Murder on a Midsummer Night

Phryne Fisher #17

by Kerry Greenwood

The year is 1929, and the Honorable Phryne Fisher has been engaged to investigate the drowning death of a young Melbourne antique dealer. The police and coroner believe it was suicide, but the victim's grieving mother knows otherwise and trusts Phryne to see justice done. He certainly had some strange friends—a Balkan adventuress, a dilettante with a penchant for antiquities, a Classics professor, a medium… At the same time, Phryne is on the hunt for a long-lost illegitimate child, potentially heir to a handsome estate, much to the displeasure of the remaining relatives.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Historical, Australia, Audiobook

269 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

Kerry 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.

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder on a Midsummer Night is not the most striking entry in the series, but if you’re here for Phryne and her found family, her lavish lifestyle and her relationships with the people around her, it’s just what you’d expect. Lin Chung gets to use some of his talents from past books, setting up a creepy seance using his magician’s tricks, and Dot has her own sleuthing work to do on one case, while Phryne deals with another.

At this point, I find the mysteries themselves relatively forgettable: it’s Phryne I read for, her unflappability and good sense, her ability to see right through people and situations. And her family, of course: Jane’s fascination with all things biological, and her interest in becoming a doctor in particular.

Well might people complain that Phryne is too perfect, too privileged. But really she’s the answer to Lord Peter, with an extra heaping of sexuality and feminism. She’s supposed to be impossibly awesome, and it shows us that female characters can be too. I won’t complain!

Originally posted here.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the coziest of the Fisher mysteries -- fewer violent attacks, more staying home with Phryne's piecemeal family and eating lavish meals (accompanied, as always, by staggering amounts of coffee and gin).

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amount of effort Kerry Greenwood puts into making sure all her diligent research results in a highly enjoyable novel that feels authentic instead of dull and lecture-y will never cease to amaze me. She is such a wonderful writer, and it's a joy to immerse yourself into Phryne's world, the glittering (or maybe only shiny-on-the-surface) 1920s in Australia. I love learning something new about this era with each book, seeing a new aspect of their daily lives. I love how every time Phryne investigates more than one case, each features different aspects, and observations and little things about one case will ultimately help Phryne solve the other.

In this case, Phryne is asked by her socialist sister to investigate a death the police have ruled accidental. The owner of an antique shop was found drowned, and only his mother refuses to believe he was suicidal. Phryne soon discovers hidden treasures, drug addicts, spiritualists, and many more unpleasant things. Only with the help of her entire family and her lover Lin will she be able to shed some light.
Her other case involves an old family hiding some shameful and ugly secrets that are threatening to ruin more than one life. Phryne's companion Dot finally gets to some more sleuthing on her own, which takes her to the theater of all places, where she finds herself charmed by ageing actors reminiscing about the past.
Another strand of narrative features soldiers in the Holy Land, which did confuse me a bit, but ultimately kept me turning the pages, curious to see how it all worked out. I'm still not really sure what happened there, to be honest, but maybe I'm just missing some historical knowledge? Anyways, these bits were small enough to not bother me.

All in all, I loved spending more time with Phryne and her minions, and I can't wait for more. I've read this series completely out of order, after having watched the series, and I can safely say they work as stand-alones. If you ever come across one of these awesome books, don't worry about which number of the series it is, just go for it. You won't regret it!

*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Australian author Kerry Greenwood rarely commits a misstep, but she does a bit in Murder on a Midsummer Night, the seventeenth novel in this usually lovely series. The Honorable Phryne Fisher investigates two unrelated matters: the murder of a mama’s boy junk dealer and the whereabouts of an illegitimate baby put up for adoption in Ballerat, Australia, in the 1860s.

The indomitable Mrs. Manifold — certain that her devoted son would never kill himself, whatever the incompetent coroner might claim — hires Phryne. Sure enough, Phryne finds that Augustine Manifold did not drown himself in the sea, but was drowned in a soapy bathtub. The Bright Young Things that associated with young Manifold are over the top — even for Phryne Fisher and me. That thread goes a bit off the rails. However, Phryne, aided by devoutly Catholic Dot Williams, Phryne’s devoted companion and ladies’ maid, unravels the mystery of what happened to the baby born to the desperate 16-year-old Kathleen O’Brien in 1864 in a fine fashion. So three stars to a novel that’s literally only half-bad.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood is the 17th book in the Miss Fisher's murder mystery series. Phrynne is hired to investigate an apparent suicide death of a collectibles dealer by his mother who claims he was murdered and also to locate an illegitimate heir to an estate. An interesting mystery. It was nice to catch up with Miss Fisher and her family and friends and see how they coped with the stifling heat. Lee Chungs talents as a magician come to good use at the end. An excellent, engrossing story, light and enjoyable.

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been loving this series and the TV show. Because I'm me, I've been reading the books wildly out of order, which is occasionally confusing. Also confusing at times is the difference between the books and the show. Key characters in the books are missing from the show and vice versa. This book had several characters that don't exist in the show; one's a primary character and the other a minor one. So, I was a bit confused at first until I sorted out who was who and then the confusion cleared up.

"Murder on a Midsummer Night" was so-so entry in the series. It lacked some of the verve and fire of other books in the series. There are two mysteries going on, and in unusual move for Greenwood, they are not related. The first mystery has to do with a young shop owner who may or may not have committed suicide. His mother of course doesn't believe that he did and hires Phryne to look into it. She agrees but is firm that she will report exactly what she finds, even if her finding is that yes, he did kill himself. That story line should have been interesting but just wasn't compelling; my interest kept lagging. And some of the characters, the suspects, were both boring and over-the-top.

The other story line involved tracking down a child who may or may not have been born; who may, if they exist, be in line for an inheritance. That one was more interesting though I didn't love the resolution. The search itself was interesting. I read so much contemporary that I found it intriguing to see how the research was conducted almost a hundred years ago, back in the 1920s.

"Murder on a Midsummer Night" is adequate. The story is moderately interesting, and often slow-paced. The usual cast is enjoyable and I enjoyed seeing Phryne's sister Beth as well as Phryne's lover Lin Chung. The book is well-researched, full of details, and feels authentic. Phryne, however, is larger than life as always. She can sometimes be thoughtless but in this story she surprised me and showed true compassion and tact towards her assistant Dot, and I liked seeing that.

If you are new to the series, don't start with this one. On that note, I recently purchased the first book in the series. I'm finally going to read the start of the series! LOL

Favorite Quotes:

Phryne left, a little stunned. She had never been sneered at by a budgerigar before.


Jane held onto her hat, shut her eyes, and tried not to hear what the other drivers were saying about Miss Phryne's skill, morals, antecedents, and the marital status of her parents. Not to mention the screeching of brakes and an outraged shout from a traffic policeman who had nearly lost several toes which he valued.
"That was a red light, Miss Phryne," she ventured.
"Yes, it was," returned Phryne, unmoved.
Jane tried to think about anatomy. Anatomy was dead. And safe.

I received a copy from the publisher for review.

[Stacie Haden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was missing something, comparatively. There have been a couple misses in this series; add this to that list.

Australia 1929

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder on a Midsummer Night is the seventeenth book in the popular Phryne Fisher series by Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. As 1929 begins with a very hot spell, Phryne is asked by her sister, Eliza to investigate a death the police believe a suicide. Mrs Manifold is convinced her son, Augustine did not take his own life. An Old Wares dealer who was much loved by clients, friends and staff, Augustine was excited about a discovery that would buy his beloved mother a house and see him independent very soon. Certain irregularities in the pathology report have Phryne intrigued. A group of obnoxious and rather dangerous Bright Young Things that Phryne encounters at Augustine’s funeral head her list of suspects. At the same time, Phryne is visited by a barrister for a well-to-do family whose matriarch has left a puzzling will. Phryne is engaged to find a possible heir to the estate hitherto unknown. This excellent instalment features a Harley rider with a grudge, a Professor of languages, Cec’s cousin Cedric, a haughty butler, a failing businessman, some ageing thespians, a nun, a cache of gold coins and a blackmailer. Phyrne attends a Requiem mass, holds a séance, reads a diary written in code, escapes a bunch of kif smokers, visits a funeral parlour and hosts a birthday party. As usual, Mr and Mrs Butler provide at-home support while Dot, Jane, Eliza and her friend, Lady Alice, Bert and Cec, Jack and Lin Chung all take an active part in the various investigations. Another excellent dose of Phryne mystery.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heat wave is affecting Melbourne at the start of 1929 and trying Phryne Fisher's patience. Two new cases for her to investigate arrive virtually at the same time.

A devastated mother wants her to investigate the apparent death by suicide of her beloved son and a lawyer wants her to try and find an illegitimate child who is one of the heirs to a fortune. Warring families and thoroughly nasty Bright Young Things are doing their best to disrupt her investigations.

Phryne vows to take her whole family away on holiday once the two cases are settled. I really enjoyed this complex story and loved the ending with the seance organised by Phryne's lover Lin Chung. It was nice to see more of Phryne's two adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth and also to see Dot, her companion, playing a part in the investigations.

If you enjoy crime stories with interesting and likeable characters and complex plots then you may enjoy this series. Each book can stand on its own but it helps to read them in order so that you can see how the series characters develop. The first book in the series is ‘Cocaine Blues’.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Phryne. She is a grown-up's Nancy Drew. She's sophisticated and daring, rich and ribald, wise and witty, and able to keep up with boys even better than Nancy ever did. The plots are never all that intricate, but they're so much fun!

[Marijan Šiško · Rating 4 out of 5]

One fo the finest Phryne Fisher books in the series. Two mysteries solved, slightly intertwined, because Phryne HATES mysteries. A well researched background. And just a touch of mysticism.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Australian author Kerry Greenwood rarely commits a misstep, but she does a bit in Murder on a Midsummer Night, the seventeenth novel in this usually lovely series. The Honorable Phryne Fisher investigates two unrelated matters: the murder of a mama’s boy junk dealer and the whereabouts of an illegitimate baby put up for adoption in Ballerat, Australia, in the 1860s.

The indomitable Mrs. Manifold — certain that her devoted son would never kill himself, whatever the incompetent coroner might claim — hires Phryne. Sure enough, Phryne finds that Augustine Manifold did not drown himself in the sea, but was drowned in a soapy bathtub. The Bright Young Things that associated with young Manifold are over the top — even for Phryne Fisher and me. That thread goes a bit off the rails, and the resolution is not very believable. However, Phryne, aided by devoutly Catholic Dot Williams, Phryne’s devoted companion and ladies’ maid, unravels the mystery of what happened to the baby born to the desperate 16-year-old Kathleen O’Brien in 1864 in a fine fashion. So three stars to a novel that’s literally only half-bad.

[Orinoco Womble (tidy bag and all) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ETA: Just in passing, the Greek word "Thalassa" does not mean "Home" or "Rescue." It merely means "the sea." Phryne may read the classics in the original, but if she does, her Greek isn't very good. Which fits with the supposed pronunciation of her name, which in Greek would not rhyme with Briny but would be pronounced Free-nay, if indeed we can trust Greenwood's transliteration.

Halfway through this I realised I was reading it out of order, but the good thing about these books is that while there may be references to earlier tales, they are seldom essential to understanding. It's another good, light read.

Agustine has been found dead, washed up on the beach. Did he drown? Was it suicide, or murder? If it was murder, who did it and why? His friends invite Phryne to attend the wake, and manage to upset her equilibrium in the process! I'm not sure how but they managed to put a real scare into our little Mary Sue Fisher, though whether she feared seduction or assassination is unclear.
Who is "the child among you" that is haunting the Bonetti family? And will Phryne's doorbell ever stop ringing? Lin Chung gets to try his hand at a bit of oldfashioned table-turning--in both senses of the word.

I have to say, I got tired of the doorbell ringing all the time, as a plot device. It happened all the time in "Dead Man's Chest" too, and was just as annoying. And just as a side note, becoming addicted to valerian does not in my experience lead to being in a trancelike state all the time. Quite the contrary, as one becomes habituated, it has less and less tranquilizing effect and causes nervousness and erratic behaviour.

In the afterword, Ms Greenwood speaks of feeling "timesick, like Doctor Who." I have to agree with her, and I would suggest that if that is the author's reaction to her own work, she should have edited and rewritten before submitting it for publication. I didn't feel that the flashbacks added much to the text, unless you consider confusing the issue an addition. The wrap of the Bonetti story was simply ridiculous, though harmless enough, and the shoe-horning of the desert flashbacks into the resolution of the Agustine thread was tiresome and flat. (And I do wish she'd drop the quotations to start every chapter!!) Also, why is the dwarf from an earlier story (then a middleaged university student) suddenly "elderly" when he turns up at Phryne's birthday bash less than a year later?
However, a goreless story with no madness, sex or overt violence. I have to admit I read the Fisher stories for the ambience, and I'll be sorry when I've finished the series, unless someone can point me to some similar mental popcorn.

[Jann Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Phryne Fisher mystery I have read, and is the 17th in the series. At some point, I plan to backtrack and read all of the books in this series. I find Phryne to be absolutely delightful; she is a young, independent woman living in Australia in the 1920's. She has adopted two teen daughters, knows how to live the good life, and enjoys solving mysteries. If I could be a character in a book, I might just have to choose Phryne Fisher.

At the end of almost every chapter in this book, a piece of some other story was told. It was perplexing, as the reader knew it would somehow tie into the story that involved Phryne, but I found it a bit irritating...until the final installment at the end of the book. That provided an "aha!" moment, and I went back to re-read those small bits. Clever bit of writing on the part of Ms. Greenwood.

There were two mysteries in this book: one involved discovering whether or not the death of a man was homicide or suicide. The second found Phryne trying to discover the fate of an illegitimate child of a rich lady, much to the dislike of the remaining relatives, with whom the estate would be shared.

Greenwood paints delicious word pictures, and writes an excellent mystery as well!

[Andree · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounding down only because this series is generally consistently readable, but rarely spectacular. This is kind of a fun double-mystery. Enjoyed the intersection of the cases. I also thought that this is another one that uses the entire supporting cast fairly effectively. Dot gets to engage in some sleuthing of her own (with retired actors!). There is a fun elderly nun. I enjoyed Phryne's sister Eliza and her partner Alice going on a stake-out with Bert (all referring to each other as "Comrade," obviously). Mr. and Mrs. Butler's ability to keep the household running smoothly was well demonstrated, and Lin Chung got to use his magic skills.

The groups involved in the centre intrigue were fairly tiresome and obnoxious, but there was enough enjoyable surrounding them in the end.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two mysteries: a dead antiques dealer and a possible lost sibling in or an inheritance. Phryne and co are kindness care and style altogether and despite clearly living in the realm of fiction, I do wish for a life with enough money to do all that Phryne does, with plenty extra to pass out to those who help me live. A dose of Australian history kept me from devouring this in one shot, I kept researching off names and terms.

[Tracy Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light & easy to read. Enjoyable story

[Susan Liston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've watched a few episodes of the Phryne Fisher series on Netflix, and found the character to be quite annoying. But after reading a bit of this, which I just chose at random from the many on the shelf, I realize it seems to be a bit tongue in cheek, the thought of which might make Phryne more tolerable to watch, I'll have to try and see. But while I liked the writing and found it rather clever at first, after a while when nothing much happens I began to fear it was style over substance and got increasingly weary. Maybe this particular book wasn't the best place to start, but I'm not eager to grab another one.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned in this book that Phryne Fisher is a January baby and that makes her 100x better. Not like she was ever less than absolutely amazing, mind you.

Miss Fisher's mystery series is definitely a comfort read at this point. I absolutely loved this book since I started it in 2022 and this book is set in the beginning of 1929.

[Eve Dangerfield]

Starting a book review podcast with my best friend, called 'How Novel!' this will be the subject of the first episode. Stay tuned. Or don't!

[Jenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were two different plots in this one and I didn't especially care about either one, and I don't think the author did either. What it was really about, as far as I could tell, was How To Cope When it's Really Hot and You're Fabulous.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phryne has 2 different cases One a missing illegitimate child and one a suicide/murder. I am always amazed at the research that Greenwood must do since there are so many contemporary references which I then have to google and learn about

[Neil Plakcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun entry in the series. In this case the heat and wind of midsummer become as real a character as any of the humans.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prynne is always fun to read even when the crimes are a bit iffy. I rounded this up to a 4 because it was much better than a 3. Always interesting characters.

[MargaretDH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very escapist, very fun book with two mildly forgettable mysteries.

We have made it to book 17 in the series. At this point, I suspect Greenwood is getting a little tired of writing mysteries for Phryne, and fair enough, I suppose. But Phryne herself is still fabulous, and I'm still having a good time with her (and Lin Chung, the Butlers, Ruth and Jane, Bert and Cec, etc.), so I'm still going to keep reading these. Also, Greenwood manages to make 1929 food sound good, even when things that shouldn't be jellied are encased in aspic, and that's pretty impressive.

[Mystica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Honourable Phyrnne Fisher is quirky but a good detective who gets things done. Sometimes not in a very orthodox way, but who cares. When you pay for an investigation everyone wants results and the Police seem to be happy that one more case gets closed because very often Phyrnne slips out of the picture, and the local police gets the credit.

An apparent suicide, a lost child, magic which makes things and people appear and disappear all add to the story in the midst of a Melbourne heatwave. Along with Phyrnne's rather large entourage of family and retainers all playing a role the murder mystery is always solved.

Full of color both in characterization and surroundings, the story is always light hearted, easy to read and very enjoyable.

[Linda Kenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Phryne Fisher through the television series before reading Kerry Greenwood’s book. My husband brought it home from the library:#17 of the series. So now that I’m introduced to the books, I will likely try to continue at the beginning. The two part plot kept everyone busy and it held my interest throughout. Phryne is smart, wealthy, beautiful, well educated, well dressed, fearless and appreciates a handsome man. She is also tolerant of and generous to most everyone else. Recommend.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I wish I could have started from book one but the Chicago Public Library has a very limited selection of ebooks.
I still liked it. I think I would enjoy reading how all of Phryne's friends came to be part of her story.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the one where Phryne solves two cases at once-- a child who's been missing for some 60 years, and a man in the art and antiquities business who's been murdered for secrets he doesn't know. I liked it. Good stuff.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phryne delves into a affluent family's sorrid past to find a lost heir

An affluent family has had a death. With this death, has caused complications. A lost heir needs to be found and Miss Fisher is hired to find them.

Along the way, there are thefts, break-ins , and possible murder. There are irksome fellows full of greed and self indulgence.

Everyone is a suspect. Every suspect has something to hide. Every suspect are so unpleasant, even the Honorable Miss Fisher is losing patience and her ever cool headed companion is in for lessons that the upper class are no better than anyone else.