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131st out of 419 books
—
401 voters
Dead Man's Chest (Phryne Fisher #18)
Phryne Fisher needs a rest. It's summer. She packs up her family and moves to Queenscliff, a quiet watering place on the coast. Where she meets with smugglers, pirate treasure and some very interesting surrealists, including a parrot called Pussykins. What is the mysterious Madame Selavey hiding? Where are the Johnsons, who were supposed to be in the holiday house?
...more
Hardcover, 250 pages
Published
November 9th 2010
by Poisoned Pen Press
(first published January 1st 2010)
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As I've said before, I would love to be Phryne. Barring that, I would love to be her best friend and fellow sleuth.
This is the 18th entry in the series and picks up where "Murder on a Midsummer Night" left off. Phryne had indicated the need for a vacation, so she leaves Mr. and Mrs. Butler at the house and takes Dot, Jane, Ruth, and Molly (the dog) to a house at Queenscliff (offered to her by a character from said previous book).
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, the live-in couple at the house, were nowhere...more
This is the 18th entry in the series and picks up where "Murder on a Midsummer Night" left off. Phryne had indicated the need for a vacation, so she leaves Mr. and Mrs. Butler at the house and takes Dot, Jane, Ruth, and Molly (the dog) to a house at Queenscliff (offered to her by a character from said previous book).
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, the live-in couple at the house, were nowhere...more
Genre: Murder mystery, a Phryne Fisher mystery (narrated by Stephanie Daniel)
Blurb: (from Goodreads) Phryne Fisher needs a rest. It's summer. She packs up her family and moves to Queenscliff, a quiet watering place on the coast. Where she meets with smugglers, pirate treasure and some very interesting surrealists, including a parrot called Pussykins. What is the mysterious Madame Selavey hiding? Where are the Johnsons, who were supposed to be in the holiday house?
What I liked: I liked the narrat...more
Blurb: (from Goodreads) Phryne Fisher needs a rest. It's summer. She packs up her family and moves to Queenscliff, a quiet watering place on the coast. Where she meets with smugglers, pirate treasure and some very interesting surrealists, including a parrot called Pussykins. What is the mysterious Madame Selavey hiding? Where are the Johnsons, who were supposed to be in the holiday house?
What I liked: I liked the narrat...more
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First Sentence: Dot opened her eyes.
The Honorable Phryne Fisher, private investigator, takes her family on vacation to a house she’s been lent in Queenscliff, Australia. The owner had promised Phryne, her maid Dot, adopted daughters Ruth and Jane, and dog Molly, would be well looked after by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. However, when they arrive, the Johnson’s and their possessions are gone, the larder is completely empty and the back door wide open. The family settles in to make do while Phryne tries...more
The Honorable Phryne Fisher, private investigator, takes her family on vacation to a house she’s been lent in Queenscliff, Australia. The owner had promised Phryne, her maid Dot, adopted daughters Ruth and Jane, and dog Molly, would be well looked after by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. However, when they arrive, the Johnson’s and their possessions are gone, the larder is completely empty and the back door wide open. The family settles in to make do while Phryne tries...more
I always enjoy another chance to visit with my friend Phryne Fisher, star of one of the wonderful mystery series by Kerry Greenwood. The books are a joy to read for their interesting characters, beautifully portrayed period settings, and sometimes wacky who-dun-it plots. This time Phryne is on vacation at the shore while her Melbourne house is being remodeled. Phryne has promised Dot, her ladies companion, as they were called in those days, that there will be no murders involved. And there aren'...more
One of her best! Greenwood is top-notch when keeping plots simple but exciting and cast of characters manageable. Phryne Fisher needs a rest so she packs up her household and goes to a beachside resort. For fun, there are brutish smugglers, a well-guarded pirate treasure and some enticing surrealists, as well as good and bad boys, all rescued by Phryne & Co.
I love Phryne Fisher's way of not thinking she is better than anybody else and her respect for others, especially kids--as Einstein said...more
I love Phryne Fisher's way of not thinking she is better than anybody else and her respect for others, especially kids--as Einstein said...more
This rather relaxed mystery takes place immediately after the events in Murder on a Midsummer Night. Deciding that her domestic circle is in need of some relaxation after her most recent, rather trying, investigation, Miss Fisher takes her companion and two adopted daughters for a month at the seaside. But when she arrives she finds her borrowed house unlocked and the servants missing. Foul play? Of course! But of what nature? Since the Johnsons seem to have left under their own steam this myste...more
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The latest in the delightful Phryne Fisher series. As Phyrne is having some house remodeling done, she takes her household, sans Mr & Mrs B (and the cat) to Queenscliff for a few weeks holiday. She has promised not to do any detecting whilst there... but... When she arrives at there rented house, Mr & Mrs Johnson, the couple who will take of the household, have vanished, even emptying the larder. Dot and Ruth prove themselves capable of running the household, but when the Johnsons belove...more
Feb 02, 2012
Jodi
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-audiobooks,
audiobook
It took me a while to get into this book about Phryne Fisher, a private detective flapper who is quite the woman and someone I think I would like personally. But I didn't feel that the mystery was particularly strong here. In fact, I wasn't altogether certain what the mystery was. When she arrives at the vacation home she's borrowing, the caretakers are not only missing but appear to have scarpered off. Only they left their beloved dog. Meanwhile, there is no cook, plenty of surrealists and lots...more
Nothing is as fun as a Phryne Fisher mystery set in the 1920's Australia. In this caper, Phryne and her household of Dot, Jane, Ruth, and Molly go to Queenscliff for a vacation, while their house undergoes renovations. Mayhem abounds as the group enters the rental house to find the couple tending the house and all the furniture and all the food gone. Phryne begins her investigation into the disappearance of the Johnsons amid other problems. Phryne follows the many diversions to follow, but misse...more
Who would have thunk it? This is a very cozy mystery but still unlike the much more typical English village full of eccentric characters or English pub full of eccentric characters that dominate this sub-genre. Our heroine, Phryne Fisher, is a sophisticated heiress in Australia who grew up in an impoverished but genteel family in England, then hit it rich when she inherited from a distant relative. Now she is the hottest flapper in Melbourne who, like so many protagonists in mystery novels, stum...more
Nice bit of summer fluff- a bit more fanciful than usual. Phryne & Co. head to the seaside and get mixed up in all manner of mysteries and odd characters including surrealists and early filmmakers. Very descriptive- adored the dogs- with lots of yummy food and dress [must try the recipe for 'impossible pie']. Engaging if sometimes silly with a few loose ends that I couldn't quite follow. Not the best of the Phryne books but it was pleasant to read about the Australian summer seaside in the...more
A light, humourous upbeat mystery story that swept you away to another time into the life of Fryne Fisher, who has it all and nothing happens that she can't handle. She was a great character and I understand why people would want to hear more about her, that the author turned it into a series.
It would be great to be Fryne or even one of her adoptive children.
BEWARE though, do not read this book if you are on a diet or trying to cut down on food as 60% of this book talks about food. What they a...more
It would be great to be Fryne or even one of her adoptive children.
BEWARE though, do not read this book if you are on a diet or trying to cut down on food as 60% of this book talks about food. What they a...more
Phyrne on vacation is a wonder to behold. And her bathing suit is just scandalous!
But where are the Johnsons? That couple is supposed to be in residence at the vacation home Phyrne and family have borrowed and they have vanished, along with all their furniture.
It was great to see Ruth employ her culinary talents. Jane fell in with the film crew, Dot made breakfast and Phryne acquired a teenage boy aide de camp.
As in most of the books in this series, there is a fine supporting cast of interesting...more
But where are the Johnsons? That couple is supposed to be in residence at the vacation home Phyrne and family have borrowed and they have vanished, along with all their furniture.
It was great to see Ruth employ her culinary talents. Jane fell in with the film crew, Dot made breakfast and Phryne acquired a teenage boy aide de camp.
As in most of the books in this series, there is a fine supporting cast of interesting...more
I love Phryne Fisher. I want to be Phryne Fisher. Elegant, poised, intelligent, and beautiful like a Dutch doll, Phryne is also cunning, determined and willing to shoot the bad guys. Kerry Greenwood's tales, set in Melbourne and surrounds in the years after the Great War, details the many mysteries and murders Phryne solves both while employed as a private detective and as a member of the public. She is often helped by the police and her faithful companion Dot, she smokes gaspers and drives fast...more
Kerry Greenwood does it again. Dead Man's Chest is the latest installment in her absolutely wonderful Phryne Fisher mystery series. As I've said before, Phryne is the grown-up's Nancy Drew. Phryne has steel in her spine and witty comebacks. She can stare down anyone fool enough to mess with her socially and can take on some rather hefty blokes and come out "with hardly a hair out of place." In this adventure, Phryne and her household (companion, Dot, two adopted daughter, Ruth and Jane, and dog,...more
Oct 19, 2011
Sally906
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mystery,
historical
Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher series is one that is top of my “buy it immediately a new book is issued” list. This latest exciting installment lives up to the high standard of 1920s high jinks I have come to expect as Ms Fisher fights injustice with her pearl handled pistol, kind heart and quick wit.
DEAD MAN’S CHEST, the eighteenth in the series, opens with Phryne travelling to the resort town of Queenscliff with her faithful maid Dot, dog Molly and two adopted daughters, Ruth and Jane, for a...more
DEAD MAN’S CHEST, the eighteenth in the series, opens with Phryne travelling to the resort town of Queenscliff with her faithful maid Dot, dog Molly and two adopted daughters, Ruth and Jane, for a...more
Despite constantly "bragging" that we live about an hour from just about anywhere... it does mean that every trip in the car do to anything takes a while. We've recently turned to audio books to fill in the hours of dodging kangaroos and potholes and the most recent that we've been listening to is DEAD MAN'S CHEST by Kerry Greenwood. Number 18 (good grief.. really!) of the Phyrne Fisher series, the audio version is read particularly well by Stephanie Daniel who does an excellent job of individua...more
Phryne Fisher and her household are visiting a seaside resort while her Melbourne house is renovated. Their borrowed house comes with a mystery, however; the reliable servants are mysteriously missing. The son of the next-door neighbor and his two prep school friends are little bullies, there's a nosy harridan across the street, and on the other side of the house is a Hungarian who entertains surrealists. It doesn't even need the film crew and the legends of pirate treasure to ensure an amusing...more
First book I'd read (listened on digital recorder) of Australia P.I. Phyryn Fisher. On a seaside vacation with her two adopted daughters and maid, they discover that the rental home's housekeeper and butler are missing, so begins the adventure. So-so story with so-so characters. "Money can't buy happiness, but it can vastly improve the quality of your misery." Also a good Shakespeare quote: "When I was at home I was in a better place, but travelers must be content." I do love to stay at home.
I'm biased because I love this series, it's one of my all time favorites. This one did not disappoint. I'm not usually a fan of books within a series that take place 'elsewhere' - a mystery while the protag is on holiday, etc. But Kerry greenwood did a very nice job with this story, keeping me from missing the regular secondary characters. As an expat living in Melbourne, i love reading about 1929 melbourne. It is depressing to think I now have to wait another year...
On holiday to Queencliff,Ms. Fisher still finds a mystery when she arrives and her servants, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are missing. Searching for an answer next door with nice Mrs. Mason who recommends calling constable Dawson who turns out to be a dissapointment, but Hugh Collins soon arrives to visit with Dot, but with a mission of his own: rum smuggles. Without her wharfies, Bert & Cec, Phryne hires Tinker to help with the investigation.
Delightful! A cozy mystery set in the roaring 20's with the roaring-est of flappers, the inimitable Miss Phryne Fisher.
Full of sass and daring-do, The Honorable Miss Fisher is a private detective with the wit to outsmart the average and above criminal, and the boldness to stare down the duller sorts.
Author Kerry Greenwood infuses her story with satisfying characters, a steady plot and plenty of mixed drinks.
I fully intend to read every other Phryne Fisher mystery I can lay my hands on!
Full of sass and daring-do, The Honorable Miss Fisher is a private detective with the wit to outsmart the average and above criminal, and the boldness to stare down the duller sorts.
Author Kerry Greenwood infuses her story with satisfying characters, a steady plot and plenty of mixed drinks.
I fully intend to read every other Phryne Fisher mystery I can lay my hands on!
Aug 06, 2011
Kate Bolton
added it
I do like a bit of Phryne and this was another good bit! Luckily for us the poor thing can't even go on holidays without encountering murder and I really enjoyed seeing a bit more of some of the other characters in this installment.
A great way to relax in the knowlegde that there will be good food, good clothes, good company and a little drama waiting for you.
A great way to relax in the knowlegde that there will be good food, good clothes, good company and a little drama waiting for you.
I picked up this book because I'm very familiar with the seaside town of Queenscliff. It is light entertainment, but there is plenty of evidence of sound research to ensure historical accuracy. I was intrigued by references to foods and beauty products that I remember from my childhood. I'm sure the author thoroughly enjoyed writing this story too.
I have enjoyed all of this author's novels that I have read and I think this is probably one of my favourites. These are light amusing mysteries set in Melbourne, Australia in the 1920s and 30s. I love the period detail and the character of Phryne Fisher and the waifs and strays she collects around her who assist her in solving crime.
I have really enjoyed every Phryne Fisher adventure- love the daring-do heroine and her expanding entourage! Especially enjoy the author's interesting choice of esoteric vocab ( thank goodness for the dictionary on my kindle!)This is the first episode that did not involve a lover- nice change of pace! Looking forward to #19.
I can't believe this is the 18th book in the Phryne Fisher series, not because I've managed to read them all, but because the 18th is just as engaging as the 8th and the 7 before that.
Greenwood's characters are often so interesting that I spend the entire novel hoping they will become repeating characters in the books to come. In this book the gem was a fishboy named Tinker who was so believable I thought he might jump out and say hello.
Setting is of course well done as always, and in this case...more
Greenwood's characters are often so interesting that I spend the entire novel hoping they will become repeating characters in the books to come. In this book the gem was a fishboy named Tinker who was so believable I thought he might jump out and say hello.
Setting is of course well done as always, and in this case...more
I love sharing my time off with Phryne and her engaging entourage of friends, employees and misfits. Dead Man's Chest is one of my favourites in the Phryne Fisher series - it's relaxing, funny, slightly educational and altogether enjoyable. A bit like Kerry Greenwood herself, I imagine. :)
I liked the main character mostly and I got a kick out of the '20's setting but I found the main character a bit shallow and the plot contrived. But it was not a waste of time either and I requested another in this series. I found reading this a bit like eating potato chips: ok but not a main meal.
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Kerry Greenwood was born in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray and after wandering far and wide, she returned to live there. She has a degree in English and Law from Melbourne University and was admitted to the legal profession on the 1st April 1982, a day which she finds both soothing and significant.
Kerry has written twenty novels, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D'Arcy,...more
More about Kerry Greenwood...
Kerry has written twenty novels, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D'Arcy,...more
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“Phryne was getting out of the car. Dot closed her eyes. Miss Fisher was about to happen to someone again.”
—
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