Detective Molly Murphy Sullivan returns to sleuthing in Silent as the Grave. Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles have placed Molly in the midst of the burgeoning silent film industry in New York. Her playwright friend Ryan O'Hara has written a script for a silent film as well as stars in it. He invites Molly and her children to see the set. As Bridie, Molly's adopted daughter gets drawn into participating in the film's production, Molly gets drawn in too. Which is a good thing, as sabotage, intrigue and murder overshadow the making of the film.

This is a well researched mystery that adds great detail from the actual silent film industry to bolster the plot. Molly fans will certainly enjoy it.

Molly Murphy Sullivan finds herself investigating sabotage and murder in the new motion picture industry in “Silent As The Grave”. Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles continue to entertain us while giving us a glimpse at New York City and women’s circumstances in the early twentieth century.

A delightful tale that manages to combine the magic of NYC in the early 1900s, the burgeoning silent film industry, and murder. Make that murder plural. I've enjoyed this series from the beginning and it's been a delight to follow Molly as she's matured and grown into a young mother. She's now married to police captain Daniel with not just an adopted 14-year old daughter, Bridie, but toddler Liam and baby Mary Kate. Let's just say, Mary Kate's loud demands to be fed -- remember this is set in the early 1900's before bottle feeding became common -- keep Molly tied to home and hearth. For the most part she doesn't mind, in fact, she loves it, but, well, as a former female detective, she does miss that rush, too. The characters, both regulars and the rest, are well fleshed out and you'll love getting a peek at how early silent movies were made, including how dangerous it was at times. Dangerous and competitive. Be sure to read the historical notes at the end to discover who was real (I think Mary Pickford is obvious, as is Edison), who wasn't and more.

The story centers around daughter Bridie being asked to fill in after a female star is fired. Bridie is only 14 but Molly agrees with the stipulation that it's just this once and she'll return to school the next week. Yes, silent movies were written, rehearsed, and filmed in only a matter of days. While disturbed by several accidents on set, Molly accepts that it's all part of the nature of the art initially while keeping a close watch over Bridie, who seems a natural. Than, there is a death. Accident or murder? Bridie has a close call that Molly is unable to accept was 100% an accident. Then there is another death. And... well, I won't detail any more of the plot except to share my amazement that Thomas Edison was depicted by the movie people as the potential murderer all for his determination to lead the charge in the new industry. Since history tells us he wasn't a murderer, it was intriguing to see Molly put her detective skills back in motion and follow the clues to find the real killer.

Bottom line, I was probably as captivated seeing how silent movies got their beginnings. It was great fun to discover some of the camera tricks used for special effects, not to mention how some tense scenes were done. All with little budget and quickly. Definitely fun to spend some time with Molly's friends Sid and Gus, who were captivated by the art of film making. Flamboyant friend Ryan is on hand, too, as both a film script writer and actor, giving us another vantage point on how these early reels were cranked out super quickly. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where Daniel's new job with what appears to be the fledgling FBI office in NYC leads them. Something tells me him being employed by the government won't keep Molly out of investigating. Thanks to #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me this early virtual visit via the time machine back to NYC to catch up with Molly and the rest. Will Bridie be content to leave the spotlight now that she's felt the rush of film making? What exactly will Daniel's new job involve?

Title: Silent as the Grave
Authors: Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles
Series: Molly Murphy
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pub Date: March 11, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages 336

After twenty books in the Molly Murphy series Detective Molly Murphy Sullivan is now officially retired and goes undercover.
I have not read ALL twenty but I certainly enjoyed the ones I have read.

Story is based in New York City Date April 1909.
Molly Murphy Sullivan is a bit overloaded with motherhood- baby Mary Kay is five months old and Liam is a toddler and adopted daughter Birdie fourteen. Daniel is a police captain and has a responsibility on Washington as Easter break begins in New York.
When Molly’s friend Ryan O’Hara, invites Molly, little Liam and Birdie to visit him on the movie set he is current shooting - she thinks – why not?
However when one of the actresses is fired, Molly’s adopted daughter, Bridie, is asked to replace her in the scene. Who knew that Birdie would be perfect? Next thing
Birdie is asked to continue in the rest of the film, Molly is not sure but her friends, Sid and Gus, offer to chaperone Birdie. ( This movie turns out to be one of this the first silent films.

As always our retired Molly still gets caught in this complex investigation. There are many details as well as many suspects.

Additionally I always enjoy with a story includes the protagonist family get involved.

Yes! Just as the blurb mentioned ~
Mother/Daughter authors Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles deliver an engaging mystery full of vibrant historical details and thrilling escapades featuring one of mystery's most beloved sleuths.

I also love when a story is Historical Fiction that we are told was id fiction and what actually happened.
Our authors stated they tried to be true regarding the aspects of the early movie-making but did fictionalized most of the characters. They them give us a break down on whom the fictional characters were based on.
I encourage readers to be sure to take time to read the “Historical Note’ at the end of the story.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Marin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this great early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for March 11, 2025.

Molly is the mother of a young baby and to fourteen year old Bridie. Her husband, a police captain, is off to Washington, DC as the FBI is being formed. Meanwhile, Bridie has been hired to be in one of the first moving films during her school vacation. Accidents soon begin to happen on the set and Molly is hired to investigate. It was fun reading about Mary Pickford, Edison, and the beginning of the film industry.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

1909, amateur-sleuth, arson, attitude-of-entitlement, class-consciousness, cold-case, family-dynamics, famous-persons, friendship, gangsters, historical-mystery, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, investigations, law-enforcement, missing-persons, movie-industry, NYC, read, relationship-issues, relationships, sabotage, silent-films, suspense, undercover, unputdownable*****

The most recent murder was on the movie set. While NYPD Detective Sullivan is away in Washington DC consulting with government officials about a new branch of law enforcement, Molly is mostly at home with the new baby and friends coming to visit. Adopted daughter Bridie is fourteen now and is totally enamored with all the hype about the new business of making silent movies. When the girl skips school and spends her days with the film crew, Molly gets into the business of making sure that the girl is safe from a number of things. Then there's the sabotage incidents. Worse yet, there is a murder!
I am always thrilled with the way the authors weave historical facts and persons into well crafted mysteries, and this one is no exception!
I requested and received a free temporary copyrighted digital galley from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Pub Date Mar 11 2025 #SilentAsTheGrave by @Rhysbowen and @clare_broyles #MollyMurphyMysteriesBk21 @MinotaurBooks @StMartinsPress #SilentMovies #HistoricalFiction #CozyMystery

Another highly enjoyable cozy read from Rhys Bowen and her daughter Clare Broyles.

It’s 1909 and Molly Sullivan, a busy New Yorker and mother of three, is introduced via her friends and neighbors, Sid and Gus, to the new phenomenon of filmmaking. What starts as a peek into this new medium, quickly turns into a complicated involvement.

Bowen deftly combines the development of the film industry and its pioneers, D.W. Griffith, Thomas Edison and Mary Pickford with fictional characters and circumstances that add to the storyline. There are a lot of characters and they keep your interest.

This is part of the Molly Murphy series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone. However, I recommend that you read the series in sequence so that you see the growth of the characters. It is a delightful series and you will be glad you read them.

This was a great cozy mystery! I love when books like this tie in historical facts - this one was especially interesting with the tie-in to the early movie industry. The characters are well-rounded and it kept me guessing throughout the book. Highly recommend!

Although intrepid detective Molly Murphy's life has changed greatly since she first arrived in turn-of-the-20th-century America from Ireland, her native intelligence, curiosity, and determination continue to serve her well in solving crimes and mysteries. In this fascinating glimpse into the making of the first silent American films, readers are given an understanding of how basic and creative these first examples of early moving photography really were. Some genuine legends of the fledgling industry, such as star Mary Pickford and director D. W. Griffith, keep company with fictional characters in the book and give it breadth. Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles have triumphed in keeping Molly's adventures fresh throughout the series--this is Molly's 21st book--and in the fun word-play of the title.

Time for another five star rated mystery book review! I could not put this treasure down! Absolutely loved every moment of it absorbed every word and every scene! I have always been a admirer of the early motion picture industry! And this book definitely revolves around that time! 📖

Our leading character Molly is involved in the early movie industry along with the new stages of the Federal Bureau Investigation! Gasp! 🫢

Molly's fiery spirit shines through each chapter! She is a wonderful investigator and knows how to connect with many people from many walks of life. 🎙️

Every time I thought I got a clue correct I was definitely stumped! But in a good way! I had to run to the kitchen to get a quick snack in order to keep up with the book. I didn't want to miss a single thing. Better than a Hulu movie premiere! 📺

Having gone to a motion picture school when I was younger I definitely felt nostalgic reading this story. I can see all the cameras and feel all the lights on me going back in time. 🍾

The mystery itself was very well paced! I can see in my head all the props and goodies! I don't want to give too much away but all the colorful cast of characters each had their own suspicion in my point of view. The puzzle pieces all add up together of what's happening and I felt like a Einstein!

Bravo!! 🎁

In this, the next book in the Molly Murphy series, Molly gets involved with murder during the early moving picture industry. Molly's husband is called to Washington to discuss the newly evolving Federal Bureau of Investigation. While he is gone, Molly must take care of her three children. Her friends convince her to visit the studio of D. W. Griffith and watch a friend act in an early moving picture. Her daughter accepts a part in the movie when one of the actresses is fired.

But all is not well with the studio. It's clear that someone is trying to sabotage the filming. Is it competitor, Thomas Edison? Is it the mafia, especially after an Italian actress is fired? Or is something else going on?

Then, the accidents turn serious. First one, and then the other brother who own the studio, are killed. Molly, and her returning husband have their work cut out for them

I really love this series. It is well-written. The characters are intriguing. The dialog is crisp. The action has a great blend of humor and seriousness. I strongly recommend this book and the whole series.

This story takes place in Manhattan, in the early 1900s. Molly worked as a detective but with two small children is now at home. Her adopted daughter, Bridie, is in a film and when it appears that the film is being sabotaged, she is hired to observe what is going on. It appears that it is an inside job. The historical details add a lot to the mystery. Bridie and Liam are wonderful children, and Molly is a great mother. With her husband away, she has a lot on her plate.

Molly Murphy Sullivan, retired detective and mother, is back in action. When her daughter lands a role in a Hollywood film, Molly goes undercover to investigate a series of mysterious accidents on set. As we all know, retired or not, Molly is not going to sit by idly and watch from the sidelines. As Bridie's acting career takes off, Molly finds herself drawn into the world of Hollywood, where special effects and behind-the-scenes drama collide. When a series of mysterious accidents occur on set, Molly suspects sabotage and decides to go undercover to investigate.

I always look forward to catching up with Molly, her family, and the ladies across the street.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

SILENT AS THE GRAVE by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles
A Molly Murphy Mystery

A delightful and fascinating look at early movie-making, with a twisty plot. Who is sabotaging the work on Ryan O’Hare’s film at Biography Studios? Fierce competition with Thomas.Edison plays a part, but is Edison ruthless enough to commit murder?
I love Molly Murphy, now Sullivan, her independent-minded friends, and her lovely family. Daniel is realistic enough to know Molly will never be a sedate stay-at-home wife, but still, the demands of three children do complicate matters. Infant Mary Kate needs to be fed, young Liam needs watching and entertainment, and Bridie, 14, needs chaperoning. I’m reminded of the parent volunteers at our school who said that in the teen years the potential for big trouble increases, requiring even more loving attention, and she does face heart-stopping danger.
Molly has come so far, but she hasn’t forgotten her Irish “peasant” beginnings, and that empathy and understanding helps her connect with others and get information official investigators might not. Her concern for others makes her that much more determined to help achieve justice.
I also enjoy the historical insights to the period, how films were made, the fire hazard, how early cars worked, how clothing styles restricted or allowed freedom of movement, and so much more.
I found it nearly impossible to put this book down.
Pub. Date in March, giving readers time to read earlier books in the series (though you wouldn’t have to).

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

A great edition to the Molly series. I love the look into movie making! An interesting mystery for Molly to solve. Wonderful characters and lovely setting! A historical fiction must read!

Molly Murphy Sullivan is living life with adopted daughter, her son, and newborn daughter. She is trying to juggle motherhood, being a wife, and being a friend. Her husband, Daniel, is sent to Washington, DC right after Easter and the murder of a police officer. Molly's dear friend, Ryan, comes to visit, and he's shooting a movie! Molly and her children are invited to the set. When the actress is fired, Bridie, Molly's adopted daughter, is called to replace her! She is a natural for the camera and is asked to star in the rest of the film. Molly cannot stay to chaperone, so Sid and Gus, Molly's dearest friends, will chaperone.

Accidents happen onset. When Bridie is put in danger, Molly thinks it is actually sabotage. Molly works as a makeup artist to go undercover while she investigates.

The introduction to film making is very interesting, and Rhys Bowen does an amazing job showing this! New York City is brought to life in the next installment of the Molly Murphy series.



Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles for an advanced copy for review.

Molly is coping with her 3 children while Daniel is in Washington DC on a crime task force. She manages to become involved with a movie company while also fearing gang violence. It is soon apparent that someone is sabotaging the company and Molly cannot help but step in to help. Fascinating details about the early days of film making add to this intriguing mystery.

I’m a huge fan of Molly Murphy but it’s been a while since I had read one of her adventures.This book works perfectly well by itself with enough explanations about the characters without having to read the series..The series as always is a wonderful historical glimpse of New York in the early 1900’s.The mystery in this book is set around the silent movie world.The book is rich in details but fun.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC.

The latest installment of the Molly Murphy series gives our Irish heroine an opportunity to get involved in the silent film industry. When her adopted daughter, Bridie, gets the opportunity to star in a movie, it doesn't take long for things to go awry. Strange accidents begin to occur, and since this is a murder mystery series, it shouldn't be any surprise when a dead body shows up.

My favorite part of this series is getting reintroduced to long-standing characters, like Sid and Gus. Molly's family has grown now that her daughter has been born, and it's always fascinating to go back in time to the New York of the early twentieth century. There's a nice character development at the end of the book, but I won't say anything else about that for fear of spoiling the fun for everyone else.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my opinions.