Molly Murphy Sullivan, the wife of NYPD Captain Daniel
Sullivan, is at it again. Prior to their marriage, Molly
was a detective, and she just can't seem to let go of a
good investigation. She meets a couple of beggar children
on the streets of New York and is concerned about them.
They don't appear to be the usual lot of beggars.
Tig and his sister Emmy have impeccable manners and speak
very proper English. Emmy has a beautiful voice, and it
is her voice that draws Molly to them as Emmy is singing
"Away in a Manger."
Molly soon learns that the children's mother brought them
here from England and left them with a lady who
runs a boarding house. The lady is very mean to them and
sends them out to beg each day. It's been over six months
since their mother left and never came back.
Molly believes something is very wrong with this entire
situation and begins an investigation to learn what has
happened to Tig and Emmy's mom. What she learns turns out
to be a tangled web of lies, deceit, and murder.
Set in New York City just before Christmas 1905, Rhys
Bowen pens a delightful yet sad tale of early twentieth
century America. AWAY IN A MANGER explores corruption as
well as gang and mafia activity in New York City. It
speaks of the issues that immigrants faced when they
arrived in our country. Molly's character is strong and
determined. She is surrounded by several diverse yet
well-developed supporting characters. The plot takes some
unexpected twists and turns, and you'll be rooting for
Molly all the way as she strives to find the truth. Molly
is also striving to balance being a good mother and wife
while looking for acceptance from her mother-in-law. Ms.
Bowen has written a number of Molly Murphy mysteries.
This is my first case with Molly, but AWAY IN A MANGER
can stand alone as a charming holiday cozy mystery read.
It''s Christmastime in 1905 New York City, and for once,
Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to the approaching
holidays. She has a family of her own now: she and Daniel
have a baby son and twelve-year-old Bridie is living with
them as their ward. As Molly and the children listen to
carolers in the street, they hear a lovely voice, the voice
of an angel, and see a beggar girl huddled in a doorway,
singing "Away in a Manger." Bridie is touched by the girl's
ragged clothes and wants to help her out if they can. They
give her a quarter, only to watch a bigger boy take it from
her. But Molly discovers the boy is the girl's older
brother. They've come from England and their mother has
disappeared, and they're living with an aunt who mistreats
them terribly.
Molly quickly realizes that these children are not the usual
city waifs. They are well-spoken and clearly used to better
things. So who are they? And what's happened to their
mother? As Molly looks for a way to help the children and
for the answers to these questions, she gets drawn into an
investigation that will take her up to the highest levels of
New York society.
This is another compelling and richly drawn mystery from New
York Times bestseller Rhys Bowen.