You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Another superb installment in the inimitable adventures of the formidable Miss Fisher.
My first introduction to Phryne Fisher came through the TV series, but that led me to read as many of the books as I could get my hands on. Phryne's character is so strong, as are those of the supporting characters, that the transition was easy for me.
From the first few paragraphs of this book I knew that the language was going to hook me as much as the characters and the setting. I love a well-written book which uses language to convey setting as well as emotion, and that's key here. I enjoyed experiencing some new words and the plot kept me turning the pages.
Interesting structure, in that Phryne and Dot head into the Australian mountains to solve a series of crimes, while the gang at home-- Hugh Collins, Tinker, and the girls-- solve another one on their own. It was all very clever and enjoyable.
From the first few paragraphs of this book I knew that the language was going to hook me as much as the characters and the setting. I love a well-written book which uses language to convey setting as well as emotion, and that's key here. I enjoyed experiencing some new words and the plot kept me turning the pages.
Interesting structure, in that Phryne and Dot head into the Australian mountains to solve a series of crimes, while the gang at home-- Hugh Collins, Tinker, and the girls-- solve another one on their own. It was all very clever and enjoyable.
First released in Australia in November 2020, DEATH IN DAYLESFORD is the 21st Phryne Fisher book, set in Victoria's Spa Country - between Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, in an area that's all too real, with some fictional places built into this story, as is the tendency with this very engaging series.
The first of Phryne Fisher novel was published in 1989, so this is one of the really long-standing, fictional crime series in Australia, relying heavily on a tone and style set way back then, and a central character that is memorable, frequently funny, and always very dashing. Whilst her readers may be 30 something years older, Miss Fisher is still plying her private investigator interests in 1920's Australia, with her faithful companion Dot at her side (eyes firmly closed whenever they take to the road in her glorious Hispano-Suiza car, or firmly cast sky or floor-ward to avoid glimpses of the frequent boudoir activities of her mistress), and a cast of supporting characters, work and home based, that fans of either the TV series, or the books will instantly recognise. In this outing, however, Inspector Jack is sidelined, and the entire household are back in Melbourne, investigating their own mysterious death, whilst Phryne and Dot are off in the Spa Country to meet a man running a retreat for returned servicemen, and of course, encountering a series of disappearances and murders of their own.
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the earlier audio version of the Phryne Fisher novels, so the death of the original narrator was very sad, but the entire series is one of those sets of novels that I've dipped into and out of for years now, in no particular order, and never expecting anything other than a bit of good rollicking investigating, with a daring female central character, who is exactly what you'd hope of a poor girl, turned Hon., now of independent means, and mind, fully in touch with her own intelligence, desires and directions. Interestingly I've often found there is infrequent crossover between fans of Greenwood's other long running series - the Corinna Chapman books, and the Phryne Fisher novels, although I hasten to add there's nothing extensive or scientific about that observation. For the record, I've never really connected with the Chapman books.
On the entertaining side as always, the mystery in DEATH IN DAYLESFORD is also nicely twisty, with a sideline of disappearing women that would be particularly apt in current day Australia as well. The setting is well invoked as always, and it was particularly nice to spend some time with such old friends in such a beautiful part of the world.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/death-daylesford-kerry-greenwood
The first of Phryne Fisher novel was published in 1989, so this is one of the really long-standing, fictional crime series in Australia, relying heavily on a tone and style set way back then, and a central character that is memorable, frequently funny, and always very dashing. Whilst her readers may be 30 something years older, Miss Fisher is still plying her private investigator interests in 1920's Australia, with her faithful companion Dot at her side (eyes firmly closed whenever they take to the road in her glorious Hispano-Suiza car, or firmly cast sky or floor-ward to avoid glimpses of the frequent boudoir activities of her mistress), and a cast of supporting characters, work and home based, that fans of either the TV series, or the books will instantly recognise. In this outing, however, Inspector Jack is sidelined, and the entire household are back in Melbourne, investigating their own mysterious death, whilst Phryne and Dot are off in the Spa Country to meet a man running a retreat for returned servicemen, and of course, encountering a series of disappearances and murders of their own.
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for the earlier audio version of the Phryne Fisher novels, so the death of the original narrator was very sad, but the entire series is one of those sets of novels that I've dipped into and out of for years now, in no particular order, and never expecting anything other than a bit of good rollicking investigating, with a daring female central character, who is exactly what you'd hope of a poor girl, turned Hon., now of independent means, and mind, fully in touch with her own intelligence, desires and directions. Interestingly I've often found there is infrequent crossover between fans of Greenwood's other long running series - the Corinna Chapman books, and the Phryne Fisher novels, although I hasten to add there's nothing extensive or scientific about that observation. For the record, I've never really connected with the Chapman books.
On the entertaining side as always, the mystery in DEATH IN DAYLESFORD is also nicely twisty, with a sideline of disappearing women that would be particularly apt in current day Australia as well. The setting is well invoked as always, and it was particularly nice to spend some time with such old friends in such a beautiful part of the world.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/death-daylesford-kerry-greenwood
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I was so excited to be reading Phryne Fisher again -it had been years since I zipped through all the books in the series. That said, it took me a surprisingly long time to get into it - not sure if there was just an extra amount of tedious setting up the scenes on the front end or what but once I reacquainted myself with all the characters it was lovely to be in the Australian past again.
Pop open the champagne. Phryne is back with two mysteries to share. Her girls are growing up. Dot is still humble and pure. I always enjoy the settings of these wickedly humourous tales.
The problem I have with this series is that I saw the TV series first and liked it immensely. And as with many TV adaptations, they changed some of the plot lines and I simply like them better.
The other problem I had with this book in particular is that the first chapter was all about sex. I don't consider myself a prude but this just left me with a distasteful taste in my mouth.
There are also 2 story lines in this book. Phryne and Dot are off solving one set of murders and her adopted kids are investigating another death.
Aside from these points, it's a decent enough mystery. I'll just have to remember not to read any more of them and simply have fond memories of the TV series.
The other problem I had with this book in particular is that the first chapter was all about sex. I don't consider myself a prude but this just left me with a distasteful taste in my mouth.
There are also 2 story lines in this book. Phryne and Dot are off solving one set of murders and her adopted kids are investigating another death.
Aside from these points, it's a decent enough mystery. I'll just have to remember not to read any more of them and simply have fond memories of the TV series.
Oh what a relief to have Phyrne Fisher back in fine form! The previous book in this series (Murder and Mendelssohn) was really the poorest entry, and all the more alarming because it seemed to be the final book, with no others planned. Now Death in Daylesford is here to the rescue. While it had some textual weaknesses (particularly in unneeded repetition) that could be fixed in editing—and may already have been, I did read an advanced copy—it also has all the strengths of the series, with lots of 1920s Australian attitude and appearances from many lovely favorite characters. I especially enjoyed that there were several mysteries, most of which did not all turn into one intertwined mystery at the end, a feat almost unheard of in the realm of mystery novels.