The Family Way

By: Rhys Bowen

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Molly Murphy - now Molly Sullivan - is a year into her marriage, expecting her first child, and confined to the life of a housewife. She’s restless and irritable in the enforced idleness of pregnancy and the heat of a New York summer in 1905. So when a trip to the post office brings a letter addressed to her old detective agency asking her to locate a missing Irish serving maid, Molly figures it couldn’t hurt to at least ask around, despite her promise to Daniel to give up her old career as a detective. On the same day, Molly learns that five babies have been kidnapped in the past month.

Refusing to let Molly help with the kidnapping investigation, Daniel sends her away to spend the summer with his mother. But even in the quiet, leafy suburbs, Molly’s own pending motherhood makes her unable to ignore these missing children. What she uncovers will lead her on a terrifying journey through all levels of society, putting her life - and that of her baby - in danger.

The Family Way, the latest entry in Rhys Bowen’s best-selling Molly Murphy series, will delight fans and win over newcomers with its elegantly plotted mystery, atmospheric historical detail, and vivid characters.

©2013 Rhys Bowen (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Anyone else finding Daniel insufferable?

What was most disappointing about Rhys Bowen’s story?

I am only halfway through and Molly and Daniel's relationship is driving me into rages. He is acting like an insufferable, tyrannical parent and she is acting like a sneaky pre-teen. She agrees to his controlling ultimatums and then goes out and takes stupid risks. The talk past each other. I don't think "that's how it was then" is a good enough excuse. Shakespeare, Dickens, and Austen, among many others, portray healthy, balanced marital partnerships.

Read Royal Spyness instead

Would you try another book from Rhys Bowen and/or Nicola Barber?

Yes, the Royal Spyness series is better overall.

Has The Family Way turned you off from other books in this genre?

No but it made me regret starting this series.

What about Nicola Barber’s performance did you like?

She was great and I like her accents. I don't know how accurate they are but her delivery is good.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Based on the sample reading, I started this series instead of Royal Spyness and I wished I had stopped at the 3rd book in this series. I was thinking she would stay independent, headstrong, and witty. Instead of pretending to be submissive to appease her husband, I think she becomes submissive with each book. I also find Molly's relationship with Daniel a bit unhealthy/abusive.

Any additional comments?

In the end, the amazing coincidences, the lack of common sense, and icky love story has made me stop with this series. However, I am so glad that I started Royal Spyness because I think Ms. Bowen can create great characters.

Great book, great story but bad noise edits.

I've never heard pages turned or the narrator taking a drink of water in any other

Not her best

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It was tiresome and somewhat silly. Not up to Rhys usual standards.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

it was tiresome.

What three words best describe Nicola Barber’s performance?

not pleasent

Could you see The Family Way being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

not by a long shot

Any additional comments?

was disappointed with the story. I expect much more from the author

Heavy Breathing

What did you love best about The Family Way?

I enjoy this series. This book seemed to have audible heavy breaths by the reader. Was different. Speaking of heavy breathing...the birth of the baby did not occur in the story but in a "postscript"

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

You know Molly will get herself into a bad situation, someone will die, Daniel gets mad and it all comes together...Still it is fun to figure out the story connections just before it is obvious!

Which character – as performed by Nicola Barber – was your favorite?

Molly of course

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

always addicting

Great read

One of the better Molly Murphy stories. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the editors didn't do as good a job with this book. I could hear the narrator pause, swallow and take deep breaths far too many times. Narration editing on all the previous books was much better.

Not as good in either story or production

I have liked the rest of the Molly Murphy stories quite a bit. Molly is feisty and smart, and the mysteries are better than those in the Royal Spyness stories. But this one is something of a disappointment. To be more accurate, I have been growing more frustrated with the last few stories, and that frustration came to a head with this one.

My main problem is that Daniel no longer seems to have any redeeming qualities. He is domineering and verbally abusive. He keeps her away from what she loves. He doesn't trust her, and shows her little respect in public or in private. And Molly, who started off so strong willed, just goes along with it. She says she loves him, but I don't see any reason to anymore. Being a good kisser isn't enough of a reason, but that seems to be the only thing good about him anymore.

My other problem with this audiobook is that it seems like they gave up on the audio editing about halfway through. Barber is a great performer, but suddenly there were audible swallows and breaths and weird pauses. I assume, since I've never heard this kind of thing in other audiobooks, that it is customary to edit these sounds out. There was no problem at the beginning of this story, but then they started, and by the end, it was quite distracting.

Convoluted to say the least...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would stick to one very well thought out and presented storyline

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'm leaving the Molly Murphy series, I think I'll stick with Her Royal Spyness

What about Nicola Barber’s performance did you like?

She is a fantastic Narrator, she made a difficult book a bit easier to stomach!

Was The Family Way worth the listening time?

Well that completely depends on the listener. It didn't take me long to listen to, so it was not an utter waste of my time.

Any additional comments?

Tackling at least 3 different storylines- missing girl, strange convent, hero brother - was entirely too much. I'd rather a simple delicious meal, than a bland feast.

Nicola Barber makes this book come alive

Lots of coincidences, but still very fun. Nicola Barbara makes the book so much fun because of her beautiful accent.

Problematic background noises & character devel’mt

Loud, distracting sounds, such as reader swallowing & heavily inhaling air, can be heard; it’s as if someone neglected to edit this installment in the series.

As other readers have noted, the character of Daniel is portrayed as highly disturbing; he’s verbally abusive, physically intimidating, and Molly admits more than once to being afraid of him. Their relationship is portrayed as one of codependence and potential domestic violence; it’s unfortunate the characters ended up married. Molly ends up deceiving Daniel, as usual; and the fact that she puts herself and her unborn child in such danger make for a very disturbing installment in this series.