Well written and entertaining, and always like a mystery with a bit of a twist. Thank you to Net Galley for introducing me to this series.

Wild Irish Rose is a mystery set in New York in 1907. Molly decides to go with some friends to Ellis Island to help distribute clothing to those in need. This stirs up memories for Molly as that is how she arrived in the country. That night her Policeman husband, Daniel, arrives home with the news that there was a murder on Ellis Island that day and the main suspect is the image of Molly. Molly feels that she was meant to be there that day so that she can help to clear the woman's name. Molly is intent on solving the murder. This is a good book that I recommend.

I started with Molly Murphy ten years ago and I’ve read every one. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Molly’s return after a few years between books, and to visit again with Sid and Gus, and to see if Daniel ever improves his attitude. The last few reads in the series were only so-so for me so I was hoping that after such a long break that the Molly from the earlier books was back.

Molly is in typical form managing her husband, using her intuition, and helping to protect an Irish woman accused of murder whose arrival on Ellis Island mirrors Molly’s own emigration from Ireland. I guessed the culprit right away, but the why didn’t come until much later. The final resolution was a little too convenient, but all in all an entertaining read.

Just when I feared Daniel and Molly’s relationship was doomed to be static, he finally included her in his investigation. I’m hopeful he continues this trend to see Molly as his equal. His mother is as unlikable as ever, but Molly continues to shine. With revisiting the themes from Molly’s first book and some changes in how Daniel views Molly’s skills as a detective, this almost feels like a much needed reboot.

Although you’re caught up with Molly’s backstory and the secondary characters quickly, I think this is best enjoyed by someone who has read some of the earlier books.

3.5 stars I received an ARC from NetGalley

Second in series.
Molly is a retired PI married to a police detective when she gets involved in a murder that happens again on Ellis Island.Some suspense ,mystery, drama,and twists.. Good characters.
Was a little repetitive sometimes.
Voluntarily reviewed.

Molly Sullivan (nee Murphy) has given up her detective business and settled into domesticity with her husband, police captain Daniel Sullivan, their son Liam, and her ward, Bridie. She enjoys and takes pride in being a wife and mother, although it has its moments with a rambunctious little boy, a ward entering her teen years and asserting her independence (aided/encouraged by the neighbors, Elena (Sid) and Augusta (Gus), "Renaissance" women), and the (hopefully temporary) presence of her mother-in-law in her home. However, Molly yearns for the excitement of solving a good mystery. Molly and Bridie accompany Sid and Gus to Ellis Island to pass out warm clothes to the newly arriving immigrants, many of whom are woefully unprepared for New York winters. While there, Bridie temporarily gets separated from the group and ends up following a woman who resembles Molly. That evening, when Daniel arrives home, he tells Molly that he was out at Ellis Island today investigating a murder and that the suspect, Rose McSweeney, looks like Molly.

Molly remembers her own arrival at Ellis Island and the dire circumstances she found herself in and decides she must assist in proving Rose's innocence (as she cannot believe that Rose can actually be the killer). Daniel does not want Molly to get involved, as he wants to keep her safe -- they have both faced dangerous and at times, life-threatening situations, in the past, and he does not want to risk losing her. However, Molly is stubborn and determined, and quite resourceful, which enables her to find out information the police had yet to discover. Yet, her quest to prove Rose's innocence is going to cause problems for multiple people, including herself, and place herself and others in danger. The case will prove more complex, confusing, and surprising than expected, though the reader will likely figure out the identity of the culprit long before Molly and Daniel.

The mystery is creative, and the authors do a good job of utilizing friends and acquaintances to advance the plot and reveal clues or spark ideas that will help solve the mystery. Molly is an enjoyable and complex character, and the authors do a good job of balancing her domestic role, and the importance she feels in being a wife and mother, with her investigative side, and the tensions that her dual roles cause. While having read the earlier books in the series would be beneficial, there is enough backstory and character development that the reader will understand the main characters and plot even if this is the first Molly Murphy mystery novel they read.

I received a copy of the e-book via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I am a fan of Rhys Bowen, and have read all of the books in Her Royal Spyness Series, but this is the first I have read from the Molly Murphy Series.

To be honest, the book had a lumbering pace with too much of Molly pondering about her domestic arrangements and worries. There was too much repetition and overused phrases and cliches. Molly, like Georgie in Her Royal Spyness, is too high strung, emotional, abrasive and very childish.

Molly is a former private investigator who had to give up that profession when she married/had a child. She definitely is a talented detective and misses detecting very much. She is on the sideline, being forced to observe while her husband, a police captain, gets to do the work she wishes she could do.

There is a murder on Ellis Island, and Molly feels an affinity to the suspect because her circumstances are similar to Molly’s when she first arrived in the United States. She doesn’t trust her husband to investigate the murder fairly. This behavior may explain why Molly is so vehement in her desire to investigate the murder herself, but for a reader new to the series, it doesn’t suggest a strong, loving marriage.

The secondary characters were cardboard cutouts in my opinion. All of them.

So in spite of the numerous criticisms, I gave the book 4* because about 70% of the way through the story, it finally picked up, held my attention, and made me want to know the outcome. The mystery is interesting and I did not guess the identity of the murderer (which isn’t saying much about my detecting abilities).

In fact, I read all of the novellas in the series and Molly started to grow on me. I won’t give up yet.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Description (from cover): “New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen, now writing in partnership with her daughter, Clare Broyles, transports and enthralls readers through the incomparable Molly Murphy Sullivan. Wild Irish Rose is the next novel in this beloved mystery series, a cause for celebration for readers and critics alike.

New York, 1907: Now that she’s no longer a private detective–at least not officially–Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to a time of settled tranquility with friends and family. Back in New York, where her own story began, Molly decides to accompany some friends to Ellis Island to help distribute clothing to those in need. This journey quickly stirs up memories for Molly. When you’re far from home and see people from your country, every face looks like a family member.

That evening Molly’s policeman husband, Daniel, is late returning home. He comes with a tale to tell: there was a murder on Ellis Island that day, and the main suspect is the spitting image of Molly. The circumstances are eerily similar to when Molly herself arrived on Ellis Island, and she can’t help but feel a sense of fate. Molly was meant to be there that day so that she can clear this woman’s name.”

My Thoughts:

Molly Murphy Sullivan is a former Irish immigrant who now has a policeman husband, a baby and a family of her own. She has come a long way since she landed in Ellis Island to start her new life in America. When she has the opportunity to assist her friends with providing newly arrived immigrants with coats to protect against the harsh New York winters, she is reminded of her own past and jumps to help. While she is helping on Ellis Island, she is mistaken for one of the immigrants and is forced to prove her identity. Upon arriving at home, she learns that the immigrant she was wrongly mistaken for is a suspect in a murder. Realizing her own struggles and journey, she is drawn to help her husband solve this murder and prevent another wrongly accused woman from being thrown in jail for murder.

As I have stated before on this blog, Rhys Bowen is one of my favorite historical mystery authors. I have long been a fan of her and this series. It has been quite the journey through the years to see what Molly is going to get herself into next and when I had the opportunity to read this new release in advance, I jumped at the chance. While this book was little long in areas and felt like it dragged on more than usual, it still was a good read and new addition to a beloved series.

In this book, we really see Molly struggle with her past and her future. She wants to be a good wife and mother, but she is drawn to her past as a private detective and she cannot help but find herself in the middle of a murder investigation. While Daniel, her husband, is not thrilled with her assisting him in his investigation, he is willing to allow her to assist with a caveat, that she first be a wife and a mother and not put herself in danger. Of course, this is easier said than done and Molly is up to her old antics. This was another fantastic read by Rhys Bowen and her daughter Clare Broyles and I am anxiously awaiting the next release in this series.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Author: Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles

Series: Molly Murphy Mystery #18

Publisher: Minotaur Books

Publication Date: March 1, 2022

Pages: 384

Genre: Historical Mystery

Get It: Amazon

Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.

I am not a huge Cozy Mystery Fan, but Rhys Bowen has a certain something that makes even the cozies, interesting. I have read Molly Murphy books in the past and decided to give it a try. It was very interesting and kept me reading to the very end! Bowen still has it! I enjoyed this book even though I figured the ending pretty early in the book. Entertaining for sure. And for a cozy, this is one of the best.

Somehow I have missed starting this series, but better late than never. Molly Sullivan was a private detective before marrying a policeman and is not content to remain at home as a good little wife. It was never a problem that I had not read previous titles in this series. So, start at the beginning or with this one - you will be glad you did.

4 out of 5 stars - I'll tell you to read it, if you ask me

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for this advanced copy. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Book Summary:

New York, 1907: Now that she’s no longer a private detective—at least not officially—Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to a time of settled tranquility with friends and family. Back in New York, where her own story began, Molly decides to accompany some friends to Ellis Island to help distribute clothing to those in need. This journey quickly stirs up memories for Molly. When you’re far from home and see people from your country, every face looks like a family member.

That evening Molly’s policeman husband, Daniel, is late returning home. He comes with a tale to tell: there was a murder on Ellis Island that day, and the main suspect is the spitting image of Molly. The circumstances are eerily similar to when Molly herself arrived on Ellis Island, and she can’t help but feel a sense of fate. Molly was meant to be there that day so that she can clear this woman’s name.

Review:

Although I have read many books by Rhys Bowen, this was the first book in the Molly Murphy series that I have read. Considering this was book #18, the authors did a very good job of making sure I didn’t have to read the other books first. Previous stories and adventures were mentioned and slightly explained, but they didn’t appear to have much impact on the current book. I was able to follow the current story and characters without any issue.

While the story took several twists and turns along the way (including a murder, jewel thief, and con-man) it kept me guessing where the final story would end. While I was quickly able to figure out who not to trust, I had no idea how it would end until it was all revealed and tied up with a nice little bow.

I do now plan to go back and read all the other books in the series, as I really liked the characters.

Very interesting mystery sent in old New York, I think this is more of a YA book however. Had to put it down.
I'm sure others will love it.

I wish to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I found this to be a delightful mystery. Although it is one of a series, I did not have to read the previous books to really get into this one. I love the premise that Molly, who was once a detective in her own right, is now married to the New York Police Captain and continues to help him with his most recent murder case both with and without his blessing. The characters were delightful and varied and the reader was quickly pulled into the murder plot. I highly recommend this book and will see if I can find the previous books as well. I am now a fan and feel sure that you will be also. The descriptions of life in New York in 1907 are beautifully brought to life and the reader found herself in the middle of all the suspense. The neighbors were funny and caring and great characters as were Molly, her husband Daniel and his in-resident Mother.

Absolutely loved the return of Molly and her circle. I have followed this indomitable heroine against the remarkably well-researched and vibrant Edwardian period of New York City at a time of change and flux. Welcoming back Sid and Gus and Daniel was a delight. As was taking Molly back to the center of her first case in Manhattan: Ellis Island where she, now, attempts to assist others and find the commonalities she experienced as an immigrant years before.

What sparks me the most about this world is how Bowen carefully deconstructs the societal pressures placed on women's roles and subverts them all while staying true to the time period. Molly struggles with being a housewife and is still given spirited opportunities to use her flat-foot intellect. Sid and Gus are female companions and roommates who offer a diverse and needed representation in a historical genre which often plays to the same romantic notes.

Now that she's back, I hope Molly is here to stay again!

Molly Murphy Sullivan, former private detective, is married and settled down in New York with her policeman husband, Daniel. When she and her ward accompany their friends to Ellis Island to distribute clothing to the new arrivals, she is forced to think of the day she arrived there. Her ward goes missing when she follows a redhaired, woman she thinks is Molly. Luckily, she is found and they able to return to their home.

Later that night, Molly learns from her husband that there was a murder on Ellis Island that day and the suspect looks eerily like Molly. Molly was a suspect when she first arrived on Ellis Island and is determined to find out who really murdered the victim.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. It was such a delight to receive this Molly Murphy and I am beyond thrilled to see the series continue!!!

I’ve read and liked several of Rhys Bowen’s novels so I had high expectations for WILD IRISH ROSE by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles. There are a number of series running to a dozen or eighteen books that I love and keep reading, but I’ve been reading them since the first, and I think that makes a difference. WILD IRISH ROSE is the 18th in the novels featuring Molly Murphy Sullivan. I found it difficult to establish a rapport with the characters, coming to it so late.

I did expect something a little meatier, more in the tradition of Anne Perry’s Victorian mysteries or Charles Todd’s WWI and early 20th century mysteries. Something that bothered me a little is that it’s my understanding that the various ethnic groups in New York in the 19th and early 20th century tended to live in their own neighborhoods, like Little Italy in the case of Italian immigrants. There seems to be more of an ethnic mix in Molly’s neighborhood.

Another stumbling block for me was that Molly didn’t “feel” like a comparatively recent immigrant. But again, that may be because I’m a Joanie-come-lately to the books.

However, it’s well written and an entertaining read and fans of the series will probably enjoy it. It’s scheduled for release on March 1, 2022.

I received an ARC of WILD IRISH ROSE in exchange for my unbiased review.

Molly Murphy is now Molly Sullivan and as such her days as a private investigator are over, or are they?

Being the wife of Police Chief Daniel Sullivan, Molly walks a fine line between her curiosity and her respectability as a married woman and mother. Helping society ladies give out warm clothing on Ellis Island brings back conflicting emotions for Molly. When she finds a body and the accused is a young single Irish woman it floods Molly with determination to prove Rose McSweeney's innocence. Bridie is growing up and the influences of Sid & Gus is creating strife. As Molly unravels the Ellis Island murder, Ryan returns with a successful play opening in New York. Every story line is fascinating in details and the sense that Molly may be in over her head crops up a few times.

Wait for the end! Just how much will Daniel be able to tolerate. Will he defend Molly at all costs?

Waiting to see what Molly will get into next.

I’m so happy to see this series continue, now I’m collaboration with Rhys Bowen’s daughter Claire Broyles. I’ve been reading this series ever since I binged in the first 5 books when the sixth one came out.

Molly is no long a private investigator, and is continuing to (try to) settle into being a wife and mother. Molly goes to Ellis Island to hand out necessities to those in need. But it turns out to be bad timing because when her police office husband Daniel comes home that night, he tells her about a murder at Ellie Island, and the prime suspect is a woman who looks like Molly. Molly gets drawn back into the world of investigating, and there’s plenty of plots twists in this one.

Reading this book was almost like catching up with friends you haven’t seen in a while. I continue to love Molly’s character, the secondary characters were as fantastic as always, and there was a real sense of the historical time and place. There was some subtle humor as well. The whodunit it kept me guessing for a bit, I did guess correctly short before the reveal but it didn’t take away from enjoying the book.

I definitely recommend reading the previous books in the series to appreciate these characters history and personalities, and this is an entertaining addition to the series.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Well written mystery. The author is very descriptive when describing the scene's setting. You can feel the chilly breeze, smell the seafood for dinner and sit on the scratchy upholstered furniture of the era.

Highly recommend this read for fans of Agatha Chrsty style mysteries.

Molly Murphy is finally back in Wild Irish Rose by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles. While doing her best to be a housewife and mother, Molly finds herself drawn back into the world of detective work when a woman who resembles her is accused of murder. In spite of her husband Daniel's protests and best efforts, Molly befriends the woman and sets out to find the killer. Pals Gus and Sid take on educating Bridie, Molly's ward, which leads to a battle between Molly and Bridie, who feels like she is babied by Molly.

I was very happy to read the latest Molly Murhpy story and hope there are more to come. Thank you to St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.