The Family Way

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Molly Murphy - now Molly Sullivan - is a year into her marriage, expecting her first child, and confined to the life of a housewife. She’s restless and irritable in the enforced idleness of pregnancy and the heat of a New York summer in 1905. So when a trip to the post office brings a letter addressed to her old detective agency asking her to locate a missing Irish serving maid, Molly figures it couldn’t hurt to at least ask around, despite her promise to Daniel to give up her old career as a detective. On the same day, Molly learns that five babies have been kidnapped in the past month.

Refusing to let Molly help with the kidnapping investigation, Daniel sends her away to spend the summer with his mother. But even in the quiet, leafy suburbs, Molly’s own pending motherhood makes her unable to ignore these missing children. What she uncovers will lead her on a terrifying journey through all levels of society, putting her life - and that of her baby - in danger.

The Family Way, the latest entry in Rhys Bowen’s best-selling Molly Murphy series, will delight fans and win over newcomers with its elegantly plotted mystery, atmospheric historical detail, and vivid characters.

©2013 Rhys Bowen (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Technical issue with recording

I have been listening to the Molly Murphy series from Book 1. My own Irish heritage and family ties to early 20th century New York make the stories of interest plus I am a mystery fan. In general the stories are well researched historically while the predictable coincidences of the storyline and of Molly's actions are a bit overdone. Entertaining nonetheless. An annoying issue with this Book's recording were repeated instances of background noises evidently occurring in the recording studio, distracting from the story. This recording needs to be cleaned up!

Good Read - Molly Settles Into Married Life

I was surprised at the relatively harsh review of this installment. While not the author's strongest work in the series, it rather accurately depicts the conflicts newly married (and expectant) couples face.

Because of the reviews, I considered not downloading this one, but Molly and Daniel (and
Sid and Gus) are now like relatives of the early 20th Century who send me lively letters every so often. I simply must know what is going on in their lives. So despite the lackluster response of other reviewers, I took the listen, and was glad I did.

Yes there are some moments where Molly is more naive than usual, and Daniel plays the overbearing husband a bit too much, but I think that is the author's attempt to remind the reader of the time period in which the story is set.

If you are a fan of the series--go for it. It's a good read, if not the best of the series.

Nicola Barber makes this book come alive

Lots of coincidences, but still very fun. Nicola Barbara makes the book so much fun because of her beautiful accent.

Heavy Breathing

What did you love best about The Family Way?

I enjoy this series. This book seemed to have audible heavy breaths by the reader. Was different. Speaking of heavy breathing...the birth of the baby did not occur in the story but in a "postscript"

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

You know Molly will get herself into a bad situation, someone will die, Daniel gets mad and it all comes together...Still it is fun to figure out the story connections just before it is obvious!

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber – was your favorite?

Molly of course

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

always addicting

Molly is at it again

I truly enjoy the Molly Murphy series. I was afraid that when Molly married Daniel the books would become stale and boring. However, two books into marriage Molly is still solving mysteries and as good as ever.

Oh baby

As with all the other Molly Murphy books this has many twists and turns and surprised behind every door. Love this series and the reader. If she's behind all the characters voices she deserves a lot of credit. Thank you Nicola Barber for the fantastic listening enjoyment. Eleanor Coody

You can really hear Nicola breathing?

Nicola would take great pauses mid sentence and then breath loudly and continue. it happens like 6 Times in the middle. I think it's more of a editing and production problem then her performance

Daniel is getting tedious

I enjoyed this installment much more than the past few, but I have to say I am getting sick and tired of Daniel.

Perhaps his attitude is appropriate for the times, but I am staring to find him insufferable! Ironically, I think I agree with him regarding this particular caper, but overall it’s time for him to change his tune.

Great read

One of the better Molly Murphy stories. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the editors didn't do as good a job with this book. I could hear the narrator pause, swallow and take deep breaths far too many times. Narration editing on all the previous books was much better.

Fantastic

Fantastic story as always, but I think someone released it to soon, there is a lot of background noise from the narrator and that hasn't been the case with the previous stories.