Search - Murphy's Law (Molly Murphy, Bk 1)

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.

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."

#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

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.

The character of Molly Murphy is quite engaging. Seeing New York through her eyes was a pleasure.

The first in the Molly Murphy mystery series. Interesting characters and settings.