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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood is the sixth book in the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Phryne Fisher is home alone on a Sunday, and she is bored. Then the doorbell rings and she finds Samson, Alan Lee and their friends on her doorstep. They need Phryne’s assistance with problems that are plaguing Farrell’s Circus and Wild Beast Show. If the person behind these nasty incidents is not found, the circus may go under. Phryne agrees to go undercover as a trick rider if she can learn the routine in the next week. Meanwhile, Constable Tommy Harris responded to a call at Mrs. Witherspoon’s boarding house on Brunswick Street. Mr. Christopher was found dead inside his room. Miss Amelia Parkes is arrested for his murder, but Tommy does not believe Miss Parkes committed the crime. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is of a similar mind, but they need proof. Phryne with the help of her companion, Dot gets ready to join the circus as Fern Williams. Phryne needs clothes that are more aligned with her new station as a performer (no silks or satins for Fern). Phryne learns how to do tricks on a horse and is soon ready to set off with the others for Farrell’s next performance. Tommy is out at night trying to get intel and quickly lands in hot water. Thankfully, Lizard Elsie comes to his rescue, patches him up and returns him to his police superiors. It turns out that the problems besetting the circus and the murder of Mr. Christopher are tied together. Jack quickly sets out for Farrell’s latest location and hopes that he is not too late to save Phryne. See if Phryne makes it back home to Dot, Mr. & Mrs. Butler, and her extended family in Blood and Circuses.
Blood and Circuses is nicely written, but it is different from the prior books in the series. Phryne is not quite herself in this edition. I missed Phryne’s engaging personality. She seemed more subdued and contemplative. I was, though, happy to see more of Jack in this novel. What I enjoy most is the interactions between Phryne and Jack. They are always fun and witty together. When you first start reading the story, there are two different storylines. They are eventually tied together and it all makes sense. It can be a little confusing in the beginning especially with the introduction of the two gang factions (Roy Boys and the Brunnies). The pace is sluggish as well (which always makes a book feel longer than it is). Figuring out the identity of the killer is not rocket science. I wish it had been more complicated (like the storylines). If you have watched the show that relates to this book, you will find it different in many regards (there are similarities). In a way, I preferred the show (I found it more entertaining). There is extreme violence and intimate relations included in Blood and Circuses. Phryne finds herself with two lovers in this book. I give Blood and Circuses 3.5 out of 5 stars. There is circus lingo that I found difficult to interpret. I did find the second half of the book more entertaining the first part (as the separate storyline tie together and there are fewer people to keep track of). While I did not find Blood and Circuses as enjoyable as the first five stories in the stories, I will definitely keep reading the series.
Blood and Circuses is nicely written, but it is different from the prior books in the series. Phryne is not quite herself in this edition. I missed Phryne’s engaging personality. She seemed more subdued and contemplative. I was, though, happy to see more of Jack in this novel. What I enjoy most is the interactions between Phryne and Jack. They are always fun and witty together. When you first start reading the story, there are two different storylines. They are eventually tied together and it all makes sense. It can be a little confusing in the beginning especially with the introduction of the two gang factions (Roy Boys and the Brunnies). The pace is sluggish as well (which always makes a book feel longer than it is). Figuring out the identity of the killer is not rocket science. I wish it had been more complicated (like the storylines). If you have watched the show that relates to this book, you will find it different in many regards (there are similarities). In a way, I preferred the show (I found it more entertaining). There is extreme violence and intimate relations included in Blood and Circuses. Phryne finds herself with two lovers in this book. I give Blood and Circuses 3.5 out of 5 stars. There is circus lingo that I found difficult to interpret. I did find the second half of the book more entertaining the first part (as the separate storyline tie together and there are fewer people to keep track of). While I did not find Blood and Circuses as enjoyable as the first five stories in the stories, I will definitely keep reading the series.
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse
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
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
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.
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
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!
‘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
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."
John Payne (Home Sweet Home) "Mid pleasures and palaces, Though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, There's no place like Home."
serafina_pekkala's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
words_and_magic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
krysm's review against another edition
2.0
I'm reading this series, but I really can't recommend it. So if you see me reading it, and want to try it, read at your own risk, lol.