A review by kbranfield
The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen

4.0

The Edge of Dreams by Rhys Bowen is a very intriguing mystery. Set in the early 1900s, it is a historically accurate and compelling novel starring the very charming and intrepid Molly Murphy Sullivan. Although it is part of Molly Murphy Mysteries series, it can easily be read as a standalone story.

Molly Sullivan's husband Daniel is investigating a perplexing string of murders when she and her young son are involved in a train accident. A note sent by the killer takes claim for the crash and Daniel is afraid Molly was the intended target. Molly escapes with mostly minor injuries and during her recuperation, she investigates the killings.

Molly is a former private detective who finds it difficult to leave her sleuthing days behind. During a time when women are expected to be nothing more than wives and mothers, she runs into some interference from her well-meaning mother-in-law who makes no effort to hide her disapproval of Molly's interest in the case. While Daniel appreciates the information Molly uncovers, she has to keep her activities hidden from Daniel's superiors.

Unable to find a link between the previous murders, Daniel has little to go on so Molly begins her investigation by re-interviewing the victims' family members. She uncovers a few puzzling clues but she still cannot find a common denominator in the cases. Molly is also assisting her rather unconventional friends Elena "Sid" Goldfarb and Augusta "Gus" Walcott as they try to help a young girl whose family recently perished in tragic house fire. The pair have recently returned from Vienna where they studied with Freud and they hope their (somewhat limited) knowledge about dream interpretation can help unlock the truth about what caused the fire that took the girl's parents' lives. Eventually, these two investigations converge but will Molly discover the killer's identity before it is too late?

The Edge of Dreams is a fascinating mystery and Rhys Bowen expertly weaves historical events from the era into the storyline. The characters are well-developed and their behavior and reactions are true to the time period. The perpetrator's identity and motive for the crime remain obscured for much of the story. The novel's conclusion is quite dramatic and all of the loose ends and various storylines are neatly wrapped up. All in all, a well-written and engaging novel that fans of genre are sure to enjoy.