Reviews

Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood

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persiphone's review against another edition

3.0

I couldn't really get into the myriad of characters in this book and I don't understand how they figured out how the victim was murdered, unless it was just because they read Mr Sheridan's letter (though I thought that was only opened after the case was solved? That was unclear.) I'm not sure what to make of the two trans characters either being killed or being abusive, but I guess it was nice that Jack Robinson stuck up for correct use of pronouns. Despite these points, it was still a good Miss Fisher mystery and I enjoyed reading her attempts to process her sudden, temporary reversal of her place in society.

yew676's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

mjporterauthor's review against another edition

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4.0

Free E-Arc received from NetGalley.

This is the second Phryne Fisher book I've read, (and I'm now addicted to the TV series as well) and I found I enjoyed it much more than the first. This is probably because I'm used to the characters from the TV series. That said, I also think it's an easier read than the first book I read.

The book flows well although I did notice that by the time the real work of solving the mystery was under way, I was 80% through the novel, and as such, it seems that solving the mystery is of secondary importance to the story of the circus and the attendant 'hanger-on's'. A fair portion of the novel is also concerned with the investigation taking place by the police and concerned with the gang warfare - and this rounds out the story nicely, but means that we spend less time with Phryne than you might expect.

Overall - an enjoyable jaunt set in the late 1920's in Australia.

lisab1991's review against another edition

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3.0

“‘Who’s Phryne Fisher?’ asked Tommy from the floor.
‘An interfering woman,’ said Robinson. ‘A very clever, very beautiful, very rich, interfering woman. And I’m afraid,’ he added, ‘that this time she might have got herself in too deep.’”

3,5 ⭐️. I quite liked this Phryne Fisher mystery, unlike a lot of reviewers it seems. This story was quite unlike the others, because we get to see a Phryne who’s vulnerable and a lot less self-assured. Phryne goes undercover as Fern Williams and joins Farrell’s Circus as a trick rider without her rank or money to back her up. I’ve always been fascinated by circuses, so I guess that accounts for it mostly. I liked most of the supporting cast, like Mr. Burton, Jo Jo and the bear. And of course, our ever trustworthy ✨Jack✨ is there to solve the murder and come to her rescue.

Ah, Jack, our “affable policeman. He had brown hair, brown eyes and utterly undistinguished features, but his voice was deep and pleasant.” And let’s not forget that he “had a peculiarly beautiful smile, which invited trust.”

I’m looking forward to Ms. Fisher’s next adventure!

nikshelby's review against another edition

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4.0

Charles Dickens (Hard Times) "They assumed to be mighty rakish and knowing, they were not very tidy in their private dresses, they were not at all orderly in their domestic arrangements...yet...there was a remarkable gentleness...an untiring readiness to help and pity one another deserving of as much respect...as the everyday virtues of any class of people in the world."

John Payne (Home Sweet Home) "Mid pleasures and palaces, Though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, There's no place like Home."