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Molly Murphy #15 & 17
Christmas at Patchin Place: Two Molly Murphy Mysteries
Christmas at Patchin Place wraps two Molly Murphy Christmas mysteries in one. From New York Times bestselling author Rhys Bowen, spend Christmas with the incomparable Molly Murphy Sullivan in Away in a Manger and The Ghost of Christmas Past.
In Away in a Manger, it’s Christmastime in 1905 New York City, and Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to the approaching holidays. As she and her children listen to carolers in the street, they hear a lovely voice, and see a beggar girl huddled in a doorway, singing “Away in a Manger.”
Molly’s ward, Bridie, is touched by the girl’s ragged clothes and wants to help her if they can. They give her a quarter, only to watch a bigger boy take it from her. But Molly discovers the boy is the girl’s older brother. They’ve come from England and their mother has disappeared, and they’re living with an aunt who mistreats them terribly. Molly is soon drawn into an investigation that will take her up to the highest levels of New York society.
In The Ghost of Christmas Past, it’s 1906 and Molly and her family gratefully accept an invitation to spend Christmas at a mansion on the Hudson, expecting a peaceful and relaxing holiday season. Not long after they arrive, however, they start to feel the tension in the house’s atmosphere. Then they learn that the host couple’s young daughter wandered out into the snow ten years ago and was never seen again.
Molly can identify with the mother’s pain at never knowing what happened to her child and wants to help, but there is so little to go on. No ransom note. No body ever found. But Molly slowly begins to suspect that the occupants of the house know more than they are letting on. Then, on Christmas Eve, there is a knock at the door and a young girl stands there. “I’m Charlotte,” she says. “I’ve come home.”
In Away in a Manger, it’s Christmastime in 1905 New York City, and Molly Murphy Sullivan is looking forward to the approaching holidays. As she and her children listen to carolers in the street, they hear a lovely voice, and see a beggar girl huddled in a doorway, singing “Away in a Manger.”
Molly’s ward, Bridie, is touched by the girl’s ragged clothes and wants to help her if they can. They give her a quarter, only to watch a bigger boy take it from her. But Molly discovers the boy is the girl’s older brother. They’ve come from England and their mother has disappeared, and they’re living with an aunt who mistreats them terribly. Molly is soon drawn into an investigation that will take her up to the highest levels of New York society.
In The Ghost of Christmas Past, it’s 1906 and Molly and her family gratefully accept an invitation to spend Christmas at a mansion on the Hudson, expecting a peaceful and relaxing holiday season. Not long after they arrive, however, they start to feel the tension in the house’s atmosphere. Then they learn that the host couple’s young daughter wandered out into the snow ten years ago and was never seen again.
Molly can identify with the mother’s pain at never knowing what happened to her child and wants to help, but there is so little to go on. No ransom note. No body ever found. But Molly slowly begins to suspect that the occupants of the house know more than they are letting on. Then, on Christmas Eve, there is a knock at the door and a young girl stands there. “I’m Charlotte,” she says. “I’ve come home.”
475 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 11, 2022
51 people are currently reading
258 people want to read
About the author
Rhys Bowen
130 books9,714 followersI'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
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
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 25, 2024
I love Christmas themes in mystery book series. This was a fun way to introduce Christmas putting together two Christmas novels!
January 19, 2025
You have to love a Molly Murphy mystery!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews