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The Edge of Dreams

(Molly Murphy #14)

Rhys Bowen (Goodreads Author)

4.02 · Rating details · 2,363 ratings · 224 reviews

Molly Murphy Sullivan’s husband Daniel, a captain in the New York City police force, is stumped. He’s chasing a murderer whose victims have nothing in common—nothing except for the taunting notes that are delivered to Daniel after each murder. And when Daniel receives a note immediately after Molly and her young son Liam are in a terrible subway crash, Daniel and Molly bot ...more

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Hardcover, 320 pages

Published March 3rd 2015 by Minotaur Books

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· 2,363 ratings · 224 reviews

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Start your review of The Edge of Dreams (Molly Murphy Mysteries, #14)

Apr 26, 2016 Dagny rated it it was amazing

Shelves: bowen-rhys

One of my favorites in this great series!

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Jul 23, 2014 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, favorite-authors, historical-fiction, mystery, series, favorite-covers, great-titles, highly-recommend

The Edge of Dreams kept me on the edge of my seat in constant anticipation. I spent the whole book looking over my shoulder for the next danger or villainous act. How great is that! Rhys Bowen has given us a story that does exactly what a mystery/suspense book is supposed to do, keep us on that edge where we are afraid of what might happen next, but we must know. Every time I read a Molly Murphy mystery, I wonder just how Rhys can make each book so fresh, so titillating, so un-put-downable. She The Edge of Dreams kept me on the edge of my seat in constant anticipation. I spent the whole book looking over my shoulder for the next danger or villainous act. How great is that! Rhys Bowen has given us a story that does exactly what a mystery/suspense book is supposed to do, keep us on that edge where we are afraid of what might happen next, but we must know. Every time I read a Molly Murphy mystery, I wonder just how Rhys can make each book so fresh, so titillating, so un-put-downable. She is simply and deeply one of the best at her craft. The characters, the plot, the setting, the themes draw the reader into the world of the early 1900s, 1905 in this particular tale, and absolutely captivate from beginning to end. After finishing this book, you will have to re-acclimate to the present day, and you will do so reluctantly.

In Molly's latest adventure or as is often the case, misadventure, she is only a few months back from Paris and her amazing murder solving there. She and husband Daniel, a New York City police captain, are moving back into their home on Patchin Place in Greenwich Village. It has been mostly restored from the fire that devastated it and Molly's family before her Paris trip. Molly is thrilled to be back on Patchin Place, across from her dear friends Gus and Sid, even if it means that Molly's mother-in-law will be staying for a bit. A most welcome surprise is the arrival of Bridie, the young girl who accompanied Molly to America from Ireland, with Daniel's mother. The extra help is needed, as Molly and her one-year-old son Liam have just survived a train crash, which has left Molly with cracked ribs and a substantial bump on the head. Liam is unscathed from the ordeal, and his rambunctious activity is much more manageable with Bridie around. Daniel, who is working on what appears to be a serial murder case, is grateful to have Molly and Liam in good hands while Molly recuperates.

Sid and Gus, as usual, are involved in a new interest that becomes crucial to both Daniel's case and Molly's survival. Dream analysis is a new area of study, and Gus has recently studied it some with Dr. Sigmund Freud in Europe. Gus is eager to pursue this interest in America, but America is somewhat behind in the studies of the mind. Molly, having grown up with the Irish tales of dream significance and the sixth sense, is open to this new line of inquiry into the human psyche, and she develops a personal interest when a recurring dream leaves her worried. Before long, there is the inevitable collision of Molly's world and Daniel's case. Daniel has come to appreciate Molly's detective skills, even if he doesn't want her to resume her detective career. The murderer whom Daniel seeks is a new kind of monster, killing in what seems a randomness and senselessness among the average, unassuming population of a simple-minded woman, a judge's wife, and a tutor's mother. But, as Molly and Daniel have too often discovered, there are few coincidences where murder is concerned and links don't always pop out to announce themselves. Dream analysis, hard digging into connections, and dangerous surprises will carry Molly and the reader from random to related with a flow of non-stop action and unrelenting pursuit.

Thank you, Rhys Bowen for another great addition to the Molly Murphy series. You deliver with every book, and I always think that the current one is my favorite until, of course, the next one. To read a series in which each entry is a favorite is the best of reading pleasure and the most masterful of the art of writing. ...more

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Feb 13, 2015 The Lit Bitch rated it really liked it · review of another edition

When The Edge of Dreams came up for review, I knew I would be starting the Molly Murphy series in the middle. But I thought I would give it a try anyway since I’m in love with the cover and have been craving a good mystery.

The author does a fantastic job orientating the reader within the story. I didn’t feel lost in the series what-so-ever. There was clearly a back story and events in previous books obviously shaped this book but you don’t have to read the others first in order to read this book ...more

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Nov 30, 2014 Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-mystery, arc, mystery

I’ve been a fan of Rhys Bowen since I first stumbled across one of her Constable Evans books in a library about 15 years ago. So it’s a mystery to me why I’ve never read any of her Molly Murphy books – especially since I love historical mysteries and the Victorian/Edwardian era as well. Luckily for me, I was given the chance to read the most recent book in the series, The Edge of Dreams, for a tour. Now I’m well and truly hooked.

To begin with, I really like Molly. She’s an independent and strong I’ve been a fan of Rhys Bowen since I first stumbled across one of her Constable Evans books in a library about 15 years ago. So it’s a mystery to me why I’ve never read any of her Molly Murphy books – especially since I love historical mysteries and the Victorian/Edwardian era as well. Luckily for me, I was given the chance to read the most recent book in the series, The Edge of Dreams, for a tour. Now I’m well and truly hooked.

To begin with, I really like Molly. She’s an independent and strong-willed young woman, adjusting with some difficulty to the social confines of married life. Although she has given up her career as a private detective, old habits die hard, and her husband’s job as a police detective keeps her in touch and involved – not always iwth Daniel’s approval. Molly has a touch of the Sight, too, but it doesn’t play a big role in her mystery solving, at least in this book.

I like Daniel, too; he’s not terribly happy about Molly pursuing her inquiries, especially if it’s dangerous or involves his case(s), but he loves her and he’s honest enough to respect her abilities. Their marriage, like society at large, is finding its way between the expectations of the past century (the book takes place in 1905) and the changes of the present – including women’s growing push for independence and equal rights.

There are several well-drawn supporting character, ranging from Molly’s friends and neighbors, the unconventional Sid and Gus, to her young son and mother-in-law. It’s an engaging milieu, with realistic affection and tension between Molly’s mother-in-law and Molly. Even suspects and minor characters ring true; no one feels flat or caricatured.

The mystery itself is well-plotted and satisfyingly difficult to solve: a string of seemingly motiveless and unrelated deaths, tied together only by the notes the murderer sends to Daniel. It was ages before I began to have even a glimmer of who the culprit might be. This isn’t one of those books where you know all the suspects up front (or nearly so); it’s more like a real investigation, in which the clues are slowly uncovered through persistence and, sometimes, luck. Bowen also weaves in the new science of psychology (alienism), particularly dream analysis, and the dreams of both Molly and a young girl, adding both atmosphere and perhaps clues to the mystery.

The overall tone of the Molly Murphy novels is more series than Georgie’s delightfully madcap adventures in Bowen’s other series, Her Royal Spyness. That’s not to say there aren’t moments of humor in the Molly books, but if you prefer your mysteries to be on the realistic side, this series definitely delivers. Personally, I enjoy both, so I will happily continue reading the Royal Spyness books while I catch up on the Molly Murphy series!

Review originally published at The Bookwyrm's Hoard.

FTC disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher/author/publicist. All opinions are my own. ...more

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Aug 21, 2016 Ed rated it really liked it

Shelves: nyc, private-detective, historical

#14 in the Molly Murphy series. It's September 1905 in NYC and Molly prepares to return to her home, rebuilt after being firebombed (City of Darkness and Light (2014)). Taking the Ninth Ave. El downtown from the interim apartment she has been sharing with husband, NYPD Capt. Daniel Sullivan, Molly and her year old son are victims of a terrible crash when the train is switched to the Sixth Ave. tracks and going too fast for conditions is derailed. Daniel's mother and ward, Bridie, come to care fo ...more

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Mar 08, 2015 Heather rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio, mystery, historical-fiction

My favorite Molly Murphy to date. Wow what a twisted web of revenge, trauma, trying to use the new dream interpretation methods used by Freud.
Brilliant! I LOVED it!!

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Sep 25, 2015 Jonathan rated it really liked it

Shelves: cruisin-through-the-cozies-2015, read-11-15, cozy-mysteries, mystery

Very good. Can't wait to read Away in a Manger! ...more

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May 26, 2017 Hermien rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series, crime-thriller

Another thoroughly enjoyable Molly Murphy mystery.

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Dec 01, 2014 Kathy rated it really liked it

The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen is a very intriguing mystery. Set in the early 1900s, it is a historically accurate and compelling novel starring the very charming and intrepid Molly Murphy Sullivan. Although it is part of Molly Murphy Mysteries series, it can easily be read as a standalone story.

Molly Sullivan's husband Daniel is investigating a perplexing string of murders when she and her young son are involved in a train accident. A note sent by the killer takes claim for the crash and Dani The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen is a very intriguing mystery. Set in the early 1900s, it is a historically accurate and compelling novel starring the very charming and intrepid Molly Murphy Sullivan. Although it is part of Molly Murphy Mysteries series, it can easily be read as a standalone story.

Molly Sullivan's husband Daniel is investigating a perplexing string of murders when she and her young son are involved in a train accident. A note sent by the killer takes claim for the crash and Daniel is afraid Molly was the intended target. Molly escapes with mostly minor injuries and during her recuperation, she investigates the killings.

Molly is a former private detective who finds it difficult to leave her sleuthing days behind. During a time when women are expected to be nothing more than wives and mothers, she runs into some interference from her well-meaning mother-in-law who makes no effort to hide her disapproval of Molly's interest in the case. While Daniel appreciates the information Molly uncovers, she has to keep her activities hidden from Daniel's superiors.

Unable to find a link between the previous murders, Daniel has little to go on so Molly begins her investigation by re-interviewing the victims' family members. She uncovers a few puzzling clues but she still cannot find a common denominator in the cases. Molly is also assisting her rather unconventional friends Elena "Sid" Goldfarb and Augusta "Gus" Walcott as they try to help a young girl whose family recently perished in tragic house fire. The pair have recently returned from Vienna where they studied with Freud and they hope their (somewhat limited) knowledge about dream interpretation can help unlock the truth about what caused the fire that took the girl's parents' lives. Eventually, these two investigations converge but will Molly discover the killer's identity before it is too late?

The Edge of Dreams is a fascinating mystery and Rhys Bowen expertly weaves historical events from the era into the storyline. The characters are well-developed and their behavior and reactions are true to the time period. The perpetrator's identity and motive for the crime remain obscured for much of the story. The novel's conclusion is quite dramatic and all of the loose ends and various storylines are neatly wrapped up. All in all, a well-written and engaging novel that fans of genre are sure to enjoy. ...more

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Mar 03, 2015 Perle Champion rated it really liked it

Rhys Bowen’s latest book in her Molly Murphy mystery series, The Edge of Dreams, has a serial murderer on the loose in New York City. The murderer is taunting the police with letters directed to Molly’s police captain husband, Daniel Sullivan. Much to Daniel’s chagrin Molly is brimming with ideas and champing at the bit to get involved.

She can’t help herself. Although some years ago she arrived a fresh-off-the boat immigrant, Molly soon found herself apprentice to a private investigator. When he ...more

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Apr 02, 2015 Bonnie rated it it was amazing

Rhys is the most prolific writer on the literary scene today. She has three separate series: Her Royal Spyness with eight books; Her Molly Murphy series with fourteen, counting this one I am reviewing; and her Evan Evans series with nine. I have read a total of thirty-one Rhys Bowen's books. And I am thrilled to review her latest, The Edge of Dreams.
Not only is she prolific, but she is the most natural storyteller writing today. The latest in the Molly Murphy series finds Molly's husband, a cap ...more

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May 12, 2015 R.J. Murphy rated it liked it

“The Edge of Dreams” is another good entry in the Molly Murphy Series. This time a serial killer is on the loose. It’s 1905 and ex-private detective Molly and her husband Police Captain Daniel are back in New York City after being away in the last book. As always Rhys Bowen creates a lively canvas of city life one hundred years ago. The characters are full and believable, as they face the challenges of the day and hope for the promises of a better future. Electricity is now in some homes and occ ...more

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Dec 02, 2014 Kenzee rated it it was ok

Shelves: first-reads

*I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads Giveaway*

This book was painful for me. I'm actually blown away that this is the 14th book in the series. Perhaps the author has ran out of ideas and the writing has gotten progressively worse. That is all I can come up with. Molly is obnoxious, arrogant, and plain rude. She talked about how every clue found was "all thanks to her" so many times, I almost put the book down and walked away. The way she continually rubbed her husband's failure in his face ...more

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Mar 14, 2015 Cori rated it really liked it

I feel Rhys Bowen is still figuring out a Molly who is as a wife and mother, and half of the book is her struggling to fulfilling those roles properly. I wish Molly wasn't just trying to charge into her husband's career and could keep her sleuthing separate. I was enjoying the two mysteries, but in the end they tied together.

The mystery did pull me in, but I did figure out the answer before Molly even suspected it through some generic foreshadowing.

I hope Molly's chemistry with others in the se ...more

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Aug 17, 2015 Betty rated it it was amazing

Shelves: library-books

Back from France Molly starts to made a home for them. Daniel is busy with MURDERS are occurring all over town covering all levels of society that have correlation with each other except Daniel receives a note before and after them. Molly and Liam are on an train that crashed killing a number of people. Molly is hurt and Daniel's Mother arrives to help. Molly and Daniel suspect that Molly was the target in the case. Is this true?
Daniel begins to tell Molly about the case. These events come toget ...more

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Jul 07, 2015 The UHQ Nasanta rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-books-2015

2.5 stars. Would have been 3 if it hadn't dragged on. I saw the culprit as soon as he arrived on the scene. ...more

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Sep 23, 2015 Julie rated it liked it

Another fun Molly Murphy read. Like to see she is still feisty and that Daniel is becoming more and more excepting of her need to help him with his investigations.

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Oct 24, 2015 Mary rated it really liked it

Another fun Molly Murphy Mystery, she, again gets involved in one of her husband's cases. ...more

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Aug 24, 2018 Christine rated it it was amazing

September 1905. Another fascinating Molly Murphy mystery. Back from France, Molly gets a surprise - her husband had the blown up house in Patchen Place rebuilt and Molly, Liam & Daniel can move back in. In her haste to move things back from Daniel’s small apartment where they had. Even staying, she and Liam are involved in the historic Ninth Avenue elevated train derailment that actually happened back on Sept 11, 1905. Molly survives as does Liam and then the story unwinds.

This was a wonderful r ...more

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Jul 08, 2020 Shannon Kraus added it

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery, cozy-mystery

New York City 1905. Molly is trying to regain some semblance of normalcy after having her house bombed. She returns to the city after time away and tries to live life as a proper wife and mother. But, murder and mystery never quite seem to be able to leave her alone. Daniel is working on a particularly hard case involving several murders that seem to have no connection. Mysterious notes are being sent to Daniel and he thinks that it once again involves the lives of his wife and son. Molly isn't ...more

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Jun 25, 2019 Christine rated it liked it · review of another edition

This wasn't a terrible Molly Murphy mystery but not one of the better ones. As always, I appreciated the historical details but Sid & Gus are such cardboard characters. There really never seems to be any character development to them. I know that other reviewers were appalled at how much Molly helped Daniel with his case but I thought it was a realistic portrayal of how their marriage would be. Sometimes women helped men in their careers back then and I thought it was refreshing to see Daniel ag ...more

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Jul 10, 2017 Shannon rated it it was amazing

With Daniel engrossed in trying to find a serial murderer on the streets, Molly is desperate to help. But, when danger strikes home and Molly and Liam are nearly killed in an accident, she finds herself with a concussion, bruised ribs and begrudgingly in the care of her mother-in-law. Daniel and Molly find themselves concerned that Molly might be the target.

Sid and Gus have recently returned to New York excited about the study of dreams. During a suffragist meeting, one of the women privately a ...more

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Jun 26, 2017 Carol rated it liked it

Shelves: 2017-reads, mystery

It's funny reading others reviews. Some hate Daniel, think he's chauvinistic. Some think he's gotten dumb and soft. Some can't stand Molly's mean spirit. Some wish she wasn't married. Some love everything and think that this was one of Bowen's best. Others say that she really let them down on this one.
I thought that this story was on a par with others. Molly does dive into situations without good judgment, but she always has. She is not as likable a character as Rhys Bowen's other heroine, Geo ...more

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Sep 24, 2017 Janifowose rated it did not like it

I was very disappointed in this book. Since Molly got married she has become boring, predictable, and stereotypical of married women at that time. I know the author never intended for her to give up being a detective, which is why there is a book 14. I know her being married and having a child had to be in cooperated in the series, which in my opinion could have been done a lot later. My problem is that as soon as Molly got married she became extremely mushy and sentimental and there was a big a ...more

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Feb 26, 2019 Melissa rated it really liked it

Will read more books by Rhys Bowen, and more of the Molly Murphy series. Found it engaging. A little slow in parts. I read a hardback version, and was occasionally irritated by clear typos - words that were not quite right, tenses that were just off - but other than that, found it engaging. Was occasionally annoyed by the very period-correct behavior of Molly's husband (it's set in 1905), who wants her home safe, taking care of home and child - but that behavior was interspersed with him appreci ...more

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Nov 08, 2020 Debra rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery

I really enjoyed the pace of this book. By page 16 the adventure was really rolling along. Molly, injured in a elevated train accident, is drawn into a series of events that keep you thinking and rethinking the facts to attempt to put your finger on what is going on and who is the perpetrator.

She is a smart cookie, but I was very annoyed at how much she blabbed the information to various people involved in the case toward the end of the book. Having not really figured out who was the guilty part ...more

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Mar 07, 2018 Kathleen O'Nan rated it really liked it

This 14th book in the Molly Murphy series still kept me well entertained. Having majored in psychology myself, it was fun to see the depiction of Freud's work when it was just being developed. I think Bowen did a very good job of showing the disdain initially held for Freud and his work in America. The only bad thing about this book is the realization that the series is rapidly coming to an end, with only three more books left to go - unless fans like me can persuade her to keep writing about Mo ...more

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Jul 13, 2020 Roxie Klinksiek rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audible-read

Daniel, Molly and Liam are together again in New York City. Sid and Gus have finally returned from Vienna where Gus studied with Freud for awhile. Daniel has been hard at work on a case, and trying to get their house renovated after the bombing. The mystery is well done and Molly actually gets a bit of approval from Daniel. But, alas, he is a man of this time period. If you like mysteries that have many interesting characters and are historical I recommend this series. It keeps getting better.

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Sep 05, 2017 Norma Huss rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mysteries, favorites, historic

I love to read a Mollie book by Rhys Bowen. This one is definitely one of my favorites. The history is revealing to a history buff, the plot is twisty and everything a mystery buff could desire. The story itself adds to the life of a great mystery character. This book, in particular with it's wide variety of victims, leads the reader to question her own thoughts about who the killers, or possibly only one killer, really is. Over and over! ...more

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Jan 22, 2018 Camilla rated it liked it

Whoa--I really liked this one. Daniel and Molly have really come to understand one another, such that Daniel is more accepting of her help and Molly is less reckless and more responsible in her sleuthing. It was wonderful to see the two of them combat the mystery together. And what a mystery! There's gruesome serial killings and no common links and a train wreck and all kinds of chaos. I absolutely loved reading this one through and through and can't wait to pick up the next installment. ...more

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About Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen

5,678 followers

"I'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.

I have recently published two internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, the other selling almost half a million copies to date.

I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in th ...more