Vanished in the Crowd

by Rhys Bowen, Clare Broyles

In the latest in the New York Times bestselling series from Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles, retired detective Molly Murphy Sullivan investigates the disappearance of a female scientist

New York is busier than ever as two million visitors come to the city to witness the Hudson-Fulton celebration in 1909, marking the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the Hudson River. Parades, exhibitions, carnivals, and a marvelous display of the wonders of the latest invention--electricity--across the city make for two straight weeks of celebrations, which Molly and her family, along with their friends Sid and Gus, are excited to enjoy. But Molly is secretly dealing with financial troubles. She is too proud to ask her friends for a loan, but when they want to hire her as a detective she jumps at the chance.

Sid and Gus are hosting fellow Vassar graduates to take part in one of the parades but one of the women, a brilliant scientist, never shows up. It seems nobody knows where she is, including her husband. Is she trying to run away from her life or is it something more sinister? Why have the Vassar women really come to New York City? When Daniel asks Molly to spy on her friends and find out just what they are planning she finds her loyalties horribly divided. Then the parade turns deadly and only Molly has the tools to find out the truth.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 10, 2026

About the author

I'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.

I have recently published four internationally bestselling WWII novels, one of them a #1 Kindle bestseller, and the Tuscan Child selling almost a million copies to date. In Farleigh Field won three major awards and was nominated for an Edgar. My other stand-alone novels are The Victory Garden, about land girls in WWI and Above the Bay of Angels, featuring a young woman who becomes chef for Queen Victoria.
April 2021 will mark the publication of THE VENICE SKETCHBOOK--another sweeping historical novel of love, loss and intrigue.

My books are currently translated into 29 languages and I have fans worldwide.

I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories.

I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.
Series:
* Constable Evan Mystery
* Molly Murphy Mysteries
* Her Royal Spyness Mysteries

Awards:
Agatha Award
◊ Best Novel (2001): Murphy's Law
Reviewer's Choice Award
◊ Historical Mystery (2001): Murphy's Law

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is the latest offering of the Molly Murphy series from authors Rhys Bowen and her daughter, Clare. I’ve enjoyed the series from the beginning, and like how new life has been brought to it the last few years. This story revolves around a large celebration in New York City, with numerous parades and visitors. Molly’s good friends are hosting several people for the week,but when one person doesn’t arrive they become worried and ask Molly to help find her. Meanwhile, Molly’s husband Daniel has recently been put in charge of the new federal program for crime, the FBI. He is tasked with making sure the week goes smoothly and keep all dignitaries safe. Adding to the pressure on everyone are the suffragettes who are suspected of having plans for a parade that the men definitely don’t want to see.happen.
Molly’s family is growing and she feels lots of pressure (like all mothers) to keep her children safe and healthy, while trying to maintain a career of her own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

[Sue Riemersma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read an advanced reader copy of newest addition to the Molly Murphy series. I have read other books by Rhys Bowen but not any of the other in this series. I am going to have to go back to the beginning and read them now. Right from the beginning I was hooked into the story. Without any prior knowledge of the series I did not feel like I was missing any background. Molly's character is well developed as a modern woman for the early 1900's. She loves her husband and children yet still wants to contribute monetarily to the household. Sid and Gus are a hoot as a pair of Bohemians living together. I enjoyed how the authors combined the aristocracy of New York and the average woman. If you have read any of the Molly Murphy series "Vanished in the Crowd will not disappoint you.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

VANISHED IN THE CROWD Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles
How delightful to return to Patchin Place with Molly and family and friends, cozy, familiar, loving. Finances are tight as Daniel awaits his delayed salary for his new position with the FBI, but Bridie needs fancy shoes and silk stockings to ride a float in the Hudson-Fulton Celebration Parade (fascinating bit of history), but all will be well — won’t it? Ah, what would be the fun in that? Suffragists are planning Votes for Women action, and Sid and Gus hire Molly to find a missing woman, scientist Willa Parker, the houseguest who never arrived . . . and that’s just the beginning of intrigue, mayhem, and twists and turns. Molly balances work/home responsibilities to reclaim her role as Molly Murphy, Detective, because there are some places, sources, and insights she is uniquely qualified for.
Molly’s musings about taking the job reminded me of my mom’s decision to get a job when I was in college and my sis, the youngest, was in high school. She needed “more to do” and did it. Hurrah for independence — and voting! The gift of business cards reminded me of my sister making cards for my storyteller persona. We all get by with the help of family and friends, and Molly is a good example of that.
(Caveat: If you hate cliff-hangers as I do, skip the last paragraph).

[Lillian LeBlanc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed many of Rhys Bowen's novels. Her writing style is beautifully fluid; she creates characters and settings that quickly capture the reader's imagination and interest. While these are true of Vanished in the Crowd, for me the plot was shallow and the story dragged.

Vanished in the Crowd is set in New York City during the women's suffrage movement. The central theme involves a city-wide celebration highlighted by two parades. The book presents many interesting contrasts and offers a good deal of insight into the conflict faced by many women during this challenging time. It took quite some time - more than half the book - for the pace to pick up and I frequently found myself wondering how many ways one could anticipate a parade.

The lead character, Molly Murphy Sullivan, wasn’t easy to warm up to. However, I realize that this is the 22nd book in a series; had I read from the start I might see Molly in a different light.

While I truly wanted to love this book, co-written by Rhys and her daughter, it was, for me, just an “ok” read. However, the book ended on an intriguing cliffhanger, so I'm hopeful for the next installment in the Molly Murphy series.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for the advance reader copy of #VanishedInTheCrowd. This review represents my unbiased opinion of this story.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

How delightful to have yet another Molly Murphy-Sullivan book. It is always an adventure and delight to see how Molly and her friends get involved and solve the different adventures. In this book, as in most historical times are factual. In the case of "Vanished in the Crowd," it is the Hudson-Fulton celebration in 1909, marking the 300th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the Hudson River. I love the added history in this series. I also love how Molly has evolved into a wife and mother, yet kept her adventurous spirit and her great talent at solving crimes. Sometimes even more so than her ex-police, now FBI husband. Even though this book takes place in 1909, before women could even vote, most wives were controlled by their husbands and society. Yet Molly still has her intellect and can maneuver her way around the male-driven world. This is a great series, and each book could easily be read as a standalone. Yet the series does benefit from reading them in order because you witness just how Molly grows and adapts to society in the early 1900s,
Thank you to Saint Martin Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for the ARC.

[Cari Zuckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York is swarming with visitors as the city prepares for the days-long Hudson-Fulton celebration. Molly Sullivan’s neighbors Gus and Sid are planning to host some friends from Vassar to participate in one of the parades. When one of their guests, Willa Parker, doesn’t arrive as planned they turn to Molly and her investigative skills to find her.

I always enjoy my time with Molly and her friends and family and this book is no exception. Its not great literature by any means but the Molly Murphy series is a solid historical mystery series that I can always count on. I especially enjoyed the real-life details of the 1909 Hudson-Fulton celebration included in this novel. Molly’s a great, strong female lead and I love how the series didn’t end when she became a wife and mother. She’s determined to still have a life of her own and wants to use her skills to help people and build a nest-egg for herself to allow herself some independence in a time that afforded few women that luxury.

The pacing was a little off with this one but everything made sense in the end. I’ll continue to read and recommend the series.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly is back!

Vanished in the Crowd is a return to the Molly of old. She clearly misses her detective work and is ready to get back to it.
(If you have not read this series, please start with Murphy's Law and progress forward. You are welcome.)

Molly is asked to help solve the mystery of a missing woman who is scheduled to stay with Molly's neighbors and close friends, Gus and Sid. Money is scarce while husband Daniel adjusts to his new crime-busting job with the federal government, and Molly is eager to bring in some cash when Gus and Sid offer to pay her to help them find their acquaintance. As always, New York City and its history play an enormous role in the story. Science and industry, suffragism, the evolving nature of class, and gender roles play integral parts, but when a murder occurs at a parade, that takes center stage.

I really enjoyed this installment, and I look forward to what's ahead for Molly, her friends, and her family. The authors have done a wonderful job growing the characters.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the ARC. All opinions, of course, are my own.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the next book in the Molly Murphy series, VANISHED IN THE CROWD by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles, Molly is waiting for her husband, Daniel, to receive his back pay now that he is the new head of the New York FBI. Molly’s 14-year-old daughter needs to buy accessories for her appearance on a float for a celebration parade in honor of Henry Hudson’s discovery of the Hudson River (300th anniversary) and Robert Fulton’s invention of the first commercial paddle steamer (100th anniversary). Sid and Gus, friends of Molly and Daniel, are worried about a missing guest (a scientist) and enlist Molly’s help. I want to know what happens.

The women’s suffrage movement is at the forefront of this novel. The backstory of Molly and her family is as enjoyable to read about as the mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the Molly Murphy series. Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of VANISHED IN THE CROWD.

[Heather Moll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel continues to make progress, and Molly is now doing more for herself by action rather than default. Predictable while still being enjoyable, although there’s only a mystery but no murder until about 2/3 in. Long time fans will glad for Molly in this one, but new readers can still follow along and the mystery stands alone.

I’m all for writing about women’s power, or lack thereof, but this one was heavy handed at times. The plot alone gets this important point across. Trust that readers get that women’s independence and the balance of career and home is a theme. We don’t need to be beat over the head with it in every conversation and in all of Molly’s introspections.

Quite the teaser at the end for the next book. I’m here for it!
3.5 I received an arc from NetGalley

[Bernadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly’s latest adventure takes place during the beginning of the Women’s Suffrage movement in the early 1900s in New York City. Bowen and Broyles accurately depicted the frustrations and inequalities, family responsibilities versus desires for careers and bits of independence, that women commonly faced at the time.

The attention to historical details and Molly’s growing confidence added to my enjoyment. And the “cliffhanger” at the end has me eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Vanished in the Crowd can be read as a stand alone even though it is the 22nd installment in a series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the complimentary eARC in exchange for for my honest opinion.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent an ARC for review, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would read it again, but I guessed the premise and murderer early on, so I deducted a star. The historical event (the Hudson-Fulton celebration of 1909, with parades and electric lights) was very interesting. The interaction between Molly and her friends was fun, and the women's float that they are involved in, and the hunt for a missing Vassar friend, take up a lot of the story. Between the historical content and Molly's detective work, this is very readable. It doesn't matter whether or not you have read others in this series - it is perfectly accessible as a stand-alone, but I am inclined to read more now.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest in a series of the Molly Murphy mystery series. I did not read previous books in this series. This was an enjoyable and fun read. Molly Murphy investigates a female scientist's disappearance. The story is set in the early 1900s and female suffragists play a major theme in the book. There are twists and turns throughout the book and overall it is a warm read. I thought the book started off a little slow but the pace picks up as you continue reading. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is asked by her friends Sid and Gus to find out why an expected guest has never arrived. All the while she is penny pinching as her husband Danielle is waiting to be paid in his new capacity as regional head of the FBI in New York City. He is overseeing the security of a parade with international guests. Sid and Gus meanwhile are working on a parade float that promotes the women’s suffrage movement. A shooting death on the women’s parade float intertwines Molly’s and Daniel’s search for what happened. Research into virus’s and their spread also play a part in the story. As Molly races to find the truth behind the shooting all the puzzle pieces slowly start falling into place.

I love Molly and her adventures. Rhys Bowen does a wonderful job with her research and creating stories that fit that time in history. Molly struggles with questions about her value and place in society. Why does her husband get to make decisions that impact both of them? Can she be more than just a stay-at-home mother? I am hooked and can’t wait for the next book in this series!

[Daria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly (Murphy) Sullivan must solve two mysteries in this novel - first the case of a missing woman, then in the second part of the book a murder. The authors do a good job of tying together the two parts in a simple plot. The book dragged initially, but picked up in later chapters, and the history of NY and the suffragist movement were well described. Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the eARC.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

September 1909, NYC is hosting a parade that the women's suffrage movement has a float entered.
Daniel is now with newly formed Bureau of Investigation, New York Division.
Molly decides to reopen her Molly Murphy Detective Agency.
What could possibly go wrong?
Release Date March 10 2026

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read the other books in this series but I will say that this one is pretty. Rhys Bowen doesn't disappoint with her amazing writing!

[Desig · Rating 2 out of 5]

the book is good

[mary e. gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced reader copy. I enjoyed it and found it quite engaging.

[Tamara Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a period piece. This mystery takes place in 1909. Great cozy mystery. Thank you goodreads for my ARC

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic mystery regarding what happened to a missing scientist. the protagonist is extremely compelling. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Jenny K (On partial break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've been reading the Molly Murphy mysteries, you'll love this new chapter.

Plot summary: There's going to be a huge parade in New York, and Molly's husband Daniel is going to be in charge of security as the regional head of the newly formed FBI. Friends are coming in from everywhere to be a part of it, and a few are staying by Molly's neighbors, Sid and Gus. However, Willa never shows up. Molly is hired to investigate her disappearance, and as part of that, she joins a group of women planning a women's suffrage float for the parade. She finds out more than she bargains for, and when someone gets killed, she needs to figure out if that person was targeted or if it was all a mistake.

As usual, there are plenty of actors and red herrings. I did find the first part a bit slow, as the setup for the murder took more than 60% of the story. Once the action happened, it was fast and gripping. There's plenty of drama, both in the investigation and the relationships.

Virology plays a large role in the story, and it's interesting to see how a hundred years ago, they were just figuring it out.

I'm going to go with a 3.5 rounded up because the beginning was too slow for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, Rhys Bowen, and Claire Broyles for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.