Time of Fog and Fire

Molly Murphy #16

by Rhys Bowen

Molly Murphy Sullivan's husband Daniel, a police captain in turn-of-the-century New York City, is in a precarious position. The new police commissioner wants him off the force altogether. So Daniel accepts an assignment from John Wilkie, head of the secret service. Molly believes her husband is in Washington, working for the president, until she spots him in San Francisco during a movie news segment. Then she receives a strange letter from him, leading her to conclude that he wants her to join him in San Francisco. She takes her young son Liam on the cross-country train trip, but when they arrive in San Francisco, Molly is told that she's too late, her husband's funeral was yesterday. She's devastated, even more so when she receives a cryptic note saying Daniel's death was not an accident. In her grief she stays on to investigate, until she meets a strange man at a party, whom she soon starts to suspect may not be quite who he appears. Then Molly finds another body in the basement, but before she can report it, the Great Earthquake strikes San Francisco, and the servant runs off in a panic with Molly's son. Suddenly Molly has no idea where to turn or whom to trust, and she knows there are many lives on the line, including her own.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

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

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, entertaining historical cozy mystery. I liked the following things:
1. Picturesque evocation of New York and San Francisco settings.
2. Clever murder plot builds to a satisfying conclusion.
3. Molly is a plucky, shrewd detective.
4. Molly is also the mother to a 18-month-year-old boy.
5. Tells what it was like riding cross-country on a train.
6. I'd read more of the entries in the series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Time of Fog and Fire through NetGalley for an honest review. Many thanks to NetGalley and to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity.

Turning the pages of a new Molly Murphy Series book by Rhys Bowen is like experiencing the gentle swaying of a hammock on a warm sunny day. It's that comforting and that satisfying. Just ask any fan of the series and they will fess up.

We're now seeing Molly Murphy Sullivan evolving with the times that are unfolding in 1906. The earlier novels were set from Molly's initial voyage from Ireland into her life as a sleuth in New York City. Life on Patchin Place has brought us to her marriage and the birth of her son, Liam. Marriage and motherhood have never sidelined our Molly. She proves herself up for any challenge.

Daniel Sullivan, her husband and a captain of New York's Finest, is now involved in a subterfuge assignment for none-other than Teddy Roosevelt himself. Daniel sets off for San Francisco under the tightness of secrecy. Soon Molly receives a letter from Daniel and her internal investigation antennae is peaked on high alert. Something is rotten in San Francisco like the proverbial cheese in Denmark. Molly, without question, packs up Liam and travels cross-country by train to the city of golden opportunities.

Here is where Rhys Bowen injects the tickle of the well-known into her storyline. We meet Samuel Clemens, Nelly Bly, and Enrique Caruso with subtle references to Post Impressionists and Fauvists. It's the spice in the secret sauce. And it works well. There are the usual plots and subplots that meet Molly and Daniel head-on. Our Molly tapdances at a mindboggling pace to whatever music is played.

Time of Fog and Fire will be warmly embraced by fans of Rhys Bowen and will, indeed, peak the interest of those who are new onboard. I've read every one of them and sit ondeck watching the horizon for the next.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Molly Travels to the Wild West – San Francisco

This is #16 in the Molly Murphy series.

On this occasion Molly is summoned via coded letter from her husband Captain Daniel Sullivan of the NYC police to come to his aid in San Francisco where he has been sent to work on a secret mission by none other than the head of the Secret Service, John Wilkie.

We accompany Molly and her young son Liam on their journey from New York to San Francisco by train which in 1906 is no easy feat. The geographic details are very enlightening in a historical context.

The San Francisco earthquake features prominently in the plot, described in great detail giving the impression of a historical novel rather than the mystery of previous books in the series.

This was not my favourite Molly Murphy but if you are looking for a light, entertaining read with a solid dose of the historical – this would be a good choice.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur. All thoughts and views expressed in this review are entirely my own.*

If you've been watching my Goodreads account for the last six months or so you've seen that I've made my way through the entire Molly Murphy mystery series, and I've loved it. Rhys Bowen has such a talent for creating amazing characters and just as good murder plots, and this book was just as good!

The characters are so incredibly three-dimensional; they are very human and show different sides of themselves. In this book we see a lot more of Daniel, which is a refreshing change. You normally see Daniel but he almost always takes a secondary role, however in this book he takes a lead. However, Molly's reaction to finding out about Daniel's "death" wasn't like I expected it; it was very anticlimactic to me.

The mystery and suspense were webbed together skillfully. I love how Ms. Bowen uses real historical events and people in her books, it adds an air of realism to the story that wouldn't be there without it. This book leaves us at a small cliffhanger type ending which makes me want the next book oh so much more.

Overall this was a wonderful book. I highly recommend this series and recommend this book. I hope there are many more books in the future!

[Peggy Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book #16 in the series and my first read. Bowen is a plot driven writer. The story line and events were great, but I was never, never pulled in. I felt like I was reading a children's book. Things always fell into place for her. Someone always bought her a meal, offered her a place to stay, and someone to watch her son to free her up to go sleuthing. For a woman who's just heard devastating news and knows there's danger, she was naive to trust all these strangers. She handed her son over to a complete stranger. Slept in a stranger's house. She seemed stupid to me.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Rhys Bowen has written another delightful and suspenseful Molly Murphy Mystery.

Molly Murphy, former lady detective, is happy to stay home with her toddler son Liam and her ward Bridie, the ten year old girl who Molly escorted from Ireland. Then her husband Daniel Sullivan, a captain with the New York City Police Department, is temporarily transferred to places unknown by the newly formed national security forces. Molly is beset with worry about his safety.

When Molly sees her husband on a movie newsreel in a hotel in San Francisco, her anxiety level catapults. A few days later, Molly receives a cryptic letter from Daniel that Molly and her friends struggle to decipher. Should she go there to join him and help him?

As usual, Molly finds herself swept into turmoil that she would have preferred to avoid. The results are continued suspense,wonderfully drawn characters, and plenty of comic relief laced into the mix. Rhys Bowen's attention to historical detail are flawless as she provides a backdrop of turn of the 20th Century New York City and San Francisco. I have to give this book at least 4 stars because it's such a delight to read.

[Hermien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as enjoyable as the other books in the series.

[Elaine Nickolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This was my first "Molly Murphy" mystery and I have to say I enjoyed it. A good story always will get at least a 3-star rating, but a great historical story will get an even higher rating. This was the case for this read. I love the way the author wove the San Francisco earthquake into the storyline. I also liked that she touched on what women were going thru during that time period in our history.
A truly interesting read that makes me open to reading more stories in this series.

[Charlene Roberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

I KNOW I read this book!! I remember the story and that I didn't like it much.

Molly Murphy is one of those "Forrest Gump" characters who always seem to be in the middle of major historic events. This time, it is the San Francisco earthquake. It is turn-of-the-century New York and Molly's husband is, once again, in trouble with the brass at what will be the NYPD. He is offered a super secret assignment which he cannot share with Molly and she doesn't even know where he is. Then she sees a newspaper photo of him in San Francisco and she packs herself off to find out what is going on. When she arrives, she is told he is dead, so she may as well just go home. But Molly doesn't believe her husband has died without her feeling the loss, so she investigates. The earthquake interrupts her, and everyone else's, life, but in the end all is well.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and I think this one is my new favorite. The series itself is set in New York City in the early 1900's, but this book was mainly set in San Francisco. Molly's husband Daniel is recruited by the Secret Service to investigate some mysterious events, and eventually Molly ends up traveling there too with their baby Liam. I figured out pretty early on that Molly would be there during the 1906 earthquake. I've read some non-fiction books about that time period and have also visited San Francisco, and this book was VERY well researched. I'm giving this book five stars because while I always enjoy Molly's exploits, this one was historically very interesting and gave a unique perspective on the earthquake and what it must have been like for residents at the time. Really excellent read!

[Les Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't believe the author should make the heroine so stupid. Her police husband has been sent on a special mission. So what does she do, but shoot of to where she thinks he's working; running everywhere asking, "Have you seen my husband?" "He may not be using his proper name as he's on a mission. Does she not think for one moment that she could be putting his life at risk. The start of this story is so stupid I had to put it away, wondering how stupid she would get before the end of the book.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've always enjoyed this series but found this one quite unbelievable..oh well can't like 'em all!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book contains a very good story, but my maternal instincts keep kicking in and I want to yell at Molly for endangering her young son. :/

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yea for this series. It seems lately I have picked books where the people are really not likeable and kind and interested in something other than themselves but this book broke that mold. Molly is up to her usual tricks of find trouble and getting right into the middle of it. Daniel is called away on a secret mission for the president of the United States. And after he's gone of a while Molly gets a strange letter from him that seems to say exactly the opposite of what the truth is. She decodes the message and it's to come to California where he is. What, Daniel summoning her that way is strange but she and Liam their son get on a train for California and spend the next 5 or 6 days getting there and that is only the start of her adventures which include being invited to stay at the Plaza Hotel free and then in a mansion on Nob Hill and even being part of the San Francisco earth quake. Will she and her little family live to return to New York City. You'll have to read and find out!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of this book while reading the latest in the series. Somehow I missed this book last year. With that knowledge the terror I would have felt with the situations Molly found herself in where lessened by advance knowledge but I none-the-less enjoyed this book.

Daniel accepts an assignment with the Secret Service and finds himself undercover in San Francisco CA. Molly receives a letter from Daniel laiden with clues she reads as "come", setting Molly and Liam on a cross-country train ride.

Molly's adventures are heart wrenching offset by heart warming people along the way. In true Molly Murphy fashion she treads into danger in pursuit of justice.

Surviving the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fires she returns to NYC relieved to be alive.

[Stacey Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Murphy Sullivan worries that her husband has become disenchanted with his job as an NYC police captain. The current police commissioner seems to have a grudge against Daniel so it is definitely a welcome opportunity when Daniel goes on a special Secret Service mission at the request of President Roosevelt. While Daniel is away, Molly searches for ways to occupy her time outside of caring for Liam and Bridie. When a strange letter arrives from Daniel, Molly knows that there is a secret message within its unusual text. Without much thought, Molly and toddler Liam board a train to San Francisco, not sure what awaits them. She quickly finds herself in a corrupt city with nothing but heartache at every turn. Without a doubt, this is one of my favorite Molly books!

[Alfeesya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book so much! Really glad it made to one of my best reads this year!

This is my very first time in reading Rhys Bowen’s book and I must say, it was outstanding! Definitely, I will read more from her again!

I love all the storylines, the characters and the mystery case. Molly Murphy has a really strong personality. Plus his son that made the story more brighter! It had really a big plot twist that made my jaw dropped and couldn’t put the book down!

Overall, I recommend this book and you must try it!

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only my second “Molly Murphy Mystery”. I like this series and certainly will read others. Unfortunately I read and finished this book while waiting 3 hrs 45 minutes at the DMV so I might have liked this book better if I were reading it in my cozy reading chair in my family room instead of a hard chair in a noisy waiting room.

[Ariannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, interesting an easy read overall. However, the main character was pretty daft and unbelievable. For the situations she was in, she made a lot of stupid decisions. I am surprised she didn’t get herself into more trouble to be honest.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites

I really enjoyed this ... and am reading the whole series. This one is probably my favorite. I enjoyed the time period and the mystery.

[Shantel · Rating 3 out of 5]

listened to on Audible. Wasn't my favorite Molly Murphy book, but I always like them still

[Pareena Padiyar · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much historical context , love it !!

[Jody Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun to read a mystery set back in time. The mystery had to be solved without all of the modern technology the police and detectives have at their disposal today. I found it somewhat predictable but an enjoyable escape from the challenges of today's society. The main characters appear in a number of Rhys Bowen's detective novels so it will be fun to get to know them better by reading more by this author.

[Paul Falk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of books that take place in America, especially, during an earlier period in time. This had been my first introduction to Rhys Bowen. I took a gamble and chose the latest of her Molly Murphy series hoping that it would stand on its own. I had my fingers crossed; I was not disappointed. This character-driven tale scattered thought-provoking seeds of curiosity from chapter to chapter that never relinquished my undivided attention. Our heroine and leading protagonist reacted to challenging situations as they surfaced, knocking them down one by one. The storyline was not overburdened with too many characters thereby making for a smooth, easy to follow read. Rhys Bowen had belted this one out of the park.

I was fascinated by the early twentieth century depiction of everyday life in New York City. Back in it's heyday, it was truly the city of wonder long before it had become known as The Big Apple.

Our protagonist, Molly Sullivan (Murphy) is married to NYPD Police Captain, Daniel Sullivan. I can't justify giving Molly the title of stay-at-home mother. That she was not. They had a young son, Liam. The year is 1906.

Unexpectly and out of the clear blue, Daniel accepts a clandestine mission offered by the director of The Secret Service. The request had come from the top, President Roosevelt, himself. Daniel gratefully accepted and gave a solemn oath not to reveal the details of his assignment to anyone. Not even to his wife. That would prove to be a tough one.

Several days after Daniel's departure, Molly received a cryptic letter from him requesting her help; that was uncharacteristic of him. She knew that he wouldn't have asked unless it was urgent. Without delay, she packed some clothing and with her toddler in tow, was headed out West to the city by the bay, San Francisco. She had no idea what laid ahead.

After spending five sleepless days on a train, she had finally arrived. Back then, the city had still been referred to as the wild west and by all accounts seemed fitting. She hadn't bargained for it's rough and tumble ways but when push came to shove, she was a chameleon.

She found herself painfully immersed in a disturbing homicide case and had witnessed rampant bribery at the highest levels. She had endured enough, too much, and had ached to escape this forbidden city. But it was not meant to be.

Unpredictably, with no warning, the ground had begun to protest, first with an angry rumble that quickly swelled into a deafening roar. Then all hell broke loose that ultimately unleashed an earth-shattering violence that unmercifully shook the city to its very core. Time had stopped dead in its tracks. An earthquake of unprecedented magnitude brought the great city crashing to its trembling knees. And the walls came tumbling down. On the morning of April 18th in the year 1906 at precisely at 5:12 a.m., the Great San Francisco earthquake made its debut in history. It came at a deadly price.

[PoligirlReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

My previous concerns with Bowen is that she had painted (well, wrote) Molly into a corner: she's got these growing detective skills, but no outlet for them and an unsupportive husband that nobody, save for Molly, can stand. She did a good job of trying to rectify this situation.

The big news is that she made Daniel more likeable. I felt 67% less like punching him in the nose, so that's definite progress. He shows respect for Molly's skills (finally!) by asking her to come out to S.F. to help him. (Of course, because he's Daniel, and thus, a jerk, he can't help but toss in an aside about how maybe he asked her out so she could serve as a witness...).

The mystery was good, with a plausible variety of suspects. I thought her portrayal of class and its intersection with race (Chinese and white) was interesting. The secondary characters felt well-developed. Did Bowen get a new editor? Because while it was still repetitious (exactly how many times can food feel heavy in Molly's stomach?!) it wasn't nearly has painful as previous books in the series.

I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Empress Reece (Hooked on Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Murphy Series - Book #16... If you are a fan of the independent Molly that spent more of her time detecting then catering to her husband, Daniel's every whim then you'll like this story. It really had a lot more of the Molly I've come to know and love. In the last several books, her role as a wife and mother overshadowed her role as a detective, but in this book we get to see a lot more of her independently without her very traditional husband putting his two cents into everything. This story takes Molly to San Francisco which I thought was a nice change of scenery. It was packed with tons of adventures and I enjoyed the plot of the mystery. From the ending, it looks like there are may be some big changes happening in Molly's world so I'm definitely going to catch the next book, to see how those play out. 
 
*I received this ARC from NetGalley & St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
 

 

[Sandra Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly lebt mit ihrem Ehemann Daniel und dem 18-monatigen Sohn Liam in New York.Daniel ist zqar Captain bei der Polizei, muss aber immer wieder für Sonderaufträge des Secret Service arbeiten.Jetzt muss er wieder mal weg und darf nichts über seinen Auftrag erzählen.Durch einen Zufall kommt Molly darauf, wo er sich befindet und dann bekommt sie noch eine geheimnisvolle und unverständliche Postkarte von ihm aus San Francisco.Sie beschließt daher nach San Francisco zu reisen, um ihn dann dort aufzusuchen.Doch dort wird ihr dann mitgeteilund versucht herauszufinden, was genau geschehen is, dass er tot ist.Molly, die ehemalige Detektivin, beginnt daher zu ermitteln was genau geschehen ist und dann taucht er plötzlich auf und erzählt ihr, was sich genau ereignet hat!Ein toller, spannender und romantischer Krimi!Toll geschrieben und die Figuren sind super herausgearbeitet!Macht richtigen Spaß das Buch zu lesen!Absolute Leseempfehlung

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Exciting Book

Not only was this Molly book exciting, it gave a great glimpse into the historical SanFrancisco earthquake. Romantic, thrilling, and thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

SO. TERRIBLE. This is so far removed from the Molly Murphy I liked in the first book I don't even recognize her. She's going to go to a party when (spoiler alert) she just found our her husband was killed?? The same husband who has belittled her intelligence and detective skills suddenly sends a cryptic message for her to come "rescue" him when he has a spy agency backing him?? Way to have zero interest in the intelligence of your reader, Ms Bowen. And the storyline was so pathetic. It reminded me of how awful Evanovich books are. The author clearly just churned out a new book, probably grabbing some bottom desk drawer idea folder and shipped it to the publisher without actually looking at it. Don't waste your time.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers of Rhys Bowen's Molly Murphy series will not be disappointed. This newest mystery takes Molly and her young son across country to San Francisco in the early 1900's. Molly undertakes this cross-country journey when she receives a mysterious letter from her husband who is currently on a special assignment. Molly faces danger, corruption, murder and natural disasters with the intelligence and fortitude that Bowen's fans have come to expect from her. Even when it seems that she may lose what matters most to her, she pushes through hardship to survive a memorable event in American history. Can't wait to see what path awaits Molly!