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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Another strong entry in Greenwood's series. This one is more on the darker side of life. The times are getting harder, the action is still in 1928 but the hardship of life is becoming more and more evident for the working class.
This plot with side trips into child abuse is definitely a darker grey type of tale in the spectrum of Miss Fisher's mysteries.
I liked that with time Phryne's adoptive daughters are getting more and more fleshed out as characters.
A good strong plot with some darker twists.
This plot with side trips into child abuse is definitely a darker grey type of tale in the spectrum of Miss Fisher's mysteries.
I liked that with time Phryne's adoptive daughters are getting more and more fleshed out as characters.
A good strong plot with some darker twists.
These are enjoyable, if repetitive mysteries! I do feel like this far into the series, there really isn't much scope for any character growth, and that makes the later books less compelling and interesting than the earlier ones.
It is also just hard to imagine that 14 books in, there are still new criminals Phryne hasn't met yet.
It is also just hard to imagine that 14 books in, there are still new criminals Phryne hasn't met yet.
Phryne once again rights wrongs among upper-class Australians of the jazz age. These books are nearly 100% surface, but fun to read. This one's plot has a few interesting twists, a dual plotline and a rather unbelievable coincidence.
With Phryne's adoptive daughters more integral to the plot than usual I started wondering more about the flatness of their characters. But really it's all about the fabulous Phryne, so why wonder? Enjoy the fashions, scented bathwater and fabulous meals designed to reflect the era.
With Phryne's adoptive daughters more integral to the plot than usual I started wondering more about the flatness of their characters. But really it's all about the fabulous Phryne, so why wonder? Enjoy the fashions, scented bathwater and fabulous meals designed to reflect the era.
I have a hit and miss history with Miss Phryne Fisher. It seems that every second book I read in the series is not quite as interesting as the one preceding it. There’s no rhyme or reason for this as I read them completely out of order. While I loved Murder and Mendelsohn, Queen of the Flowers just didn’t hold my interest as well. I don’t think it’s because it’s an audiobook. Stephanie Daniel is a fantastic narrator and has the skill of making all the characters sound completely different in addition to a beautiful speaking voice. The plot is a bit jumpy and there’s a lack of real mystery in this book. It almost seems like Phryne is biding her time, dabbling in little mysteries while she waits for something better to come along.
It’s 1928 and St Kilda is working hard in the lead up to a festival, where Phryne (who else?) will be Queen of the Flowers. Phryne meets some old friends who are working for the circus nearby, while her adopted daughters are searching for one of her fathers. One of Phryne’s handmaidens for the festival goes missing and turns up in the surf, battered and bruised. What happened? Phryne is determined to find out. Meanwhile, one of her daughters, Ruth, goes missing, and despite the concern that she may be in danger, nobody seems too worried. The story has loads of plot threads, including the romance between Ruth’s parents, a trip Phryne made after the war, the flower festival, Phryne’s lover’s wife designing a garden for Phryne and Rose, the missing girl. There was a lot to take it and things jumped around a bit. It required a bit more thinking and listening than your average book. I would have liked more focus on the child abuse and less on the circus – the light scenes felt out of place at times. Plus, I’m a fan of Detective Jack Robinson but he didn’t make many appearances in this book. More Jack next time please!
Phryne is the James Bond of 1920’s Australia – this woman can do anything and knows everything. Sometimes I felt she was being a show off with references to music and literature – things that ‘normal’ people wouldn’t understand. It felt to me that the book was trying to take on too much in one go. If the plot had been a bit simpler and there was less of a smug feeling, I think I would have enjoyed it more. My audiobook had a bonus interview with Kerry Greenwood, which was very interesting and possibly my favourite part of the experience!
Will I try Phryne again? Definitely – when the story is good for me, the series is a rollicking read. I tend to watch the television show (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) with one eye on the clothes and the other in a book, but some episodes capture my full attention. It seems that the books are falling the same way. Next time I might check out what others think before making my choice of which book in the series to read next.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
It’s 1928 and St Kilda is working hard in the lead up to a festival, where Phryne (who else?) will be Queen of the Flowers. Phryne meets some old friends who are working for the circus nearby, while her adopted daughters are searching for one of her fathers. One of Phryne’s handmaidens for the festival goes missing and turns up in the surf, battered and bruised. What happened? Phryne is determined to find out. Meanwhile, one of her daughters, Ruth, goes missing, and despite the concern that she may be in danger, nobody seems too worried. The story has loads of plot threads, including the romance between Ruth’s parents, a trip Phryne made after the war, the flower festival, Phryne’s lover’s wife designing a garden for Phryne and Rose, the missing girl. There was a lot to take it and things jumped around a bit. It required a bit more thinking and listening than your average book. I would have liked more focus on the child abuse and less on the circus – the light scenes felt out of place at times. Plus, I’m a fan of Detective Jack Robinson but he didn’t make many appearances in this book. More Jack next time please!
Phryne is the James Bond of 1920’s Australia – this woman can do anything and knows everything. Sometimes I felt she was being a show off with references to music and literature – things that ‘normal’ people wouldn’t understand. It felt to me that the book was trying to take on too much in one go. If the plot had been a bit simpler and there was less of a smug feeling, I think I would have enjoyed it more. My audiobook had a bonus interview with Kerry Greenwood, which was very interesting and possibly my favourite part of the experience!
Will I try Phryne again? Definitely – when the story is good for me, the series is a rollicking read. I tend to watch the television show (Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries) with one eye on the clothes and the other in a book, but some episodes capture my full attention. It seems that the books are falling the same way. Next time I might check out what others think before making my choice of which book in the series to read next.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am big fan of Ms Greenwood mysteries and this one is not an exception even if it is a bit less sparkling than others in this series. I really enjoyed it and Ms Fisher is always the same sparkling and clever self.
I would not recommend this book to people who has never read any other book in this series or just seen the TV show.
On a general level a very good mystery.
#Netgalley #Poisonpen
I would not recommend this book to people who has never read any other book in this series or just seen the TV show.
On a general level a very good mystery.
#Netgalley #Poisonpen
Audiobook
Phryne is queen of a festival but the lovely young "maidens" of her court are not as sweet an innocent as one would believe. Kidnapping and virtue sold, attempted murder, and the disappearance of one of Phryne's adopted daughters, Ruth.
Back on track with an interesting mystery.
Phryne is queen of a festival but the lovely young "maidens" of her court are not as sweet an innocent as one would believe. Kidnapping and virtue sold, attempted murder, and the disappearance of one of Phryne's adopted daughters, Ruth.
Back on track with an interesting mystery.
I felt like I haven’t listened to a Phryne Fisher for quite a while, and it has been about 4 months since my last Phryne fix! It was nice to catch up with her again. I was chuckling at meeting the elephant in the first chapter!
It was also good to find out a bit more about Phryne’s adopted daughters Jane and Ruth.
As always, a joy to listen to Stephanie Daniels. I see I’m drawing toward the end of the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries - I hope Kerry Greenwood has a few more instalments up her sleeves!
It was also good to find out a bit more about Phryne’s adopted daughters Jane and Ruth.
As always, a joy to listen to Stephanie Daniels. I see I’m drawing toward the end of the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries - I hope Kerry Greenwood has a few more instalments up her sleeves!
The newest Phryne Fisher is a catchy one.
Phryne lives in Melbourne, Australia, although she is originally from England. This is set in 1928.
Phryne is a very independent woman, who lives her life as she wants and has moved to Australia partly to be as far from her father as possible. She has a butler and cook (a married couple), and a companion. She has adopted two daughters, but has never been married. She works as a private detective and has a lover. She has been chosen to be the Queen of the Flowers in the town's first Flower Parade.
When one of the flower maidens goes missing, Phryne is following her trail. She has contacts in town and works her connections to find out what she needs to know.
Her character is well-mannered, yet unconventional and is a plain speaker who is not afraid to confront the darker side of life, whether it be gambling, brothels, or criminals.
Phryne lives in Melbourne, Australia, although she is originally from England. This is set in 1928.
Phryne is a very independent woman, who lives her life as she wants and has moved to Australia partly to be as far from her father as possible. She has a butler and cook (a married couple), and a companion. She has adopted two daughters, but has never been married. She works as a private detective and has a lover. She has been chosen to be the Queen of the Flowers in the town's first Flower Parade.
When one of the flower maidens goes missing, Phryne is following her trail. She has contacts in town and works her connections to find out what she needs to know.
Her character is well-mannered, yet unconventional and is a plain speaker who is not afraid to confront the darker side of life, whether it be gambling, brothels, or criminals.
I requested this through Netgalley as soon as I saw it because I am a big fan of the TV series!
I was a bit worried before I started reading that it wouldn't live up to the TV version and would just end up ruining it for me. As soon as I started reading I realised my fears were groundless. The book version of Phryne Fisher is smarter, bubblier, sharper, just more than the TV version.
The characters are very likeable and I just love the descriptions of them. Phryne is an absolute delight to read. I love her independence and her outlook on life.
One of my favourite things about the TV series is the banter between Phryne and Inspector Jack Robinson. I thought I would miss it in the book but I actually like that's it not there because it seemed to give the character of Phryne more room to breathe.
The tone stays light but the mystery ended up going in a quite dark direction, and Phryne does some decent investigating. I feel it does get a bit convoluted with two different stories going on and a few dips into the past thrown in. There were a few too many coincidences in Ruth's story and it didn't make sense why some of the people did the things they did.
I liked the main mystery though, and I found that once I read the first chapter I couldn't put it down.
This is just like a glass of wine in book format. It's all bubbles and lightness and the story fizzes along. I love the world the author has created and I will definitely be reading more of the series!
I received a free copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
I was a bit worried before I started reading that it wouldn't live up to the TV version and would just end up ruining it for me. As soon as I started reading I realised my fears were groundless. The book version of Phryne Fisher is smarter, bubblier, sharper, just more than the TV version.
The characters are very likeable and I just love the descriptions of them. Phryne is an absolute delight to read. I love her independence and her outlook on life.
One of my favourite things about the TV series is the banter between Phryne and Inspector Jack Robinson. I thought I would miss it in the book but I actually like that's it not there because it seemed to give the character of Phryne more room to breathe.
The tone stays light but the mystery ended up going in a quite dark direction, and Phryne does some decent investigating. I feel it does get a bit convoluted with two different stories going on and a few dips into the past thrown in. There were a few too many coincidences in Ruth's story and it didn't make sense why some of the people did the things they did.
I liked the main mystery though, and I found that once I read the first chapter I couldn't put it down.
This is just like a glass of wine in book format. It's all bubbles and lightness and the story fizzes along. I love the world the author has created and I will definitely be reading more of the series!
I received a free copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.