Description (from cover):'It's Christmastime in 1905 New York City, and for once, Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to the approaching holidays. She has a family of her own now: she and Daniel have a baby son and twelve-year-old Bridie is living with them as their ward. As Molly and the children listen to carolers in the street, they hear a lovely voice, the voice of an angel, and see a beggar girl huddled in a doorway, singing "Away in a Manger." Bridie is touched by the girl's ragged clothes and wants to help her out if they can. They give her a quarter, only to watch a bigger boy take it from her. But Molly discovers the boy is the girl's older brother. They've come from England and their mother has disappeared, and they're living with an aunt who mistreats them terribly.
Molly quickly realizes that these children are not the usual city waifs. They are well-spoken and clearly used to better things. So who are they? And what's happened to their mother? As Molly looks for a way to help the children and for the answers to these questions, she gets drawn into an investigation that will take her up to the highest levels of New York society.
This is another compelling and richly drawn mystery from New York Times bestseller Rhys Bowen.'
My thoughts:
The Molly Murphy mysteries have long been one of my favorites in the historical mystery genre. I love the way that Rhys Bowen writes and I know that I will never be disappointed in any of her books. I love when I find an author that I can't wait to read. I adore Bowen's other series, the Lady Georgiana mysteries as well. I like how the characters are very strong and independent women who are smart and have a knack for finding themselves in the middle of a mystery investigation. I have heard a lot of great things about this author and her series and I know why I keep coming back for me. I feel a real connection with the characters and I truly care about their development and where the author is taking them next. Since I've started this series a couple of years ago, Molly has come a long way.
In this latest installment, Molly is preparing for Christmas. She is out one day when she sees a young girl singing Christmas carols in the street. Molly gives her some money and is appalled when an older boy takes the money right out of the little girl's hand. Molly starts talking to the children and learns that they are siblings that have just arrived from England. They are staying with a relative in a boarding house and they have not seen their mother in months. Molly's curiosity is instantly piqued and she is concerned about the children's mother. Why would someone go through the trouble of bringing them across the Atlantic ocean and then just dump them on someone's doorstep? That doesn't sit well with Molly and she begins investigating the young mother's mysterious disappearance.
I enjoyed this book just like I have enjoyed all of the others in this series. As I stated before Molly has come a long way and I find it nice to see Molly in a different role. I am trying to not reveal a lot of things because I don't want to spoil the series for other readers. Bowen has done a phenomenal job of creating a series that flows well and continues from book to book in a remarkable manner. There is just something about this series that has me coming back time and time again to read a stunning tale.
Overall Rating: 4.5
Title: Away in a Manger
Author: Rhys Bowen
Series: Molly Murphy Mystery #15
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: November 17, 2015
Pages: 256
Genre: Historical Mystery
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble
Disclaimer: This book was selected from the library by myself and I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
