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.
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