The Ghost of Christmas Past: A Molly Murphy Mystery (Molly Murphy Mysteries, 17) Hardcover – November 14, 2017

I have read all the Molly Murphy stories and was happy to see a new one. I love the early twentieth century setting and the way the stories include current events, attitudes, and basic everyday life. This current story is a shorter, feel-good Christmas story which is a quick read but doesn't disappoint. Molly spends the Christmas holiday at the home of one of her mother-in-laws well-heeled friends where she finds an old unsolved mystery. Molly's problem solving skills are top notch as always and because Molly is willing to take risks she is able to solve the mystery just like she always does! There are few characters present in this story. Sid and Gus show up in their usual roles as eccentric turn of the century single women who do whatever they want and Daniel remains the loving husband who must always be in charge. Bridie is the one character who breaks out of her previous role as passive young girl. When her father shows up and expects her to return to Ireland with him and his new wife she flatly refuses to go, stating that she wants to continue her education. Her father and new step mom laugh at her. She is 12 now and why does a girl require an education they ask? I found myself cheering her on as she stands her ground and refuses to back down so that her father decides to let her have her way and returns to Ireland without her. I really enjoy reading about how life was different. Molly returns from a trip and must start fires in the stoves and fireplaces then leaves while her home heats up. While on her trip an elderly women is found dead in bed on Christmas day. The family leave her there and do not call authorities until the to following day as it "would be unfair to bring them out today (on Christmas.).". Anybody else see the weirdness of celebrating Christmas while a corpse is lying in one of the bedrooms? This wouldn't happen today. But it makes for an interesting, enjoyable read. This is a wonderful series and I look forward to many more stories to come. So why only 4 1/2 stars? This is not really a full length story and I feel that at $11.99 the kindle price is too high. Previous full length stories are are also high at $9.99 are also somewhat high. Greed is never a good thing and people do notice.

It is coming up on Christmas and Molly is gloomy given the last year's events. The plan is that she and Liam stay with Mrs Sullivan who has been unwell and Daniel and Bridie will come join them for the holidays. But Mrs Sullivan is invited to a fancy home by an old friend and Molly then returns home hoping for time with Sid and Gus. The girls have plans to go away. Molly is once again thwarted when Daniel decides to accept his mother's invitation to join them at the stranger's home. All is not right there. Ten years ago the couple's daughter vanished into the snowy night. Molly wants to help because Molly. Sid and GUs are actually next door by coincidence. Oh and the vanished girl reappears on the doorstep on Christmas Eve. Is it really her or a criminal imposter? I had suspected the truth early on, but not the full measure of deception involved. Its nice to see a Happy Christmas and Daniel's overly annoying male shushing and her listening was minimal in this one.

I love anything by Rhys Bowen. She’s in the top three of my favorite authors. Through several change of plans for Christmas, reluctantly she goes with Daniel to a country mansion that is full of gloomy and scared people. Her mother-in-law is a childhood friend of one of the family. A tenuous connection for an invitation to Daniel and Molly. More mysteries appear and a long lost daughter returns home or does she? I don’t mind that Molly runs into her friends Gus and Syd everywhere she goes they always add spice and interest to the story. Two sidebars involving Daniel and Bridie add a little more suspense but of course is resolved at the end. I really can’t wait to read more about Molly and friends and further adventures at Patchin Place.

Molly has had a tough year: she followed Daniel to San Francisco, where she, Daniel, and Liam almost died in the big quake; then, when they got back, she miscarried. Now she is fighting to stop her sinking into depression. Even Christmas is cooperating: version 1: quiet family celebration; version 2, extended family at her mother-in-law’s house; version 3: unknown mansion and unknown people. And, of course, tragedy and mysteries. This is the mansion from which a 3-year old disappeared in the wintry snow. Molly sympathizes and wants to give Minnie (the mom) peace. This is an amazing book. I like this series and mostly rate them enjoyable 4s; this is a step up. [btw: my name is not related to these books; I apparently looked like one of the cousins and grew up as “Murphy.]

I loved the whole story..I loved the mystery and how it was unravelled..loved little Liam..( "up..up.." so like a two year old) ...I had found some of the later books getting rather boring but this one more than made up for them.. I have followed Molly's adventures from the start and I adored this one!Great job Ms Bowen!

Unlike many of the reviewers here, I have read all of the Molly Murphy Mysteries (as well as the Royal Spyness series), and I think "The Ghost of Christmas Past" is the best Molly book yet. I figured out one of the plot points fairly early on, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book because I was eager to read how the situation came to pass. Little did I suspect how many twists and turns it would take to arrive at the (very satisfying) ending! The book also was satisfying because so many of the characters from the previous books have prominent roles in this one: Sid and Gus (my favorites!), Bridie, Daniel, his mother ~ and even young Liam is a full character this time out. I highly recommend this book ~ and I highly recommend that those of you who have not read the previous books get to them right away!

Good to read after 'Away in a Manger' as it is ten years down the line for Molly Murphy but a different sort of Christmas.

Excellent book. Hope there’s a follow up to it. Thoroughly enjoyed this series.

Enjoyable treat for Molly Murphy fans.

Rhys Bowen ist eine englischstämmige amerikanische Autorin, ihre Hauptheldin ist die Detektivin Molly Murphy. Molly lebst Anfang des 20 Jahrhunderts und New York und ist mit dem Polizisten Daniel verheiratet, trotz der Ehe und der Versorgung ihres Sohnes Liam kann Molly nicht von ihrer großen Leidenschaft, der Verfolgung von Verbrechen, lassen. In diesem Buch geht es um eine scheinbar langweilige Weihnachtseinladung für Molly und ihre Familie zu entfernten Bekannten, die in einem Haus am Hudson sehr zurückgezogen ein vornehmes Leben führen. Aber aller Dünkel und ererbtes Geld sollen über ein schlimmes Geschehen hinwegtäuschen: das Kind der Gastgeber ist vor 10 Jahren zu Weihnachten im Schnee verschwunden. Irgendwie erscheint der Gastgeber darüber nicht besonders traurig zu sein, oder hat er sich einfach nur gut im Griff? Und niemand scheint sich an Details zu erinnern... Mollys Ehemann rät ihr, die Sache auf sich beruhen zu lassen, aber Mollys irischer Instinkt sagt ihr, dass jemand im Haus mehr weiß, als er zugibt.Wieder etwas für die Fans der Autorin! Spannend und warmherzig, unterhaltsam und lustig!

I used to adore the Molly Murphy series. The first ten or so are fantastic historical mysteries. Unfortunately, the recent ones are no longer on the same level, and this one has cardboard cutouts instead of characters who act irrationally and illogically. Disappointing.