I was not familiar with the main character, Molly Murphy Sullivan, and her detective skills. Though I did like her character, I felt that many of the other characters were flat and stereotypes of Jewish people. I didn't have any problem understanding the story line or Molly's back story. I did feel that there were some holes that I had questions about (how were her children doing when she left them?) Some of the story lines seemed pretty obvious, but nonetheless, I read through to the end.

Summer of 1908 finds typhoid hitting New York City. At the insistence of her husband, Molly heads to visit his mother in Westchester, taking the rest of the family with her. But soon, she is bored and decides to visit her friends Sid and Gus in the Catskills. They are making a reluctant visit to Sid’s family only to have murder crash the reunion. With the police reluctant to let anyone leave until the case is solve, Molly starts investigating. Can she find out what happened?

The book spends only as long as needed getting the characters into position before the story starts. From there, we get some set up, so by the time the victim is found, we have plenty of suspects. I loved watching the investigation unfold, and the solutions was perfectly logical. The suspects get plenty of time to shine, and I grew to like them. And Daniel is on his best behavior here, too. I found it interesting to visit the Catskills just as they were beginning to turn into a summer destination. Meanwhile, some very nasty prejudice is displayed without turning the book into a lecture at any point. Molly’s fans will be rewarded with a fantastic twentieth book.

Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles are keeping an old, established series interesting! In Sunshine or in Shadow is a classic Molly mystery with added layers of intrigue and uncertainty around the future of our beloved characters. In Sunshine or in Shadow includes both a crime and questions around what will make Molly and her friends happy. I am intrigued to see how the series continues to evolve, and what choices the characters make!

In Sunshine or in Shadow is the 20th book of the fan-favorite historical mystery series Molly Murphy by Rhys Bowen and her daughter Clare Broyles. If you wrote this one off because you haven't read any of the others in the series, don't give it another thought; there's no problem here. I started with book 18, and I haven't had any trouble at all following along. So dive right in, because each mystery stands alone.

The days are getting longer and warmer in 1908 Manhattan, but typhoid is back. Molly Murphy Sullivan doesn't want to leave her home, but since she's expecting, she really must. Her husband Daniel, a New York police captain, must stay to work, but he sends Molly, their toddler son Liam and teenage ward Bridie to stay with his mother in Westchester County to keep them safe. Molly is determined to make the best of it. Also, Molly's great friends and neighbors, Sid and Gus, are also heading north to the Catskills to visit Sid's family. Liam and Bridie are having the time of their lives, but Molly quickly becomes bored. So when Sid and Gus invite Molly to stay with them at an artist's colony for women, she jumps at the chance. They plan on having a great visit, though Sid isn't thrilled having to visit her family in the nearby Jewish bungalow community. Tensions are high in the area, however, and soon there's a dead body. Not surprising...this is Molly we're talking about!

I loved all three books that I've read in this series, but this one is my favorite so far. The Manhattan location is always interesting, but it was fun seeing Molly in Westchester County (briefly), the women's artist colony and the Jewish enclave in the Catskills. Molly's mother-in-law was quite gracious and happy to have Daniel's family come stay with her. Molly was fine for about a week, but when Sid and Gus invited her to stay with them, it didn't take long for her to come to a decision! The visit to the artist's colony - all women - was a lot of fun. This was the time of the suffragette movement, so the women there were quite independent thinkers. (No "little ladies" here!) Time spent with Sid and Gus (both are women, if this is your first foray into this series) is always entertaining. I loved the practice for the play the colony was going to perform. My favorite location, however, was the time spent in Sid's family's Jewish bungalow community. Sid's family members were charming and loving, except they invited a matchmaker who chose men for both Sid and her young cousin. Neither was thrilled; Sid's love is Gus, and cousin Mira's chosen partner was an odious man. There was conflict between the artist's colony and bungalow community against a mining company who was ruining the beautiful landscape - with dynamite - for the blue rock used in paving streets. When someone is murdered at the bungalow community, it's no shock who it turns out to be, as he was a hateful braggart. But his death really got the story rolling along. Molly is such a wonderful character! She loves being a mother and wife, but she does miss the time she spent as a private investigator. A dead body always seems to turn up when Molly is around! She can't seem to remain uninvolved, even though she's carrying a child. Not only did Molly investigate a murder, but she also had the opportunity to protest the mining enterprise. The members of the artist's colony were a hoot - when they discovered Molly was trying to solve a murder, they wanted to be her Baker Street Irregulars! As always, Molly and Daniel's children are always entertaining. Daniel I sometimes have trouble with; he greatly loves Molly, but her investigation of murders always makes him exasperated, especially now that she's pregnant. In the last book and this one, however, he seems to be more accepting that Molly is going to be...well, Molly. And it's obvious he adores her. Though Molly is my favorite character, I absolutely adore Sid and Gus! Molly has the best friends ever, and they are adoring "aunties" to Liam and Bridie. They shine in every scene in which they appear. I enjoyed all of Sid's family, especially Mira and Bubbe. It was sad to see the anti-Semitism these kind people experienced, but they were a loving and lively lot. There were no great surprises in the mysteries here, but that didn't matter. I still loved every bit of it! I can't wait for book 21!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

When typhoid arrives in New York City, Molly heads to the countryside with her children to stay with her mother-in-law. She’s neither excited about staying with her husband’s critical mother, nor happy to leave her husband behind, but because she is pregnant, she agrees it is the correct decision to make.

Soon, an opportunity arises to visit her neighbors and friends, Sid and Gus, at an artists’ retreat in the Catskills. Her mother-in-law encourages her to visit, but once there, a dead body threatens to keep her away longer than planned.

This is the 20th book in the Molly Murphy Mystery Series.

My Thoughts

This is the first Molly Murphy mystery that I have read, but I found it was no problem at all jumping in on book 20.

The book was well-researched, engagingly written, and well-plotted. The mystery kept me guessing until the end.

Set in the early 1900s, the authors added details that gave a feeling of authenticity. They also created vivid descriptions of the settings.

I had a few questions unanswered by the end of the story, but all the major ones had been addressed.

I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content/Trigger Warnings

Because it’s set in the early 1900s, there is a good deal of misogynistic behavior. Also, there is a Jewish community involved, and there is a local officer who is antisemitic. Two women discuss sexual assaults.

This is book 20 in the Molly Murphy series. I have enjoyed this series since book 1 when Molly was still in Ireland. Now she’s married to a NYC police captain and has a family. She’s been through many adventures. The series touches on various historic events such as women’s suffrage, and in this book, a typhoid epidemic.
I love the cast of characters in this series. Many are repeat characters, such as Molly’s friends Sid and Gus, and Molly’s children and mother in law. Molly is a strong female MC. She believes in the traditional role of women but sees no reason for that to limit her. In 1908, that was radical thinking.
As with the other books in this series, this was well written with a mystery that made sense. I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes historical novels. The author does play with details a bit to fit the story, as most novelists do, but the basic historical facts are accurate. She does explain anything that was altered at the end of the book. In this case, the year of the epidemic was changed by 1 year.
I was blessed to receive this book as a free ARC and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoy this series about an Irish immigrant who stumbles into investigating murders. In this addition to the series, Molly is pregnant and visiting her two friends at a resort for women when they get involved in a murder mystery at the home of one of her friend’s grandparents in the Catskills. In addition to seeing the Jewish culture, we’re also introduced to the beginnings of Jewish resorts in the Catskills. I could just picture that setting 50 years in the future featuring the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

This is the first book I've read in the series and I will note that you do not need to have read previous books to read and enjoy this one.

It's an interesting cozy mystery mixed with history and some early feminist ideas. I loved the idea of a woman's artist colony in upstate New York. Mix it in with a land dispute, some Jewish cultural interest, and a murder, you have a very interesting story. And of course, a bumbling local police chief. Molly holds her own amongst the men, older women and traditions.

I love the Molly Murphy mysteries, and this one did not disappoint! Fascinating backdrop of how the Jewish summer resorts got their beginning. The mystery kept me guessing until the end, and it was nice to have Molly back at her old sleuthing habits without the children!

In Sunshine or In Shadow by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles is the twentieth book in this fascinating historical mystery. Molly Murphy Sullivan has settled nicely into her marriage with the head of the New York Homicide Division and is expecting her second child after a devastating miscarriage. She and Daniel are still living in the house on Patchin Place, across from Sid and Gus. Bridie is thriving at a private school paid for by the latter and Daniel is always busy. It is early summer and there is a typhoid epidemic which chases Molly and her little family to Westchester County for a summer with her mother-in-law, where she is pampered. She is bored soon, however and so when she hears from Sid and Gus that they are at an artist’s colony not far from where she is, she decides to visit for several days. With the approval of her mother-in-law, she gets on a train for an interesting, and sometimes frightening, journey into the wilderness, meeting the state park ranger along the way. It is an amazing place full of creative and intelligent women and Molly feels at home immediately. Almost as soon, Sid stuffs herself into a dress and they are off to visit her family. There the fun begins.

Molly Murphy is an iconic character who has undergone astounding changes: frightened young immigrant, owner of a private detective agency, and now, wife and mother. There have been many stops along the way but Molly is a survivor and she makes her way with dashing. One of the many hurdles she has overcome are Daniel’s objections to her friends, Sid and Gus. They are avant-garde, to say the least, and he no longer has many reservations as they are so good to his family. Molly, although retired, seems to find a murder wherever she goes. This trip is no exception. The time spent with Sid’s family is entertaining and educational. She runs into someone she knows and meets a plethora of new friends. The mystery of the dead man is a good one and the investigation takes some twists and turns, not the least of which is the local constabulary. Bowen and Broyles write in-depth characters, most of whom are charming. The solution is a surprise that I didn’t see coming. Thanks Rhys and Clare for another amazing Molly Murphy mystery!

I was invited to read In Sunshine or In Shadow by St Martins Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #RhysBowen #ClareBroyles #InSunshineOrInShadow

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you to them, the authors and publisher. This is my honest review. This is the first in the Molly Murphy Mysteries that I have read and my thought is, "What took me so long?!" This book was so engaging. It's about Molly who leaves the city to stay with her mother-in-law in the country and then goes to visit her friends Sid and Gus at a Women's Retreat. They all become mixed up in the murder of a man at Sid's grandparents' home. I thought it was really well done. The characters were so interesting and wonderfully strong female characters. I enjoyed the interaction between them, Sid and Gus's relationship and Molly's dedication to her friends and to solving the crime.

It takes place in the 20's or 30's and I enjoyed the description of everything going on in New York at that time as well. Definitely a 5/5 read. Don't miss this one.

In Sunshine or Shadow by mother/daughter duo Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles is the next in the charming Molly Murphy Mystery series. In 1908 the suffragette movement may be ridiculed by men and some women but in New York groups of women hold true to their convictions. We see protests and a push for female intellectual stimulation. Many are happy to be traditional mothers and others become intrepid scientists and explorers. A fascinating awakening in a man's world!

Typhoid encroaches upon Molly's neighbourhood in New York City. For several reasons, her police detective husband Daniel encourages pregnant Molly and their children to go to the country for the summer. They head north while Daniel remains in the city. Their adopted teenage daughter is less than thrilled to be in the countryside and misses her friends. Their wee toddler is busy and energetic. Though her hands are full, as a retired detective Molly craves puzzles. Well, she gets one!

Molly's family stays with her accommodating mother in law but Molly soon grows restless. Her dear friends Sid and Gus have a solution...promises of adventure and a stay at a peaceful Jewish resort in the Catskills. But murder isn't all that calming.

This is a fun series. Though parts are predictable, there is more than mystery to enjoy. There are also interesting family dynamics, women realizing their importance and seeking change and navigating this new world.

As always, the writing is bright, witty and smashing, an excellent light read.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this comfy novel.

While the latest in a long running series, this is also enjoyable as a standalone. Typhoid in the city has sent pregnant Molly to the countryside to stay with her mother in law. A visit to her friends and Sid offers a respite and some insight into the Jewish resorts in the area. And then there's a murder. Molly of course jumps in to uncover the real villain. The mystery isn't too complicated, the atmospherics are good and the characters fun. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fans will be pleased.

A very good mystery. Daniel wants Molly and the children to leave the city because there are cases of typhoid moving toward their neighborhood. They decide they should go to the country and visit Molly's mother-in-law for the summer. Their neighbors are going to the Catskills and have invited Molly to visit them for a few days. Instead of a restful time with her friends, Molly gets a dead body. Could her friend's cousin be the murderer? The man was not well liked and there are several other suspects, including Molly's friend. Then when another man goes missing, Molly knows that she needs to find the killer soon. She really needs Daniel's help with this one, but he is in the city. They are told they can't leave the area and Molly really wants to get back to her family. Will she see them soon?

The 20th book in the Molly Muphy series. I have read almost all of them and I enjoy them very much. I love the way Rhys Bowen writes and the addition of her daughter to the writing is great. Getting to read this series is like putting on a favorite pair of slippers, comfortable and tried and true. If you are new to reading this series this book can be read as a stand-alone book. But let me warn you, you will fall in love with the characters and want to know the back story and find yourself reading the first 19 books. I give the book 5 stars and can't wait for more in the series.

Molly Murphy Sullivan is at loose ends. Her police capitan husband, Daniel, has hustled her, daughter Bridie, and son Liam out of New York City to escape an advancing typhoid epidemic. Molly and the children are staying with Daniel’s mother, but Molly just can’t sit and make baby clothes for the impending new Baby Sullivan. When an offer arrives to visit friends Sid and Gus at a women’s retreat nearby, Molly jumps at the opportunity…and right into a mysterious death at Sid’s grandparents resort when the trio decides to visit. While there, Molly reconnects with an old friend and makes new ones, but the circumstances of the death make nearly everyone a suspect.

I love that Molly still has her spunk, but continues to develop as a character. In this book, she ponders women’s roles and where she fits into those expectations. On the one hand she longs for a more traditional role as wife and mother, but on the other she wants something (like a good mystery) that provides intellectual stimulation. As she interacts with people at the retreat and resort, Molly expands her circle of women friends who lead very interesting lives.

This book is a must read for fans of Molly Murphy and those who enjoy a Turn of the Century era mystery.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Minotaur Books, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Magnificent Molly Sullivan!

It seems that wherever Molly Sullivan is, a murder mystery is sure to show up. Molly escapes the typhoid epidemic in NYC, taking the children and moving in with her mother-in-law in Westchester, but then longs for some time with friends Sid and Gus. She travels to the Catskills, and that's where she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery!

I liked this book, perhaps not as much as some others in the series, but it was a well-constructed mystery. I felt like it kept the reader guessing as to who the murderer was almost to the very end, with clues strewn about like rubble from the nearby mine. I'd read another by this team of authors.

Thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

In Sunshine or in Shadow is a co-authored novel by Bowen and Broyles and is the 20th novel in the Molly Murphy mystery series. That alone should be celebrated! In this latest adventure Molly is pregnant with her second child and summer in NYC has brought the threat of typhoid to the neighborhood. As an act of precaution, Molly travels to the Catskills with Sid and Gus for some fresh air and relaxation, but of course as always trouble seems to follow them.

I give Bowen and company a great deal of respect for keeping the story of Molly and her family fresh with new ideas and adventures. Some of the same tropes may be reused in a few of the novels but for such a long standing series I still love coming back to see what kind of mystery Molly can solve this time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this novel in advance of its publication.

In Sunshine or in Shadow by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles sends Molly out of Manhattan and up north to visit her mother-in-law in Westchester County. It is highly recommended for fans of the series.

In 1908 typhoid is back in the city and retired detective Molly Murphy Sullivan is expecting so Daniel wants her, along with their toddler son and teenage ward, to go stay with his mother for the summer. Much to her relief, her mother-in-law is a surprisingly welcoming host. When Molly's friends, Sid and Gus, invite her to come stay with them for a visit, she jumps at the chance. She joins them in a visit to Sid's family in a Jewish bungalow in the Catskills where tensions are running high and soon there is a murder to solve.

Mother and daughter Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles team up on this 20th installment of the mystery series. This is a typical Molly Murphy mystery. At this point, the characters are fully realized and developed across the whole series. The story arc is expected, a murder will be solved, although this time it is slow to happen, which marks the start of the investigation portion of the novel. It is a predictable, but comfortable, plot.

The quality of the writing is excellent, as expected. Where it really shines is in the descriptions of life during that time period, 1908, and all the historical information on the early Catskill resorts. Fans will welcome this latest addition and those new to the series can enjoy it as a standalone novel. This novel was reviewed in partnership with my mother who is an avid reader and big fan of the author. Thanks to Minotaur Books for providing an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

A typhoid outbreak forces Molly out of the city to stay with her mother-in-law in the country. Molly quickly becomes board with country life and decides to visit Sid and Gus at a women’s artist colony near by. Shortly after arriving, Molly is dragged into yet another murder investigation. This time she has to save Sid’s dear cousin before she is convicted of a murder she didn’t commit.

In Sunshine or in Shadow is a great addition to the Molly Murphy Series. The pacing was a little slower than I liked but it was still a great story. My favorite thing about this latest installment was getting to know Sid and her family. Sid and Gus have been featured throughout the series but they haven’t had all that much character development. It was nice to get to know another side of them.

I also enjoyed seeing Molly get back to investigating and Daniel taking her seriously. I am excited to see where the series goes from here.