Oh Danny Boy

January 16, 2006
In Agatha-winner Bowen's entertaining if imperfect fifth Molly Murphy mystery (after 2005's In Like Flynn
), the feisty Irish lass, who has immigrated to New York City and become a PI, comes to the rescue of someone very near and dear to her, NYPD cop Daniel Sullivan. Daniel's been accused of taking a bribe, but Molly is sure he's innocent. Before his arrest, Daniel was trying to track down the East Side Ripper, a prostitute-murdering brute. Molly suspects someone wanted Daniel off the case and set him up. While trying to prove Daniel's innocence, Molly realizes that their one night of passion has left her pregnant. She contemplates an abortion, but can't go through with it. If the solution to Molly's predicament is a predictable cop-out, Bowen deserves kudos for her recreation of early 20th-century New York. She avoids the temptation to give cameos to every famous figure of the day, but those she does work in—like New York's first "lady policeman"—are wonderfully chosen.

Starred review from March 1, 2006
NYPD Capt. Daniel Sullivan is in jail, accused of taking bribes and causing the death of a fellow officer. It is 1902, and Sullivan -s only hope is private investigator Molly Murphy ("In Like Flynn", the woman he loves but betrayed. Despite their past, Molly sets out to prove Sullivan innocent while trying to avoid a serial killer of prostitutes and come to grips with her pregnancy, the result of her one night with Sullivan. Bowen parcels out bits of her plot with an impeccable sense of timing and, in effect, has written another outstanding mystery. The joy of reading this series ("O Danny Boy"is the fifth title) comes from the wonderful relationships that Bowen develops among the characters. Fans who have read all the Molly Murphy books may want to try also her nine Constable Evans ("Evans Blessed" cozies. Bowen lives in San Francisco.

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2006
New York City in the summer of 1902: Molly Murphy is seriously considering giving up her dream of being a private investigator to move west, away from the alluring-but-deceptive police captain, Daniel Sullivan. But when Daniel suddenly winds up in jail, the target of a bribery probe, Molly has no choice but to help him clear his name--a challenge that becomes far more complicated when Molly has to track down a serial killer as well. This is the fifth Murphy mystery, and it's a beautifully constructed historical one that catapults readers back in time and immerses them in turn-of-the-twentieth-century New York.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)