Raisins and Almonds
by Kerry Greenwood (Allen & Unwin, 1997); audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (ABC Audio, 2010)
Greenwood’s ongoing survey of 1920s Melbourne leads Phryne to investigate its Jewish culture and the interbellum migrant experience (plus a largely incidental murder). The story sweeps along at Miss Fisher’s heels and proves a charming way to learn something of Australian history.
Urn Burial
by Kerry Greenwood (Penguin, 1996)
audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (Bolinda, 2011)
Greenwood’s take on Golden Age manor-house murder mysteries plays merry with tropes. Phryne, while inscrutably piecing together the various puzzles, does very little with the revelations thus garnered, instead being swept along towards the denouement. Miss Mary Mead is a nice touch.
Ruddy Gore
by Kerry Greenwood (McPhee Gribble, 1995)
audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (Bolinda, 2010)
A light mystery that mostly solves itself, under cover of Daniel’s poised audiobook reading and the infectious enthusiasm carried over by Greenwood from her copious research into 1920s Melbourne (especially Chinese immigrant culture), the theatre and Gilbert & Sullivan (Ruddigore in particular).
Blood and Circuses
by Kerry Greenwood (McPhee Gribble, 1994)
audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (ABC Audio, 2011)
Phryne’s vulnerability is a new development, and one that was perhaps needed for the series to retain credibility. The roaming omniscient narrative, however, is symptomatic of a mystery that doesn’t quite work (being rather too hemmed in by Greenwood’s extensive circus research).
The Green Mill Murder
by Kerry Greenwood (McPhee Gribble, 1993)
audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (ABC Audio, 2012)
While the mystery in this instance is nigh on non-existent, Phryne and the murderer make their dual entrance on page one and the book proceeds apace, endearing itself to aficionados of early 20th-century Australian culture and showcasing Greenwood’s research of the period.
Death at Victoria Dock
by Kerry Greenwood (Poisoned Pen Press, 1992)
audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (ABC, 2011)
Stephanie Daniel’s audiobook reading lends vivid personality to all the characters; Greenwood’s depiction of interbellum Melbourne society suggests considerable research; yet Phryne herself has become more goddess than investigator. She is adored and feared to the extent of encountering too little resistance.
Murder on the Ballarat Train
by Kerry Greenwood (Penguin, 1991); audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (Bolinda, 2009)
As with ‘Flying Too High’, the mystery is not so much solved as forced to recognise the unstoppable poise and authority of Miss Phryne Fisher. An easy read of historical interest and with characters made even more memorable by the TV series.
Flying too High
by Kerry Greenwood (Penguin, 1990); audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (Bolinda, 2011)
Two fairly straightforward cases (not investigations as such) brought concurrently to heel by the redoubtable Miss Fisher. In prose and plot, this is a simpler novel than Cocaine Blues. Nonetheless it sails along nicely on the strength of its characters and setting.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries: Murder Under the Mistletoe
(ABC, 2013)
It’s hard to imagine this Christmas special—broadcast only a month after series two ended—warranted a separate DVD release. Though themed around Christmas (in July), its only real point of departure is to embroil Miss Fisher in a closed circle mystery.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Series 2
(ABC, 2013)
The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson team up for another series of murder-mystery-solving in 1920s Melbourne. While the characters continue to develop, thankfully their stories don’t intrude too much on the detective work. A diverting, light-hearted period drama.