Mystery/Thriller Book Reviews

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Little Girl Blue by David Cray
Carroll & Graf, January, 2002
Hardcover, 320 pages
ISBN: 078670943X
Ordering information:
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Little Girl Blue
by David Cray

NYPD homicide detective and single mom Julia Brennan has developed the hard shell necessary in order to get the job done. She has grown cold over the years, as a result of seeing what horrors humans can inflict upon other humans. But when a young girl's frozen naked body is found in Central Park, Julia's hard exterior is breached by the pathetic circumstances of the child's death. With the help of an undercover cop, Peter Foley, Julia investigates the world of child pornography and prostitution. Julia is more than a little suspicious of her new guide; Peter Foley is carrying a lot of emotional baggage, although he is quite attractive. And the politics in the NYPD are becoming more and more burdensome, especially for a female homicide detective. As the investigation progresses, Julia becomes more worried about her daughter Correy's safety -- can she find the murderer before he destroys someone she loves?

David Cray (a pseudonym for a well-known mystery writer) crafts a gripping and dark police procedural which explores the sordid world which exploits young children through international adoption scams, forced drug abuse and child slavery. It's not a pretty topic, but unfortunately it's all too accurate. Cray does an excellent job of showing this world mostly by implication, which is contrasted sharply with the normal everyday concerns of Julia's daughter Correy. Julia Brennan is a skillfully drawn character, and her interactions with the NYPD brass ring true. This is a prime example of how a police procedural should be written: the prose is smooth, the plot is tight and the background is enjoyably gritty.

--Claire E. White

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen
St. Martin's Press, October, 2001
Hardcover, 226 pages
ISBN: 0312282060
Ordering information:
Amazon.com

Murphy's Law
by Rhys Bowen

Rhys Bowen, author of the popular Evans Evans mystery series, moves to another time and place with her new series, set in 1900 New York City. Irish lass Molly Murphy must flee her homeland, after she accidentally kills a wealthy landowner's son who was trying to rape her. She flees to London where she meets a young mother with tuberculosis, Kathleen O'Connor. Kathleen will not be allowed to go to America because of the TB, so she begs Molly to take her steerage ticket and escort her two children to America to live with their father. Molly agrees, but when she arrives at Ellis Island, she becomes a suspect in the murder of an obnoxious male passenger who had made unwelcome advances to Molly during the trip. The handsome young policeman who is investigating the murder, Daniel Sullivan, is anything but happy when Molly sets out in a new country to find a murderer. But Molly is determined. Either she finds the real murderer, or it's back to Ireland and the hangman's noose for her.

Tammany Hall-era New York City is vividly portrayed in this charming new series from Rhys Bowen. During this time period, immigrants actually entered the country right at New York Harbor, and Bowen's descriptions of the processing of new arrivals is fascinating. Flame haired Molly Murphy is an outspoken and plucky young woman, whose smart mouth often lands her in trouble. But she's gutsy and persistent -- two traits that any penniless immigrant will need in order to make a life in America. With interesting period detail and a likeable heroine, Murphy's Law is sure to be a hit with historical mystery fans.

--Claire E. White

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Little Girl Blue by David Cray

Murphy's Law by Rhys Bowen