Pushover

Norah Mulcahaney #15

by Lillian O'Donnell

New York police officer Norah Mulcahaney uses all of her wits to solve the murder of an aged movie star and the subway death of a young woman. By the author of A Private Crime. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery

202 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 9, 1992

About the author

Married J. Leonard O'Donnell. Lived in New York, NY. Interred in Maple Grove Cemetery.
Began career in theater then turned to writing crime novels. Longest running character was NY City policewoman Norah Mulcahaney, but also had series for Mici Anhalt, a crime victims investigator, and private detective Gwenn Ramadge.

Reviews

[Alton Motobu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weak four stars only because the book was too short (202 pages) and could not expand on the story lines and develop all of the characters fully. Two separate plots: (1) grandson, age 10, of a wealthy former movie star is kidnapped, (2) serial killer pushes young women to their deaths in subway system. NYPD Lt. Norah Mulcahaney investigates both cases simultaneously, which keeps action flowing and interest high. In the kidnapping case every suspect seems to have an airtight alibi, but Norah finds the real truth after thorough investigation. In the subway case the police know who it is, but he disguises himself, so even after a fully rehearsed stakeout they almost miss him. Both cases are resolved satisfactorily but wish the book could have been longer so things could have been explored in more detail.