This is the first book in a series about Constable Evans, a police officer in a quiet town in Wales. In one night, two separate deaths occur on the mountains, seemingly accidental. But he is the only one who believes that they were intentional, and must prove that he’s right.

Obviously lately I have been reading a lot of “cozy” mysteries, as they are termed. But this was one was well written, and made the characters believably, and charmingly, flawed. The little details in this mystery bring together the story well, without gaps that need to be filled in.

Molly’s “love interest” Captain Daniel Sullivan is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, set up as an example for other “crooked” policemen involved with the Irish gangs. She must investigate and prove his innocence, while also finding the lost friend of his fiance.

Bowen set up the plot well, including real people from the period, an example the first woman police officer. And this is a realistic portrayal of the Irish gangs’ power, and the new regime coming in and wresting it away from them.

With a spreading typhoid epidemic in New York City, Daniel arranges for Molly to leave the city for an investigation in the country. The Flynn’s son was kidnapped, and his mother hopes to make contact with him through spiritualists. She arrives at Senator Flynn’s house to prove that they are fakes, and becomes involved in solving the kidnapping. This was not as good as the rest of the series has been, with some plot twists stretching a bit to make the connections. But worth reading if you liked the previous stories. And the ending sets up an important plot-line for the next book.

Clearly you can tell what series I’m currently obsessed with. This story sees Molly Murphy going undercover in sweatshops to find Katherine, an immigrant who came to New York City with her “scoundrel” husband Michael Kelley. This introduces new characters that become close friends of Molly’s, who are unique and part of the increasingly modern trend within Greenwich Village. She becomes involved with anarchists and artists, which is surprisingly true to form for the City during that period. Again, she is a strong and independent woman who is aware of the consequences of her actions and is unwilling to settle for less than she deserves.

This is the second book in the Molly Murphy series. Molly becomes an apprentice P.I. to Riley, a special detective whom she later finds murdered in his office. While Riley wouldn’t allow to her to do any investigating, she decides to search for his murderer. While not as good as the first novel in the series, it is worth reading. Molly is smart and independent, and this makes her a strong character that the reader can empathize with.

This is the first story in a series about Molly Murphy, an Irish immigrant forced to America after she accidentally kills an English nobleman while he attempts to rape her. She is embroiled in a murder investigation when the ship docks, and from there the story develops quickly in old New York City.

What I really liked about this book is that it stays true to historical New York City and Tammany Hall and its relationship with the Police force. I think, while it may be a light mystery, it also addresses some of the serious issues that immigrants faced upon arrival, and just how easy it was for them to either lose everything or gain what they desire.