Molly has become engaged to Detective Daniel Sullivan who wants her to stop her private investigating. After an illusion at a theater during a performance goes badly wrong, she is hired by Bess Houdini to protect her husband Harry Houdini from some unnamed threat. ( )

I am enjoying the Molly Murphy series. Molly is a delightful protagonist, the stories are quick and fast-paced and the mysteries keep you guessing. However, my biggest complaint is Molly's intended, Daniel. How an independent, intelligent woman could fall for such an overbearing, insufferable man is beyond me!!! Molly is far too good for him! She deserves someone who appreciates her for who she is instead of trying to turn her into an insipid lady of society. Please, Molly, find someone better! ( )

When Molly Murphy has a chance to see the Great Houdini perform, she is cheated out of it. The opening act goes deathly wrong — the illusionist literally saws his assistant in half before a full audience.

Molly finds herself helping Bess, Mrs. Houdini, back to her dressing room. When Bess finds out Molly is a private detective, she hires Molly to keep an eye on Houdini and protect him from harm. She has noticed Houdini talking with some strange men, recently.

Things make a sharp left when on of Houdini’s illusions goes wrong and he completely disappears. Now Molly has to find Houdini — dead or alive.

She is also dealing with her “intended,” police detective Captain Daniel Sullivan. He is on the verge of “popping the question” and already has plans of a wedding at his mother’s picaresque home. Molly is a bit on the fence. Sullivan feels Molly’s detective business isn’t appropriate for a woman, and frequently expresses it.

This is a cozy series taking place in the early 1900s. It can be a fun read. ( )

This was a particularly exceptional book by Rhys Bowen. The entire Molly Murphy mystery series is wonderful. I have to rave about the originality of the storyline which involves Houdini and his family and his talents as an illusionist! Don't miss reading the series and especially enjoy this particular book! It's a real page turner! ( )

I like this book more than I thought I would, as I'm not fond of "magic." Molly finally gets engaged, but Daniel would rather have her not be a detective. She always seems to get her way, though, and somehow manages to solve the crime. ( )