This is book 21 in a series which says a lot right there. It was a well-developed, interesting mystery. I haven't read any of the 20 prior books and I didn't have any trouble following along although there were plenty of clues to things that must have gone on before.

Molly and her daughter get caught up in a movie making venture while her husband is away. When the situation proves dangerous, Molly can’t help but get involved trying to figure things out. It was fascinating learning about early movie making. The need to do something that had never been done before lead them to make crazy, dangerous decisions at times. I also didn’t know that Thomas Edison was involved in making movies. Mind blown. I hope he wasn’t exactly as he was portrayed in this book.

Molly has colorful friends that I hope show up in future books. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I’d recommend it. All opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed this book. Compelling historical mystery with interesting info on the film industry. Recommended.

Silent as the Grave is another engaging installment in the Molly Murphy series, blending historical intrigue with a touch of early Hollywood glamour. Molly’s motherly instincts are put to the test when her adopted daughter, Bridie, unexpectedly lands a starring role in a silent film. But when mysterious “accidents” on set escalate to a deadly level, Molly finds herself drawn into an investigation that pulls back the curtain on the cutthroat world of early cinema. With her husband away and the stakes higher than ever, she must navigate hidden rivalries, sabotage, and a growing list of suspects—all while keeping her family safe.

Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles craft a well-paced mystery filled with rich historical details and the charm readers expect from the series. Molly remains a sharp and determined protagonist, and the novel’s setting—Hollywood in its infancy—adds a fascinating backdrop. While the mystery unfolds in a somewhat predictable manner, the compelling characters and atmospheric storytelling make for an entertaining read. A delightful mix of suspense, history, and family drama.

Silent as the Grave is the 21st book in the ever-popular Molly Murphy Mystery series by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles. As is my way, I started this series on book 18 and have thoroughly enjoyed all those I've read. When I have time, I am going to catch up on all I missed. But the particular mysteries in each volume of this series stand alone, so no worries. This go-round, we have a fun mystery involving Molly, her family and friends, plus real-life figures such as Mary Pickford, DW Griffith and Thomas Edison!

It's April 1909, and it's the dawn of motion pictures. Molly Murphy Sullivan is busy juggling her newborn baby Mary Kate, 5-year-old Liam and 14-year-old Bridie. That's a handful, especially when her husband Daniel, a New York City police captain, is off to Washington to discuss a new federal bureau for police investigations. It's the beginning of Easter break, and Molly's flamboyant dear friend and playwright Ryan O’Hara is in New York to shoot a movie, one of the first to involve a real plot and actors. He invites Molly and the children to visit the set, and all are excited. When an actress is fired from the film, they ask Bridie to replace her in the scene that's being shot. Apparently she's really good at it, as she is asked to continue in the role until the film is completed. Molly doesn't feel comfortable about leaving her alone on the set as she tends to the other children, but dear friends and self-appointed godparents Sid and Gus offer to chaperone her. Cameramen are trying to figure out exciting ways to get the perfect shot, but their special effects begin to go wrong. When Bridie is put in danger that's bad enough, but then after a few mishaps where no one was hurt, someone winds up dead. There's rumors of a feud between studios - with one studio headed by Thomas Edison - and Molly is asked to go undercover to investigate. Things are getting dicey!

Authors Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles are the mother-and-daughter writing team of this series, and they have magic as partners. These characters are still going strong, and the stories that I've read always seem fresh. With wonderful characters like these, how could they go wrong?! Molly is a delight, as always. She grew up poor in Ireland, emigrated to the United States, worked a private investigator, and then became a wife to a policeman, and a mother. Though she adores her family life and her home, there's still a part of her that will always remain a private investigator. Molly is often the smartest person in the room, and she often puts clues together that no one else seems to see. Husband Daniel is a police captain, and he would prefer that Molly just tend to the family and stay safe. Ha! Like that's gonna happen! He often becomes exasperated with Molly jumping into situations that may lead to danger, but he also respects her intelligence and sometimes seeks her help. I'm still not totally warmed up to Daniel yet, but there's obviously love and affection between Molly and Daniel. And I must also keep in mind that this book is set in 1909, and that was a whole other world! Molly's friend Ryan is always entertaining when he shows up; he's funny and snarky. My favorite supporting characters are Sid and Gus, a female couple who are the dearest friends of Molly, and they love Molly's kids. They always make me smile when they appear. This time they get into the spirit of filmmaking, and they purchase a movie camera and write scenes to film. I just adore them! Bridie is charming, vacillating between being a kid and a young woman. She doesn't know if she wants to be an actress now, or a policeman like her Papa. This was a great mystery. At first it appeared that accidents were happening, but then a death occurs. So was it an accident? And when another death occurs, Molly is pretty sure it was murder! There were feuds between two studios, and one of the studios was led by Thomas Edison. Surely you've heard that name before... Mary Pickford the actress appeared in the story, as did D.W. Griffith, whose film "The Birth of a Nation" may be one of the most controversial US films ever made. There were plenty of suspects, and I admit that I just KNEW who the killer was. Except I was wrong! This was a fun installment in the series, and I hope our writing duo is busily working on Molly's next adventure!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Silent as the Grave, written by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles, is the 21st installment in the Molly Murphy Mystery series. It’s set in 1909 New York. When Molly and family are invited to the filming of D.W. Griffith’s latest moving picture, no one is more excited than Bridie, Molly’s adopted daughter, and even more so, when she is asked to replace one of the actresses. But when she is almost the victim of a serious accident and Molly learns that it is just the latest in a series of such incidents, Molly is determined to uncover who is responsible. But then there’s a murder and, suddenly the stakes are so much higher both for the family and Molly’s family.

I found this to be a very enjoyable, as well as suspenseful, entry in this long running series. The authors have clearly conducted thorough research on the early movie industry and have done a terrific job weaving real events and people into the tale, creating a very compelling tale which kept my interest throughout. For anyone who enjoys well-written historical fiction, especially those set during the early days of the movies, this one’s definitely for you.

Thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an eArc of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Molly Murphy is back to solve another mystery, this time with two young children in tow. In “Silent as the Grave” Molly, along with friends Sid and Gus, are invited to see the filming of a moving picture. Molly’s adopted daughter, Bridie, tags along since she’s on a school break. After the lead actress is fired on the spot, Bridie is cast in the role. Molly is concerned, but allows Sid and Gus to act as chaperones while she tends to Liam and infant Mary Kate. When Bridie’s life is nearly cut short in a tragic accident, Molly is tapped to investigate a series of mishaps that now look like sabotage. A movie studio rivalry and a killer who will stop at nothing add to the tension. Can Molly put an end to the sabotage and find the killer before it’s too late?

As in other books in the series, authors Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles explore women’s roles and the restrictions placed upon them in the early 20th century United States. On top of this, Molly isn’t feeling herself since the birth of Mary Kate and is struggling to find her way. Overall, this is a satisfying look at the early film industry through Molly’s eyes.

This story is great for fans of Molly Murphy or fans of historical fiction.

I received an advance review copy for free from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press|Minotaur Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Accidents, malfunctions, suspense, and a movie studio are featured in the twenty-first book in the mystery series featuring Molly Murphy Sullivan, Silent as the Grave. It starts with a heartrending prologue that immediately pulls readers into the story. Set in New York City during eight days in April 1909, this intriguing novel takes readers to the beginnings of silent movies.

Molly is juggling a newborn, a five-year-old son, and fourteen-year-old daughter Bridie, along with household chores. Playwright and friend Ryan O’Hara is shooting a silent film involving a real plot and actors, and Molly and the children are invited to the set. When Bridie gets a chance to replace a fired actress, Molly reluctantly agrees to let friends and neighbors Sid and Gus to chaperone Bridie.

As things continue to go wrong during the shooting of the movie, the situation turns deadly. Is there a saboteur or simply malfunctions and accidents? Molly is invited to go undercover on the set to investigate.

Molly misses the days when she had her own detective agency. She is curious and enjoys life more when there’s a spark of danger. She’s observant, but tends to disregard her safety at times. While she can be headstrong, it seems she has mellowed somewhat with marriage and children. Molly’s husband Daniel is a police homicide captain. He takes his job seriously and worries that Molly gets herself into dangerous situations. Bridie has a large role in this story as well. She felt relatable as a teenager for the times.

Combining information about the early days of the movie industry with a mystery worked well. Additionally, along with the fictional characters, there are a mixture real people like Thomas Edison and Mary Pickford that added realism to the story. The book is descriptive, making for great world-building, but the pacing was somewhat slow, but interspersed with action scenes.

Along with the information about the film industry, there are discussions of women’s roles, as well as several inventions, and the beginning of a federal Bureau of Investigations. Friendship and family dynamics add to the depth of the story. The author adds enough twists to keep readers guessing, and there is one strong emotional scene.

Overall, this was an entertaining and suspenseful novel that kept me engaged. Readers who enjoy historical mysteries or are interested in the early days of silent movies will likely enjoy this novel. While this is the first book I have read in the series, I had no trouble reading it as a standalone.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books, Rhys Bowen, and Clare Broyles provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 11, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

This book was a wonderful addition to the series. These books are great cozy mysteries.
I love the Molly Murphy mysteries series and this one does not disappoint! Bowen keeps each installment unique and interesting.
If you love a good historical mystery novel with a strong female detective, you will enjoy this book.
Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles has delivered another lively and entertaining Molly Murphy mystery.

I love this series. This is book 21 and while it could be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the whole series because I feel that the background info you attain along the way enhances it.
There are always a wealth of characters in these books. Many interesting regulars such as Molly, Daniel, their children and Molly’s friends Sid and Gus. In this installment we have a recurring character in Ryan who Molly knows through Sid and Gus.
This was a beautifully written historical fiction mystery. It’s not perfectly true to life as some names were changed but Thomas Edison did have a movie company that had some controversy and Mary Pickford did start in moving pictures in 1909, the year this book is based.
I love, love, love Molly. I get excited every time a new installation comes out. I’ve followed the story since Molly was in Ireland and came to the US. She’s been through some incredible adventures. She is now a married woman with children and still manages to get embroiled in excitement. I’ve gotten a glimpse of the suffrage movement through this series as well as other people and events in and around New York City in the early part of the last century.
I did receive this book as a free ARC, which felt like Christmas!, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This series if one of my favorites and I have listened to almost all on audible, which lately is my preferred method! It has been wonderful to see how Molly has matured and grown from the start and she has become a beloved character.

New York in the early 1900's is brought to life and this time with the silent film industry. When Molly's daughter steps in for an actress and strange things start happening, the suspense notches up.

If you have not read this series, I encourage you to start from book one and read through. You will be glad you did!

Silent as the Grave is Bowen & Broyles 21st Molly Murphy Sullivan cozy mystery. As the title alludes to, the majority of the plot takes place at the newly established NYC movie studios, where silent movies are just beginning to gain popularity. While I found the novel enjoyable, and very informative with regards to the movie making process of the early 21st century, I do believe Molly Murphy has lost some of her spirit and spunk.

Many books ago, the audience feel in love with this resourceful amateur detective who was able to slip in and out of unexpected situations with grace and a bit of luck. Now, Molly is a mother of 3, who is most concerned with not leaving her children for too long, and making sure her police captain husband always looks respectable in the eyes of the city. I understand, part of this shift in personality is due to the sociality expectations of married women at the time, but I also believe the characters are becoming a little worn out. Bowen and Broyles writing is feeling a bit redundant.

A mystery for Molly to solve is still present however not until the audience is almost half way through the novel, and the final reveal is satisfying enough. For fans of historical fiction and cozy mysteries, Silent as the Grave is still a great suggestion.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me the opportunity to read this novel.

1909

Molly Sullivan is married to police captain Daniel Sullivan. It’s easter week and he has been sent to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Secret Service on some planning mission. That leaves Molly at home with their adopted daughter, Bridie, 14, young son Liam, and infant daughter Mary Kate.

When Molly’s friend, Ryan O’Hare, an Irish playwright, arrives in town, he invites her and Bridie to the theater to watch them shoot a movie. Bridie is fascinated and when an actress is fired, Bridie is asked to fill in for her. She is thrilled and turns out to be a natural. However, some of the scenes are downright dangerous and Bridie is almost serious injured. Molly doesn’t not want to her to continue. But as Molly was once a detective and had her own agency, she is asked by a member of the crew to watch the happenings on the set as there have been some scary things happening and they wonder is someone is trying to sabotage the film. But things escalate when someone is found dead and believed to be murdered. Will Molly be able to solve the crime?

This is the fourth Molly Murphy book that I have read. I agree that it is well thought out, however, this particular subject matter of film making didn’t really interest me. I admit to getting somewhat bored but I did want to finish it as I knew the ending would be good which it is.

I have loved Her Royal Spyness Mysteries by Rhys Bowen. I haven’t read all of them because, sadly, the publisher handling that series and who shall remain unnamed, seems to only approve requests by reviewers on NetGalley if they are a Librarian. So unfair. There are so many terrific reviewers out there who would love to be approved to read and review this wonderful author’s books but are not being approved. This stifles publicity for the author.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When Molly visits her friends Ryan O’ Hara on the set of an early silent movie, her adopted daughter Bridie winds up getting discovered and cast in the lead. So Molly starts spending time on the set herself, where she sees some suspicious accidents. But when one hits very close to home, Molly starts investigating. Can she find proof of sabotage before someone dies?

I’ve always appreciated that this series has given us glimpses into many different worlds of 1900’s New York City. As a fan of movies, this setting was very fun. Having said that, the pacing was really off here, which was disappointing. The climax is satisfying, however. I enjoy spending time with the characters, although some growth would be nice. I did feel transported to the time period as I read. Fans of the series will appreciate time with the characters even if this isn’t the strongest book in the series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Rhys Bowen; Clare Broyles for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Silent as the Grave coming out March 11, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy Rhys Bowen’s writing. I’m not familiar with the other author. This is the first book I’ve read in this series. I definitely need to go back and read the other books. I really love historical cozy mysteries! Molly is a really interesting and bright character. I loved the golden era movie plot. There was a lot of action and I loved the cast of characters. I would definitely check out more books by these authors!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy historical mysteries!

Silent as the Grave by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles is a Molly Murphy book. Molly, as we know, is irrepressible and curious. A dangerous combination. Molly’s friend, Ryan, a playwright, is back with a new career: movie actor. He invites Molly and her daughter, Bridie, and Sid and Gus to come and watch the filming. Fifteen minute silent film, made in a week, at a house converted into a movie studio. It is exciting and by a fluke, Bridie is invited to take part. It turns out she is pretty good and given that it is a school holiday and Daniel is out of town, Molly allows it...until there is an accident and Bridie comes too close to being hit by a train. That is not the only accident, as it turns out.

We have watched Molly’s life since she arrived from Ireland and it has been a journey. What a great character she is. She now has two children: Five-year-old, Liam and infant, Mary Kate. She loves being a wife and mother but when something tweaks her curiosity there is no stopping her. She has a fabulous resource in her police captain husband, and although he is never happy, he always assists. Good mystery with several historical figures putting in appearances, dead and alive. Sid and Gus are, as always, a source of amusement. Molly’s friends serve to broaden Daniel’s horizons, albeit, kicking and screaming. Great characters, excellent historical research, as well as an intriguing setting and mystery make this a must read.

I was invited to read Silent as the Grave bySt Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #RhysBowen #ClareBroyles #SilentAsTheGrave

This is a very fun series. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Molly and her friends and family. And the author introduces real-life aspects of Gilded Age New York. In this story, Molly explores the world of the early motion pictures of 1908 as she and her adopted daughter are involved with the short silent films of D.W. Griffith. Molly sets out to investigate mysterious incidents that keep happening on the movie set and might be connected to the competition the studio is having with Thomas Edison. I found that history of how those early films were made and how they produced some of the special effects.

When two deaths happen to the heads of the studio, Molly, of course, jumps right in to investigate what happened. I hadn’t suspected the ultimate murderer, but once that person was revealed, I could look back and see that all the clues were there. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you’ll really enjoy this story.

With Molly’s husband, a police captain, set to join the brand-new federal Bureau of Investigation, which will eventually become the FBI, I imagine future stories in this series will involve corruption and organized crime.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Silent as the Grave is the latest Molly McGuire Mystery. Molly is feeling post partum depression after her daughter’s birth. This series takes place at the turn of the 20th century so it has a historical aspect which I enjoyed. Bridie, Molly’s adopted daughter seizes an opportunity to act in a silent film. Molly accompanies her to act as chaperone. Accidents have been occurring on the set and it isn’t long before there is a body.
I enjoyed this book especially because I haven’t read this series before and had no problem relating to the characters. I hope to read more about Molly.

I always love Molly's adventures. When Molly and Bridie go to watch a movie being filmed with friends, Bridie is discovered. Bridie is really excited to be in a movie and with her being on Spring break, Molly gives her consent. But all is not well on the movie set. Accidents are happening and Molly fears for Bridie's safety. Molly is asked to look into the accidents to find out if it is one of the crew who works for the competition. When a murder occurs, Molly decides she needs to find the culprit because Daniel is out of town. Someone needs to investigate, the police that responded thinks it is only an accident. Can she find the person?

A fun addition to the long running series (also just fine as a standalone) that sees Molly taking a hard look at the silent movie business after her 14 year old daughter Bridie is tapped to play a part in one. This combines interesting details the period and the industry with a zippy mystery that Molly, who has been at home with a new baby, is happy to work on, especially when one sabotage puts Bridie at risk! There's a list of suspects for the villain which includes a famous inventor. As always, the characters, including Molly's husband Daniel, make this an entertaining read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

A Molly Murphy Mystery #21

In a few words:

Molly’s daughter Birdie is asked to replace a lead female in D.W. Griffith’s latest film. Everything goes smoothly till Birdie nearly dies while filming a dangerous stunt. To Molly something is not right and decides to jump back into PI work and go undercover on the set to figure out who may be behind all this brouhaha…..

My thoughts:

From time to time, I like to pick up an engaging mystery full of vibrant historical details. The magic of New York City in 1909 and the growing film industry should have made an interesting read. But the authors were not that convincing evoking the period, less so when it came to real-life figures (Griffith and Thomas Edison). I thought they were more comical characters that visionaries and inventors but that is me you may think differently. As for the tempo, it drags a little too much for my taste, at times I had some difficulty staying in tune with Molly escapade my mind wandering too much…maybe I was somewhat bored.

Even if this latest is not my preferred installment in this series I will admit this story is a satisfying domestic mystery even with all its predictability and its silly moments.