up this great book to be transported to another time and place.

All the Molly Murphy books are good. Be prepared for treatment of women before the vote. Writing is good but you’ll need to excuse small inconsistencies between books—just one per book, things like birth order, time living in the US, small details as to past—otherwise a fun read. Books are short though.

I'm getting a bit tired of Molly Murphy. There is a lot of similarity in the events she gets involved in, and some a bit incredible. There are a lot of books in the series, but I think I will stop at this one. I much preferred the Royal Spyness series. Hope there will be more of these. Also liked Evan Evans.

Are you reading this series in order? Be warned: 'Oh Danny Boy' is a bit formulaic and 'samey' compared to the earlier books in the series. You might even consider skipping this book as Molly's relationships are left in almost the same place by the end, as they were in the beginning! I can only assume the talented author wrote this under deadline or without inspiration.

I really enjoyed this book. Molly Murphy is a brilliant character and the plot line is intriguing.The historical detail is fascinating and Molly's caring attitude in this era of hardship and poverty is touching.I intent to read the rest of the series. Thank you Rhys Bowen

Great read

I am working my way through the Molly books, and enjoying them all so far. Best read in the correct order