So glad I came across this series from Kerry Greenwood. I watched the series on TV and loved them and now I get to read the series in book form!

They get a bit better as the series goes on as a bit too much ink was spilled on the clothing, BUT the action and story is pretty solid. For a fun mystery, you have found the right one.

I enjoyed learning the background of the characters in the series, but the clothes get pretty boring.

Wonderful book. Essie Davis portrays the character of Phryne Fisher perfectly in the tv series. The books are not as easy to follow as the tv series though. Still a great book and i can't wait to read the rest of the books.

An enjoyable, light mystery. I enjoy the tv series very much. Recommend. Kristi & Abby Tabby
(The first book in the Phryne Fisher series)

I got into this series by the back door, so to speak; that is to say, I saw the movies on TV first and decided to read the books. While I enjoy the books, I have to say that the series is better. I usually wouldn't, but in this case I make an exception. It has more to do with the visual appeal of the TV version rather than any failure of the author's skill. In particular, the presentation of stunning costumes, jewelry, hats, and hairstyles, carry the imagery of the 1920's without effort, while the simple "name dropping" of stylists, etc. in the book just doesn't have the impact. To carry it off in a novel would have required reams of written words, which most of us wouldn't have read anyway. I therefore suggest that if you haven't seen the TV version yet, you should probably wait and read the books first. You'll enjoy them more. I believe this is the author's first book in the series, and for a first-off, it's really quite good. It marries period style, with early twentieth century social issues, and the "new" notion of the "liberated" woman in a glamorous, flamboyant manner. It mixes history with mystery and humor. The characters are fun and "real"--as long as you don't give it a good think--and you hate to give them up when the end of the book is reached. The sign of a talented author, in my opinion.

I had enjoyed the TV series based on Greenwood's mysteries and decided to read some of the novels. Phryne (pronounced "Fry-knee") is an independent woman in the 1920s who comes to Melbourne searching for a British couple's daughter. There are a couple plots in the novel, and some major characters are introduced. The first TV program followed the book pretty well, although the relationship between Phryne and the the policeman Jack Robinson is built up for the TV series. Greenwood describes Phyrne's scandalous, but beautiful, clothing - something that didn't interest me as much as it might interest others - and shows the character as a "take charge" woman in an era when women were just coming into their own. The main mystery is interesting and I didn't guess the ending. All in all, an excellent beginning to the series.

I'm glad that I had read several other of Ms. Greenwood's Phryne Fisher book first - not that this one is bad, but I don't think it is quite as good ad her late ones. But don't let this silly comment keep you from reading this. Ms. Fisher is always bright, intelligent and enjoyable.

Too fun! Too right!

I love discovering a new series. This is set in 1920s Melbourne, a nice change from the tyoical 1920s locations like Paris and New York.