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Phryne Fisher #8
Urn Burial
The redoubtable Phryne Fisher is holidaying at Cave House, a Gothic mansion in the heart of Australia's Victorian mountain country. But the peaceful surroundings mask danger. Her host is receiving death threats, lethal traps are set without explanation, and the parlour maid is found strangled to death. What with the reappearance of mysterious funerary urns, a pair of young lovers, an extremely eccentric swagman, an angry outcast heir, and the luscious Lin Chung, Phryne's attention has definitely been caught. Her search for answers takes her deep into the dungeons of the house and into the limestone Buchan caves. But what will she find this time?
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
359 people are currently reading
2522 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Greenwood
86 books2,540 followersKerry Isabelle Greenwood was an Australian author and lawyer. She wrote many plays and books, most notably a string of historical detective novels centred on the character of Phryne Fisher, which was adapted as the popular television series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She wrote mysteries, science-fiction, historical fiction, children's stories, and plays. Greenwood earned the Australian women's crime fiction Davitt Award in 2002 for her young adult novel The Three-Pronged Dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
August 18, 2025
As Phryne Fisher and Dot, along with Lin Chung and his man travelled to Cave House, set in west Victoria's mountainous region, they suddenly heard a gunshot, then screams. Rescuing a young maid from Cave House, Lina, her hysterics meant Phryne couldn't discern what had happened, only that it was traumatic. On arrival at the house, Lina was passed into the hands of the housekeeper - her aunt - and the others spoke to the owners, Tom & Evelyn. There was much happening, with a houseful of guests, and gradually, Phryne could see evil was afoot. When someone was murdered, and another person went missing, 'accidents' occurred and secrets seemed everywhere, Phryne was determined to find the answers.
Urn Burial is #8 in the Phryne Fisher series and once again Aussie author Kerry Greenwood (now sadly deceased) has hit the nail on the head. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, from plenty of action, to Phryne's assignations with Lin Chung, the danger surrounding them all, and her artful way of finding the answers she needed. Highly recommended.
Urn Burial is #8 in the Phryne Fisher series and once again Aussie author Kerry Greenwood (now sadly deceased) has hit the nail on the head. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, from plenty of action, to Phryne's assignations with Lin Chung, the danger surrounding them all, and her artful way of finding the answers she needed. Highly recommended.
November 2, 2025
In this book, Kerry Greenwood does an excellent job of subverting the Agatha Christie formula and attendant tropes. I mainly know Christie’s work from tv adaptations, so I probably missed stuff, but even I could see how cleverly Greenwood played with the Marple/Poirot material to her own wicked ends.
Heck, I was almost positive one of the characters in the book was actually supposed to be Miss Marple under an assumed name; a suspicion that was confirmed in the conversation between the author and the audiobook narrator at the end of the book.
I’d give this one 4.5 stars if I could; rounding down because it doesn’t quite feel like a 5 star book.
Heck, I was almost positive one of the characters in the book was actually supposed to be Miss Marple under an assumed name; a suspicion that was confirmed in the conversation between the author and the audiobook narrator at the end of the book.
I’d give this one 4.5 stars if I could; rounding down because it doesn’t quite feel like a 5 star book.
October 24, 2010
This story was out of Phyrne's normal geographic area and was missing most of the usual characters which was a problem. It takes place at a houseparty and the people at the party seemed too numerous and not clearly drawn enough to keep track of easily. This is the weakest of the PF novels I have read.
February 8, 2024
I know I'm in trouble when a mystery novel has a) a map of the area where the crime took place or b)a list of characters at the beginning. It means that there would feasibly be confusion on the part of the reader as to what took place where, or who did what, or even who is who(m). God help us if I ever find a mystery that has both--I don't think I'll bother with it if I do. The quotes that begin each chapter were annoying, poorly chosen and had nothing to do with the action in each chapter. Yes, I know it was a convention of many novels until the 1940s, but it's not one that Greenwood handles well.
The Phryne Fisher series is turning out to be rather uneven; there are some cracking good reads in there, but there are also some that are less entertaining. This is one of the latter. Sorry, pals, but the narration drags until halfway through, the reveal is ridiculous, the windup scene more so. And the sex scenes...well, there they are, needed or not. (I'm no prude, but the whole boathouse thing was just...gross. Phryne has it away, gets turned on by watching another (unaware) couple having sex, and has it away again? Ugh. Like some stupid porn film.) The main elements of this tale are drawn from a short story Greenwood wrote, but they deserved a better development than I found this to be. The whole business with the mixed-up "decor" was unnecessary and played little part in the fabric of the text. As house-party mysteries go, this one fell flat, right down to the Miss Marple/Miss Silver wannabe.
Li Pen and Lin Chung have rather a lot to do in this novel, which was refreshing, if laboured in its presentation. I'm sorry to find this novel so disappointing but that's the breaks when an author confines herself to a series; it gets a bit samey. Same characters, same motivations, in her case the same year--all of these novels supposedly take place in 1928. She would have been wiser to spread them out a bit. After all Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin detected from 1934 to the mid 1970s and never aged a day.
I can recommend the series, just not this particular instalment. What's missing is the fun, the lightheartedness that I enjoy in this author's work. Her obsession with women's issues has its place but makes this novel extremely heavyhanded. None of the Non-Phyrne-Menage characters is remotely sympathetic.
ETA: More bearable as an audiobook, but still disappointing.
The Phryne Fisher series is turning out to be rather uneven; there are some cracking good reads in there, but there are also some that are less entertaining. This is one of the latter. Sorry, pals, but the narration drags until halfway through, the reveal is ridiculous, the windup scene more so. And the sex scenes...well, there they are, needed or not. (I'm no prude, but the whole boathouse thing was just...gross. Phryne has it away, gets turned on by watching another (unaware) couple having sex, and has it away again? Ugh. Like some stupid porn film.) The main elements of this tale are drawn from a short story Greenwood wrote, but they deserved a better development than I found this to be. The whole business with the mixed-up "decor" was unnecessary and played little part in the fabric of the text. As house-party mysteries go, this one fell flat, right down to the Miss Marple/Miss Silver wannabe.
Li Pen and Lin Chung have rather a lot to do in this novel, which was refreshing, if laboured in its presentation. I'm sorry to find this novel so disappointing but that's the breaks when an author confines herself to a series; it gets a bit samey. Same characters, same motivations, in her case the same year--all of these novels supposedly take place in 1928. She would have been wiser to spread them out a bit. After all Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin detected from 1934 to the mid 1970s and never aged a day.
I can recommend the series, just not this particular instalment. What's missing is the fun, the lightheartedness that I enjoy in this author's work. Her obsession with women's issues has its place but makes this novel extremely heavyhanded. None of the Non-Phyrne-Menage characters is remotely sympathetic.
ETA: More bearable as an audiobook, but still disappointing.
December 21, 2015
If you know what to expect from Phryne Fisher, then this won’t really be a surprise. It’s not particularly remarkable among the other books of the series, bar a slightly less stereotyped version of a queer couple which even includes a bisexual; it’s Phryne, being awesome, not letting anyone get away with prejudice versus her Chinese lover, solving a country house mystery. The more I think about it, the more I see the various books as echoing, mirroring, making homage to other detective stories, particularly Golden Age ones. Which kind of adds an additional level of fun, if you try to play “spot the reference”.
As with the other books, I find it very relaxing and fun, even when the characters are in some danger. Cosy mystery — partly because I know Dot and Phryne and the other characters I care about are going to be alright. I wonder if, just once, Greenwood has Phryne sleep with the murderer unknowing, or has one of her lovers genuinely threatened… That might raise the stakes a little.
Originally posted here.
As with the other books, I find it very relaxing and fun, even when the characters are in some danger. Cosy mystery — partly because I know Dot and Phryne and the other characters I care about are going to be alright. I wonder if, just once, Greenwood has Phryne sleep with the murderer unknowing, or has one of her lovers genuinely threatened… That might raise the stakes a little.
Originally posted here.
May 30, 2019
Very enjoyable, as always.
October 28, 2016
I've enjoyed some of the Phryne Fisher series, but this one just seemed very silly.
April 14, 2024
I think I will take a break from this series for a while and read more later. The house party setting was different and there were a few interesting characters but quite a few things bugged me about this story. It wasn’t consistent to Phryne’s character to be friends with such a weak and foolish character as Tom Reynolds, the anti Chinese racist flavour was believable for the time frame but not in the context of the the house party. Also, I get that Phyrne is an emancipated woman but why does she still get overcome by lust every time she meets a handsome young man, even though she is theoretically ‘trying’ to have a relationship with Lin Chung?
March 9, 2015
Ah Phryne Fisher, you just keep seducing me more with every book. (Uh oh. Now the next one will be a clinker... What was I thinking?)
Actually, I thought this one was going to be a clinker for the first few chapters: Phryne starts out totally bitchy and not at all her inwardly snarky, outwardly cool and impassive self, an annoying phrase is repeated so many times I wanted to punch myself, and it was beginning to look like maybe she was going to - gasp! - parody or mock Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series.
When Miss Fisher and her escort, Lin Cheng, show up for one of those weekend-in-the-country house parties, she is a bit testy. Does she know there will be a murder? Are the racial politics of dating a man of Chinese descent getting to her? Hard to tell, but she is uncharacteristically rude, ordering Lin about like a houseboy, and Dot like a well, maid. (Dot is her maid.)
Additionally, she carries on about the execrable decor of her host's home (so gauche!) and the relatively poor quality of both the coffee and champagne on offer. Luckily, all it takes is a couple of rolls in the hay, and not just with Lin, and she is once again her old self.
Just a moment to talk about sex. Anyone who has read any of these books will know that there is no point in slut-shaming Phryne Fisher; she is a modern woman of 1928 with a healthy sex drive and little prudery. I read some reviews in which readers were appalled that she had sex with two guys in one weekend, and found the boathouse scene too disgusting for words.
Sorry, but I disagree. She discusses sleeping with the other fellow with Lin both before and after the event, and he seems cool with it. Who are we to judge? And I thought the boathouse scene was kinda sexy and much more realistic than most. If you like such things to be all shiny clean and rosy-romantic, you probably want to skip that scene however.
I also kept thinking, throughout the early chapters that a good way to end up in the emergency room would be to drink a shot of vodka every time someone said the words, "the river is rising." Seriously. WE GET IT: the river is rising, it is going to cover the road and you will all be stranded at the house party!
Finally, I was so happy to find that the book is indeed an homage to, and not a parody on, the Miss Marple books. Agatha Christie was just coming into her own as a writer in 1928, particularly after her award-winning story, The Murder of Roger Aykroyd. There are people who have been hating on Mrs. Christie since she started being published, but thankfully Kerry Grrenwood is not one of them!
Actually, I thought this one was going to be a clinker for the first few chapters: Phryne starts out totally bitchy and not at all her inwardly snarky, outwardly cool and impassive self, an annoying phrase is repeated so many times I wanted to punch myself, and it was beginning to look like maybe she was going to - gasp! - parody or mock Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series.
When Miss Fisher and her escort, Lin Cheng, show up for one of those weekend-in-the-country house parties, she is a bit testy. Does she know there will be a murder? Are the racial politics of dating a man of Chinese descent getting to her? Hard to tell, but she is uncharacteristically rude, ordering Lin about like a houseboy, and Dot like a well, maid. (Dot is her maid.)
Additionally, she carries on about the execrable decor of her host's home (so gauche!) and the relatively poor quality of both the coffee and champagne on offer. Luckily, all it takes is a couple of rolls in the hay, and not just with Lin, and she is once again her old self.
Just a moment to talk about sex. Anyone who has read any of these books will know that there is no point in slut-shaming Phryne Fisher; she is a modern woman of 1928 with a healthy sex drive and little prudery. I read some reviews in which readers were appalled that she had sex with two guys in one weekend, and found the boathouse scene too disgusting for words.
Sorry, but I disagree. She discusses sleeping with the other fellow with Lin both before and after the event, and he seems cool with it. Who are we to judge? And I thought the boathouse scene was kinda sexy and much more realistic than most. If you like such things to be all shiny clean and rosy-romantic, you probably want to skip that scene however.
I also kept thinking, throughout the early chapters that a good way to end up in the emergency room would be to drink a shot of vodka every time someone said the words, "the river is rising." Seriously. WE GET IT: the river is rising, it is going to cover the road and you will all be stranded at the house party!
Finally, I was so happy to find that the book is indeed an homage to, and not a parody on, the Miss Marple books. Agatha Christie was just coming into her own as a writer in 1928, particularly after her award-winning story, The Murder of Roger Aykroyd. There are people who have been hating on Mrs. Christie since she started being published, but thankfully Kerry Grrenwood is not one of them!
August 24, 2007
URN BURIAL (Private Investigator-Australia-1920s) – G+
Greenwood, Kerry – 7th in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2005- Trade Paperback
Phryne Fisher, her maid, Dorothy, lover, Lin Chung and his man, Li, are headed for a holiday at Cave House in the Austrialian countryside. One the way, they hear a rifleshot and find a hysterical maid who has been molested. Later, Phryne finds the maid dead, but when she returns with help, the body is gone. Phryne discovers each of the houseguests has a secret and the host is receiving threatening letters.
*** This is a delightful book with an equally delightful and capable protagonist. Phryne can fly her own plane, shoot, and ride and take lovers with delight. She's also clever and solves crimes through skill and observation. Greenwood does a wonderful job of creating strong, interesting characters, excellent dialogue and tight plots. She also teaches me something in each book--in this case, it's the geology of caves--without beating me over the head or slowing down the story. There is even a delightful homage to Agatha Christie in this book. While this entry may not be quite as strong as others in the series, it was still very enjoyable.
Greenwood, Kerry – 7th in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2005- Trade Paperback
Phryne Fisher, her maid, Dorothy, lover, Lin Chung and his man, Li, are headed for a holiday at Cave House in the Austrialian countryside. One the way, they hear a rifleshot and find a hysterical maid who has been molested. Later, Phryne finds the maid dead, but when she returns with help, the body is gone. Phryne discovers each of the houseguests has a secret and the host is receiving threatening letters.
*** This is a delightful book with an equally delightful and capable protagonist. Phryne can fly her own plane, shoot, and ride and take lovers with delight. She's also clever and solves crimes through skill and observation. Greenwood does a wonderful job of creating strong, interesting characters, excellent dialogue and tight plots. She also teaches me something in each book--in this case, it's the geology of caves--without beating me over the head or slowing down the story. There is even a delightful homage to Agatha Christie in this book. While this entry may not be quite as strong as others in the series, it was still very enjoyable.
December 30, 2015
Urn Burial by Kerry Greenwood is the 8th book in The Miss Phryne Fisher Mystery series. Phryne is on her way to Cave House in the Victorian country when a shot is heard and they rescue a young maid. On arriving they find that this incident is one of many threats occurring in the house. I loved this book and especially all the Agatha Christie references. The setting of an isolated estate, cut off from help due to flooding was very Agatha Christie like and there was even a Miss Marple like character, Mary Mead. Phryne is accompanied by Lin Chung whom we met in the previous book and the difficulties in their relationship is further explored. Another terrific addition to the series.
March 19, 2018
This one is also reasonable. Like how prejudice is dealt with in this one - well done without being preachy. Lin is also by far the most interesting of Phrynne's love interests (although I suppose the anarchist is reasonably interesting as well).
This is a reasonably good example of a group of people trapped in a house with a murderer. Although, I did laugh more than once because it's genuinely the most incongruous house party in the world. And the sheer amount of motive/material for blackmail flying around was a bit funny.
Oh, also sort of hilarious, was Phrynne becoming annoyed at someone else for committing a social faux pas, given her general mode of operating.
This is a reasonably good example of a group of people trapped in a house with a murderer. Although, I did laugh more than once because it's genuinely the most incongruous house party in the world. And the sheer amount of motive/material for blackmail flying around was a bit funny.
Oh, also sort of hilarious, was Phrynne becoming annoyed at someone else for committing a social faux pas, given her general mode of operating.
October 30, 2019
It was so nice to come back to Phryne! I'm really enjoying this series!
March 18, 2020
Always a fun read
I love Phryne and how she challenges social norms
Exciting and quick
I love Phryne and how she challenges social norms
Exciting and quick
May 16, 2017
This feels more like Agatha Christie than something Miss Fisher would get herself into. This book picks up apparently right after book 7, with Phryne having solved a mystery and wanting a holiday to spend time alone with Lin Chung. She is supposed to be really clever, so it's quite out of character for her to think the best way to enjoy alone time with Lin Chung and relax is to go to someone's weekend house party full of guests who are all strangers. Surely she would just relax in her house doing whatever she wanted rather than waste energy being polite to a house full of strangers in a strange place?
Anyway, the story itself is not that interesting. I think the plot point about someone changing all the urns around to leave a clue is particularly stupid, as even if Miss Fisher knew there was a massive urn somewhere on the property, that isn't really a way to tell her. It is also equally silly that everyone apparently witnessed the murdered carrying his victim and said nothing because they were too worried about their own secrets. Surely one of them would be a decent enough or smart enough human being to realise how dangerous it is to say nothing?
Also there was a character who responds to every little problem with blackmail, seduction, and murder, surely he would be considered a dangerous sociopath, however Miss Fisher never punishes him, gives in to his every request, and sleeps with him to boot? He almost murdered Miss Fisher and possibly could have killed the host for no good reason other than he isn't getting everything he wants. Miss Fisher not only does not punish the person him, she thinks he's fab and rewards him by giving in to every demand he has, sex and money for his lover. Surely she would be angry that he had done something so dangerous and almost murdered someone without thinking about it and without remorse. It made no sense.
It was also pretty strange that Miss Fisher and Lin Chung watch another couple getting it on and go for it themselves at the same time. The sex in these books is getting too weird.
Anyway, the story itself is not that interesting. I think the plot point about someone changing all the urns around to leave a clue is particularly stupid, as even if Miss Fisher knew there was a massive urn somewhere on the property, that isn't really a way to tell her. It is also equally silly that everyone apparently witnessed the murdered carrying his victim and said nothing because they were too worried about their own secrets. Surely one of them would be a decent enough or smart enough human being to realise how dangerous it is to say nothing?
Also there was a character who responds to every little problem with blackmail, seduction, and murder, surely he would be considered a dangerous sociopath, however Miss Fisher never punishes him, gives in to his every request, and sleeps with him to boot? He almost murdered Miss Fisher and possibly could have killed the host for no good reason other than he isn't getting everything he wants. Miss Fisher not only does not punish the person him, she thinks he's fab and rewards him by giving in to every demand he has, sex and money for his lover. Surely she would be angry that he had done something so dangerous and almost murdered someone without thinking about it and without remorse. It made no sense.
It was also pretty strange that Miss Fisher and Lin Chung watch another couple getting it on and go for it themselves at the same time. The sex in these books is getting too weird.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2016
This novel was so tongue in cheek that, for the first part of it, I completely missed that this was written in the style of a Gothic novel. It follows the same rules of the cut off mansion, the lovers (both boys!!), the secrets, the death, the foils and, of course, the explanation of all the twists and turns at the end. Yet also in this book are references to such novels as the Agatha Christie books and subversions to so many of the expectations from before the turn of the 20th century.
It's set near real caves in Victoria that are now, sadly, closed to the public, but was exciting to me because I've never really imagined my country being conducive to old style Gothic novels before.
For the first time, we have Phryne Fisher with a somewhat more constant lover, Lin Chung, who has now appeared in a couple of books in this series. I love that Kerry has decided to linger on this companion for Phryne, because it really opens up ability to reference and commentate on the inherent racism faced by interracial couples, especially when in the higher class!
Sadly, there was no room for Burt and Ces in this novel, although I did appreciate the reference to the two cab drivers, as well as the echo of Ces' refrain, "Too right!" spoken by another character.
Towards the end of this book, we saw Dot pick up what may be the end of her own ability to defend herself and (fingers crossed!!) maybe become kick as in her own right. Interested in how that plays out in the next books.
It's set near real caves in Victoria that are now, sadly, closed to the public, but was exciting to me because I've never really imagined my country being conducive to old style Gothic novels before.
For the first time, we have Phryne Fisher with a somewhat more constant lover, Lin Chung, who has now appeared in a couple of books in this series. I love that Kerry has decided to linger on this companion for Phryne, because it really opens up ability to reference and commentate on the inherent racism faced by interracial couples, especially when in the higher class!
Sadly, there was no room for Burt and Ces in this novel, although I did appreciate the reference to the two cab drivers, as well as the echo of Ces' refrain, "Too right!" spoken by another character.
Towards the end of this book, we saw Dot pick up what may be the end of her own ability to defend herself and (fingers crossed!!) maybe become kick as in her own right. Interested in how that plays out in the next books.
May 22, 2017
A fun reread, again showing Phryne at her most stubbornly permissive, and determined to see others doing the same. A decent portion of this book is dedicated to persuading Lin Chung to sleep with her under his host’s roof, despite said host’s distaste for the Chinese… It’s kind of fun, and I do enjoy Lin Chung as a character. There’s also a sub-plot of a love story between two young men who are hiding their relationship, including a voyeuristic sex scene. Whatever floats your boat… In any case, one of the pair isn’t stereotyped, which is a source of some relief to me after the tendency for the gay men Phryne meets to be rather ineffectual and/or effeminate. And the other of the pair is actually bisexual, which happens rarely enough to be worthy of note. The bond between them, and their acceptance of each other, does feel real.
The actual mystery ends in a rather grotesque fashion, and it takes a bit of chicanery to pull all the plot threads together. There’s two cases of long lost men returning and not being recognised, for example, which might stretch credulity. (But then, it also stretches Phryne’s credulity.)
There’s some great atmospheric bits, but overall, not a favourite of the series.
Originally reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
The actual mystery ends in a rather grotesque fashion, and it takes a bit of chicanery to pull all the plot threads together. There’s two cases of long lost men returning and not being recognised, for example, which might stretch credulity. (But then, it also stretches Phryne’s credulity.)
There’s some great atmospheric bits, but overall, not a favourite of the series.
Originally reviewed for The Bibliophibian.
August 16, 2019
I found this outing with Phryne Fisher to be a lot of fun. I ended up finishing it in a day. There’s a lot of action. Granted there were many characters so that I almost referred to the list of characters in the beginning of the book. I am surprised at the dreary reviews given. I have learned, however, that bad reviews here do not mean I will not like a book. (Sometimes I have wondered if they read the same book I did) I am reading the series and I thought this was one of the better stories. Haha!!
It didn’t bother me that Phryne was ‘out of pocket’ for this one. Her usual household is not on hand for this mystery. I liked how the story opens. It immediately sets a mood of mystery and foreboding, which cast everything in a sinister light. It makes all the little events suspicious.
It didn’t bother me that Phryne was ‘out of pocket’ for this one. Her usual household is not on hand for this mystery. I liked how the story opens. It immediately sets a mood of mystery and foreboding, which cast everything in a sinister light. It makes all the little events suspicious.
June 20, 2014
Another light and pleasant read featuring 1920's lady detective Phryne Fisher. This one had a distinctly Agatha Christie feel to it, with the setting being a big old country house (albeit in Victoria, Australia, not England) with a rapidly rising river that more or less cuts the house off from outside help while a murderer roams around, leaving Phryne to investigate and discover who the murderer is. One of the guests was even called Miss Mary Mead - as Agatha Christie devotees would know, St Mary Mead is the name of the village where her lady detective, Miss Marple, lives - this made me chuckle!
January 20, 2020
Another enjoyable Phryne Fisher mystery, plenty of twists in this one. I really long Lin, Phryne's lover, and hope we continue to see more of him. Though the way she goes through men, I was surprised to see him again in this book. The snobby upper-class people really aren't my sort of people at all and I'm glad Phryne doesn't have much time for them, other than when she is solving mysteries.
August 10, 2025
This was a good one. Pretty much a locked house mystery. Interesting gathering of people and I really enjoyed the trip into the cave.
December 13, 2015
I love the Miss Fisher mystery series, and this is no exception!
In this volume Green wood does a riff on the classic murder mystery house party, intensified by a flooding river cutting off normal access to the outside world. Meanwhile, there's murder, and blackmail, and revenge sought, and all sorts of other secrets.
The plot was nicely intricate, with both things that appeared to be related ending up not being, and things that seemed unrelated twisted up together. Despite all the complications this implies, I am reasonable sure that Greenwood pulled it off, without getting the threads snarled unintentionally.
There were a lot more characters this time, so it was nice to have a listing of them in the front of the book- I did check that a few times when I got confused, since everyone not in Phryne's party was new to me. Her cohort, though, were beautifully drawn and we learned more about all 3 of them. The others were reasonably complex within the limits of their limited roles, though I must say the Big Bad was not so much; he was a weird mixture of savvy and batso nuts. Still, that wasn't completely obvious to me till the end, because there were at least 2 other candidates.
Very enjoyable, especially when one has read a good number of country house-party murder mysteries! Greenwood has some great twists on them here.
Recommended, and I have to discipline myself not to just dive into the next one!
In this volume Green wood does a riff on the classic murder mystery house party, intensified by a flooding river cutting off normal access to the outside world. Meanwhile, there's murder, and blackmail, and revenge sought, and all sorts of other secrets.
The plot was nicely intricate, with both things that appeared to be related ending up not being, and things that seemed unrelated twisted up together. Despite all the complications this implies, I am reasonable sure that Greenwood pulled it off, without getting the threads snarled unintentionally.
There were a lot more characters this time, so it was nice to have a listing of them in the front of the book- I did check that a few times when I got confused, since everyone not in Phryne's party was new to me. Her cohort, though, were beautifully drawn and we learned more about all 3 of them. The others were reasonably complex within the limits of their limited roles, though I must say the Big Bad was not so much; he was a weird mixture of savvy and batso nuts. Still, that wasn't completely obvious to me till the end, because there were at least 2 other candidates.
Very enjoyable, especially when one has read a good number of country house-party murder mysteries! Greenwood has some great twists on them here.
Recommended, and I have to discipline myself not to just dive into the next one!
July 22, 2025
Observations:
I think that in this one Phryne mentions that her father is an Earl, something that would make sense since she is titled "The Honorable." This is also one where Greenwood's desperate need for some sort of file to keep track of her heroine's history and behaviors catches her again. In "The Green Mill Murder," Phryne is afraid of heights, here she adores them. Also, there is a character lifted straight out of Agatha Christie, her name even closely resembles that of the Christie character.
I think that in this one Phryne mentions that her father is an Earl, something that would make sense since she is titled "The Honorable." This is also one where Greenwood's desperate need for some sort of file to keep track of her heroine's history and behaviors catches her again. In "The Green Mill Murder," Phryne is afraid of heights, here she adores them. Also, there is a character lifted straight out of Agatha Christie, her name even closely resembles that of the Christie character.
April 26, 2017
I enjoyed this one. It had a little bit of an Agatha Christie feel to it, but less traditional.
The Phryne Fisher series should come with a warning : If tolerant thinking and liberal morals turn you off, please put this back on the shelf.
As for me, on to the next one. :)
Australia 1928
The Phryne Fisher series should come with a warning : If tolerant thinking and liberal morals turn you off, please put this back on the shelf.
As for me, on to the next one. :)
Australia 1928
September 7, 2018
My least favourite of the books, but still a wonderful read.
October 29, 2018
Phryne Fisher is irresistible, and this installment is a manor house murder—one of my favorite things!
January 20, 2021
Urn Burial (Phryne Fisher, #8) by Kerry Greenwood
Synopsis /
The redoubtable Phryne Fisher is holidaying at Cave House, a Gothic mansion in the heart of Australia's Victorian mountain country. But the peaceful surroundings mask danger. Her host is receiving death threats, lethal traps are set without explanation, and the parlour maid is found strangled to death. What with the reappearance of mysterious funerary urns, a pair of young lovers, an extremely eccentric swagman, an angry outcast heir, and the luscious Lin Chung, Phryne's attention has definitely been caught. Her search for answers takes her deep into the dungeons of the house and into the limestone Buchan caves. But what will she find this time?
My Thoughts /
Urn Burial is book 8 in the Phryne Fisher series.
While this Episode is not particularly remarkable compared to other books of the series, Phryne is still being awesome - not letting anyone get away with prejudices and solving the country house mystery.
What you get in this book:-
a secret door;
a flooded cellar;
a cave tour;
cryptic notes left in the library;
funerary urns appearing in bedrooms;
secret assignations between lovers (of course!!)
a long lost amnesiac boyfriend;
an estranged son; plus,
an ending that reveals the secrets that each of the cast is hiding.
In this Episode, oh so many questions!
Who wrote the notes to Reynolds?
Who sawed through the axle and laid the trap that almost killed Phryne?
Who killed Lina, and why?
Where is her body?
And, most notably, who keeps moving the URNS!!!!!
In this Episode, Phryne rescues a parlourmaid (Miss Lina Wright) who was (nearly) raped and, consequently was scared out of her wits (or whatever wits she originally had). Now, not to put a dampener on the rescue but:- Lina was not going to be able to tell her who had attacked her in the fog. A swollen countenance, blue with suffocation, confronted Phryne’s horrified gaze. Black bruises showed on the throat. Lina was dead. Ummmm, sorry folks Lina’s part in this here soirée ended early.
In the beginning:-
Phryne, Lin Chung (her Chinese lover), along with their ever essential attendants, Dot and (Lin’s bodyguard) Li Pen, attend a house party at Cave House in the Gippsland mountain country.
The Party:-
Its host, Phryne’s good friend Tom Reynolds, is receiving death threats by note, and before Phryne has a change to investigate anything, she falls foul of a trap meant to kill Tom. Queue here the question:- Who sawed through the axle and laid the trip that almost killed Phryne?
The list of house guests include:-
the military bully and his frightened wife;
the mother intent on marrying off her daughter to a rich young man;
the rich young man’s friend,
the doctor;
the novelist;
the spinsters, and;
the Polish poet.
Favourite Characters in this Episode:- Phryne, Lin Chung, Dot (of course!!) and Li Pen.
Another enjoyable outing with Phryne.
Book #8 Favourite Quote:-
Dot took Li Pen to the kitchen and supplied him with hot sweet tea and scones with strawberry jam. She had decided that he needed feeding. And she wanted to ask him if he would teach her how to put on that paralysing armlock. It was a thing any girl in 1928 might need to know.
Synopsis /
The redoubtable Phryne Fisher is holidaying at Cave House, a Gothic mansion in the heart of Australia's Victorian mountain country. But the peaceful surroundings mask danger. Her host is receiving death threats, lethal traps are set without explanation, and the parlour maid is found strangled to death. What with the reappearance of mysterious funerary urns, a pair of young lovers, an extremely eccentric swagman, an angry outcast heir, and the luscious Lin Chung, Phryne's attention has definitely been caught. Her search for answers takes her deep into the dungeons of the house and into the limestone Buchan caves. But what will she find this time?
My Thoughts /
Urn Burial is book 8 in the Phryne Fisher series.
While this Episode is not particularly remarkable compared to other books of the series, Phryne is still being awesome - not letting anyone get away with prejudices and solving the country house mystery.
What you get in this book:-
a secret door;
a flooded cellar;
a cave tour;
cryptic notes left in the library;
funerary urns appearing in bedrooms;
secret assignations between lovers (of course!!)
a long lost amnesiac boyfriend;
an estranged son; plus,
an ending that reveals the secrets that each of the cast is hiding.
In this Episode, oh so many questions!
Who wrote the notes to Reynolds?
Who sawed through the axle and laid the trap that almost killed Phryne?
Who killed Lina, and why?
Where is her body?
And, most notably, who keeps moving the URNS!!!!!
In this Episode, Phryne rescues a parlourmaid (Miss Lina Wright) who was (nearly) raped and, consequently was scared out of her wits (or whatever wits she originally had). Now, not to put a dampener on the rescue but:- Lina was not going to be able to tell her who had attacked her in the fog. A swollen countenance, blue with suffocation, confronted Phryne’s horrified gaze. Black bruises showed on the throat. Lina was dead. Ummmm, sorry folks Lina’s part in this here soirée ended early.
In the beginning:-
Phryne, Lin Chung (her Chinese lover), along with their ever essential attendants, Dot and (Lin’s bodyguard) Li Pen, attend a house party at Cave House in the Gippsland mountain country.
The Party:-
Its host, Phryne’s good friend Tom Reynolds, is receiving death threats by note, and before Phryne has a change to investigate anything, she falls foul of a trap meant to kill Tom. Queue here the question:- Who sawed through the axle and laid the trip that almost killed Phryne?
The list of house guests include:-
the military bully and his frightened wife;
the mother intent on marrying off her daughter to a rich young man;
the rich young man’s friend,
the doctor;
the novelist;
the spinsters, and;
the Polish poet.
Favourite Characters in this Episode:- Phryne, Lin Chung, Dot (of course!!) and Li Pen.
Another enjoyable outing with Phryne.
Book #8 Favourite Quote:-
Dot took Li Pen to the kitchen and supplied him with hot sweet tea and scones with strawberry jam. She had decided that he needed feeding. And she wanted to ask him if he would teach her how to put on that paralysing armlock. It was a thing any girl in 1928 might need to know.
March 26, 2018
Phryne, with her maid Dot and her Chinese lover, visit a remote country house for a getaway--and to help her friend, the owner, with a nasty outbreak of threatening letters. It's an ill-assorted house party, soon trapped in the immediate vicinity by flood-stage waters. Phryne discovers the murdered body of one of the maids, but the body disappears before she can tell the others. And someone seems to be targeting Phryne, even aside from the men the beautiful, sexy detective always attracts. I took one of the usual stars from this series, which I like in general, because the ending seemed a bit weak.
January 10, 2018
always a delightful fun romp with Phryne and Dot/ Greenwood is able to pack in a lot of issues into her short mysteries. A gay couple or maybe more than one. Her Chinese lover and the prejudice of the rich and the domestics. Rape, avarice, love and so many other secrets. But for the me the little old lady crocheting in the corner is named Mary Mead (HAHAHHAAHHHA is that to show devotion to Miss Marple from St Mary Mead) LOVE IT
October 15, 2018
Love all the Phryne mysteries but this one was especially fun for me as it was an homage to Agatha Christie with the cozy setting, locked room mystery, and an old lady spinster character named Miss Mary Mead designed as a shout-out to Miss Marple!
Always action-packed and riveting, this series continues to make for enjoyable reading!
Always action-packed and riveting, this series continues to make for enjoyable reading!
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