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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Turn-of-the-century New York murder mystery with a stubborn woman detective. Very good. Has that "homey" quality I like.
zoe_16's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
mamap's review against another edition
3.0
Disappointing.
Molly Murphy Mystery #4
The author leaves everything, but the mystery hanging - and Molly sleeps with Daniel - the faithless. What is that?
Molly Murphy Mystery #4
The author leaves everything, but the mystery hanging - and Molly sleeps with Daniel - the faithless. What is that?
ktaylor1164's review against another edition
4.0
I have to copy (and credit) another reviewer, Waverly, for this perfect summation of my own feelings about the Daniel angst this far:
"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."
Precisely. I'm very aware of the realities for women in the 19th and 20th century, and it's likely true that a more understanding Daniel would not be as historically viable. But seriously, between the whole "other fiancée" plot line and his endless moralizing about a woman's place, I spend the book wanting to smack him--and Molly, for putting up with him.
However, as the reviewer adds:
"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."
So true.
"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."
Precisely. I'm very aware of the realities for women in the 19th and 20th century, and it's likely true that a more understanding Daniel would not be as historically viable. But seriously, between the whole "other fiancée" plot line and his endless moralizing about a woman's place, I spend the book wanting to smack him--and Molly, for putting up with him.
However, as the reviewer adds:
"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."
So true.
fowlermillbabe's review against another edition
3.0
I had a lot of trouble finishing this one. I just couldn't get into the story,
deidrelj's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content
sarahcoller's review against another edition
3.0
This one was ok with a bit of a gothic flair. Molly finds herself on a "police sanctioned" assignment and ends up solving all kinds of mysteries that weren't actually a part of that assignment. She has a bit of a character hiccup at the end which disappointed me and I still don't get why she's hanging on to Daniel. Besides the fact that he's too wussy to break things off with his fiance, he's really a jerk to her in the beginning and doesn't respect her passion for detecting. For me, that would be a huge red flag---but I guess those were different times. (The blanket excuse that's made for every messed up thing that happens in these books.) I have a feeling Daniel is on the verge of breaking things off with Arabella but I do hope it's done in a way that actually shows some strength of character in him. So far, I'm not at all impressed. Coincidences abound in this series, but I was glad to see a loose end tied off concerning Molly's past in Ireland.
saraelizabetha's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
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.