Tell Me, Pretty Maiden

Molly Murphy #7

by Rhys Bowen

It's wintertime in New York, and for the first time since Irish immigrant Molly Murphy started her early-twentieth-century detective agency, she is completely snowed in with work. While she's very much in demand by some of Broadway's brightest stars and Fifth Avenue's richest families, Molly must admit that it's time for her to get some help. Her beau, the recently and wrongly suspended police captain Daniel Sullivan, would make an ideal associate. But before Molly and he can agree on the terms of his employment, they stumble upon a young woman lying unconscious in the middle of a snow-covered Central Park. When the woman wakes up, she is disorientated and has and lost her ability to speak. The authorities are about to pack her off to an insane asylum--but Molly can't help but step in and take on yet another stormy case....

Lively and colorful, full of absorbing historical detail and delightful characters, Tell Me, Pretty Maiden is another gem in Rhys Bowen's multiple award-winning series.

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

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 4, 2008

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

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part of the Molly Murphy books is the history of New York, which they all contain in abundance. In Tell Me, Pretty Maiden there is a lot of interesting fact about Sigmund Freud and the way doctors were only just coming to grips with problems of the mind. The asylum for the insane was horrible.

Molly herself blundered around like she always does making herself a nuisance and then needing to be rescued by one or other of her friends. Actually her final venture in the last few chapters put her in the tstl category. I have deducted one star from my rating just for that.

Not one of Molly's finest hours but I will carry on reading because I guess I am hooked. I have to find out what happens between her and dreadful Daniel at the very least!

[Ingrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this one was quite far fetched I still enjoyed it very much. Somehow Molly Murphy can make me forget the world around me.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed a lot about this book and will certainly continue with the series. However, I had a few complaints. The mysteries were so obvious in this one. I don't usually make much effort to figure out the solutions to mysteries as I read, preferring to just let the author carry me along. But these ones were pretty apparent. Which then made Molly seem SO STUPID. I know it's part of her character to foolishly rush into situations without thinking, and that's fine, but this book was full of really obvious things she just didn't figure out until the point of absurdity. However, I still like Molly and the assorted cast of characters quite a lot despite that. I'm enjoying the depth that listening to an audiobook adds to those characters too. However, I have found Daniel to be increasingly unsympathetic in the last couple books, so I'm hoping that the next ones will see some improvement, because right now I'd prefer to see him kicked to the curb.

The real star and interest in the series for me is the historic detail woven in. I just really don't know much about everyday life in New York City in 1902, and so I find the elements Bowen weaves in to be really interesting. Stage productions, spiritualism, the emergence of psychology a la Dr Freud (alienism at the time), organized crime, birth of trade unions, emerging women's rights movements, the advent of cars and telephones, and on and on -- there was so much going on and a lot of it makes its way into these mysteries.

[Diana Conner-Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in the Molly Murphy series which I adore. I started this book on May 5th which is coincidental because it was Nellie Bly's 151st birthday and she is a historical character in the book! I even posted on facebook yesterday and emailed my bookclub to check out Nellie Bly's story as she was a fascinating woman that helped change things for the needy and for women in early 20th century.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one kept me awake for hours past my bedtime as I had to finish it. It got too exciting near the end.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stage-door Johnny, a famous aging actress, an alienist colleague of Sigmund Freud, a traumatized mute young woman found in a snowdrift in Central Park, a prospective bridegroom, and a missing Yale student suspected of robbery and murder. You will find them all in this delightful mystery set in New York City in 1902. Oh, and by the way, Nellie Bly pops in to spice up the plotline! I recommend this Molly Murphy mystery by Rhys Bowen. I recommend you at least read the first one Murphy's Law.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is busy working a number of cases. Daniel has not been reinstated when on a skating adventure; Molly finds a young girl buried in the snow. The girl has no memory and family. Molly takes her into her home much to the dismay of Daniel and friends. The story changes its path several times as Molly and Daniel pursue the various cases. A Molly Murphy story is always a relaxing read.

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 4 out of 5]

As time goes on, the previous Molly Murphy books fade into the mysterious and the unknown, forget that I do about them. The series of books, is in essence, something unique in its making. I've never seen a disparity and an unevenness in the writing prowess of the author. The result is a jagged writing style, as if the meaning of the prose has being written during an earthquake.

Rhys Bowen probably needs to keep adding ingredients to the mixture. She wants to overload us with information. She might be fearful of losing her reader's attention. For such an upbeat style, there are surprisingly lots of deaths in this series. There are victims, there are people whom you want to die yet they come back from the dead. Just ask Harry Potter.

The author's bane has always been a confusing finale. Here the trials of Jessie are the key to solving a couple of mysteries that are interrelated somehow. You forget or buy it nevertheless because the readers care about the stakes and the sympathetic characters. The villains do not - most times - appear before the heroine. Some of the original characters are absent, while new ones pop up without being overbearing. There's a nice balance to the story and I can't put my finger on what made this book more successful(IMHO of course) than the others. Not a bad book to burn the midnight oil with.

[Mike · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a Molly Murphy Mystery and there are at least six books preceeding this one. This book reminds me of a Red Skelton movie wherein Mr. Skelton portrayed a mystery writer. In one scene the mystery writer was dictating three different stories simultaneously and put the hero of one book into an inescapable situation where the chapter ended (The situation was something like a fiery explosion in a falling elevator). Rather than rework the story, Mr. Skelton's character started the next chapter with something akin to, "After having escaped the fiery inferno..........". "Tell Me Pretty Maiden" presents several mysteries, illogically intertwined, without an adequate description of how the mysteries are resolved. A summary of the book that immediately preceeds this one suggests a violent turn in Ireland. I may try that one, but it will not be a the top of my reading list. Perhaps it is time to direct my reading away from detective novels.

[Sarah Poss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rhys Bowen is my go-to for winding down at the end of the day. I’ve enjoyed several of her books, although they’re somewhat cliche. After all, they are cozy mysteries. But this last novel seemed to stall and I finally skimmed through the last few chapters. I’ve noticed that about several of the Molly Murphy series, so I’m not sure I’ll read any more. Still, I’ve enjoyed the look at turn of the century New York. It certainly is a captivating time period.
Of her two series, I prefer Her Royal Spyness. That series is humorous and dotted with interesting facts about Britain and the continent during the 1930s.

[Sue Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me preface this review by acknowledging that this book wasn't that bad. It had some great parts actually - especially once she was into solving her latest mystery.

What I will say is that I really feel - uh .... disappointed? pissy? - that I picked up a book in the middle of a series. There is a definite feeling of nudge,nudge, wink, wink ... secret story behind this part that you don't know .. and boy, that was fun before, remember? Bah. It's like picking up Harry Potter at book 7. It made me cranky.

It also made me feel that Miss Murphy was a wee bit reckless and over confident in her sleuthing abilities and it led her into some incredible dangerous situations that she would just slough off and casually make tea at the end of the day. Plus she could cram more shit in a day that was humanly possible. Go figure. I felt she was silly and at times stupid - and her agency wasn't entirely plausible for that matter. It was sort of like watching those modern crime shows that can tidily wrap up a murder in an hour (less actually, if you take into account the 20 minutes of advertising that you had to endure).

Anyways, there were spots that were good and I think I should maybe go back to the beginning and start from there before I totally pan this one. I like Rhys Bowen's writing and I'm sure this book is no different than most when it's in a series.

[histeriker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich verfolge diese Reihe schon etwas länger, und werde von den Büchern nicht enttäuscht. Die Protagonistin etwickelt sich stark und ihre Ideen, Beziehungen und Fälle werden komplizierter und spannender. Gleichzeitig ist es aber immer noch möglich, diese Bücher zu genießen, da der Stil sehr ansprechend und fesselnd ist. Ich finde auch, dass die Autorin es gut beherrscht neue Schauplätze zu finden und diese detailliert und interessant zu gestallten. Man erfährt immer wieder was Neues über das Leben in New York am Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts, aber gleichzeitig darf man auch liebgewonnene Charaktere weiter begleiten. Immer wieder wird man in andere Gegenden entführt, die um New York herum liegen und wird von den Beschreibungen nicht enttäuscht. Ich finde, dass auch die hintergründige Liebesgeschichte sehr angenehm in die Geschichte passt, vor allem, weil Molly sich der Widersprüche ihrer Position, ihrer Erwartungen und gleichzeitig der Erwartungen der Gesellschaft und ihrer Gefühle bewusst wird. Es ist halt nicht einfacg, aber das nacht das Buch auch so wunderbar.

Ich kann das Buch eindeutig empfehlen!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots going on with Molly, Daniel, her friends and the many characters she becomes involved with. Everything seems to confidently overlap in the end. Good story but not as cohesive as I would have liked.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Molly Murphy mystery completed. This time a missing girl found in the snow unconscious in Central Park. A ghost trying to kill someone before a musical opens at a theatre. Molly goes undercover. An investigation into whether someone will make a reputable husband and a robbery, murder with the mafia. Throw in an insane asylum and the tension between Daniel and Molly of their relationship and Daniel working for Molly.

It all ties nicely together maybe to nicely. I am going to read one more and then take a break from the series. I do like how the author captures the early 1900s in New York.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#7 in the Molly Murphy series. Finalist 2009 Bruce Alexander Award.
Another fine entry in this cozy series that captures the flavor of turn of the 20th-Century New York City. A cameo appearance by reporter Nelly Bly and mentions of actress Sarah Bernhardt and alienist Sigmund Freud add to the period flavor, as does reference to that new invention the automobile.

Molly Murphy series - In December 1902, Molly and her beau, suspended New York City police captain Daniel Sullivan, stumble on a near-dead young woman in a Central Park snowdrift. Her passions roused, Molly sets out to discover the identity of the poor traumatized creature and that of whoever cast her into the snow "clad only in a flimsy white dress." Meanwhile, leading actress Blanche Lovejoy hires Molly to look into the ghostly shenanigans that threaten disaster for Blanche's soon-to-open new play. Molly also agrees to help a wealthy society matron who wishes to know if her missing Yale student nephew has vanished because of the murder he's suspected of committing. Theatrical life becomes the hinge on which everything swings, and Molly gamely takes to the stage as part of her assignment.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have now read seven books in this series and although they are OK I keep finding myself disappointed. Molly is an interesting character and has the potential to be great kickass heroine, but every time I think this is what is happening the author makes her do something stupid and out of character.
For example in this book Molly rescues a young woman from the snow then from being interned in an asylum, she takes her into her own home and pays for her care. Then the author wants us to believe she simply gives her away to two strange men so they can take her away and do anything they want to her!!!! This is just not in character and makes the book frustrating to read.
Another weaknesses in the series is the relationship with Daniel, I wish she would just dump the arrogant, chauvinistic rat and embrace being an independent professional woman and her relationship with Sid and Gus.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm just not enjoying this series. The cases aren't that interesting. I find the heroine to be naive and foolish with moments of likability. I just plain don't like the male lead. He has no real respect for Molly and has such a condescending attitude toward her and her friends. The friends are actually the best characters and should have a larger role. I've one more already purchased and will finish it but that is probably it.

[Sarah Coller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to get into this one. There are several story lines going on at once and it seemed weird and very coincidental for them all to converge at the end. This one features Molly and Daniel teaming up---which actually took some fun out of it for me. Mostly because I am SO SICK of Daniel constantly running her down for wanting to follow her passion for detecting. He's really an idiot. Hope he shapes up soon.

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed. Having read the Royal Spyness series, I expected more from this one. There wasn't much of a mystery and I wasn't impressed with the main characters.

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid cozy read.

World: The world building is solid and sets up a different scenario for Molly Murphy, this time with the theatre an later an asylum. I would have thought that more time would have been spent with the asylum portion but the theatre section was quite fun.

Story: Solid cozy mystery with a new coat of paint in the form of a new setting and theme. This time it’s the theatre and Molly finding a unresponsive woman which also deals with mental illness of the era. I love how Bowen is able to tie into the main cozy mystery the social commentary of how the mentally ill were dealt with at the time, it’s not over heavy handed but rather just part of the story. The end was a bit rushed I will say but overall a solid entry in the series.

Characters: Molly is great as usual, her personal voice is distinct and her point of view is a great way to read she book. I am still not a fan of Daniel but oh well what can I do. The new characters were interesting and a sign of the times and really offer a perspective of the issues that this book was covering.

Solid entry.

Onward to the next book!

[Pareena Padiyar · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ⭐️

So much better than her last two in the series which almost made me wanna quit the series but I’m a big Rhys Bowen fan so here I am !

A nice fun little cosy mystery. My only issue is with the male love interest, I hope molly doesn’t end up with him because I’ll be MAD !!
I’m personally offended at the kinda things caption sullevan says to molly. I would smack him if I could 😡

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing Nellie Bly as a character in the book & the info about the understanding (or misunderstanding) & study of mental health at the time.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story with several intertwined mysteries. Nice to see Molly and Daniel working together.

[Carol Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun Molly Murphy detective mystery book!

[Nadine Augustyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were too many plot lines, too many cases for Molly to solve, so this book seemed a jumbled mess. The ending was rushed.

[H L · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the historical aspect of the novel, a look into NYC life at the turn of the last century. The main character Molly Murphy is fine, but I thought she should've been able to piece together the mystery a bit quicker. This novel, the 7th in a series, also referred to previous adventures a bit, and I didn't know what was going on (I chose this randomly at the library). Molly investigates a young Jewish man to see if he's okay to marry for the young woman's family; she investigates ghosts at a playhouse set to re-vitalize and aging stars (40!) career, a young woman found in the snow in central part who's lost her memory (Molly has to get herself committed to a madhouse to try and find the girl at the end), and a wealthy young man accused of stealing from his friends and killing the butler (this was done by the mob, who steal the young man's car with him and the young woman previously mentioned in it).

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhys Bowen has yet to disappoint me. I managed to figure out a lot of the mystery in this on my own, but that just makes me feel smart, so I won't complain. I think I read these books more for the historical factor than the mystery anyway. I love the way she gives me a peek at turn-of-the-century New York City and some of the things going on in the city at the time. Bowen is wonderful at bringing the historic setting to life. I was happy to have a little more of Captain Sullivan in the series again too. The only complaint I have on this book is that the ending seemed to be wrapped up a little too quickly for me. I could have handled a few more pages to make it feel less rushed. But overall, I thought it was a good read.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Is a book full of a bunch of mysteries for Molly to solve. She has so many cases that she asks Daniel to work on one of her cases. Molly finds a girl in the frozen snowbank, and she has no coat or boots. Daniel is with Molly and he picked the girl up and found she was alive. They took her in a cab to the nearest hospital and she was comatose. Molly went everyday to check on her and she took her home to get better. This book is full of interesting investigating and a great read.

I love all of Rhys Bowen's books and recommend them to all readers.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As 1902 comes to a close, Molly is trying to balance multiple cases, including finding out who is threatening a Broadway star making a comeback. The story moved forward quickly, and the characters were at their best.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Erin Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't figure out if Rhys Bowen bit off more than she could chew, or if Molly Murphy did. Usually I love Molly and her cockamamie schemes, but in this book she came off as a lovable dumbass. I'm glad she finally put Daniel in his place for always condescending to her about her profession...makes you want to pump your fist in the air for First Wave feminism.