The Ghost of Christmas Past (Molly Murphy #17) by Rhys Bowen

Semi-retired private detective Molly Murphy Sullivan is suffering from depression after a miscarriage following her adventure in San Francisco during the earthquake of 1906. She and her husband, Daniel, are invited for Christmas at a mansion on the Hudson, and they gratefully accept, expecting a peaceful and relaxing holiday season. Not long after they arrive, however, they start to feel the tension in the house’s atmosphere. Then they learn that the host couple's young daughter wandered out into the snow ten years ago and was never seen again. Molly can identify with the mother's pain at never knowing what happened to her child and wants to help, but there is so little to go on. No ransom note. No body ever found. But Molly slowly begins to suspect that the occupants of the house know more than they are letting on. Then, on Christmas Eve, there is a knock at the door and a young girl stands there. "I'm Charlotte," she says. "I've come home."


About The Author

"I'm a New York Times bestselling mystery author, winner of both Agatha and Anthony awards for my Molly Murphy mysteries, set in 1902 New York City.

I also write the Agatha-winning Royal Spyness series, about the British royal family in the 1930s. It's lighter, sexier, funnier, wicked satire. It was voted by readers as best mystery series one year.
I am also known for my Constable Evans books, set in North Wales, and for my award-winning short stories. "

I was born and raised in England but currently divide my time between California and Arizona where I go to escape from the harsh California winters
When I am not writing I love to travel, sing, hike, play my Celtic harp.


My Review

The author gives us a look into the world of the wealthy, as we visit a Hudson NY mansion for the Christmas Holidays.
We are with the main character Molly, a young mother and amateur detective, also an immigrant from Ireland, her husband, young son, and her ward, and also her Mother-In-Law, who is the reason we gain entrance into the world of the elite.
We enjoy the life of luxury, for a while at least until, we find out that a young child, and only child of the hosting couple, went missing ten years ago. Then odd things begin to happen, and of course our amateur is feeling the need to solve the mystery, and drags her police detective husband into helping her.
We are in for several surprises and find out some upsetting things about these wealthy people. A neat read for something different Holiday entertainment.
I received this book through Net Galley and Minotaur Books, and was not required to give a positive review.