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Phryne Fisher #20
Murder and Mendelssohn
To the accompaniment of heavenly choirs singing, the fearless Miss Phryne Fisher returns in her 20th adventure with musical score in hand.
An orchestral conductor has been found dead and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson needs the delightfully incisive and sophisticated Miss Fisher’s assistance to enter a world in which he is truly lost. Hugh Tregennis, not much liked by anyone, has been murdered in a most flamboyant mode by a killer with a point to prove. But how many killers is Phryne really stalking?
At the same time, the dark curls, disdainful air and the lavender eyes of mathematician and code-breaker Rupert Sheffield are taking Melbourne by storm. They’ve certainly taken the heart of Phryne’s old friend from the trenches of WWI, John Wilson. Phryne recognizes Sheffield as a man who attracts danger and is determined to protect John from harm.
Even with the faithful Dot, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, and all in her household ready to pull their weight, Phryne’s task is complex. While Mendelssohn’s Elijah, memories of the Great War, and the science of deduction ring in her head, Phryne’s past must also play its part as MI6 become involved in the tangled web of murders.
An orchestral conductor has been found dead and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson needs the delightfully incisive and sophisticated Miss Fisher’s assistance to enter a world in which he is truly lost. Hugh Tregennis, not much liked by anyone, has been murdered in a most flamboyant mode by a killer with a point to prove. But how many killers is Phryne really stalking?
At the same time, the dark curls, disdainful air and the lavender eyes of mathematician and code-breaker Rupert Sheffield are taking Melbourne by storm. They’ve certainly taken the heart of Phryne’s old friend from the trenches of WWI, John Wilson. Phryne recognizes Sheffield as a man who attracts danger and is determined to protect John from harm.
Even with the faithful Dot, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, and all in her household ready to pull their weight, Phryne’s task is complex. While Mendelssohn’s Elijah, memories of the Great War, and the science of deduction ring in her head, Phryne’s past must also play its part as MI6 become involved in the tangled web of murders.
365 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
403 people are currently reading
2717 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Greenwood
86 books2,542 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 562 reviews
January 14, 2014
I first discovered Phryne Fisher in 2006 and became a fan instantly. There was only one glitch along the way - Queen of the Flower Fairies - which I thought was a bit unlikely. The last two novels I enjoyed immensely,so was thrilled to see a new Phryne out for Christmas 2013. But it took me three goes to actually read this one. Sadly it's been a disappointment, and for several good reasons. Firstly, I was confused by Greenwood introducing the idea that Phryne had taken the young gay man, John Wilson, as her lover when driving an ambulance during WWI. The plot of Murder in Montparnasse relies heavily on her post-war first love, Rene Dubois, betraying her. Greenwood describes the seduction quite vividly, making Phryne's virginity up until this point very clear. Secondly, Phryne seems to be stuck permanently in 1929 at the age of 29, despite the sheer volume of cases she has tackled. Thirdly, none of the characters seemed to exhibit their usual (and often peculiar) charm. Even Phryne. Her knowledge, experience and skills have reached such levels as to challenge what had once been a very willing suspension of disbelief. She has become almost a parody of herself. For a brief moment there was the possibility of something wonderful at the introduction of Compton Mackenzie,but the potential was not exploited. I have been willing throughout the series to believe a great many unlikely coincidences, and marvel at Ms Greenwood's creation. This novel lost me. Alas.
March 29, 2019
The murder of a particularly odious conductor, the request from DI Jack Robinson for Phryne’s help, and the delightfully astounding sight of her old friend John Wilson – now Doctor John Wilson – was pumping Miss Phryne Fisher’s pulse. And she could feel a mystery – maybe several - coming on…
With her family at her back – Mr and Mrs Butler, Dot, Jane, Ruth and Tinker, along with Molly and Ember – Phryne attacked the latest atrocities with fervor. The added need to protect John Wilson from someone trying to harm the scientist, Rupert Sheffield and her quota was full. It was her connections from the war days with codes, stealth and deductions which ramped up the danger. And of course, wharfies Cec and Bert assisted in every way they could. The rescuing of a young woman from a notorious pub; causing a rival war between two gangs; and joining the choir which was performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah were all in a day’s work for the illustrious Phryne.
Murder and Mendelssohn is the 20th in the Phryne Fisher series by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Light-hearted, fun and entertaining, this series always makes me smile. Highly recommended.
With her family at her back – Mr and Mrs Butler, Dot, Jane, Ruth and Tinker, along with Molly and Ember – Phryne attacked the latest atrocities with fervor. The added need to protect John Wilson from someone trying to harm the scientist, Rupert Sheffield and her quota was full. It was her connections from the war days with codes, stealth and deductions which ramped up the danger. And of course, wharfies Cec and Bert assisted in every way they could. The rescuing of a young woman from a notorious pub; causing a rival war between two gangs; and joining the choir which was performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah were all in a day’s work for the illustrious Phryne.
Murder and Mendelssohn is the 20th in the Phryne Fisher series by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Light-hearted, fun and entertaining, this series always makes me smile. Highly recommended.
October 4, 2014
I was disappointed by this installment. I found the author had an agenda to get out and that was the focus of the book rather than the entertaining, and interesting murder mystery/attempted murder. I thought the murder was at best a fourth subplot, far behind others. And maybe it's just me, but I have noticed a trend in historical fiction to ascribe historically inaccurate beliefs and ideals to many characters. I have no problems with historical fiction, but for an allegedly well-researched author it is a bit disappointing for her to resort to anachronisms to further her own personal agenda.
I can't even say this was a fun adventure, as the adventure was far, far down on the plot and relegated to just a few pages. If you are tempted to skip this installment, go with that feeling. It's not really worth the time.
I can't even say this was a fun adventure, as the adventure was far, far down on the plot and relegated to just a few pages. If you are tempted to skip this installment, go with that feeling. It's not really worth the time.
September 24, 2014
Ahh! Another new (to me) mystery series that I can now luxuriate in. It is perhaps silly to start with the 20th installment in a series but when I saw this book offered by NetGalley I did request it. Somehow, I became distracted by my other reading and only got to the book this week but made up for that by ploughing through and enjoying Phryne Fisher and her tart observations on life and love.
There is much to enjoy here. While the primary mystery itself may be somewhat "light", the murder of an orchestra's conductor (and in fact I made a wild stab that proved correct), the various steps to its solution are interesting and the secondary plot involving a long-time friend of Phryne from WWI was quite involving. And the social picture of Australia in the late 1920s is an education.
As I am busy with reading both fiction and non-fiction related to World War One because of the Centenary, I also found the references to that War of added interest as they tied in with so much I have been experiencing elsewhere. Obviously the author has done her homework. There were some excellent tie-in mentions.
"Suit's yer," said Bert, holding out a hand without
looking for another beer. Cec put one into his grip. They
really had the most remarkable partnership. She was pretty
sure they could read each other's minds. Meeting on the
hot cliffs of Gallipoli had that effect....
Phryne swallowed down a sob. The Great War never really
went away, however much she tried to forget it. She hoped
that she was better at strategy, in this little tiny war,
than General Haig had been in his great big one. Then she
snorted. The veriest schoolchild would be better at
strategy than General Haig. (loc 3307)
There are numerous wonderful, sassy comments throughout the book to enjoy with the story. So there is murder, sex, a bit of spying of a sort, the world of crime, and, in this episode, lots of music.
Now I will have to read the first book and then the other eighteen.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
There is much to enjoy here. While the primary mystery itself may be somewhat "light", the murder of an orchestra's conductor (and in fact I made a wild stab that proved correct), the various steps to its solution are interesting and the secondary plot involving a long-time friend of Phryne from WWI was quite involving. And the social picture of Australia in the late 1920s is an education.
As I am busy with reading both fiction and non-fiction related to World War One because of the Centenary, I also found the references to that War of added interest as they tied in with so much I have been experiencing elsewhere. Obviously the author has done her homework. There were some excellent tie-in mentions.
"Suit's yer," said Bert, holding out a hand without
looking for another beer. Cec put one into his grip. They
really had the most remarkable partnership. She was pretty
sure they could read each other's minds. Meeting on the
hot cliffs of Gallipoli had that effect....
Phryne swallowed down a sob. The Great War never really
went away, however much she tried to forget it. She hoped
that she was better at strategy, in this little tiny war,
than General Haig had been in his great big one. Then she
snorted. The veriest schoolchild would be better at
strategy than General Haig. (loc 3307)
There are numerous wonderful, sassy comments throughout the book to enjoy with the story. So there is murder, sex, a bit of spying of a sort, the world of crime, and, in this episode, lots of music.
Now I will have to read the first book and then the other eighteen.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
January 5, 2022
Freshly edited review (2018):
As I have said before, Ms Greenwood's books are uneven in quality. Some are great fun, others not so much. This, the latest in the Fisher saga, could have been so much more fun than it was. It was almost as if two completely different books had been cut together--or two completely different authors had been working together. Verdict: one and a half stars.
The mystery part was good--who's killing off obnoxious choir directors and why? It's only a minor, non-professional choir putting on Mendelssohn's Elijah, not that big of a deal. Granted, the corpses are the kind of people of whom it might have been said in my old hometown, "He needed killin'." Suspects abound, but clues are somewhat lacking. Phryne inserts herself in the chorus--she can, after all, do everything except sew, and possibly cook--and proceeds to watch the interactions. So far so good. I've been a member of a few choirs in my day, and this part is spot-on. However, it's odd that we are told in this volume that Phryne has sung in several choirs as a soprano, while in other installments she admits to Lin Chung and others that she "can't sing." Which is it?
The other thread brings back Phryne's past as an ambulance driver/intelligence operative in France, and a young man she ravished there. And this is where the trouble started, for me. First of all, Greenwood merrily ignores the tale she told of Phryne's French experiences in previous books, particularly in Murder in Montparnasse, published a good ten years before this one. One "detail" was vital--she supposedly never lost her virginity until after the war!! While here, she is already sexually active during the combat! Second, the old meme appears that a confirmed gay person can really enjoy hetero sex if they find the right partner. And yet about half the book seems to be an apologia for male homosexuality! Make up your mind, Greenwood. Phryne's facile "exegesis" while she feels the young man up in his bath is eyerollingly bad. Far too much space is given to detailed descriptions of various types of sexual encounters--I found myself skimming and clicking my tongue with impatience. I also found myself putting the book aside and reading other things, instead of my usual "devour it in one sitting" for Phryne's adventures. Yes, I have read erotica before. No, I am not easily shocked. But this isn't particularly well-written erotica, and most of it--and certainly the amount of detail give to all of it--serves no purpose in the text. The majority of those passages felt edited-in, and clunky erotica is worse than none.
What is missing throughout the book is the sparkle, the humour, the lightness of touch which is why we read the Fisher novels. If Greenwood had given the "I-spy" angle more play and cut out the clunky extras, the result would have been much more readable. I wish we had a title for the song about the hedgehog; or at least a recipe or two. Just so you know--"farewell" and "souvenir" are both nouns. Ms Greenwood really should brush up on her parts of speech, she seems to think they're verbs. Repeatedly.
Is Greenwood running short of inspiration? Are Phryne's twenties about to stop roaring? I wonder. Another light, frothy Phryne novel would be delicious, but if this is a sign of things to come, it's time to call it a day. Unfortunately this is another installment that I must remember not to read again.
As I have said before, Ms Greenwood's books are uneven in quality. Some are great fun, others not so much. This, the latest in the Fisher saga, could have been so much more fun than it was. It was almost as if two completely different books had been cut together--or two completely different authors had been working together. Verdict: one and a half stars.
The mystery part was good--who's killing off obnoxious choir directors and why? It's only a minor, non-professional choir putting on Mendelssohn's Elijah, not that big of a deal. Granted, the corpses are the kind of people of whom it might have been said in my old hometown, "He needed killin'." Suspects abound, but clues are somewhat lacking. Phryne inserts herself in the chorus--she can, after all, do everything except sew, and possibly cook--and proceeds to watch the interactions. So far so good. I've been a member of a few choirs in my day, and this part is spot-on. However, it's odd that we are told in this volume that Phryne has sung in several choirs as a soprano, while in other installments she admits to Lin Chung and others that she "can't sing." Which is it?
The other thread brings back Phryne's past as an ambulance driver/intelligence operative in France, and a young man she ravished there. And this is where the trouble started, for me. First of all, Greenwood merrily ignores the tale she told of Phryne's French experiences in previous books, particularly in Murder in Montparnasse, published a good ten years before this one. One "detail" was vital--she supposedly never lost her virginity until after the war!! While here, she is already sexually active during the combat! Second, the old meme appears that a confirmed gay person can really enjoy hetero sex if they find the right partner. And yet about half the book seems to be an apologia for male homosexuality! Make up your mind, Greenwood. Phryne's facile "exegesis" while she feels the young man up in his bath is eyerollingly bad. Far too much space is given to detailed descriptions of various types of sexual encounters--I found myself skimming and clicking my tongue with impatience. I also found myself putting the book aside and reading other things, instead of my usual "devour it in one sitting" for Phryne's adventures. Yes, I have read erotica before. No, I am not easily shocked. But this isn't particularly well-written erotica, and most of it--and certainly the amount of detail give to all of it--serves no purpose in the text. The majority of those passages felt edited-in, and clunky erotica is worse than none.
What is missing throughout the book is the sparkle, the humour, the lightness of touch which is why we read the Fisher novels. If Greenwood had given the "I-spy" angle more play and cut out the clunky extras, the result would have been much more readable. I wish we had a title for the song about the hedgehog; or at least a recipe or two. Just so you know--"farewell" and "souvenir" are both nouns. Ms Greenwood really should brush up on her parts of speech, she seems to think they're verbs. Repeatedly.
Is Greenwood running short of inspiration? Are Phryne's twenties about to stop roaring? I wonder. Another light, frothy Phryne novel would be delicious, but if this is a sign of things to come, it's time to call it a day. Unfortunately this is another installment that I must remember not to read again.
June 8, 2014
I do indeed love Miss Fisher, but there is one very disturbing element that is becoming more prevalent in the last three books-the disappearance of Lin Chung. A bare mention in Dead Man's Chest, a few pages in Unnatural Habits, and here again, a bare mention. I don't like the tv series as I feel the actress is a little too old (you can see the fine lines on her face in strong light), there is no Mrs. Butler and no Ruth. But the biggest reason I don't like the tv series is the romance between Phryne and Jack, which leaves Lin Chung out. It seems her books are starting to go this way, and I sincerely hope not. Phryne's relationship with Lin is one of the most fascinating story lines about her; it's different for the era, where a romance with Jack is just....ordinary.
August 27, 2018
i was going to give this book two or maybe three stars until i came upon this comment in the afterward: "i saw half of one episode of elementary, where sherlock is in america and his watson is a woman, and it's silly. the bbc sherlock possesses the imagination." no. just no. if any adaption of sherlock holmes is silly, it's this one. it's just embarrassing.
July 7, 2014
Even more implausible than the norm for this series but a fun read.
Plus: The choir and its personal drama was funny and seemed realistically like what I hear from choir friends.
Minus: I Have a peev about fiction (especially historical, but modern as well) where the author makes all the good characters have the "right" PC attitudes and all the bad characters are sexist homophobe bigots.
I didn't get why John was so in love with Rupert. Just for his looks? I mean, yeah, I guess some people are that shallow but then why should I care? The scene where Phryne gets them together seemed totally contrived. I didn't get the attraction of Matthew, either.
It did amuse me that in the end even though that sort of solution is, imho, a cop-out.
Plus: The choir and its personal drama was funny and seemed realistically like what I hear from choir friends.
Minus: I Have a peev about fiction (especially historical, but modern as well) where the author makes all the good characters have the "right" PC attitudes and all the bad characters are sexist homophobe bigots.
I didn't get why John was so in love with Rupert. Just for his looks? I mean, yeah, I guess some people are that shallow but then why should I care? The scene where Phryne gets them together seemed totally contrived. I didn't get the attraction of Matthew, either.
It did amuse me that in the end even though that sort of solution is, imho, a cop-out.
January 2, 2016
“Phryne stayed where she was, watching. Robinson admired the way she did not seem to watch; inspecting her nails, running a finger up her calf as thought to check for a run in her stocking, fussing with her hair. She looked perfectly harmless, unless you caught her eye, in which case you felt that you were stripped down to component molecules, weighed in the balance, and found wanting.”
Murder and Mendelssohn is the twentieth book in the popular Phryne Fisher series by Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. Summer, 1929, and DI Jack Robinson has come to the Hon Miss Phryne Fisher to request her unique brand of input in the case of a murdered conductor, one Hedley Tregennis. She goes with him to the Scots Church Assembly Hall to interview the members of the Melbourne Harmonic Choir, who had been rehearsing Mendelssohn’s Elijah, conducted by Tregennis. The state of the corpse indicated an angry murderer, or perhaps even two. Tregennis was not well liked, and the list of possible suspects is not short.
While at the Hall, Phryne runs into a lover from her wartime stint in the Somme: Dr John Wilson did his best to patch up victims that Phryne brought from the front in her ambulance. Now he is in Melbourne faithfully attending Rupert Sheffield, an ex-MI6 agent giving lectures on the Science of Detection. Sheffield has been the target of a murder attempt, but is sceptical of the danger: Wilson begs Phryne to establish the source of the threat.
In this instalment, Phryne again employs her minions (Jane, Ruth and Tinker), her wharfie friends, Bert and Cec, her medical friend, Dr MacMillan, her companion, Dot, and her household staff, Mr and Mrs Butler, to the best advantage. To solve her intriguing cases, Phryne joins the choir, rescues a publican’s daughter, precipitates a battle between rival criminal gangs, commissions a forgery, and is shot through her hat (drat, it was a favourite, too).
The story features a mathematician/code-breaker, an ex-gunrunner, a forger, a pianist and quite a lot of singers, an inventive poisoning and an attempted drowning. For choral enthusiasts, the (perhaps just a bit too) plentiful references to songs, music and conducting will be appealing. Certainly, this would make an excellent TV episode and perhaps Greenwood wrote it with Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries in mind. Nonetheless, an excellent read. 4.5 ★s
Murder and Mendelssohn is the twentieth book in the popular Phryne Fisher series by Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. Summer, 1929, and DI Jack Robinson has come to the Hon Miss Phryne Fisher to request her unique brand of input in the case of a murdered conductor, one Hedley Tregennis. She goes with him to the Scots Church Assembly Hall to interview the members of the Melbourne Harmonic Choir, who had been rehearsing Mendelssohn’s Elijah, conducted by Tregennis. The state of the corpse indicated an angry murderer, or perhaps even two. Tregennis was not well liked, and the list of possible suspects is not short.
While at the Hall, Phryne runs into a lover from her wartime stint in the Somme: Dr John Wilson did his best to patch up victims that Phryne brought from the front in her ambulance. Now he is in Melbourne faithfully attending Rupert Sheffield, an ex-MI6 agent giving lectures on the Science of Detection. Sheffield has been the target of a murder attempt, but is sceptical of the danger: Wilson begs Phryne to establish the source of the threat.
In this instalment, Phryne again employs her minions (Jane, Ruth and Tinker), her wharfie friends, Bert and Cec, her medical friend, Dr MacMillan, her companion, Dot, and her household staff, Mr and Mrs Butler, to the best advantage. To solve her intriguing cases, Phryne joins the choir, rescues a publican’s daughter, precipitates a battle between rival criminal gangs, commissions a forgery, and is shot through her hat (drat, it was a favourite, too).
The story features a mathematician/code-breaker, an ex-gunrunner, a forger, a pianist and quite a lot of singers, an inventive poisoning and an attempted drowning. For choral enthusiasts, the (perhaps just a bit too) plentiful references to songs, music and conducting will be appealing. Certainly, this would make an excellent TV episode and perhaps Greenwood wrote it with Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries in mind. Nonetheless, an excellent read. 4.5 ★s
August 12, 2016
The last Phryne book so far! Not quite sure what I’ll do without her; in fact, I’m vastly tempted to just pick up Cocaine Blues and begin again, the same way I do with Dorothy L. Sayers’ Lord Peter books, sometimes. Murder and Mendelssohn is a strong entry in the series because of the side characters, who no doubt most readers will recognise — the war-damaged John Wilson, and the genius investigator Rupert Sheffield.
They very much follow the BBC Sherlock interpretation of the characters, and if you know anything about the fan community surrounding that show, you can guess what Greenwood does with them. It’s a little weird at times because it feels downright voyeuristic, but of course Phryne plays Cupid and makes Sheffield realise that, in fact, he can’t live without Wilson and that — though he never realised it — he’s attracted to him, and even possessive of him. There is a very… weird scene involving Phryne and Sheffield, and really that whole side plot might not attract readers who aren’t so interested in queer love stories, but I think Phryne’s tenderness for her former lover was compelling, and their shared memories of the war likewise.
The main mystery was not so compelling, relying on Phryne’s sparkle; as usual, Greenwood’s Australia, or at least Phryne’s circle there, are full of queer people, unexpected people, big characters… and small petty killers, too, of course. I figured out the murder method very quickly — I’m trying to think if I read a similar plot somewhere else, or something like that. To me it was just way too obvious, somehow.
I’m very sad to leave Phryne behind, all the same: the mysteries might not always have enchanted, but Phryne and her found family certainly did. I’ll be first in line if there’s ever another book in the offing.
Originally posted here.
They very much follow the BBC Sherlock interpretation of the characters, and if you know anything about the fan community surrounding that show, you can guess what Greenwood does with them. It’s a little weird at times because it feels downright voyeuristic, but of course Phryne plays Cupid and makes Sheffield realise that, in fact, he can’t live without Wilson and that — though he never realised it — he’s attracted to him, and even possessive of him. There is a very… weird scene involving Phryne and Sheffield, and really that whole side plot might not attract readers who aren’t so interested in queer love stories, but I think Phryne’s tenderness for her former lover was compelling, and their shared memories of the war likewise.
The main mystery was not so compelling, relying on Phryne’s sparkle; as usual, Greenwood’s Australia, or at least Phryne’s circle there, are full of queer people, unexpected people, big characters… and small petty killers, too, of course. I figured out the murder method very quickly — I’m trying to think if I read a similar plot somewhere else, or something like that. To me it was just way too obvious, somehow.
I’m very sad to leave Phryne behind, all the same: the mysteries might not always have enchanted, but Phryne and her found family certainly did. I’ll be first in line if there’s ever another book in the offing.
Originally posted here.
December 31, 2017
And there she goes. The last book of the serial. And I'm really sorry to see her go. Miss Fisher reveals some new talents, meets some old friends, and reveals an old murderer. Farewell, princess, you'll be sorely missed. :'(
December 26, 2017
Fans of the fabulous Phryne Fisher have reasons to rejoice — and to mourn.
They should rejoice because so many of the Honorable Phryne Fisher’s entourage — the Butlers, her adopted daughters Ruth and Jane; her loyal maid and friend, Dot Williams; Inspector “Call Me Jack — Everyone Else Does” Robinson, “red-raggers” Cec and Bert, Phryne’s sister Eliza and the worldly wise Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan — figure in a most cleverly plotted novel featuring not one but three mysteries. Phryne is drawn into the world of the Melbourne Harmonic Choir and Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah through the murder of the choir’s loathsome director.
As always, author Kerry Greenwood subtly wove in early Australian history with a suspenseful story: I learned so much about amateur opera singing and about espionage during the Great War. And Greenwood introduces us to several new characters whom I hope to revisit in future novels. I couldn’t stop devouring Murder and Mendelssohn!
And, speaking of future novels, now to the sad part: Murder and Mendelssohn, No. 20 in the series, was released in 2013. Four years later, and there is still no 21st novel! Why not? Kerry Greenwood, please know that new Phryne Fisher novels are as essential as a steady supply of “considering cocktails” to Phryne herself. And that’s saying a lot!
They should rejoice because so many of the Honorable Phryne Fisher’s entourage — the Butlers, her adopted daughters Ruth and Jane; her loyal maid and friend, Dot Williams; Inspector “Call Me Jack — Everyone Else Does” Robinson, “red-raggers” Cec and Bert, Phryne’s sister Eliza and the worldly wise Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan — figure in a most cleverly plotted novel featuring not one but three mysteries. Phryne is drawn into the world of the Melbourne Harmonic Choir and Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah through the murder of the choir’s loathsome director.
As always, author Kerry Greenwood subtly wove in early Australian history with a suspenseful story: I learned so much about amateur opera singing and about espionage during the Great War. And Greenwood introduces us to several new characters whom I hope to revisit in future novels. I couldn’t stop devouring Murder and Mendelssohn!
And, speaking of future novels, now to the sad part: Murder and Mendelssohn, No. 20 in the series, was released in 2013. Four years later, and there is still no 21st novel! Why not? Kerry Greenwood, please know that new Phryne Fisher novels are as essential as a steady supply of “considering cocktails” to Phryne herself. And that’s saying a lot!
February 12, 2015
I've just returned from a short trip back to my home of Australia to visit friends and family. In my former life there I worked for the National Trust and so my parents and my best friend were terribly excited to show me a popular Australian television series named 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries' which was filmed almost entirely on and in National Trust properties. I quite enjoyed it. It was enjoyable, it was a wonderfully filmed representation of 1930's Melbourne, and the characters were fun, if somewhat two dimensional.
I couldn't have been more disappointed when I decided to pick up a real Miss Fisher murder mystery. The titular protagonist, Phryne Fisher is the most unlikeable character to ever grace the page. She is vain, vapid, thinks far too highly of herself and seems more pre-occupied with which man she'll take home with her than with anything else.
The novel starts with the brutal murder of a choir conductor and then descends in to constant reminders of how much she loves champagne, a list of what she had for breakfast, and indeed every other meal for that matter, who she has, will or would like to sleep with, and a little bit of crime solving thrown in for good measure. But barely any.
The main crime is woefully underdeveloped, and Greenwood instead focuses on the relationship between Phryne's friend John and the object of his affection. It is true that someone is trying to kill the object of his affection, however it was a completely separate crime with nothing to tie it to the death of the choral master. Usually when we have two disparate crimes they come together, but in this case, so much had been given over to the relationship between the two men that it was almost as if Greenwood had forgotten that she had the actual murder to solve, and it was over and solved in a number of pages toward the end in a neat little package.
Maybe some of the other Phryne Fisher novels are better, but I didn't care enough for this one to read them and find out. I'll stick to the television show, and believe me, I feel dirty just even saying that.
I couldn't have been more disappointed when I decided to pick up a real Miss Fisher murder mystery. The titular protagonist, Phryne Fisher is the most unlikeable character to ever grace the page. She is vain, vapid, thinks far too highly of herself and seems more pre-occupied with which man she'll take home with her than with anything else.
The novel starts with the brutal murder of a choir conductor and then descends in to constant reminders of how much she loves champagne, a list of what she had for breakfast, and indeed every other meal for that matter, who she has, will or would like to sleep with, and a little bit of crime solving thrown in for good measure. But barely any.
The main crime is woefully underdeveloped, and Greenwood instead focuses on the relationship between Phryne's friend John and the object of his affection. It is true that someone is trying to kill the object of his affection, however it was a completely separate crime with nothing to tie it to the death of the choral master. Usually when we have two disparate crimes they come together, but in this case, so much had been given over to the relationship between the two men that it was almost as if Greenwood had forgotten that she had the actual murder to solve, and it was over and solved in a number of pages toward the end in a neat little package.
Maybe some of the other Phryne Fisher novels are better, but I didn't care enough for this one to read them and find out. I'll stick to the television show, and believe me, I feel dirty just even saying that.
September 15, 2014
Okay, I probably will read more books in this series, but as first novels (for the reader) go, this was a pretty bad start.
First of all, I found the "Honourable" Miss Fisher to be a caricature of the female investigator and therefore found it impossible to warm to her. For one thing, I found her seduction of her 'invert' friend John deplorable and the notion that somehow her feminine charms are enough to successfully seduce him laughable.
Next, the mysteries. There are two in "Murder and Mendelssohn", one an urban attempted-murder mystery set in the shady parts of Melbourne, the other a cosy murder mystery set within a choral group. Due to the multiple crimes, the novel never really seems to understand which generic line to walk and most of the time Miss Fisher seems more intent on drinking another glass of alcohol than solving the mysteries.
Now, the alcohol. There is an alcoholic in the work (Szabo) and Miss Fisher spends a lot of time judging this man while asking the nearest passerby to bring her another glass of gin/brandy/whisky/wine/champagne. Indeed, it was a rare page where she didn't have her hand wrapped around a glass of gin/brandy/whisky/wine/champagne and even rarer when she refused one (as in, it didn't happen). Now, it's not her apparent lushness that ground my gears, it was what she did with it.
No, what annoys me about this lies in the way the "Honourable" Miss Fisher handles her drink. And she handles it badly, for what woman in control of her faculties would deem it acceptable to knowingly send her adopted children into a possibly (and actually) dangerous situation featuring men armed with shotguns and attitude? Only a woman who views her charges as soldiers rather than children. For this reason I believe Jack Robinson should remove the children, send Phryne into AA and arrest the Butlers and Dot for enabling her dangerous addiction.
Yes, it was readable enough, but I found these annoyances tiresome and aggravating.
First of all, I found the "Honourable" Miss Fisher to be a caricature of the female investigator and therefore found it impossible to warm to her. For one thing, I found her seduction of her 'invert' friend John deplorable and the notion that somehow her feminine charms are enough to successfully seduce him laughable.
Next, the mysteries. There are two in "Murder and Mendelssohn", one an urban attempted-murder mystery set in the shady parts of Melbourne, the other a cosy murder mystery set within a choral group. Due to the multiple crimes, the novel never really seems to understand which generic line to walk and most of the time Miss Fisher seems more intent on drinking another glass of alcohol than solving the mysteries.
Now, the alcohol. There is an alcoholic in the work (Szabo) and Miss Fisher spends a lot of time judging this man while asking the nearest passerby to bring her another glass of gin/brandy/whisky/wine/champagne. Indeed, it was a rare page where she didn't have her hand wrapped around a glass of gin/brandy/whisky/wine/champagne and even rarer when she refused one (as in, it didn't happen). Now, it's not her apparent lushness that ground my gears, it was what she did with it.
No, what annoys me about this lies in the way the "Honourable" Miss Fisher handles her drink. And she handles it badly, for what woman in control of her faculties would deem it acceptable to knowingly send her adopted children into a possibly (and actually) dangerous situation featuring men armed with shotguns and attitude? Only a woman who views her charges as soldiers rather than children. For this reason I believe Jack Robinson should remove the children, send Phryne into AA and arrest the Butlers and Dot for enabling her dangerous addiction.
Yes, it was readable enough, but I found these annoyances tiresome and aggravating.
September 3, 2016
I have loved all the Phryne Fisher books so far, but this one was a great disappointment. There was very little plot and it felt as though the whole thing had been flung together in a big hurry, with very little effort or thought. Bits and pieces of previous books were stirred together, and instead of being fresh and entertaining, these famililar elements came across as tired and annoying cliches. My feeling is that the success of the "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries", the television series based on Kerry Greenwood's books, has gone to her head, and she no longer thinks that she has to make much effort. Or perhaps her publisher pressured her to bring out a new book too quickly and without meaningful editorial input. Whatever the reason, this book, in my opinion, is hardly worth reading. If you already love this series, you will probably have to read it, just to know what happens. But if you are not a committed fan, don't bother!
October 30, 2013
The 20th Phryne Fisher book so far and it was actually one of the best! I loved all the detail about Phryne's family and the bedroom scene towards the end was one of the strangest I have ever read. I have been watching the TV series and had to make a mental adjustment to the different approach to the character of Jack Robinson. He does not feature as a love interest for Phryne in the novels. I was sad to finish the book because I now have to wait another year for the next one. Please Kerry Greenwood keep writing them.
September 25, 2014
Oh my poor Phyrne. Despite what your creator thinks, you and your household CAN do wrong. Confusing and bizarre.
Time to get your own series, Bert and Cec.
Time to get your own series, Bert and Cec.
April 15, 2020
Murder and Mendelssohn by Kerry Greenwood is the 20th book in the Phrynne Fisher Mystery series. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson asks for Miss Fisher's help when an orchestral conductor is murdered and Mendelssohn's Elijah music score is stuffed in his mouth. An interesting book where we learn a little about Phrynne's past and war service but the secondary mystery where she helpsout an old war friend's love life seems to take preference to solving the murder. Not my favourite from the series, but still enjoyable and fun.
June 19, 2020
*sigh*
These books are generally quick and entertaining reads. Murder and Mendelssohn, however, has an obvious agenda that overshadows the usual elements that make this series fun--the Fisher household, their family and friends, a lighthearted murder mystery or two. Plus Phryne is beginning to be a little much. That "Mary Poppins" aspect of her character (i.e. practically perfect in every way!) seems to grow with each installment. I suppose it annoyed me more this time because I enjoyed the book less than usual.
These books are generally quick and entertaining reads. Murder and Mendelssohn, however, has an obvious agenda that overshadows the usual elements that make this series fun--the Fisher household, their family and friends, a lighthearted murder mystery or two. Plus Phryne is beginning to be a little much. That "Mary Poppins" aspect of her character (i.e. practically perfect in every way!) seems to grow with each installment. I suppose it annoyed me more this time because I enjoyed the book less than usual.
April 11, 2019
It had been a number of years since I read and enjoyed Phryne Fisher and her need to meddle in crime. Of course I have seen a number of the televised shows that followed. This book I noticed last weekend at the library, knowing it was one I had not read and toted it home.
Like, really? It is pretty much a load of nonsense with a whole lot of bedroom acrobatics with the femme fatale leading two men into congress, shall we call it? Outrageous stuff and I'm sorry I have to tote it back next to better books in my poor backpack. Of course there must be those who like reading this kind of thing.
Like, really? It is pretty much a load of nonsense with a whole lot of bedroom acrobatics with the femme fatale leading two men into congress, shall we call it? Outrageous stuff and I'm sorry I have to tote it back next to better books in my poor backpack. Of course there must be those who like reading this kind of thing.
April 11, 2017
Awful! Too long, tries to be clever but fails and awful sex scenes
May 13, 2021
Murder and Mendelssohn (Phryne Fisher, #20) by Kerry Greenwood
Synopsis /
To the accompaniment of heavenly choirs singing, the fearless Miss Phryne Fisher returns in her 20th adventure with musical score in hand.
An orchestral conductor has been found dead and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson needs the delightfully incisive and sophisticated Miss Fisher’s assistance to enter a world in which he is truly lost. Hugh Tregennis, not much liked by anyone, has been murdered in a most flamboyant mode by a killer with a point to prove. But how many killers is Phryne really stalking?
At the same time, the dark curls, disdainful air and the lavender eyes of mathematician and code-breaker Rupert Sheffield are taking Melbourne by storm. They’ve certainly taken the heart of Phryne’s old friend from the trenches of WWI, John Wilson. Phryne recognizes Sheffield as a man who attracts danger and is determined to protect John from harm.
Even with the faithful Dot, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, and all in her household ready to pull their weight, Phryne’s task is complex. While Mendelssohn’s Elijah, memories of the Great War, and the science of deduction ring in her head, Phryne’s past must also play its part as MI6 become involved in the tangled web of murders.
My Thoughts /
Murder and Mendelssohn is book #20 in the Phryne Fisher series.
Elation turned to puzzlement as I read. This is book #20. You would have thought you’d have the storyline thoroughly practised, rehearsed, understood and, well – mastered by now. However, I find that Ms Greenwood’s books are so hit and miss. Some are great fun to read and others, well…..meh.
This latest Fisher saga, could have been so much more fun. Pleasant as it was, it took a while for Phryne to get around to solving the murders. The book got way too bogged down with the choir's rehearsals for their concert (Mendelssohn's Elijah) and the subsequent after-parties (which happened after every rehearsal!) without a lot of progress being made. Also, favourite side characters - Dot, Inspector Robinson, Cec and Bert - didn't feature as much as usual but just popped into the story when needed - which made the story a bit flat.
Not my favourite from the series. Will I read more? Most definitely, yes, because when Ms Greenwood’s writing is on point it’s 5 star.
Synopsis /
To the accompaniment of heavenly choirs singing, the fearless Miss Phryne Fisher returns in her 20th adventure with musical score in hand.
An orchestral conductor has been found dead and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson needs the delightfully incisive and sophisticated Miss Fisher’s assistance to enter a world in which he is truly lost. Hugh Tregennis, not much liked by anyone, has been murdered in a most flamboyant mode by a killer with a point to prove. But how many killers is Phryne really stalking?
At the same time, the dark curls, disdainful air and the lavender eyes of mathematician and code-breaker Rupert Sheffield are taking Melbourne by storm. They’ve certainly taken the heart of Phryne’s old friend from the trenches of WWI, John Wilson. Phryne recognizes Sheffield as a man who attracts danger and is determined to protect John from harm.
Even with the faithful Dot, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, and all in her household ready to pull their weight, Phryne’s task is complex. While Mendelssohn’s Elijah, memories of the Great War, and the science of deduction ring in her head, Phryne’s past must also play its part as MI6 become involved in the tangled web of murders.
My Thoughts /
Murder and Mendelssohn is book #20 in the Phryne Fisher series.
Elation turned to puzzlement as I read. This is book #20. You would have thought you’d have the storyline thoroughly practised, rehearsed, understood and, well – mastered by now. However, I find that Ms Greenwood’s books are so hit and miss. Some are great fun to read and others, well…..meh.
This latest Fisher saga, could have been so much more fun. Pleasant as it was, it took a while for Phryne to get around to solving the murders. The book got way too bogged down with the choir's rehearsals for their concert (Mendelssohn's Elijah) and the subsequent after-parties (which happened after every rehearsal!) without a lot of progress being made. Also, favourite side characters - Dot, Inspector Robinson, Cec and Bert - didn't feature as much as usual but just popped into the story when needed - which made the story a bit flat.
Not my favourite from the series. Will I read more? Most definitely, yes, because when Ms Greenwood’s writing is on point it’s 5 star.
June 9, 2020
Ugh.
UGH.
Congrats, Ms. Greenwood. You managed to write a fairly awful Johnlock fanfic and get it published! For actual money! (One assumes.) But was the advance REALLY worth destroying the characters and charm of (most of) your previous nineteen books in the series?!? And really, "John Wilson, ex-Army doctor with a bum leg" is unforgivable.
(Sadly, the plot with the choir is actually quite good. Why Ms. Greenwood didn't stick with that we'll never know.)
Phryne and her household (especially Jane!) deserved so much better than this as a send off.
UGH.
UGH.
Congrats, Ms. Greenwood. You managed to write a fairly awful Johnlock fanfic and get it published! For actual money! (One assumes.) But was the advance REALLY worth destroying the characters and charm of (most of) your previous nineteen books in the series?!? And really, "John Wilson, ex-Army doctor with a bum leg" is unforgivable.
(Sadly, the plot with the choir is actually quite good. Why Ms. Greenwood didn't stick with that we'll never know.)
Phryne and her household (especially Jane!) deserved so much better than this as a send off.
UGH.
September 29, 2013
Picked up (ie snatched from the display stand and raced to the counter in a high state of excitement) the brand new Kerry Greenwood novel “Murder and Mendelssohn” on Saturday. This book is the 20th novel starring the Hon. Phryne Fisher, fashion plate and private detective, set in 1920s Melbourne.
In “Murder and Mendelssohn” the conductor of a choir about to perform Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” is found murdered. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is uncomfortable with the world of music and songsters, and asks Phryne to investigate.
Meanwhile, Phryne’s old friend Dr John Wilson is in town with his dear friend, Rupert Sheffield, who is presenting a lantern lecture on “The Science of Deduction”. Someone wants Rupert dead, and John turns to Phryne for help to keep the love of his life alive.
If the topic of the lecture sounds familiar to “Sherlock” fans, you would be correct. John Wilson and Rupert Sheffield are partly based on Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s John and Sherlock. I say partly, as they are not merely John and Sherlock renamed and transported back to the 1920s. They are distinctly different characters, with interesting and quite horrific back stories. And Rupert is a bigger arse than Sherlock has ever been.
I really hope that John and Rupert return in future books. I would love it too, if Kerry would write them a book of their own. John and Rupert are too good to only have in one book. They deserve a series of their own.
Kudos to anyone who spots the throw away “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” reference. It had me giggling.
“Murder and Mendelssohn” also has THE weirdest bedroom scene I have ever read in any book EVER.
I only had one small niggle. I wasn’t happy with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson, he seemed to be out of character quite a bit in the story. It jarred. Especially when he appeared to be flirting with Phryne, which is something our pillar of rectitude detective just would not do.
Make sure you read the Author’s Notes at the end. Kerry’s notes are often worth the price of the book alone. Her comments on BBC “Sherlock” are enough to warm the heart of any fan of Benedict and Martin.
“Murder and Mendelssohn” is a wonderful addition to the Phryne Fisher canon. It is a treat for the dedicated Phryne fan, but because it touches on a lot of the back story from other books, it is also a suitable introduction for anyone who wants to explore the world of Phryne Fisher.
In “Murder and Mendelssohn” the conductor of a choir about to perform Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” is found murdered. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is uncomfortable with the world of music and songsters, and asks Phryne to investigate.
Meanwhile, Phryne’s old friend Dr John Wilson is in town with his dear friend, Rupert Sheffield, who is presenting a lantern lecture on “The Science of Deduction”. Someone wants Rupert dead, and John turns to Phryne for help to keep the love of his life alive.
If the topic of the lecture sounds familiar to “Sherlock” fans, you would be correct. John Wilson and Rupert Sheffield are partly based on Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch’s John and Sherlock. I say partly, as they are not merely John and Sherlock renamed and transported back to the 1920s. They are distinctly different characters, with interesting and quite horrific back stories. And Rupert is a bigger arse than Sherlock has ever been.
I really hope that John and Rupert return in future books. I would love it too, if Kerry would write them a book of their own. John and Rupert are too good to only have in one book. They deserve a series of their own.
Kudos to anyone who spots the throw away “Man from U.N.C.L.E.” reference. It had me giggling.
“Murder and Mendelssohn” also has THE weirdest bedroom scene I have ever read in any book EVER.
I only had one small niggle. I wasn’t happy with Detective Inspector Jack Robinson, he seemed to be out of character quite a bit in the story. It jarred. Especially when he appeared to be flirting with Phryne, which is something our pillar of rectitude detective just would not do.
Make sure you read the Author’s Notes at the end. Kerry’s notes are often worth the price of the book alone. Her comments on BBC “Sherlock” are enough to warm the heart of any fan of Benedict and Martin.
“Murder and Mendelssohn” is a wonderful addition to the Phryne Fisher canon. It is a treat for the dedicated Phryne fan, but because it touches on a lot of the back story from other books, it is also a suitable introduction for anyone who wants to explore the world of Phryne Fisher.
June 30, 2023
A choral conductor is killed in a very personal way and it looks like more conductors may follow. Meanwhile, Phryne meets a former lover from her war days. Their reconnection is shadowed by the fact that somebody seems to be making attempts on the life of the man he loves.
I love this series, but found this one disappointing. Way too much space is spent quoting and repeating music lyrics from Mendelssohn to folk songs. Way too much space! There are two mysteries to be solved and one Phryne handles with her usual skill and in the other she just seems to bumble about in an uncharacteristic way. I thought the identity of the murderer was pretty obvious so why it evaded Phryne's notice when she's so clever is unclear. Really it seems like she just doesn't care very much about it, and that may be because the other mystery was more personal to her. There was also way more sex in this book; there's always a lot of sex because Phryne is a very sensual and sexual woman and that's fine, but in Murder and Mendelssohn it felt like it was being used as filler to take up more pages. Her daughter, Jane, also seemed out of character; bright as always but completely without emotion or empathy. I think Greenwood was trying to show similarities between Jane and and another character who is genius who is, at first, totally lacking in emotion or empathy. It just felt overboard when in other books Jane is shown as a genius, but a genius who is human and not a machine. Maybe Jane is just entering a teenage phase.... Altogether this book just felt not as good as the others. Normally, I'm sad when the book ends; this time it was a relief. I felt like it could have been completed in a hundred fewer pages....perhaps by taking out the repetitive music lyrics.
The one bright point was that we did learn a bit more about Phryne's war service. That was interesting. The parts relating to military intelligence were interesting.
I love this series, but found this one disappointing. Way too much space is spent quoting and repeating music lyrics from Mendelssohn to folk songs. Way too much space! There are two mysteries to be solved and one Phryne handles with her usual skill and in the other she just seems to bumble about in an uncharacteristic way. I thought the identity of the murderer was pretty obvious so why it evaded Phryne's notice when she's so clever is unclear. Really it seems like she just doesn't care very much about it, and that may be because the other mystery was more personal to her. There was also way more sex in this book; there's always a lot of sex because Phryne is a very sensual and sexual woman and that's fine, but in Murder and Mendelssohn it felt like it was being used as filler to take up more pages. Her daughter, Jane, also seemed out of character; bright as always but completely without emotion or empathy. I think Greenwood was trying to show similarities between Jane and and another character who is genius who is, at first, totally lacking in emotion or empathy. It just felt overboard when in other books Jane is shown as a genius, but a genius who is human and not a machine. Maybe Jane is just entering a teenage phase.... Altogether this book just felt not as good as the others. Normally, I'm sad when the book ends; this time it was a relief. I felt like it could have been completed in a hundred fewer pages....perhaps by taking out the repetitive music lyrics.
The one bright point was that we did learn a bit more about Phryne's war service. That was interesting. The parts relating to military intelligence were interesting.
October 22, 2013
The Phryne Fisher mystery series is top of my ‘must buy immediately’ book list, and I know I am always going to enjoy her fun investigations.
Phryne is a beautiful, intelligent, wealthy and independent thoroughly modern Miss. She smokes, drinks, has casual sex and drives her cars fast – however she is very kind-hearted and always on the side of the underdog. Phryne has a knack for solving mysteries, using the talents of her extended household, family and friends.
MURDER AND MENDELSSOHN is a fast paced, humourous story with settings that change from rich and glamorous to utterly poverty stricken. No matter what the setting is Phryne fits in as she goes about her sleuthing. This time she has a series of murders to solve and then help an old friend find true love.
Phryne is a beautiful, intelligent, wealthy and independent thoroughly modern Miss. She smokes, drinks, has casual sex and drives her cars fast – however she is very kind-hearted and always on the side of the underdog. Phryne has a knack for solving mysteries, using the talents of her extended household, family and friends.
MURDER AND MENDELSSOHN is a fast paced, humourous story with settings that change from rich and glamorous to utterly poverty stricken. No matter what the setting is Phryne fits in as she goes about her sleuthing. This time she has a series of murders to solve and then help an old friend find true love.
April 21, 2020
While the book started with great promise (a juicy mystery of murdered choir conductors) Greenwood basically ignores this mystery and instead concentrates on making Sherlock Holmes fall in love with John Watson (not the characters names in the book). There is a brief bit of excitement when Phryne defeats the would be assassin of the above mentioned Sherlock, but even that has way too much build up before the action. In the end she does not even solve the mystery of the nasty conductors and is unduly surprised when the guilty party confesses even though I had figured this out several chapters previous to this moment. A disappointing entry.
October 12, 2013
Great fun, like all of Kerry's crime fiction, and brings in a Melbourne that is long gone, yet still there. I know that part of Collins Street! And the choir's accompanist lives in what later became an office building which housed the Education Department. I always find out something about the author by reading her books; Phryne, it seems, has choral experience, but so does Kerry. In other books, she does a loving description of some food I just know she has cooked herself. She really does write what she knows.
December 14, 2019
Well, I have read the entire series now. This is a solid installment. I really liked parts of it. In particular, Phryne's friend John, and the local intelligence contacts. Plus the music descriptions. I did wonder if there was a bit too much going on in this one. It held my interest, but I wasn't really driven to read it. Also, unlike Phryne, I did guess the murderer in the end, but only because he was really the only logical one left,
As for the series as a whole, definitely reliable and readable. Phryne is perhaps a bit much. Not my favourite mystery series, I but entertaining. And nice to read a series set in Australia for a change.
As for the series as a whole, definitely reliable and readable. Phryne is perhaps a bit much. Not my favourite mystery series, I but entertaining. And nice to read a series set in Australia for a change.
September 4, 2025
2024:
I hate Sherlock Holmes.
There, I've said it. I hate the Doyle books, I hate most of the Holmes re-imaginings I've read, I'm not even into the BBC series, no matter how good looking Benedict Cumberbatch is.
The one exception to this is The Beekeeper's Apprentice series, because Holmes is not the lead character, Mary Russell is, and the Holmes portrayed is much older and much less insufferable!
I am also not terribly into slash fiction. For those of you who don't know fan fiction (and you are lucky for the most part in that), it basically means putting 2 characters from a TV series, book series, etc, into a relationship never portrayed that way by scriptwriters or authors. Kirk/Spock was the big one in fanzines in a much earlier day. Most of it was dreadful. I'm sure the current stuff is too.
I bring all this up to explain why I originally gave this book 2 stars, though after multiple re-readings I'm giving it 4, though it's more like 3.75.
"Rupert Sheffield" is as irritating as the Holmes he is based on. Probably more so. Hell, I am teetering on the edge of giving this one star just for the truly ridiculous scene where Phryne, narcissistic exhibitionist that she is, allows Sheffield to explore her body out of clinical curiosity.
Bleh!
The only redeeming thing about the Sheffield nonsense is that it brings in John Wilson who is a sweet character, and his relationship with Phryne via their shared PTSD is wonderfully done.
But the choir and related characters are terrific. And Phryne's family and friends all have delightful appearances here--though I think Dot is underutilized. The foreign intelligence folks are fun too.
So I'll be generous. Especially since I know that #21 is a lot worse.
I hate Sherlock Holmes.
There, I've said it. I hate the Doyle books, I hate most of the Holmes re-imaginings I've read, I'm not even into the BBC series, no matter how good looking Benedict Cumberbatch is.
The one exception to this is The Beekeeper's Apprentice series, because Holmes is not the lead character, Mary Russell is, and the Holmes portrayed is much older and much less insufferable!
I am also not terribly into slash fiction. For those of you who don't know fan fiction (and you are lucky for the most part in that), it basically means putting 2 characters from a TV series, book series, etc, into a relationship never portrayed that way by scriptwriters or authors. Kirk/Spock was the big one in fanzines in a much earlier day. Most of it was dreadful. I'm sure the current stuff is too.
I bring all this up to explain why I originally gave this book 2 stars, though after multiple re-readings I'm giving it 4, though it's more like 3.75.
"Rupert Sheffield" is as irritating as the Holmes he is based on. Probably more so. Hell, I am teetering on the edge of giving this one star just for the truly ridiculous scene where Phryne, narcissistic exhibitionist that she is, allows Sheffield to explore her body out of clinical curiosity.
Bleh!
The only redeeming thing about the Sheffield nonsense is that it brings in John Wilson who is a sweet character, and his relationship with Phryne via their shared PTSD is wonderfully done.
But the choir and related characters are terrific. And Phryne's family and friends all have delightful appearances here--though I think Dot is underutilized. The foreign intelligence folks are fun too.
So I'll be generous. Especially since I know that #21 is a lot worse.
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