'Rhys Bowen, author of the much-loved Constable Evan mysteries, takes on the vibrant world of turn-of-the-century Ellis Island and New York in her newest series. With delightful humour and meticulous research Bowen transports readers to the gritty underworld that swallowed new immigrants who dreamed of a better life, and gives us the unforgettable heroine Molly Murphy, a resourceful Irish woman who lives by her own set of rules...
Murphy's Law
Molly Murphy always knew she'd end up in trouble, just as her mother predicted. So, when she commits murder in self-defence, she flees her cherished Ireland, and her identity, for the anonymous shores of America. When she arrives in New York and sees the welcoming promise of freedom in the Statue of Liberty, Molly begins to breathe easier. But when a man is murdered on Ellis Island, a man Molly was seen arguing with, she becomes a prime suspect in the crime.
Using her Irish charm and sharp wit, Molly escapes Ellis Island and sets out to find the wily killer on her own. Pounding the notorious streets of Hell's Kitchen and the Lower East Side, Molly makes it her desperate mission to clear her name before her deadly past comes back to haunt her new future.'

I've enjoyed the author's latest series about a debutante in 1920's London, who is titled, 23rd in line to the throne, and broke, so I've been looking forward to trying this series. Bought for £4.16 from Amazon, received in the post yesterday, will probably finish today at lunch :) Really good - another series to become addicted to!

I *really* enjoyed this new-to-me historical mystery!
Molly Murphy has to flee her native Ireland in 1901 after she accidentally kills the landowner's son when he attempts to rape her. Fleeing a justice system she knows will find her guilty, she ends up masquerading a mother of two small children when the real mother tells her she can't emigrate as she had TB. Molly gratefully takes the ticket to America where she hopes to find a new life and escape a certain death. But on the way over, a fellow steerage passenger threatens to reveal Molly's real identity unless she 'co-operate' with him and his demands. Molly slaps his face and tells him to stay away from her and the children. When the ship arrives in New York, the immigrants are landed at Ellis Island where they will be processed. But before they are, the Mayor and various dignatries and 'popular' entertainers welcome them with pretty words, empty promises and sentimental and humourous songs. All this means Molly's ship and it's immigrants can't be processed that day and must stay there overnight. In the night, Molly's 'daughter' sleepwalks and whilst guiding her back to bed, Molly is berated by an over weight, bewhiskered Irish guard. The next morning, the man who threatened her on ship is found dead with his throat slit. And Molly, seen arguing and slapping the victim, is questioned very closely by the NYPD. Eventually, she and the children are released and meet up with the children's father who wonders where his wife is. As Molly moves into her new life amongst the tenements and streets of New York, the murder - and murderer - seems to follow her around, so she starts to investigate to clear her name, with the little help of a NYPD Detective, First Generation Irish-American with a twinkle in his eye when Molly is about. Both want to find out the truth and the story leads us there with plenty of twists and turns, through an obviously extremely well researched plot to the identification and capture of the guilty party.
Excellent!! Next please :) Another series to add to my wish list.
PC.