Just finished, "The Late, Lamented Molly Marx," by Sally Koslow, and for me, it was a quick read with a couple laugh out loud moments. Despite the tragedy, Koslow writes a witty and poignant look at a likable woman, Molly Marx's, life. I was a little disappointed with the ending but would still recommend it for it's tragic mystery told in an upbeat...this is my life, sort of way. Click the link above for more detailed reviews. I wouldn't spend $25 on it but would suggest checking it out of your public library! Enjoy it, I did. ( )

While I enjoyed this book, and have recommended this book, the ending just didn't give me any sort of satisfaction, which keeps it from a better review. ( )

Until she was found dead along the bank of the Hudson River, Molly Marx led an enviable life. A young wife and mother, Molly now finds herself in the Duration, where with the help of a refreshingly unorthodox guide, she can observe the friends and family she left behind: her philandering plastic surgeon husband, the irresistible colleague who became her lover, a competitive twin sister, her controlling mother-in-law, a loyal but confused friend, and her purest love: a three-year-old daughter.

Review: The Late, Lamented Molly Marx is a delightful book to read. It grabbed me from the beginning, and I treasured every page. Suddenly, around page 200, I realized I didn't want it to end. Partially it was because I loved the characters; they were people I wanted to eat dinner with. I didn't want to say goodbye to them. Mostly, though, I couldn't imagine how the book could end satisfactorily. Part of the book is a murder mystery of sorts (think Elisabeth Hyde's The Abortionist's Daughter - it is a whodunit, but your first instinct is to describe it as powerful, character-driven literary fiction), and it becomes clear that someone had to kill Molly; I didn't want any of the characters to be guilty. I also wanted Molly to somehow find life again. She's such a vibrant character I often found myself forgetting she was dead. She was dead, of course, and eventually the characters have to face reality. I see some of my imaginary self in Molly. She's a fellow Midwesterner turned Northeasterner, and she worked in publishing. Certainly publishing and librarianship are connected, but I'm a little farther from the action in the library.

I'm still glad I read this book; I loved it. Unfortunately for me, the ending was somehow unsatisfying. The first two thirds of the book would have gotten 5 stars, but after a few months of pondering, I give it four stars. I still loved it, and I still recommend it, but I'm not grabbing it from the virtual shelves to place in your hands. I will, however, be first in line to read Sally Koslow's next novel. ( )

Wealthy young New York matrons (does anyone use that term any more?) - with their faithless husbands, superficial friends and spoiled children - are popular subjects in fiction these days. Molly Marx is refreshingly different - and not just because she's dead. While her husband and mother-in-law fit the stereotypes, Molly herself grew up in a warm loving family and raises her daughter in similar fashion (hence she is often late for such things as swim class registration and is NOT model-thin.) Looking on from the "Duration" she recounts her life, foibles and all, and slowly unravels the mystery of her death. Eventually she detaches from her earthly relationships, but not without experiencing happy outcomes for some loved ones even as she is joined by others.

Received this through Early Reviewers, a couple months ago, due to other reading commitments, I haven't had time to read and review it yet, this serves as a placeholder for the review.