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msdeecm's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
caitlinmhp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cursed10fold's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Abortion
Moderate: Sexism, Drug abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Domestic abuse, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Medical content
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
5.0
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Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries have long been a favorite of mine, not only for the mysteries, but the expert costuming. The Golden Age fashions have never looked so good as they do on Phryne Fisher (pronounced Fry-Nee). When there was an Audible Sale on the first volume of the book series, I decided to buy it and compare the book to the first episode of the series.
I’ve not read a lot of books set in Australia, much less Melbourne in the 1920s, but Greenwood has really captured what I imagine life was like back then. Phryne is a rags-to-riches woman who recently returned after some time in London. This fun, fast-paced mystery introduces Fisher as the more than capable amateur detective that has lasted for more than 20 books and 35 years. She’s feisty, a feminist, and can do just about anything, much like my beloved Nancy Drew. Because she wasn’t born to wealth, she can cross society’s boundaries and get along with cab drivers and lords and earls just the same.
The mystery was top-notch, right down to the details like the pearl handled pistol Phryne burnishes. The chapters are short and to the point, and the action is quick. The book reminds me of the first few Nancy Drew books, which were published in 1930 and have a capable young woman at the helm. It is a great start to a long-running series I’ll be happy to continue.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries have long been a favorite of mine, not only for the mysteries, but the expert costuming. The Golden Age fashions have never looked so good as they do on Phryne Fisher (pronounced Fry-Nee). When there was an Audible Sale on the first volume of the book series, I decided to buy it and compare the book to the first episode of the series.
I’ve not read a lot of books set in Australia, much less Melbourne in the 1920s, but Greenwood has really captured what I imagine life was like back then. Phryne is a rags-to-riches woman who recently returned after some time in London. This fun, fast-paced mystery introduces Fisher as the more than capable amateur detective that has lasted for more than 20 books and 35 years. She’s feisty, a feminist, and can do just about anything, much like my beloved Nancy Drew. Because she wasn’t born to wealth, she can cross society’s boundaries and get along with cab drivers and lords and earls just the same.
The mystery was top-notch, right down to the details like the pearl handled pistol Phryne burnishes. The chapters are short and to the point, and the action is quick. The book reminds me of the first few Nancy Drew books, which were published in 1930 and have a capable young woman at the helm. It is a great start to a long-running series I’ll be happy to continue.
persiphone's review against another edition
5.0
Finally reading the series after having watched the show three times. The books are just as good if not better. Phryne, you are simply marvelous!
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
2.5**
Phryne Fisher was born in poverty, but is now a wealthy heiress. After she quickly and discretely solves a theft of diamonds at a party, she’s asked by another guest if she might be willing to try to find out what is ailing his daughter. Seems every time Lydia goes to her husband’s home in Australia she takes ill, but as soon as she returns to England she quickly recovers. Bored with the social life in and around her father’s country estate, and equally bored with the “charitable ladies” championing various causes in London, Phryne accepts the assignment and sets sail for Australia.
Set in 1920s Australia, this is a quick cozy mystery introducing a very different amateur sleuth. Phryne is wealthy, beautiful, always fashionably dressed, a connoisseur of good cocktails, and an enthusiastic bed partner. She’s also intelligent, resourceful, quick-thinking, and apparently fearless.
So what’s not to like? The plot is thin and very slow, and I didn’t particularly like Phryne at the outset. Greenwood could have spent a little more time on the characters and how they are connected; I especially wanted more info on Dr MacMillan. She could also have spent a little less time describing Phryne’s undergarments (or lack thereof). And a number of clues / issues were just ignored – neither explained nor resolved.
The action finally picked up in the second half of the book and by the end I was interested in Phryne and how she would solve the case. I also liked several of her associates – Dr MacMillan, Dot (her maid), Bert and Cec (cab drivers) – and would hope that they would make continued appearances in the rest of the series. I’m sure I’ll try at least one more in the series, and who knows, I may find Phryne as addicting as cocaine.
Phryne Fisher was born in poverty, but is now a wealthy heiress. After she quickly and discretely solves a theft of diamonds at a party, she’s asked by another guest if she might be willing to try to find out what is ailing his daughter. Seems every time Lydia goes to her husband’s home in Australia she takes ill, but as soon as she returns to England she quickly recovers. Bored with the social life in and around her father’s country estate, and equally bored with the “charitable ladies” championing various causes in London, Phryne accepts the assignment and sets sail for Australia.
Set in 1920s Australia, this is a quick cozy mystery introducing a very different amateur sleuth. Phryne is wealthy, beautiful, always fashionably dressed, a connoisseur of good cocktails, and an enthusiastic bed partner. She’s also intelligent, resourceful, quick-thinking, and apparently fearless.
So what’s not to like? The plot is thin and very slow, and I didn’t particularly like Phryne at the outset. Greenwood could have spent a little more time on the characters and how they are connected; I especially wanted more info on Dr MacMillan. She could also have spent a little less time describing Phryne’s undergarments (or lack thereof). And a number of clues / issues were just ignored – neither explained nor resolved.
The action finally picked up in the second half of the book and by the end I was interested in Phryne and how she would solve the case. I also liked several of her associates – Dr MacMillan, Dot (her maid), Bert and Cec (cab drivers) – and would hope that they would make continued appearances in the rest of the series. I’m sure I’ll try at least one more in the series, and who knows, I may find Phryne as addicting as cocaine.
ketutar's review against another edition
3.0
Well...
The clothes are all wrong. It started nicely, I got excited, but at the third pair of trousers... :-( And the streetwalker costume... that was the last straw. :-(
I was very impressed by the descriptions of food in the beginning of the book, but that, too, fizzled.
I was not at all impressed by the judgmental descriptions of women.
I believe I would not have liked Phryne if I hadn't learned to know her through the tv show. That's wonderful.
The mystery was good enough, interesting, exciting, well written, but... as said. I don't think I'll be continuing reading the rest of this series, at least now. Maybe one day when I need a quick read. It's harmless enough.
The clothes are all wrong. It started nicely, I got excited, but at the third pair of trousers... :-( And the streetwalker costume... that was the last straw. :-(
I was very impressed by the descriptions of food in the beginning of the book, but that, too, fizzled.
I was not at all impressed by the judgmental descriptions of women.
I believe I would not have liked Phryne if I hadn't learned to know her through the tv show. That's wonderful.
The mystery was good enough, interesting, exciting, well written, but... as said. I don't think I'll be continuing reading the rest of this series, at least now. Maybe one day when I need a quick read. It's harmless enough.
brendanlambourne's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable start to the Moss Fishers Mysteries. Easy to get lost in Melbourne of yesteryear.
bunnycherry's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5