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Molly Murphy #4
In Like Flynn
Fledgling private investigator Molly Murphy's latest assignment gives her the opportunity to escape the typhoid epidemic sweeping across New York City in the summer of 1902 for the lush Hudson River Valley. And it comes from an unlikely source-Captain Daniel Sullivan, a New York City police detective and erstwhile beau of Molly's. She has vowed to keep him at arm's length until he can rid himself of his socialite fiancee, but she can't pass up the chance to take advantage of his offer of a real detective job.
Daniel hires Molly to go undercover inside the country household of Senator Barney Flynn, in Peekskill, New York. Flynn's wife, Theresa, has become the latest devotee of a pair of spiritualists known as the Sorensen Sisters. The frail Theresa is desperate to use the sisters' alleged abilities to hold a seance to contact her infant son, who was kidnapped five years ago and never found; the accused kidnapper was killed before he could tell police where the boy was being held. But the police are sure the women are frauds.
When Molly allows herself to be distracted from the Sorensen Sisters and the members of the Flynn household by the unsolved kidnapping, it is a race against time to find out what's really going on before it's too late.
"In Like Flynn "is the latest captivating installment in a series which has garnered an impressive array of awards and nominations in just three books: Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy mysteries have won the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award, the Bruce Alexander Historical Award, and the Herodotus Award, and have been shortlisted for the Agatha Award, the Macavity Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
Daniel hires Molly to go undercover inside the country household of Senator Barney Flynn, in Peekskill, New York. Flynn's wife, Theresa, has become the latest devotee of a pair of spiritualists known as the Sorensen Sisters. The frail Theresa is desperate to use the sisters' alleged abilities to hold a seance to contact her infant son, who was kidnapped five years ago and never found; the accused kidnapper was killed before he could tell police where the boy was being held. But the police are sure the women are frauds.
When Molly allows herself to be distracted from the Sorensen Sisters and the members of the Flynn household by the unsolved kidnapping, it is a race against time to find out what's really going on before it's too late.
"In Like Flynn "is the latest captivating installment in a series which has garnered an impressive array of awards and nominations in just three books: Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy mysteries have won the Agatha Award, the Anthony Award, the Bruce Alexander Historical Award, and the Herodotus Award, and have been shortlisted for the Agatha Award, the Macavity Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award.
321 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 29, 2005
633 people are currently reading
1741 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
123 books9,554 followersI'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 four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.
My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.
I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.
I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries
Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
July 10, 2019
Another fun episode in this entertaining series. Molly and Daniel seem to be getting on well for most of the book but of course the fiancée has to pop up and ruin things. I wonder if they will ever get it together - guess I will have to keep reading the series to find out.
In Like Flynn includes a lot of historical detail and it would almost be worth reading it just for that. However there is also a good story and a lot of activity to enjoy. Molly has settled down a bit since the first books and her sleuthing is less obvious and more circumspect. More rational if truth be told. She still comes close to death three times but then this is Molly Murphy we are talking about.
All in all a light, entertaining murder mystery with the promise of more to come.
In Like Flynn includes a lot of historical detail and it would almost be worth reading it just for that. However there is also a good story and a lot of activity to enjoy. Molly has settled down a bit since the first books and her sleuthing is less obvious and more circumspect. More rational if truth be told. She still comes close to death three times but then this is Molly Murphy we are talking about.
All in all a light, entertaining murder mystery with the promise of more to come.
January 4, 2018
Another wonderful Molly Murphy mystery. I had to read on and on as much as I could. I know it's light reading, but I'm enjoying it immensely.
March 15, 2014
This mystery, the fourth in the series, neatly ties off a thread from the first book about Molly's circumstances when she fled to America. The murder mystery itself was not difficult to puzzle out. Molly's angsty relationship with Daniel doesn't have me thinking very well of him, and I can see from the series title list that there's a lot more angst ahead.
The drumbeat message of "you're a woman, you can't do that, and I forbid you to do so" is played heavily to evoke indignation among a female readership today from a twenty-first century perspective. I'm supposed to get fed up with it, but that also means being fed up with reading the books.
Will this stop me from reading the whole series? Ha! They are fun, even if some are easier to figure out (like this one) than others. I'll be reading my way steadily through the page turners, albeit with breathers. I have no restraint when I have an open box of Thin Mints or Oreos. The Molly Murphy series is kind of the same sweet indulgence.
The drumbeat message of "you're a woman, you can't do that, and I forbid you to do so" is played heavily to evoke indignation among a female readership today from a twenty-first century perspective. I'm supposed to get fed up with it, but that also means being fed up with reading the books.
Will this stop me from reading the whole series? Ha! They are fun, even if some are easier to figure out (like this one) than others. I'll be reading my way steadily through the page turners, albeit with breathers. I have no restraint when I have an open box of Thin Mints or Oreos. The Molly Murphy series is kind of the same sweet indulgence.
April 18, 2023
I am really hooked on this series now and this is the best one so far. Rhys Bowen is such a feminist that she is great. Her heroine Molly has more common sense and ESP than the whole New York City police dept! Her inconsiderate beau sends her under cover and she makes amazing discovery's that ....hmmmmm (spoiler) so I had better not write that.
Read it if you can get a copy. So far I cannot get the first one.
Read it if you can get a copy. So far I cannot get the first one.
July 16, 2023
In 2005, “less = more” would have made “In Like Flynn” a far better novel. I loved its originality of premise and location, the Hudson River. A missing Son must have been inspired by dear little Charles Lindbergh Junior. It was five star reading, until it exceeded stuffing a kitchen sink into an asinine superfluity of plots. Knowing how to conclude a story with refinement was a problem before, ridiculously overextended this time.
Daniel sent Molly away to avoid a criminal. His pretext was to unmask mediums as frauds. Molly befriended the Mother and little Sister of a toddler who was missing for three years. It was enjoyable with a little suspense that built slowly, as Molly convincingly sounded like the senator husband’s Irish cousin. Things got stupid when Molly assumed she had the flu, despite falling ill every time she had tea. Who wouldn’t stop drinking the fucking tea?
I warn readers these are ‘standard mysteries’ but am fed up with Rhys Bowen’s sexual assault content. With Daniel nearby, a man leaped as soon as he discovered Molly was not a cousin? It is past time to ditch the lame idea that men need sex badly. Self-pleasure should reduce that urge!
Rhys is often inconsistent and implausible. Molly believed in ‘second sight’ but not souls? However bossy parents are, I found it offensive that Molly hoped not to see her Mother’s spirit. Resolving the mediums, poison, and murder supplied a reasonable ending.
They aren’t spoilers to give as broad examples that Rhys inexplicably jammed in: Molly’s attacker from Ireland, a new attacker, nearly drowning, and fleeing a rainstorm. After returning home, utterly unrelated to the mysteries; her Stepdaughter nearly died from typhoid? Good grief, learn how to quit!
Ultimately, the evildoer’s excuse for murdering and kidnapping was astonishingly weak.
Daniel sent Molly away to avoid a criminal. His pretext was to unmask mediums as frauds. Molly befriended the Mother and little Sister of a toddler who was missing for three years. It was enjoyable with a little suspense that built slowly, as Molly convincingly sounded like the senator husband’s Irish cousin. Things got stupid when Molly assumed she had the flu, despite falling ill every time she had tea. Who wouldn’t stop drinking the fucking tea?
I warn readers these are ‘standard mysteries’ but am fed up with Rhys Bowen’s sexual assault content. With Daniel nearby, a man leaped as soon as he discovered Molly was not a cousin? It is past time to ditch the lame idea that men need sex badly. Self-pleasure should reduce that urge!
Rhys is often inconsistent and implausible. Molly believed in ‘second sight’ but not souls? However bossy parents are, I found it offensive that Molly hoped not to see her Mother’s spirit. Resolving the mediums, poison, and murder supplied a reasonable ending.
They aren’t spoilers to give as broad examples that Rhys inexplicably jammed in: Molly’s attacker from Ireland, a new attacker, nearly drowning, and fleeing a rainstorm. After returning home, utterly unrelated to the mysteries; her Stepdaughter nearly died from typhoid? Good grief, learn how to quit!
Ultimately, the evildoer’s excuse for murdering and kidnapping was astonishingly weak.
March 8, 2016
Reading this book had me comparing it to another cozy mystery, A Bitter Truth, by Charles Todd, the mother and son duo of writers. Clearly, Rhys Murphy is at least a lesser writer than them, as far as her ability to tug at the readers' heartstrings is concerned. The tragedy of the early death of a child is often used as a device in less cerebral books.
Rhys Bowen is, however, at the top of her game here. That's because she is able to move her characters around like a skilled gamer. The change from New York is a winner as a location for the story. I wasn't surprised at all, though, when one of the supposed dead characters returned from the grave. It was also daring for the author not to show the full extent of the fate of the lost son of the Senator. In all, it's been a good read, and I was entertained and rewarded in persevering with this series. But there's something about the latter which makes me compelled to keep reading the books, even if I rate them a 1.
Rhys Bowen is, however, at the top of her game here. That's because she is able to move her characters around like a skilled gamer. The change from New York is a winner as a location for the story. I wasn't surprised at all, though, when one of the supposed dead characters returned from the grave. It was also daring for the author not to show the full extent of the fate of the lost son of the Senator. In all, it's been a good read, and I was entertained and rewarded in persevering with this series. But there's something about the latter which makes me compelled to keep reading the books, even if I rate them a 1.
February 15, 2016
This is part of an excellent series about a young Irish imigrant woman who makes her way to New York, finds and loses love, and despite lots of odds against her, becomes a private investigator.
In this installment, she is asked by her former lover and current heart throb Daniel Sullivan of the New York City police department to take a job as a maid in the home of a New York state senator. The senator's wife, stricken with grief at the kidnapping and presumed death of her son some years earlier, has hired spiritualists--two sisters--to make contact with her son. Investigator Molly Murphy must decide whether the women are fakes. But she can't help digging into the kidnapping itself, and that's where her troubles begin.
There's an astounding bit of history in this series. It depicts turn-of-the-century New York in all its interesting faces.
In this installment, she is asked by her former lover and current heart throb Daniel Sullivan of the New York City police department to take a job as a maid in the home of a New York state senator. The senator's wife, stricken with grief at the kidnapping and presumed death of her son some years earlier, has hired spiritualists--two sisters--to make contact with her son. Investigator Molly Murphy must decide whether the women are fakes. But she can't help digging into the kidnapping itself, and that's where her troubles begin.
There's an astounding bit of history in this series. It depicts turn-of-the-century New York in all its interesting faces.
October 2, 2018
An interesting change of locale makes for a different tone.
World: The world building is interesting, it's a change in locale that is the main reason. We've had three books set in New York and Bowen paints a beautiful picture of the turn of the century New York and now a look at rural and rich areas and it's quite pleasant. The book which has not really been that coze from the previous books suddenly does become what it is, I liked the change.
Story: The story was interesting, the red herring was nice and the tone and the pacing was different from the other books. There is a slower pace and the calmer book made it a bit different. I like how Bowen paints her world and the interactions are fun and interesting. The end result was of course expected and the villains were very easily detected but it's still a very fun book.
Characters: I still don't like Daniel and this wishy washy character is annoying the hell out of me. But Molly does what she wants and she can do what she wants, just Daniel is a wet blanket of an ass. The new cast is interesting and some leaving made me sad but overall they were an interesting mostly because of the picture they paint of that era.
A fun little tale that changes the locale and pace of the series.
Onward to the next book!
World: The world building is interesting, it's a change in locale that is the main reason. We've had three books set in New York and Bowen paints a beautiful picture of the turn of the century New York and now a look at rural and rich areas and it's quite pleasant. The book which has not really been that coze from the previous books suddenly does become what it is, I liked the change.
Story: The story was interesting, the red herring was nice and the tone and the pacing was different from the other books. There is a slower pace and the calmer book made it a bit different. I like how Bowen paints her world and the interactions are fun and interesting. The end result was of course expected and the villains were very easily detected but it's still a very fun book.
Characters: I still don't like Daniel and this wishy washy character is annoying the hell out of me. But Molly does what she wants and she can do what she wants, just Daniel is a wet blanket of an ass. The new cast is interesting and some leaving made me sad but overall they were an interesting mostly because of the picture they paint of that era.
A fun little tale that changes the locale and pace of the series.
Onward to the next book!
September 9, 2019
In Like Flynn
4 Stars
In 1902 New York, the city is plagued by a typhoid epidemic, and private investigator Molly Murphy takes advantage of a commission by police detective Daniel Sullivan to go undercover in the country home of Senator Barney Flynn. Her task is to find incriminating evidence against the Sorenson sisters, a pair of spiritualist suspected of fraud. The Flynns, who lost their son in a botched kidnapping, are the sisters' latest marks, and Molly is determined to not only catch them in the act, but also to expose the truth about the kidnapping.
Molly's investigative skills are improving, but she still has too many TSTL moments in which she inadvertently finds herself in dangerous situations.
The two-pronged investigation has potential, but seem to take a back seat to the house-party like atmosphere of the Flynn family estate. The Sorenson case fizzles out, and the kidnapping becomes the focus. The problem with this is that there really aren't enough clues for either Molly or the reader to figure things out, and she ultimately stumbles onto the truth by accident.
On the romance front, there is a significant development in Daniel and Molly's relationship, but Daniel proves once again that he is a complete jerk. Molly really needs to give him the heave-ho once and for all.
4 Stars
In 1902 New York, the city is plagued by a typhoid epidemic, and private investigator Molly Murphy takes advantage of a commission by police detective Daniel Sullivan to go undercover in the country home of Senator Barney Flynn. Her task is to find incriminating evidence against the Sorenson sisters, a pair of spiritualist suspected of fraud. The Flynns, who lost their son in a botched kidnapping, are the sisters' latest marks, and Molly is determined to not only catch them in the act, but also to expose the truth about the kidnapping.
Molly's investigative skills are improving, but she still has too many TSTL moments in which she inadvertently finds herself in dangerous situations.
The two-pronged investigation has potential, but seem to take a back seat to the house-party like atmosphere of the Flynn family estate. The Sorenson case fizzles out, and the kidnapping becomes the focus. The problem with this is that there really aren't enough clues for either Molly or the reader to figure things out, and she ultimately stumbles onto the truth by accident.
On the romance front, there is a significant development in Daniel and Molly's relationship, but Daniel proves once again that he is a complete jerk. Molly really needs to give him the heave-ho once and for all.
September 14, 2016
Another delightful Molly Murphy mystery.
January 19, 2023
These books continue to be very readable and they're filling a need, but I also find myself constantly frustrated by them.
February 26, 2024
It's been some years, I think, since I've last read a Molly Murphy book and I don't remember the last volumes that well, but I think this one was the best of them. While it is the longest of these book, the plot rarely meanders (which doesn't mean never), the setting and cast of characters - both quite interesting and engaging - provide a Christie-feel for the book and we get more than one mystery.
While the ending was slightly disappointing, with one story not ending on a satisfactory note and the other being resolved a bit too easily (my frequent complaint), I've enjoyed this book quite a lot... even though O'Sullivan is still such a jerk.
While the ending was slightly disappointing, with one story not ending on a satisfactory note and the other being resolved a bit too easily (my frequent complaint), I've enjoyed this book quite a lot... even though O'Sullivan is still such a jerk.
May 13, 2024
What can I say, I'm a sucker for Molly. I don't know what's in this book that I feel like I'm eating it, not just reading. This time the boyfriend drama was on a moderate level which made the book much better. The case was interesting, I wonder how these spiritual meetings looked like. Molly, as usual being herself, had to get into trouble and risk her life. But thanks to that she revealed more than she should. As usual.
January 18, 2024
The 4th book in the series…Molly goes undercover to do some investigating, & happens upon the man she thought she had killed in book one! “As I got to my feet and walked toward the door, I became aware of a figure standing there in deep shadow. Suddenly I realized that I recognized him. It was Justin Hartley, the man I had killed a year ago.”
Lots of surprises in this one.
Lots of surprises in this one.
July 9, 2022
Aside from the first book, I liked this book the best among the sequels. The mystery was very engaging anc cleverly structured but still the Molly style who happens to find trouble whenever she goes 😉 I loved the fierceness and stubborness of Molly in this book. I am not fond of how one plot point is handled and that is why I took of a star.
November 24, 2018
A change of location near West Point. I have been to Peekskill so the book connected to me with memories of the river and countryside. Albeit mightily changed now.
Molly is hired by Daniel to investigating two spiritualists. She plays the role of an Irish senators long list cousin newly arrived from Ireland. Molly is drawn into the kidnapping of the senators son a few years ago which resulted in death of the kidnapper and disappearance of the son presumed dead.
The story has poisoning, murders and even a paddle boat. Lots of red herrings and the appearance of someone believed dead. Look forward to the next one and happily my local library has most of them.
Molly is hired by Daniel to investigating two spiritualists. She plays the role of an Irish senators long list cousin newly arrived from Ireland. Molly is drawn into the kidnapping of the senators son a few years ago which resulted in death of the kidnapper and disappearance of the son presumed dead.
The story has poisoning, murders and even a paddle boat. Lots of red herrings and the appearance of someone believed dead. Look forward to the next one and happily my local library has most of them.
January 10, 2021
Molly Murphy is hired by Daniel Sullivan via the NYPD to investigate two sisters who claim to be spiritualists able to contact the dead. She travels to Adare, a country home where the spiritualists are staying with the family of a wealthy senator whose wife has hired them to contact her son who died after being kidnapped seven years earlier. Prior to leaving for her assignment Molly has also been asked by a former Adare servant to look into the kidnapping and clear her name as a suspect in the crime. As Molly works on both of these assignments she makes many surprising discoveries about the cases and about herself. I found this to be a very interesting book.
September 25, 2022
I have read almost everything by Rhys Bowen but this series. I got a review copy of the most recent Molly Murphy, but hadn't read any others. I was lucky that I had book one on audible, but my library only had 4 and 5, so I am reading those today. Molly Murphy is an Irish immigrant to New York in the early 1900's when Tamany ruled the city. She becomes an investgator and does an excellent job. It is always disconcerting to read a series out of order as there are spoilers galore. But Molly is smart and resilient and murders just happen ll around her. I am now off to read the next book!
August 7, 2025
The next one (for me) in the Molly Murphy mysteries by a favorite author, Rhys Bowen. These are older books, and my library is missing a couple. This is one that I had to request via ILL (interlibrary loan) and the copy that came in was a yellowed, tiny print small paperback that was about 20 years old. I was grateful to get it, but the print was hard to read. Still, it was a good installment in the series with a lot of interesting points and plot twists. I continue to enjoy this series and look forward to reading the next one in the series :)
November 6, 2021
“Life seemed to be one succession of good news then bad. Ups followed by downs. But there was always enough hope to keep going. “ I love Molly’s spirit. She is so optimistic and courageous . She is becoming such an excellent private investigator in an era where women did not work outside of the home. In spite of all the obstacles of her day, she manages to come out triumphant and learn a profession that only men took upon as a career in the early 20th century.
May 31, 2021
The molly Murphy series is adorable. The main character molly is someone you would love to be friends with and have good times
This book is in the series and Molly is getting to be quite the investigator
I recommend the series to all
This book is in the series and Molly is getting to be quite the investigator
I recommend the series to all
June 16, 2023
First book by this author, I liked it. It’s an easy read, fun characters and flowing writing. I’d call it an Agatha Christie style of story…not quite cozy but not too hard boiled either. I will read more by this author.
May 16, 2019
A wonderful mystery
January 18, 2021
The series keep getting better and better !! Rhys Bowen audiobooks are honestly the best
August 18, 2023
Really enjoyed this book even though I jumped in at #4! I now want to read more in this series and more by this author.
November 5, 2020
Actually worth a 4.5. Love the way this series is evolving!
October 15, 2024
I really enjoy this series. We do forgot, as women, how far we have come since the early twentieth century. I have “Oh Danny Boy “ waiting to be read.
July 8, 2022
4.5 stars
February 14, 2017
Audio narration: 2 stars
Story 3-3.5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Molly Murphy Mystery series by Rhys Bowen and in this book, Molly is actually employed by the NYPD (aka Daniel O'Sullivan - the man she's trying not to love) to go undercover in a senator's house where he is hosting a pair of sisters who claim thy are clairvoyant and can help the senator's wife talk to their son who died following a tragic kidnapping years ago. Naturally, Molly jumps head first, while also trying to figure out the blurry details around the boy's kidnapping and why he was never found.
To start off, I have to say how disappointed I was with the audio narration of this. The last three books were all narrated by Irish actress Lara Hutchinson. who did a great job with Molly's voice as well as all the other nationalities in the stories. However, for some reason the narrator was changed to Nicola Barber who is English and CANNOT do a steady Irish accent. She sounded completely different to past Molly, her dialect kept changing ao it seemed like Molly was from every part of Ireland at once and then suddenly the Northern Irish characters that were in the story no longer had their Northern Irish accent. One of the boys also had a weird New York accent after having an Irish one in the past books. Barber obviously did no research in how Lara Hutchinson had previously read out the characters, and I feel like this was poor and did a disservice to the previously good narration of the book and the reader. It made me feel discombobulated for a while as I felt like the characters were new people and they no longer felt familiar to me.
The story itself wasn't bad as always though like always everything came to luck and circumstance rather than any great skill on Molly's part. Most things tend to fall into her lap the moment she needs them and she has a tendency to do some silly things. I was sucked into the mystery of Brendan's disappearance and really had no idea who could have been the mastermind of the kidnapping. I liked that some of Molly's past came back to haunt her in this book as well, though it made me feel anxious for her so I hope it leaves it at that now! Molly and Daniel's relationship is dragging on a bit now and I wish he would get a move on dumping his fiancee.I though poor Jakob was disserviced in this book too as he had been so lovely in the third book - it was very much like Molly had forgotten he existed for most of the book.
As always, I did end up having an entertaining read and will continue on with the series.
Story 3-3.5 stars
This is the fourth book in the Molly Murphy Mystery series by Rhys Bowen and in this book, Molly is actually employed by the NYPD (aka Daniel O'Sullivan - the man she's trying not to love) to go undercover in a senator's house where he is hosting a pair of sisters who claim thy are clairvoyant and can help the senator's wife talk to their son who died following a tragic kidnapping years ago. Naturally, Molly jumps head first, while also trying to figure out the blurry details around the boy's kidnapping and why he was never found.
To start off, I have to say how disappointed I was with the audio narration of this. The last three books were all narrated by Irish actress Lara Hutchinson. who did a great job with Molly's voice as well as all the other nationalities in the stories. However, for some reason the narrator was changed to Nicola Barber who is English and CANNOT do a steady Irish accent. She sounded completely different to past Molly, her dialect kept changing ao it seemed like Molly was from every part of Ireland at once and then suddenly the Northern Irish characters that were in the story no longer had their Northern Irish accent. One of the boys also had a weird New York accent after having an Irish one in the past books. Barber obviously did no research in how Lara Hutchinson had previously read out the characters, and I feel like this was poor and did a disservice to the previously good narration of the book and the reader. It made me feel discombobulated for a while as I felt like the characters were new people and they no longer felt familiar to me.
The story itself wasn't bad as always though like always everything came to luck and circumstance rather than any great skill on Molly's part. Most things tend to fall into her lap the moment she needs them and she has a tendency to do some silly things. I was sucked into the mystery of Brendan's disappearance and really had no idea who could have been the mastermind of the kidnapping. I liked that some of Molly's past came back to haunt her in this book as well, though it made me feel anxious for her so I hope it leaves it at that now! Molly and Daniel's relationship is dragging on a bit now and I wish he would get a move on dumping his fiancee.I though poor Jakob was disserviced in this book too as he had been so lovely in the third book - it was very much like Molly had forgotten he existed for most of the book.
As always, I did end up having an entertaining read and will continue on with the series.
September 22, 2016
Reading this next installment of the Molly Murphy Mystery series at the same time as the Jonbenet Ramsey case is being reexamined really made for an eery atmosphere. But despite the goosebumps that sometimes rose on my arms while reading the book, no one need fear that In Like Flynn is anything close to a horror novel. On the contrary, it is yet another display of Rhys Bowen's deftness at writing flushed-out characters with rich backgrounds, intriguing mysteries, and even more engrossing investigations.
Daniel is still engaged, and after a falling out with Jacob Singer, Molly decides that she needs to get away from the city, which is also experiencing a typhoid epidemic, so when Daniel offers her a job going undercover, she jumps at the case. She is to pose as the recently-arrived cousin of Senator Flynn, who lives in upstate New York. Several years before, he and his wife, Theresa, experienced a tragedy when their son, Brendan, was kidnapped. The supposed kidnapper, one Bertie Morell, the chauffeur, was shot and killed before the boy could be released and thus was presumed dead. Theresa has never been the same since, and so she has invited the Sorenson sisters, a pair of spiritualists, to try and contact the spirit of her dead son. Molly's job, as specified by Daniel, is to unmask the sisters as frauds. However, what starts as a simple case of debunking myths takes a sinister turn when Molly begins to delve deeper into the case of the kidnapped son. She doesn't believe that Morell was the brains behind the crime, and so her investigation grows beyond the Sorenson sisters to try and figure out who perpetrated the kidnapping. Along the way, she receives a nasty surprise from a personage from the first book, which adds further complications to her already full plate of playing the innocent cousin from Ireland while investigating in private. But Molly is a strong girl, and she isn't about to let anyone, least of all a couple of spinster tricksters or old grudges, or even a handsey senator keep her from the truth!
I love watching Molly grow more as an independent. With friends like Sid and Gus, and with her job as a private investigator, she is exposed to situations that widen her already-broadened mind. She is able to take care of herself, but more than that, she is realizing more and more that being on her own is okay, even preferable, considering her ache-inducing encounters with Daniel and now Jacob. At a time when women were still viewed little better than property, Molly refuses to conform to society's rules and instead forges her own path, and I love being able to walk alongside her!
Daniel is still engaged, and after a falling out with Jacob Singer, Molly decides that she needs to get away from the city, which is also experiencing a typhoid epidemic, so when Daniel offers her a job going undercover, she jumps at the case. She is to pose as the recently-arrived cousin of Senator Flynn, who lives in upstate New York. Several years before, he and his wife, Theresa, experienced a tragedy when their son, Brendan, was kidnapped. The supposed kidnapper, one Bertie Morell, the chauffeur, was shot and killed before the boy could be released and thus was presumed dead. Theresa has never been the same since, and so she has invited the Sorenson sisters, a pair of spiritualists, to try and contact the spirit of her dead son. Molly's job, as specified by Daniel, is to unmask the sisters as frauds. However, what starts as a simple case of debunking myths takes a sinister turn when Molly begins to delve deeper into the case of the kidnapped son. She doesn't believe that Morell was the brains behind the crime, and so her investigation grows beyond the Sorenson sisters to try and figure out who perpetrated the kidnapping. Along the way, she receives a nasty surprise from a personage from the first book, which adds further complications to her already full plate of playing the innocent cousin from Ireland while investigating in private. But Molly is a strong girl, and she isn't about to let anyone, least of all a couple of spinster tricksters or old grudges, or even a handsey senator keep her from the truth!
I love watching Molly grow more as an independent. With friends like Sid and Gus, and with her job as a private investigator, she is exposed to situations that widen her already-broadened mind. She is able to take care of herself, but more than that, she is realizing more and more that being on her own is okay, even preferable, considering her ache-inducing encounters with Daniel and now Jacob. At a time when women were still viewed little better than property, Molly refuses to conform to society's rules and instead forges her own path, and I love being able to walk alongside her!
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