Synopses & Reviews
Irish immigrant and PI Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to the theater to see a trio of illusionists that are all the rage. Indeed, headlining is Harry Houdini, the most sensational of them all; he has just returned from entertaining European kings and queens for a brief run on Broadway.
But before Houdini can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong and to the crowds shock the illusionist saws into his assistant. In the aftermath, the stunned performer accuses Houdini of tampering with the equipment he keeps under lock and key. And hes not the only one critical of “The King of Handcuffs.” Risking his life every night, Houdini has raised the stakes to such a perilous level that hes putting lesser acts out of business.
With everyone on edge, Houdinis wife hires Molly to be part investigator/part bodyguard, but how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? And how is she going to uncover whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on.
With sparkling wit, charming characters, and historic detail, multiple award winner Rhys Bowen brings early-twentieth-century New York City and the fantastic performers of the time vividly to life in The Last Illusion.
Review
Praise for Rhys Bowen
“This installment outshines the others…. Dont miss this great period puzzler reminiscent of Dame Agathas mysteries and Gillian Linscotts Nell Bray series.”
---Booklist on In a Gilded Cage
“Delightful … As ever, Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavor of early twentieth-century New York.”
---Publishers Weekly on In a Gilded Cage
“Molly is an indomitable creature.… The book bounces along in the hands of Ms. Bowen and her Molly, and there is no doubt that she will be back causing trouble.”
---Washington Times on In Dublins Fair City
“Readers will surely testify that Murphy has become one of their favorite characters.… This book is a keeper.”
---Tampa Tribune on In Dublins Fair City
“Its enjoyable charm and wit will appeal to a cross-section of mystery fans.”
---Baltimore Sun on Oh Danny Boy
Review
Praise for Rhys Bowen
“This installment outshines the others…. Dont miss this great period puzzler reminiscent of Dame Agathas mysteries and Gillian Linscotts Nell Bray series.”
---Booklist on In a Gilded Cage
“Delightful … As ever, Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavor of early twentieth-century New York.”
---Publishers Weekly on In a Gilded Cage
“Molly is an indomitable creature.… The book bounces along in the hands of Ms. Bowen and her Molly, and there is no doubt that she will be back causing trouble.”
---Washington Times on In Dublins Fair City
“Readers will surely testify that Murphy has become one of their favorite characters.… This book is a keeper.”
---Tampa Tribune on In Dublins Fair City
“Its enjoyable charm and wit will appeal to a cross-section of mystery fans.”
---Baltimore Sun on Oh Danny Boy
Review
Praise for Rhys Bowen
“This installment outshines the others…. Dont miss this great period puzzler reminiscent of Dame Agathas mysteries and Gillian Linscotts Nell Bray series.”
---Booklist on In a Gilded Cage
“Delightful … As ever, Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavor of early twentieth-century New York.”
---Publishers Weekly on In a Gilded Cage
“Molly is an indomitable creature.… The book bounces along in the hands of Ms. Bowen and her Molly, and there is no doubt that she will be back causing trouble.”
---Washington Times on In Dublins Fair City
“Readers will surely testify that Murphy has become one of their favorite characters.… This book is a keeper.”
---Tampa Tribune on In Dublins Fair City
“Its enjoyable charm and wit will appeal to a cross-section of mystery fans.”
---Baltimore Sun on Oh Danny Boy Oline H. Cogdill - Kristine Huntley - Daniel Mallory - David Pitt - Charles Bracelen Flood - Ramsey Campbell - Maggie Shayne - L.A. Banks - Kelley Armstrong - Katherine Ramsland - Joe R. Lansdale - Heather Graham - Cory Doctorow - C.J. Henderson - Kirkus - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Gene Lyons - Jon Winokur - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Neil Walsh - Stephen R. Donaldson - Jacqueline Carey - Glen Cook - Elizabeth Haydon - David Drake - Dr. Lewis G. 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Review
IN A GILDED CAGE
“This installment outshines the others in character development and plot complexity. Details of Mollys new cases are knit together with the accoutrements of 1918 New York City life…Dont miss this great period puzzler reminiscent of Dame Agathas mysteries and Gillian Linscotts Nell Bray series.”—Booklist
“Delightful…Bowen does a splendid job of capturing the flavor of early 20th-century New York and bringing to life its warm and human inhabitants.”—Publishers Weekly
“Feisty, independent Molly and the historical New York background give good value.”—Kirkus Reviews
TELL ME, PRETTY MAIDEN
“Winning…Its all in a days work for this delightfully spunky heroine.”—Publishers Weekly
“For readers who love mysteries more for character development than puzzle solving, the seventh Molly Murphy novel… does not disappoint.”—Booklist “Sharp historical backgrounds and wacky adventures.”—Kirkus Reviews
IN DUBLINS FAIR CITY“
Readers will surely testify that Murphy has become one of their favorite characters…This book is a keeper.”—Tampa Tribune “Enjoyable charm and wit.”—Baltimore Sun
“Molly is an indomitable creature…The book bounces along in the hands of Ms. Bowen and her Molly, and there is no doubt that she will be back causing trouble.”—Washington Times
“The feisty Molly rarely disappoints in this rousing yarn seasoned with a dash of Irish history.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Synopsis
Molly Murphy is hired to protect none other than Harry Houdini after the on-stage death of a magician's assistant, in the latest in Bowen's award-winning series.
Synopsis
Award-winning author Rhys Bowen brings early-twentieth-century New York City magically to life in
THE LAST ILLUSION
Irish immigrant and private detective Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to see world-famous illusionist Harry Houdini. But before he can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong—and the sensational Signor Scarpellis lovely assistant is sawed in half. In the aftermath, Scarpelli accuses Houdini of tampering with his equipment. Who else but the so-called Handcuff King could have got a hold of his trunk of tricks, which he keeps under lock and key?
“Winning…The gutsy Molly, whos no prim Edwardian miss, will appeal to fans of contemporary female detectives.”—Publishers Weekly
And it seems the maestro Scarpellis not the only one critical of Houdini. Now that hes raised the stakes to such a perilous level, lesser acts are being put out of business. With everyone on edge, Houdinis wife hires Molly to watch his back. But how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? Now its up to Molly to keep an eye on Houdini and find out whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks—or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on…
Synopsis
Irish immigrant and private detective Molly Murphy is thrilled to have a ticket to see world-famous illusionist Harry Houdini. But before he can even take the stage, the opening act goes horribly wrong—and the sensational Signor Scarpellis lovely assistant is sawed in half. In the aftermath, Scarpelli accuses Houdini of tampering with his equipment. Who else but the so-called Handcuff King could have got a hold of his trunk of tricks, which he keeps under lock and key?
And it seems the maestro Scarpellis not the only one critical of Houdini. Now that hes raised the stakes to such a perilous level, lesser acts are being put out of business. With everyone on edge, Houdinis wife hires Molly to watch his back. But how can she protect a man who literally risks his life every night? Now its up to Molly to keep an eye on Houdini and find out whether these masters of illusion are simply up to their tricks—or if there truly is something much more treacherous going on…
About the Author
Rhys Bowen is the author of the award-winning Molly Murphy and Constable Evans mysteries. Her novels have garnered an impressive array of awards and nominations, including the Anthony award for her novel For the Love of Mike and the Agatha Award for Murphys Law. Her books have also won the Bruce Alexander Historical Award and the Herodotus Award, and have been shortlisted for the Edgar, the Agatha, the Macavity, the Barry, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She has also written Her Royal Spyness, a series about a minor royal in 1930s England, and she is the author of several short stories, including the Anthony Award-winning “Doppelganger.” Her story “Voodoo” was chosen to be part of the anthology of the best of 50 years of Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Ms. Bowen was born in Bath, England, and worked as an announcer and studio manager for the BBC in London, before moving to Australia and then California. It was here she started writing childrens and young adult novels, and then moved on to mysteries with the Constable Evans novels. When not writing she loves to travel, sing, hike, play her Celtic harp, and entertain her grandchildren. She lives in San Rafael, California.