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.
Tag: Phryne Fisher
Flying too High
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.
Murder Under the Mistletoe
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
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.
Cocaine Blues
Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood (McPhee Gribble, 1989); audiobook read by Stephanie Daniel (Bolinda, 2010) Greenwood evinces as no-nonsense an approach to plotting as does the irrepressible Phryne Fisher to solving mysteries and bucking societal norms. The result is a fast-moving romp through 1920s Melbourne, more worldly than Wodehouse but with a similarly delightful turn of phrase.