In a Gilded Cage

In the early 1900's, New York City continues its struggle as the melting pot of the world in Bowen's 8th mystery featuring Irish immigrant Molly Murphy, a female private investigator. We have followed Molly's struggles to stay on her feet as she landed on Ellis Island and into the arms of Capt. Daniel Sullivan as murder suspect number one, running from her past in Ireland like many of her shipmates. But now Molly is settled into her house and running her own business, her life her own. And since Daniel was back in the good graces of the police department she hardly saw him anymore since crime rates were astronomical lately - the epidemic of influenza that even Molly had succumbed to was driving the populace to drastic measures. But with her lungs barely recovered from her recent bout with the flu, Molly finds herself in a cell again after a parade march for women's suffrage -not the best way to catch Daniel's attention! Luckily word passes to Daniel quickly about the incident and all of the Vassar women from the march are released - but Molly's networking has been accomplished. Despite her slight flu relapse, she does pick up the case of Emily Boswell, a pharmacist's assistant (handy for dispensing prescription aspirin!), who asks Molly to investigate the death of her Protestant missionary parents and find out the truth about Emily's past. Emily suspects that her uncle hasn't been forthright with her and maybe withholding her inheritance, but simply wants to know the facts. In the true spirit of networking, Molly picks up another case while working with Emily - she meets Emily's former roommate from college, Fanny Poindexter, who secretly hires Molly to find out who her husband is philandering with behind her back so that she may divorce him and leave him without her family money. Despite Molly's distaste for such cases she agrees, but before she is able to report back to Fanny in person, Fanny dies and it is attributed to the epidemic! When another Vassar girlfriend dies, police are convinced it is the illness spreading, but Molly and Emily are convinced that foul play is at hand, if only they can separate fiction from fact before its too late - before they, too, become a statistic. Much better!!! I am much happier with Molly and Daniel this time around - Bowen's mysteries are always well-written and set, with great character development, but I couldn't stand Daniel and couldn't understand why Molly was still in love with him. Now, they are communicating!!! I can't give it all away, but I am much more impressed with their relationship in this book, and I look forward to seeing where they are headed from here. There will never be a smooth path, but then there wouldn't be much of a story to tell, would there?

Molly has just recovered from a strain of the influenza epidemic that is sweeping New York City in the spring of 1903. But she doesn't let that stop her from joining Sid, Gus, and some of their Vassar friends in marching for women's suffrage. While that effort ends with them in jail, it also provides Molly with two new clients. First is Emily, a young woman left to fend for herself after her miserly uncle kicked her out. Emily wants to know more about her dead parents. Then Fanny hires Molly to prove her husband is cheating on her. Things are progressing on both cases when someone dies. Was it a bad case of the flu or was it murder? As always, this book was a great trip back in time. The set up is steeped in history. When the cases start, the book picks up. I actually found both of them quite interesting and puzzling. Molly has really grown as a detective, and that is evident here as she actually pulls off solving both cases. Her growing ability is actually quite fun to watch. And she continues to be an interesting character I love to spend time around. The cases her also provide Molly a good chance to think about her future as the potential wife of Captain Daniel Sullivan. As always, I was both hot and cold to him, but I seem to soften with every book. These books aren't typical mysteries but as much about life a century ago as the case at hand. And I love them for it. If you want a glimpse of another time and place, pick up this series today.

I have enjoyed each new chapter of the Molly Murphy series and "In a Gilded Cage" is no exception. Ms. Bowen has written another novel about this female private detective in New York City and the turn of the last century. Since I enjoy historical fiction, I really take pleasure in the painstaking detail that Ms. Bowen describes the city in these books. Having lived in New York City, I can get the sense of what it was like 100 years ago. Molly is hired by not one but two female acquaintances that lead her throughout the city, while she still tries to maintain a relationship with her policeman fiancé. These Molly Murphy mysteries are pure historical joy.

This book, In A Gilded Cage, is the eighth entry into the Molly Murphy series. Set in the early 1900's, Molly owns her own private detective agency, of which she is the sole employee. This in itself is rare for that time period, as most women were raised to marry well and have a lot of children, and encouraged to stay at home to raise them. Molly is very independent, curious and maddening to her police detective fiance, Daniel Sullivan. She puts herself in harm's way more than once in order to solve her cases. He can't resist her, though, as she makes friends easily and has a heart of gold. I just adore Molly, and count myself blessed by the women that have gone before us, as Molly and her friends do not even have the right to vote yet. An education is considered frivolous, and a woman alone is considered suspicious. This series is one that just keeps getting better and better, and is a quick, delightful read. Get ready for some surprising twists, and some good news for Molly. I can't wait for the next one!

Rhys Bowen has done it again! She's created yet another great Molly Murphy mystery that I have devoured in less than 2 days! Its that good. Rhys' attention to detail means she captures the spirit of turn of the century New York so successfully that you are simply transported. If you love historical mysteries, you can't get any better than this.