Away in a Manger
A Molly Murphy Mystery
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4.6 • 59 Ratings
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- $1.99
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
Another compelling and richly drawn mystery from New York Times bestseller Rhys Bowen, Away in a Manger.
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set around Christmas in 1905 New York City, Bowen's so-so 15th Molly Murphy mystery (after The Edge of Dreams) finds Molly, no longer a PI, preoccupied with being a good wife to NYPD Capt. Daniel Sullivan and mother to their baby, Liam. When Liam's nanny, Bridie, is moved by the sight of a young girl, Emmy, singing for alms on the cold streets of Manhattan, Molly and Bridie decide to donate some clothes to her. After further encounters with Emmy and her older brother, Molly learns that their mother delivered them to an aunt, who sends them onto the streets to earn their keep. Molly determines to help the siblings by learning the truth about their mother's fate. A subplot related to Daniel's professional difficulties stemming from his unwillingness to play ball with the Tammany crowd is basically window-dressing. Some series fans may feel Molly's sleuthing skills aren't up to her usual standard.
