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Molly Murphy #9
The Last Illusion
Irish immigrant and PI Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to the theater to see a trio of illusionists that are all the rage. Indeed, headlining is Harry Houdini, the most sensational of them all; he has just returned from entertaining European kings and queens for a brief run on Broadway.
But before Houdini can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong and to the crowd’s shock the illusionist saws into his assistant. In the aftermath, the stunned performer accuses Houdini of tampering with the equipment he keeps under lock and key. And he’s not the only one critical of “The King of Handcuffs.” Risking his life every night, Houdini has raised the stakes to such a perilous level that he’s putting lesser acts out of business.
With everyone on edge, Houdini’s wife hires Molly to be part investigator/part bodyguard, but how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? And how is she going to uncover whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on.
With sparkling wit, charming characters, and historic detail, multiple award winner Rhys Bowen brings early-twentieth-century New York City and the fantastic performers of the time vividly to life in The Last Illusion.
But before Houdini can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong and to the crowd’s shock the illusionist saws into his assistant. In the aftermath, the stunned performer accuses Houdini of tampering with the equipment he keeps under lock and key. And he’s not the only one critical of “The King of Handcuffs.” Risking his life every night, Houdini has raised the stakes to such a perilous level that he’s putting lesser acts out of business.
With everyone on edge, Houdini’s wife hires Molly to be part investigator/part bodyguard, but how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? And how is she going to uncover whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on.
With sparkling wit, charming characters, and historic detail, multiple award winner Rhys Bowen brings early-twentieth-century New York City and the fantastic performers of the time vividly to life in The Last Illusion.
279 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2010
274 people are currently reading
1627 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 341 reviews
January 22, 2015
It looks as if Molly is going to choose diamonds over her detective agency. Too bad, because Daniel gets a bit tiresome in this installment. Practically all his lines command Molly to give up the PI business or forbid her to take risks. I would rather marry Lord Peter Wimsey, who tells his lady love, "If you have put anything in hand, disagreeableness and danger will not turn you back, and God forbid they should."
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August 21, 2015daniel is such a condescending, chauvinistic prick who has no respect for molly and if i didn't like her i wouldn't even bother with this series because i'm starting to hate this dude so much.
August 20, 2015
Can't believe I'm done with this. It's not even an awful story, but I was soooo bored. I used to like Molly Murphy's adventures to begin with, and Rhys Bowen does find new and interesting aspects of the period (early 20th century New York, quite well researched, too, I believe), but I'm too fed up by now with the Molly-Daniel relationship thing, the eternal "I'm a working independent woman" versus the "little wife", same old, same old.
I can't be bothered anymore.
I'm officially dropping this series. Goodbye, Molly Murphy!
I can't be bothered anymore.
I'm officially dropping this series. Goodbye, Molly Murphy!
May 25, 2023
This was largely about Houdini and was fascinating. I never knew that he was a spy.
February 25, 2016
This is an interesting novel set in the early 1900's New York. The heroine, Molly Murphy, is an Irish immigrant who works as a private detective. Oddly as this sounds, she assisted a private detective who died and she, essentially, took over his business. She faces the difficult position of being a woman in a profession that is clearly outside of normal social standards, filling her time working on divorce cases, etc. and somehow managing to make a living at it. The funny thing was that she doesn't appear to speak with an Irish accent-- this is the 9th novel in the series and I have not read any others, but I find it odd that she would have been able to shed that accent. The author mentions a few Irish things, but does a poor job of presenting her as an Irish immigrant.
While attending a theater performance, she is horrified to see an illusion go wrong and a woman nearly get sawed in half. The woman is killed, taken from the theater by ambulance and then, both her body and the magician involved disappear. While trying to assist in the commotion, she comforts Bess Houdini, and is soon sought out by Mrs. Houdini, who is convinced that there is some form of threat against her husband. She invites her to observe her husband perform and watch for monkey business-- but of course-- things proceed from there.
The pacing of this novel is not exceptionally fast, but for a period piece, set in the early 1900's that wasn't too much of a problem for me. The problem I had was her modern social values. Her acceptance of the Bohemian lifestyle ladies who live across the street (implied lesbians, but never stated) and Ryan, an obviously gay man who doesn't seek to conceal his gayness at all. While I am certain that there have always been people who accepted alternate lifestyles, those ideas did not seem to fit in with the piece at all. When Daniel, the gay dressmaker makes her a dress, she disrobes in front of him only because she knows he is gay and there will be no advances made towards her, yet acts modestly throughout the remainder of the story, even expressing dismay at a costume she has to wear during her investigation. (He soon to be fiance is also disturbed by the revealing costume)...
There is a decent enough mystery here, though why the heroine should make the discoveries she makes other than Mr. Wilkie's agents (Secret Service) is beyond me. If she could go to the location and find the clues, obviously Wilkie's agents could have done the same.
Through it all, we have the mysterious conduct of Mr. Harry Houdini himself. The author does a good job of incorporating him into the story, but just out of the spotlight. He is integral to the story,but the author keeps him from taking over the story. He is portrayed in his glory, but only as a side character whose behavior and history is presented in a really decent manner. Bowen has obviously studied a bit about Houdini and illusions and her knowledge and some of the things she reveals about some of his tricks are well-known. She also manages to give Molly a decent enough look at the tricks to be amazed at them, even while trying to see up close, how they are accomplished. Her amazement gives the readers a glimpse into what it must have been like to see Houdini, live on stage, no camera tricks, etc. accomplishing his magic illusions.
A decent period piece, but the touches of modern thinking hurt it a bit.
While attending a theater performance, she is horrified to see an illusion go wrong and a woman nearly get sawed in half. The woman is killed, taken from the theater by ambulance and then, both her body and the magician involved disappear. While trying to assist in the commotion, she comforts Bess Houdini, and is soon sought out by Mrs. Houdini, who is convinced that there is some form of threat against her husband. She invites her to observe her husband perform and watch for monkey business-- but of course-- things proceed from there.
The pacing of this novel is not exceptionally fast, but for a period piece, set in the early 1900's that wasn't too much of a problem for me. The problem I had was her modern social values. Her acceptance of the Bohemian lifestyle ladies who live across the street (implied lesbians, but never stated) and Ryan, an obviously gay man who doesn't seek to conceal his gayness at all. While I am certain that there have always been people who accepted alternate lifestyles, those ideas did not seem to fit in with the piece at all. When Daniel, the gay dressmaker makes her a dress, she disrobes in front of him only because she knows he is gay and there will be no advances made towards her, yet acts modestly throughout the remainder of the story, even expressing dismay at a costume she has to wear during her investigation. (He soon to be fiance is also disturbed by the revealing costume)...
There is a decent enough mystery here, though why the heroine should make the discoveries she makes other than Mr. Wilkie's agents (Secret Service) is beyond me. If she could go to the location and find the clues, obviously Wilkie's agents could have done the same.
Through it all, we have the mysterious conduct of Mr. Harry Houdini himself. The author does a good job of incorporating him into the story, but just out of the spotlight. He is integral to the story,but the author keeps him from taking over the story. He is portrayed in his glory, but only as a side character whose behavior and history is presented in a really decent manner. Bowen has obviously studied a bit about Houdini and illusions and her knowledge and some of the things she reveals about some of his tricks are well-known. She also manages to give Molly a decent enough look at the tricks to be amazed at them, even while trying to see up close, how they are accomplished. Her amazement gives the readers a glimpse into what it must have been like to see Houdini, live on stage, no camera tricks, etc. accomplishing his magic illusions.
A decent period piece, but the touches of modern thinking hurt it a bit.
July 18, 2014
It's almost always the case that I can recognize a book that will score 1/5 right off the bat. The author, Rhys Bowen, should be ashamed of forging ahead with a bad sketchy idea and wrongfully persevering in laying this bad egg. She is totally out of her element. She probably loved bad spy novels and pulp fiction and thought imitation was flattery.
The alarm bells started ringing when the big setup of the Scarpelli guy failed to impress on me. Usually Rhys Bowen's victims hit me hard, but not this one. Every single sentence was a pain to read. I can't account for the spectacular loss of form of the author. Both main characters Daniel and Molly act like muppets in this book, despite the fact that they were on opposite sides. That takes some doing. I had to skip several passages. I usually never do that. Kudos for that must go to Rhys Bowen. There was always something underwhelming in most of the 9 Molly Murphy books I've read. But this particular book takes the cake.
The alarm bells started ringing when the big setup of the Scarpelli guy failed to impress on me. Usually Rhys Bowen's victims hit me hard, but not this one. Every single sentence was a pain to read. I can't account for the spectacular loss of form of the author. Both main characters Daniel and Molly act like muppets in this book, despite the fact that they were on opposite sides. That takes some doing. I had to skip several passages. I usually never do that. Kudos for that must go to Rhys Bowen. There was always something underwhelming in most of the 9 Molly Murphy books I've read. But this particular book takes the cake.
June 3, 2016
Molly Murphy, the scrappy Irish immigrant private eye discovers the world of illusionists in this ninth novel of the series. Although not my favorite, I still am a Molly fan. Set in New York City in early years of the 20th century, Rhys Bowen gives us a glimpse of that exciting time in U.S. history.
While watching a theatrical performance of illusionists, Molly and her betrothed Daniel Sullivan witness a woman being sawed in half during a failed magic trick. Later in the story, Molly befriends and is hired by Bess Houdini, the great Harry's wife. It seems that someone is out to get Harry and Bess, and perhaps Molly.
Its a fun mystery, loaded with tidbits about magic and illusions, and the personality and career of Harry Houdini. Molly is a spirited young woman, fearless and intelligent. It is disheartening to find her close to marriage and having to face giving up her career, friends and independence. Let's face it, in the majority of the twentieth century, women were defined by their marital status and dependent on husband and/or family for their livelihood. Although, I was angry at Daniel the entire novel, he was merely voicing the belief system in that society at that time. I wonder what Rhys Bowen will have in store for Molly in the future.
While watching a theatrical performance of illusionists, Molly and her betrothed Daniel Sullivan witness a woman being sawed in half during a failed magic trick. Later in the story, Molly befriends and is hired by Bess Houdini, the great Harry's wife. It seems that someone is out to get Harry and Bess, and perhaps Molly.
Its a fun mystery, loaded with tidbits about magic and illusions, and the personality and career of Harry Houdini. Molly is a spirited young woman, fearless and intelligent. It is disheartening to find her close to marriage and having to face giving up her career, friends and independence. Let's face it, in the majority of the twentieth century, women were defined by their marital status and dependent on husband and/or family for their livelihood. Although, I was angry at Daniel the entire novel, he was merely voicing the belief system in that society at that time. I wonder what Rhys Bowen will have in store for Molly in the future.
January 18, 2019
Not as enjoyable as some of Molly’s adventures and Daniel is a bit of a tool. All he ever seems to say to Molly is give up being a detective and are you cooking me dinner. A good story with Houdini making an appearance with his wife Bess who is a meek paranoid woman. I liked the plot a murder on stage, espionage, illusionists and counterfeiting.
The ending was a bit disappointing and what happened to the eagle eyed Ted when Molly was brought into the theatre towards the end.
The ending was a bit disappointing and what happened to the eagle eyed Ted when Molly was brought into the theatre towards the end.
April 17, 2021
The storyline was unnecessarily stretched but all and all a good plot line with a lot of historical value.
P.S still hate capt Sullivan 😒
P.S still hate capt Sullivan 😒
February 25, 2014
Loved the illusionists involved in the story. However, Daniel (Molly's beau) is ALL up on my nerves in this book. For such a strong female character, he gets away with being a total a$$ most of the time. Yes, I realize the time period it is set in and that's "how things were" but it just doesn't fit with Molly's character. He makes me cray.
June 16, 2017
3.5 stars
January 21, 2014
Rhys Bowen brings New York City and its people, famous and not, alive like no other author. She weaves well-known historical and entertainment figures into the Molly Murphy stories like a fine silk lining in a well-tailored jacket. In The Last Illusion, this reader was treated to a personality and profession I have long found fascinating, Houdini and the enigmatical art of the illusionist. I knew I was in for an exciting ride when the unconventional worlds of Molly Murphy and Houdini collided. Anything was possible, and the author gave me page after page of possibilities fulfilled.
A much anticipated trip in the hot summer days of New York City with Daniel to Miner's Bowery Theater to see the great Houdini, recently returned from a successful three-year European tour, results in a journey into the elusive world of illusion for Molly Murphy, private detective and fiance of Captain Daniel Sullivan of the New York Police Department. Before Houdini and his assistant, wife Bess, can take the stage, a horrible mishap occurs when another illusionist performs a sawing-in-half trick on his assistant, Lily, and Lily is actually sawed into almost in two. The audience is sent home, but, as a member of the police force, Daniel takes charge of the grisly scene, while Molly stands by and watches. Of course, Molly never stands by for long, and she soon finds herself comforting Bess Houdini, who is overcome with shock at the sight of the injured and dying Lily. Daniel and his men start an investigation, and Molly goes home without expectation of any further involvement. However, a note sent from Bess Houdini to Molly's Patchin Place residence the next morning starts the wheels turning for a new and remarkable case for Molly, as Bess wants to hire Molly to uncover who is trying to harm Houdini, something that Bess is sure to be a real threat. With Daniel making demands that Molly give up her detective career when they get married, which he hope is sooner rather than later, Molly vaguely promises that this case will be her last. If indeed it is her last, it is certainly one of her most intriguing and important ones. Murder, espionage, counterfeiting, magic, the Secret Service, and Molly once again taking the stage. "Never a dull moment" is redefined in this thrill of a tale.
One of the aspects of the Molly Murphy series that I am finding especially satisfying is the historical descriptions of a growing and changing New York City, the contrasts of old and new. In one particular description, Molly is riding in an automobile with Daniel, and she recites the images and sounds experienced. "While we had been talking we had passed fashionable shopping districts and Macy's spanking new department store that took up a whole block along Broadway. then at last Midtown gave way to the crowded streets of the Lower East Sid and we made slow progress, inching between delivery drays, trolleys, and pushcarts. Ragged children darted across the street with no apparent concern for their safety and the air rang with the cries of vendors, the clang of constructions from a new building, the shrill squeals of children, and the clip-clop of horses' hooves. A veritable cacophony, but one that I had come to love. It was the sound of a city full of life."
A much anticipated trip in the hot summer days of New York City with Daniel to Miner's Bowery Theater to see the great Houdini, recently returned from a successful three-year European tour, results in a journey into the elusive world of illusion for Molly Murphy, private detective and fiance of Captain Daniel Sullivan of the New York Police Department. Before Houdini and his assistant, wife Bess, can take the stage, a horrible mishap occurs when another illusionist performs a sawing-in-half trick on his assistant, Lily, and Lily is actually sawed into almost in two. The audience is sent home, but, as a member of the police force, Daniel takes charge of the grisly scene, while Molly stands by and watches. Of course, Molly never stands by for long, and she soon finds herself comforting Bess Houdini, who is overcome with shock at the sight of the injured and dying Lily. Daniel and his men start an investigation, and Molly goes home without expectation of any further involvement. However, a note sent from Bess Houdini to Molly's Patchin Place residence the next morning starts the wheels turning for a new and remarkable case for Molly, as Bess wants to hire Molly to uncover who is trying to harm Houdini, something that Bess is sure to be a real threat. With Daniel making demands that Molly give up her detective career when they get married, which he hope is sooner rather than later, Molly vaguely promises that this case will be her last. If indeed it is her last, it is certainly one of her most intriguing and important ones. Murder, espionage, counterfeiting, magic, the Secret Service, and Molly once again taking the stage. "Never a dull moment" is redefined in this thrill of a tale.
One of the aspects of the Molly Murphy series that I am finding especially satisfying is the historical descriptions of a growing and changing New York City, the contrasts of old and new. In one particular description, Molly is riding in an automobile with Daniel, and she recites the images and sounds experienced. "While we had been talking we had passed fashionable shopping districts and Macy's spanking new department store that took up a whole block along Broadway. then at last Midtown gave way to the crowded streets of the Lower East Sid and we made slow progress, inching between delivery drays, trolleys, and pushcarts. Ragged children darted across the street with no apparent concern for their safety and the air rang with the cries of vendors, the clang of constructions from a new building, the shrill squeals of children, and the clip-clop of horses' hooves. A veritable cacophony, but one that I had come to love. It was the sound of a city full of life."
January 13, 2017
Being an avid fan of Harry Houdini and all things magical, I was really excited to read this book. This was my first Molly Murphy mystery and will probably be my last. The writing is plain and very repetitive - annoyingly so. Same with Ms. Bowen's ideas of independence vs. marriage - it got old fast. Anyway, what really frustrated me was how wrong the magical facts were for the time period. Two things really stood out for me. The first being that Houdini didn't do any Spiritualist debunking until the early 1920s, after his mother dies. Not in 1903. And the illusion that is described near the end of the book in which Molly watches and then puts everything together to solve the mystery, (It's called "Zig-Zag Girl") was created by Robert Hardin in the 1960s!!! This kind of sloppy research just annoyed me no end. And Bowen's use of modern phrases and words being used in 1903 New York also fried me. Oh well, if you like hokey mystery novels, then this book is for you...but not for me.
December 9, 2017
I haven’t read one of these Molly Murphy books for two years, mainly because I can’t stand Daniel Sullivan, the self-centred, chauvinistic jerk. The only reason I keep trying again is a really like Sid & Gus and I can’t believe Molly won’t eventually come to her senses.
At the start of the book his first words directed at Molly were; ”I want you to obey me for once, without a fuss” Why does she stay with him? The whole book is just full of incidents where any normal person would have just ditched him.
As for the mystery, it just took so long to get going, if I hadn’t been so annoyed about Daniel, I would have just been bored. I won’t be coming back to this series.
At the start of the book his first words directed at Molly were; ”I want you to obey me for once, without a fuss” Why does she stay with him? The whole book is just full of incidents where any normal person would have just ditched him.
As for the mystery, it just took so long to get going, if I hadn’t been so annoyed about Daniel, I would have just been bored. I won’t be coming back to this series.
April 3, 2016
This story had so much potential, but it was disappointing at times. Daniel was particularly annoying. A fun story line involving Harry Houdini and his wife and other magicians held my interest most of the time. Not my favorite Molly Murphy but acceptable.
March 25, 2010
I like Rhys Bowen's historical fiction/suspense mix. She uses real historical characters with her fictional heroine, in this case it was Harry Houdini.
October 26, 2020
When Molly & Daniel go to see the great Houdini perform, they get embroiled in murder and plots of national significance. One of the better Molly Brown mysteries. I’ve always liked Rhys Bowen’s ability to bring the early 1900s to life, and peeking behind the magician’s curtain and rubbing shoulders with Houdini was interesting. What I always dislike is the friction between Daniel being overprotective and condescending and Molly trying to assert her independence. It gives a sour tone to every book. I understand that it reflects the mores of the time but it’s exhausting. Where’s Phryne Fisher when you need her? 🎧 Nicola Barker narrates well but I cringe whenever I hear her voice Daniel or other overbearing males.
October 7, 2024
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Historical Mystery by Rhys so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially with the twist in the beginning which I wasnt expecting.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1900s NYC while reading especially when the scenery was described.
This book definitely reminded me of Stalking Jack the Ripper but without the Graphic Description.
Overall a spooky yet fun Historical Mystery!! Can't wait to read the other Books in the series soon!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Historical Mystery by Rhys so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed this one especially with the twist in the beginning which I wasnt expecting.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1900s NYC while reading especially when the scenery was described.
This book definitely reminded me of Stalking Jack the Ripper but without the Graphic Description.
Overall a spooky yet fun Historical Mystery!! Can't wait to read the other Books in the series soon!!
November 28, 2017
Good fast read, a Molly Murphy Mystery, she is s private dectective in NY, in the early 20th century and gets herself into some situations that are pretty scary. In this book she meets Houdini and befriends his wife, who hires her. Her fiancé Daniel, is a Captian in the N Y Police, and is not happy with her profession!
May 22, 2022
In The Last Illusion, female detective Molly Murphy is swept into the world of Harry Houdini and other famous illusionists of the day. Although, personally, this was not my favorite Molly installment, I was still engaged. Author Rhys Bowen does an effective job weaving fact and fiction together as Molly balances life in the theatre with trying to keep her beau Daniel Sullivan happy.
February 15, 2018
Just when I think this series can't get better, a book blows me away again. Loved the real historical characters who played parts in this one.
March 13, 2015
When I read the synopsis to this book I was excited. A young, female detective protecting one of the world's most famous illusionists Harry Houdini. What could go wrong?
Then I read some reviews on Goodreads about how annoying the constant barrage of her fiancé's requests for her to leave the business was but I was taken back by how constant and frustrating it was. Not to mention his emotions were all over the place which was incredible confusing. I can understand that many men in that era thought that way but the constant "You could harm my reputation." made me want to throw the stupid book across the room. Mostly because this ridiculously annoying fiancé took away from the actual story which would have been good.
One other issue that frustrated me was the fact that as Molly woke up early she would say as "Theatre folk were notorious late risers." and she repeated this multiple times throughout the story. I felt like this was kind of amateur way of writing like I don't need such information repeated constantly.
I can't even review the actual story because of these complaints and for that I apologize.
Then I read some reviews on Goodreads about how annoying the constant barrage of her fiancé's requests for her to leave the business was but I was taken back by how constant and frustrating it was. Not to mention his emotions were all over the place which was incredible confusing. I can understand that many men in that era thought that way but the constant "You could harm my reputation." made me want to throw the stupid book across the room. Mostly because this ridiculously annoying fiancé took away from the actual story which would have been good.
One other issue that frustrated me was the fact that as Molly woke up early she would say as "Theatre folk were notorious late risers." and she repeated this multiple times throughout the story. I felt like this was kind of amateur way of writing like I don't need such information repeated constantly.
I can't even review the actual story because of these complaints and for that I apologize.
November 5, 2022
Interesting read about Houdini being involved with spying for the United States. Good book!
August 7, 2012
I thought a story about a spunky Irish female private investigator in early 1900's New York City sounded interesting. Especially since Harry Houdini was her client. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this.
The main character of Molly Murphy seemed continuously torn between being a modern, independant woman, and bowing to the expectation to become a docile, boring proper wife to her policeman fiance. While I understand that she probably would be facing such a choice, I just found that her constant angst and inability to decide what she wants and go for it quickly became tedious and annoying.
I also had difficulty believing Molly could possibly be a successful investigator. She just seemed a bit ditzy and flighty, and given the type of city New York was at that time, I seriously doubt that Molly could have kept herself out of trouble long enough to solve any client's case.
This just didn't work for me. It was a disappointment.
The main character of Molly Murphy seemed continuously torn between being a modern, independant woman, and bowing to the expectation to become a docile, boring proper wife to her policeman fiance. While I understand that she probably would be facing such a choice, I just found that her constant angst and inability to decide what she wants and go for it quickly became tedious and annoying.
I also had difficulty believing Molly could possibly be a successful investigator. She just seemed a bit ditzy and flighty, and given the type of city New York was at that time, I seriously doubt that Molly could have kept herself out of trouble long enough to solve any client's case.
This just didn't work for me. It was a disappointment.
March 14, 2011
I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, but since I can't, I just rounded up. I really like Rhys Bowen, so I give her the benefit of the doubt.
I didn't like this book quite as well as some of the earlier ones in the series. As others have pointed out, Daniel, much as I have loved his character in the past, DOES get a little annoying at times. Still, I enjoyed the story and it kept me interested. (I think I read these books more for the history element than the mystery. Bowen is fabulous at bringing times and places to life.)
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, though wondering how much longer the series will continue. Will Daniel's attitude change, or will be be saying goodbye to Molly as a private detective soon?
I didn't like this book quite as well as some of the earlier ones in the series. As others have pointed out, Daniel, much as I have loved his character in the past, DOES get a little annoying at times. Still, I enjoyed the story and it kept me interested. (I think I read these books more for the history element than the mystery. Bowen is fabulous at bringing times and places to life.)
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, though wondering how much longer the series will continue. Will Daniel's attitude change, or will be be saying goodbye to Molly as a private detective soon?
September 15, 2015
Horror and screams filled the theater as Molly and Dainel watch an illusionist's performance go wrong and
his assistant is cut in half. Daniel immediately takes over and Molly is asked to take Bess Houdini to her dressing room. Bess asks Molly to help protect her husband as she is afraid someone is trying to kill him. Molly accepts. Daniel forbids her to become involve in the case. This story has many twists to it making it hard to figure it out. Molly promise Daniel it will be her last case. The answer will surprise you.
his assistant is cut in half. Daniel immediately takes over and Molly is asked to take Bess Houdini to her dressing room. Bess asks Molly to help protect her husband as she is afraid someone is trying to kill him. Molly accepts. Daniel forbids her to become involve in the case. This story has many twists to it making it hard to figure it out. Molly promise Daniel it will be her last case. The answer will surprise you.
June 16, 2024
This book was full of illusions and Molly was in the thick of it. `Molly and Daniel, her intended, were in the audience when a magic act turned deadly. Houdini and Bess were there and Bess saw all the blood and she became hysterical and Molly took her to her dressing room to help calm her down. Bess asked Molly to try and find out who was trying to kill her husband. It became full of danger for Houdini and he was kidnapped. Molly has to find out who the villains are. This is a great book and I highly recommend it.
August 7, 2017
Lots of twist and turns that all tie together at the end of the story. Still hasn't married Captain Sullivan, but they are at least engaged! Molly is supposed to retire from the detective business once she marries, but somehow I don't think that will happen. She loves her independence, so this should be fun!
January 1, 2016
I like that in this book, Molly outright admits that she's solved cases by luck rather than by observation. This whole premise is absurd, but I've always been fascinated by the life of Harry Houdini, so I was glad to see he played a part in this book (however ridiculous)
February 6, 2017
Pleasant read. I like the way she weaves real historical events into the books like The Wizard of Oz musical on Broadway in the early 1900's and Houdini who is at the heart of this mystery.
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