Thank you to Net Galley for providing an early copy of In Sunshine or in Shadow by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles

The headline "Culture Clash in the Catskills" summarizes Molly Murphy's latest adventure. "Women colonies, mine protests, Jewish resorts and lady detectives" are the controversies Molly encounters on what was designed as a few days away with friends. The murder of a young man planning to propose marriage to a woman who does not wish to marry points to her as the main suspect in the crime. It will be up to Molly to prove the woman's innocence.

Molly's actions in this episode are out of touch with a mother of two expecting her third child. For example, she allows her older daughter to leave with a family who own horses. Her daughter is galloping on the first day. This appears negligent on the part of the parent when galloping on a horse takes quite a bit of skill and practice. Molly climbs out a window in her pregnant condition, engaging in risky behavior.

Also disconcerting is Molly's reliance on her policeman husband to come to the Catskills and help solve the crime.

The story here would have been more interesting if the mining controversy along with the development of the Jewish community in the Catskills area and the spreading of typhoid fever were more deeply researched.

Molly must solve the murder of a Jewish businessman from NY while she is vacationing in the Catskills. The action is set half at a women's colony and half at a Jewish vacation colony in upstate New York, and both settings were well-described with interesting details. The mystery was light and not too complex, and the ending felt rushed. A pleasant addition to the series and a quick easy read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I love the Molly Murphy mystery series by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles. In Sunshine or in Shadow was an intriguing book with many possible suspects. I felt there were a few "weeds' to get through (i.e. too much detail about the play that Sid and Gus were involved in) that made my attention drift slightly. But overall, I enjoyed this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC which was provided in exchange for my honest review.

Rhys Bowen's latest Molly Murphy mystery, In Sunshine or in Shadow, takes us on a thrilling search through 1920s New York to find a missing high society woman. With her usual flair, Bowen whisks us through the seedy dance halls and posh societies of the big city as the charming Irish detective Molly Murphy races to solve the case before it's too late. Fans of historical fiction and cozy mysteries will enjoy this vivid trip back in time.

Molly Murphy Sullivan - retired detective, wife and soon to be a mother again - is sent to the country to avoid the typhoid outbreak. While visiting a Jewish family she is pulled into another murder. Could it be the reluctant fiancee, a disruptive mine owner, a part ranger or blackmail victim. Suspects abound and Molly is determined to find the answer.

Molly Murphy mysteries are always sweet & cozy reads. Thankfully, this one continues the tradition.

1908 New York City finds itself on the brink of a typhoid outbreak and pregnant Molly, along with her children, seeks refuge with her mother-in-law in the Catskills. Her neighbors, Sid & Gus are nearby at a women’s camp. Of course there is a murder, and Molly is recruited to investigate it.

The characters have well developed back stories and the setting of the Catskills makes for an interesting and enjoyable read. Even though this is a series, it can be read as a stand alone.
Bowen and her daughter make you want to read the entire series and not miss out on any of Molly’s story.

I wholeheartedly recommend escaping into the world of Molly Murphy, with her latest adventure, In Sunshine or in Shadow!!

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

This was my first time reading a Molly Murphy Mystery and it won't be my last. I was a little hesitant when I chose to read the 2oth installment of a Molly Murphy series, but from the start, I was drawn into the story.
This historical fiction novel takes place during the early 20th century. As the story progresses you sense that Molly and her close friends, Sid and Gus, do not acquire the usual characteristics of a female for that time period, which make things more challenging and fun to read.
Molly, being a retired detective, feels that where ever she goes, when there is trouble, she, with the help of her friends, will try to solve it.
While vacationing in the Catskills, a murder takes place which motivates Molly to find the culprit.
This cozy mystery is definitely a must read, especially if you are a fan of the Molly Murphy Mystery series.
Thank you Netgalley for an opportunity to read this arc.

Quite a good read, particularly because it was set in both Westchester County, NY and the Catskills. The setting in both those places are near and dear to my heart. Loved the storyline! My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 / 5.0 Stars

This was a clever and delightful addition to the Molly Murphy historical mystery series. I, being new to this series, suspected that this was going to a good read as this twentieth installment is the latest in a long-standing series by the much admired Rhys Bowen. Yet, it was even more enjoyable than I had anticipated.

It's the summer of 1908. Molly Murphy, now Mrs. Sullivan, is a plucky and clever retired private detective. Given that she is expecting her second child, she is committed to being a good mother as well as a dutiful wife to Daniel, head of the homicide branch of the New York Police. Typhoid is again running rampant in the city - the source of which is not quite known. In response, Molly removes her children and herself out to Westchester County to summer with her mother-in-law. With the children actively engaged with their friends and nanny, and the encouragement of her mother-in-law, Molly accepts an invitation to visit with her friends at a women's artist retreat in the Catskills. One of those friends, Sid, is expected to visit her family's nearby Jewish summer compound. There's safety in numbers - so off they all go for the family celebration. It isn't long before a body is found dead. With no local constabulary nearby, Molly is soon doing a bit of her own sleuthing until the police can assume responsibility. But will they be sufficiently competent? Only time will tell. Oh, if only Daniel could be up here to head up the investigation.

This particular installment was penned by both Clare Broyles and Rhys Bowen (pen name of Janet Quin-Harkin). Their collaboration was seamless. The writing was excellent and flowed well. There were a number of suspects, each with their own reason for the killing. The mise en scène was absolute perfection and beautifully described such that one could smell the lovely scent of evergreens and hear their branches whisper in the gentle summer breeze. The character development was rich and the period clothing well-described. For the most part, I adored each of the characters and really enjoyed reading about the well-educated and in some ways eccentric women at the artists retreat. Molly certainly kept interesting company. I look forward to catching up on the earlier installments of this fun and clever series.

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publication Date: 03/12/2024
Publisher: Minotaur Books
ISBN: 978-1250890788
No. of pages: 304

This most recent addition to the Molly Murphy series is wonderful! The mystery and intrigue was very well written. The setting was so inviting and the cast of characters was amazing as always! A must read for cozy mystery and historical fiction fans!

Rhys Bowen’s novel did a fabulous job of evoking the colorful society inside a women’s art collective in the early 20th century.

The independent women and their varied creative pursuits were fun to read about and the personalities of the women were both engaging and relatable. This part of Bowen’s book was very appealing to me. And, I also enjoyed the glimpse into an early Jewish resort in New York’s Catskills. This part of social history was fun to absorb through a novel.

The book’s detective story was less appealing to me, as was the protagonist, Molly. I found her friends far more interesting.

It always makes me really happy to read another Molly Murphy mystery! This one set in the Catskills of New York State is so interesting to me. I went for and got offered a job at Grosinger's in the Catskills and all I remember is the grand staircase carpeted in a beautiful, thick red carpet. I never stayed there or at any of the resorts in the Catskills, but I was intrigued by them. And reading about how they began in this book was extremely interesting! And as always, I love the mystery that is put before Molly. . . . Thank you for continuing this series! I love it so much! I highly recommend this book and the entire series.

Thanks to et galley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
I love the Molly Murphy series and especially enjoyed this one. Molly has reached a point in her life where she is happy and content but that does not keep her from using her skills to help out her friends. The change of venue to the Catskills was pleasant, I did not not another book where the politics of New York was front and center.. I enjoyed the history and particularly the information on Typhoid Mary.

In Sunshine or in Shadow by Rhys Bowen and Clare Boyles is the latest addition to the Molly Murphy series. The city is in the midst of another typhoid outbreak, but this time it is running through wealthier homes. Daniel is concnerned about Molly's health, as she is expecting their second child, and sends her with the children to stay with his mother. Luckily for Molly, Sid and Gus are staying nearby in the Catskills at a women's enrichment retreat. Always up for a visit with her friends and an escape from her mother-in-law, Molly goes to stay with her friends.

Sid is in the Catskills not just to enjoy the retreat, but has also been called to the family farm under the guise of her grandfather's poor health. To her horror and amusement, her family has had a matchmaker set a match for Sid as well as her younger cousin. When a murder takes place in the woods, Molly must put her detective cap back on and help find the killer.

I always enjoy Molly's investigations and was happy that Jacob Singer makes an appearance in the book, as he is one of my favorite characters from the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Molly Murphy Sullivan. Even her name is enchanting. Mystery in NY. Historical fiction at its best. I like these authors. I like these characters. I like these books. Curl up in front of a cheery fire, wrapped in a warm and cozy blanket. Be transported back in time. I look forward to the next Molly book. Thanks to Netgalley for this book.

IN SUNSHINE OR IN SHADOW by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles

Molly is incorrigible. She’s supposed to be resting and being very careful, awaiting their coming child, away from the danger of typhoid in the city. She tries, she really does, even attempting knitting for Daniel’s mother’s church bazaar, but it’s dull, and with the children occupied, and friends nearby, a little break seems in order. Gus and Sid welcome her to join them at Amicitia, a woman artists’ retreat, and then to meet Sid’s relatives, and then . . . then things get complicated. A matchmaker with unwelcome matches, mine explosions and desecration of parkland and chestnut trees, murder, infuriating lawmen . . . and Molly, of course, cannot let the innocent be railroaded while guilty parties get away. It was nearly impossible to stop reading, and when the body demanded sleep, reading resumed at dawn. Now, I’m happy with the resolution, but craving blintzes, corned beef, and a trip to the Catskills.
I’m so glad this series continues, already looking forward to the next.
March pub. date, but that gives time to read the earlier books in this magnificent series.

Molly is an Irish immigrant who arrives in NYC at the turn of the 20th century and her attitude about being female is not the societal norm.

It is 1908, Molly and her police detective husband Daniel are expecting their 2nd child. Their first, Liam is 3, their adopted Irish daughter Bridie is turning 13. NYC has typhoid flaring up again and not limited to the tenements. Molly and children head off to stay in the suburbs with Danie's mother. Molly's friendship with neighbors Sid & Gus leads her to an all female artists' colony in the mountains where Sid's grandparents have a farm that has cottages to rent to Jews of NYC for relief from NYC heat. The Catskill Mountains become a mecca for Jewish vacationers.

In 1907 typhoid outbreak was traced to asymptomatic Mary Malone whose servant services infected many families leading to the name Typhoid Mary.

This historical fiction has many true elements of the era and Molly Murphy Sullivan is an excellent character who challenges the norms of the time.

Molly is expecting and not looking forward to having her friends gone for the summer, or the warmer days. Going to her mother in law for a few days and not wanting the whole summer and missing her friends. Gus and Sid invite her to come, and finding.tension among people in the Catskill.
As a retired detective will she be curious to know what is going on
A heartwarming story of friends, and family that I enjoyed reading
Given arc by Net Galley and. Minotaur for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Releases March 2024