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Phryne Fisher #14
Queen of the Flowers
With more than a dash of glamour and serious helpings of style, the witty and courageous Phryne Fisher returns. In 1928 St Kilda's streets hang with fairy lights. Magic shows, marionettes, tea dances, tango competitions, lifesaving demonstrations, lantern shows, and picnics on the beach are all part of the Flower Parade. And who else should be chosen to be Queen of the Flowers but the gorgeous, charming and terribly fashionable Hon Phryne Fisher? Phryne needs a new dress and a swimming costume but she also needs a lot of courage to confront her a missing daughter, the return of an old lover, and a young woman found drowned at the beach at Elwood.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2004
312 people are currently reading
2500 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Greenwood
92 books2,516 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 351 reviews
May 8, 2018
St Kilda’s Flower Festival Queen was the Honourable Phryne Fisher – she was busy indeed. The four young women who were her maidens suddenly reduced to three when one of them disappeared. Phryne was hired to find her. Rose was only thirteen years of age and Phryne was extremely concerned for her wellbeing. But what she was finding was horrifying – the girl had to be found or she would die.
With the carnival in town, and an old friend of Phryne’s from Orkney discovered, plus the delightful friend who herded the elephants – Flossie took a liking to Phryne – she had the help of Bert and Cec, as well as Lin, in their search. But worse was to happen…
Queen of the Flowers is another delightful historical cosy mystery by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood. 14th in the Phryne Fisher series, the usual characters were there to entertain – Dot, Jane and Ruth, Mr & Mrs Butler and of course Lin Chung and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson; Bert and Cec; and the inimitable Phryne Fisher! A wonderful series that I’m enjoying very much. Highly recommended.
With the carnival in town, and an old friend of Phryne’s from Orkney discovered, plus the delightful friend who herded the elephants – Flossie took a liking to Phryne – she had the help of Bert and Cec, as well as Lin, in their search. But worse was to happen…
Queen of the Flowers is another delightful historical cosy mystery by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood. 14th in the Phryne Fisher series, the usual characters were there to entertain – Dot, Jane and Ruth, Mr & Mrs Butler and of course Lin Chung and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson; Bert and Cec; and the inimitable Phryne Fisher! A wonderful series that I’m enjoying very much. Highly recommended.
February 20, 2016
Queen of the Flowers is one of the better Phryne books, to my mind. It features pretty much all of the main cast, albeit some of them briefly: Dot, the girls, Jack, Hugh, Lin Chung and his wife, Bert, Cec, the Butlers… There are some new characters, but there’s a very personal element to this book. It explores Ruth and Jane a little more — mostly Ruth — and shows us Ruth’s roots, finally following up on her love of romances to put her in one of her own — the long lost child finding her father. Maybe.
The other plot, with the flower girls and the pageant, etc, is fairly typical and more or less unremarkable, and there are some odd moments here; for example, when Ruth is missing, presumed kidnapped, life goes on in a rather casual way. Which is rather surprising when you consider Phryne’s protectiveness of those she considers her own. It makes some sense in context (e.g. Phryne figures out that Ruth is embarrassed and staying away of her own accord after being a bit of an idiot), but it still feels wrong — especially when Phryne knows her adopted daughters have been targeted to get to her in the past, and are undoubtedly vulnerable.
And I must admit to a longing for Phryne to go after someone other than Lin Chung for once. It’s been books and books since she was with someone else — Death Before Wicket, I think? — and it feels odd. I know she loves Lin Chung, but after everything she’s said about not settling down… she seems remarkably settled. It doesn’t feel quite right, and it’s a shame whenever Phryne or another character calls her(self) a concubine. I do love the old Phryne too, much as I like Lin Chung…
Originally posted here.
The other plot, with the flower girls and the pageant, etc, is fairly typical and more or less unremarkable, and there are some odd moments here; for example, when Ruth is missing, presumed kidnapped, life goes on in a rather casual way. Which is rather surprising when you consider Phryne’s protectiveness of those she considers her own. It makes some sense in context (e.g. Phryne figures out that Ruth is embarrassed and staying away of her own accord after being a bit of an idiot), but it still feels wrong — especially when Phryne knows her adopted daughters have been targeted to get to her in the past, and are undoubtedly vulnerable.
And I must admit to a longing for Phryne to go after someone other than Lin Chung for once. It’s been books and books since she was with someone else — Death Before Wicket, I think? — and it feels odd. I know she loves Lin Chung, but after everything she’s said about not settling down… she seems remarkably settled. It doesn’t feel quite right, and it’s a shame whenever Phryne or another character calls her(self) a concubine. I do love the old Phryne too, much as I like Lin Chung…
Originally posted here.
April 17, 2018
*I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
"I will be revenged on the whole pack of them! And so I shall, you mark my words..."
It's always a joy to return to Kerry Greenwood's extraordinary Phryne Fisher series. Her books are always so well-researched and the atmosphere feels so genuine and vibrant, it's a joy to get lost in Phryne's world!
This time, Phryne finds herself in the role of the "Queen of Flowers" in a big parade. But her Flower Maidens are hiding secrets, and when one of them goes missing, Phryne has to investigate. But she is not prepared for the revolting things she uncovers.
In the midst of her investigation, Phryne finds herself becoming acquainted with a man who runs the noblest brothel in town and a charming man who runs an illegal gambling ship, becomes reacquainted with an old lover, and to make things worse, one of her adopted daughters is kidnapped...
Listed like that, it seems like an awful lot to happen, but somehow, it works.
I loved the new additions to the already pretty colorful cast of Phryne's acquaintances, and it was lovely to see more of Ruth for a change. She was always just the little romantic to Jane's more pragmatic and more impressive personality, and I really liked the way her search for her father played out.
I am getting a bit tired of the Lin Chung relationship though. It really has been to long since the independent Phryne has been with anyone else. And I hate the way everyone thinks of her as Lin's "concubine". I know everyone, even his wife and grandmother, is somehow okay with their relationship, but I wish she would go back to her old ways...
All in all, it was a wonderful addition to what is easily becoming one of my favorite series!
"I will be revenged on the whole pack of them! And so I shall, you mark my words..."
It's always a joy to return to Kerry Greenwood's extraordinary Phryne Fisher series. Her books are always so well-researched and the atmosphere feels so genuine and vibrant, it's a joy to get lost in Phryne's world!
This time, Phryne finds herself in the role of the "Queen of Flowers" in a big parade. But her Flower Maidens are hiding secrets, and when one of them goes missing, Phryne has to investigate. But she is not prepared for the revolting things she uncovers.
In the midst of her investigation, Phryne finds herself becoming acquainted with a man who runs the noblest brothel in town and a charming man who runs an illegal gambling ship, becomes reacquainted with an old lover, and to make things worse, one of her adopted daughters is kidnapped...
Listed like that, it seems like an awful lot to happen, but somehow, it works.
I loved the new additions to the already pretty colorful cast of Phryne's acquaintances, and it was lovely to see more of Ruth for a change. She was always just the little romantic to Jane's more pragmatic and more impressive personality, and I really liked the way her search for her father played out.
I am getting a bit tired of the Lin Chung relationship though. It really has been to long since the independent Phryne has been with anyone else. And I hate the way everyone thinks of her as Lin's "concubine". I know everyone, even his wife and grandmother, is somehow okay with their relationship, but I wish she would go back to her old ways...
All in all, it was a wonderful addition to what is easily becoming one of my favorite series!
November 16, 2015
I felt like I haven’t listened to a Phryne Fisher for quite a while, and it has been about 4 months since my last Phryne fix! It was nice to catch up with her again. I was chuckling at meeting the elephant in the first chapter!
It was also good to find out a bit more about Phryne’s adopted daughters Jane and Ruth.
As always, a joy to listen to Stephanie Daniels. I see I’m drawing toward the end of the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries - I hope Kerry Greenwood has a few more instalments up her sleeves!
It was also good to find out a bit more about Phryne’s adopted daughters Jane and Ruth.
As always, a joy to listen to Stephanie Daniels. I see I’m drawing toward the end of the Phryne Fisher murder mysteries - I hope Kerry Greenwood has a few more instalments up her sleeves!
November 16, 2017
Oh, I liked this one a lot. So much better than the TV episode based on this book. The more I read, the more I fall in love with this series. Circuses, parades, family drama, romances, loyalty and friendship, secrets, kidnapping, missing children, familial love, old lovers, current lovers, wines, continental gentlemen, brothels - it's a lot but it was a delightful mix. Miss Phryne Fisher does not lead a boring life, lol.
Phryne and minions are preparing for a parade where Phryne will be the Queen of Flowers and her attendants are young girls from moderately good families. But there's tension between the girls, they are keeping secrets, and then one goes missing. As Phryne investigates, she encounters an old lover, and one of her adopted daughters goes missing. There are several story threads; some come together quickly while others take longer to play out. There's a lot of family drama, both in Phryne's life and that of the missing flower attendant. It hit soap opera levels at times but I enjoyed it. There were some slow bits but overall the pacing was good.
The cast of characters is large and not every one appears in every book. Inspector Jack Robinson and his wife make an appearance but Jack's role in this book is less police officer and more friend. Lin Chung, Phryne's married lover is back and plays a somewhat larger part. I'm still not okay with Phryne being involved with a married man but I'm slowly getting used to him. I had a hard time believing how comfortable Lin's wife Camellia was with the situation; it doesn't strike me as realistic. It also feels unrealistic that Phryne doesn't suffer social consequences for her affair.
Other than, I enjoyed the book. In fact, I think it might be one of my favorites. "Queen of the Flowers" has Greenwood's usual rich and complex storytelling with fascinating, vibrant characters, extraordinary and ordinary circumstances, and strong, wonderful relationships. I enjoy the latter as much as the mysteries. And the worlds that Phryne walks through - high society, low society, mundane and dramatic, and everything in between. I also love that I always learn something when I read a Phryne Fisher books - a bit of history, social issues, fruit farming,life in different parts of the world, the inner workings of a newspaper in the 1920s - there's always something interesting.
Some favorite quotes:
It was amazing how one small, relatively slim cat could occupy a whole bed, Phryne thought drowsily. (Truth! ~ Bea)
The elephant was the last straw.
"There are good sailors,"said Phryne. "Well, some good sailors. In a way, they are ideal as husbands. They drop in every six months for a wild celebration, then they drop out again, before one gets bored with their company or annoyed by their habits."
Phryne and minions are preparing for a parade where Phryne will be the Queen of Flowers and her attendants are young girls from moderately good families. But there's tension between the girls, they are keeping secrets, and then one goes missing. As Phryne investigates, she encounters an old lover, and one of her adopted daughters goes missing. There are several story threads; some come together quickly while others take longer to play out. There's a lot of family drama, both in Phryne's life and that of the missing flower attendant. It hit soap opera levels at times but I enjoyed it. There were some slow bits but overall the pacing was good.
The cast of characters is large and not every one appears in every book. Inspector Jack Robinson and his wife make an appearance but Jack's role in this book is less police officer and more friend. Lin Chung, Phryne's married lover is back and plays a somewhat larger part. I'm still not okay with Phryne being involved with a married man but I'm slowly getting used to him. I had a hard time believing how comfortable Lin's wife Camellia was with the situation; it doesn't strike me as realistic. It also feels unrealistic that Phryne doesn't suffer social consequences for her affair.
Other than, I enjoyed the book. In fact, I think it might be one of my favorites. "Queen of the Flowers" has Greenwood's usual rich and complex storytelling with fascinating, vibrant characters, extraordinary and ordinary circumstances, and strong, wonderful relationships. I enjoy the latter as much as the mysteries. And the worlds that Phryne walks through - high society, low society, mundane and dramatic, and everything in between. I also love that I always learn something when I read a Phryne Fisher books - a bit of history, social issues, fruit farming,life in different parts of the world, the inner workings of a newspaper in the 1920s - there's always something interesting.
Some favorite quotes:
It was amazing how one small, relatively slim cat could occupy a whole bed, Phryne thought drowsily. (Truth! ~ Bea)
The elephant was the last straw.
"There are good sailors,"said Phryne. "Well, some good sailors. In a way, they are ideal as husbands. They drop in every six months for a wild celebration, then they drop out again, before one gets bored with their company or annoyed by their habits."
April 3, 2017
The Honorable Phryne Fisher finds herself drawn in so many directions. For one, she is to be the Queen of the Flowers as part a St. Kilda festival and having to shepherd four tween girls who are to serve as her flower maidens. She and her family are overseeing so much of the festival, right down to the costumes for these girls and the flower arrangements.
But things become very complicated when one of the flower maidens, the high-strung Rose Weston, disappears, and Phryne is hired to find the girl. Rose’s disappearance, a second disappearance, and a passel of secrets, old and new, leave Phryne with her hands full. (To give more details would be to spoil the novel.) Yet, she solves the matters with her usual intelligence, good sense, and sang froid. Highly, highly recommended.
But things become very complicated when one of the flower maidens, the high-strung Rose Weston, disappears, and Phryne is hired to find the girl. Rose’s disappearance, a second disappearance, and a passel of secrets, old and new, leave Phryne with her hands full. (To give more details would be to spoil the novel.) Yet, she solves the matters with her usual intelligence, good sense, and sang froid. Highly, highly recommended.
September 19, 2016
A light fun mystery after swimming through molasses for a few weeks. It is probably the weakest so far of the Fisher mysteries. Kidnapping abounds in this one, along with fun new characters, and one of the plot lines targeting one of the menagerie of people living in the Fisher household.
Sadly, it has too many of those- the detective sees a piece of evidence which reveals all, but you aren’t privy to that evidence – but that is OK. As I said, there are plenty of fun or endearing parts to make you not care. Well, I didn’t care, as I saw within 30 pages we were never going to get a standard drawing room murder.
Some of the new characters are classic Australian ones that represent the early 20th century, and I enjoyed their presence and subplots. Some of these we are likely to meet again, others are one offs and they are fun to see (I met some of them as a child, when they were elderly).
This is not one to start reading a Greenwood Phyne Fisher novel – there are definitely better ones out there – but sometimes, the filler novels between other biggies in a series are great to read. Thank Goodness! the actual ball (Queens of the Flowers Ball) is never played out.
Sadly, it has too many of those- the detective sees a piece of evidence which reveals all, but you aren’t privy to that evidence – but that is OK. As I said, there are plenty of fun or endearing parts to make you not care. Well, I didn’t care, as I saw within 30 pages we were never going to get a standard drawing room murder.
Some of the new characters are classic Australian ones that represent the early 20th century, and I enjoyed their presence and subplots. Some of these we are likely to meet again, others are one offs and they are fun to see (I met some of them as a child, when they were elderly).
This is not one to start reading a Greenwood Phyne Fisher novel – there are definitely better ones out there – but sometimes, the filler novels between other biggies in a series are great to read. Thank Goodness! the actual ball (Queens of the Flowers Ball) is never played out.
November 21, 2013
Note: This applies to the US Kindle version.
And an odd version it is - hence the two stars. Is the book really by Kerry Greenwood? I wonder.
Lately I've had a grand ol' time reading through the Phryne Fisher mysteries. Despite a certain curiosity as to why vol. 1-3, then 10-18, but not 4-9 is available to me in the Kindle store, I've very much enjoyed the books. Some are better, some are worse, but all are entertaining.
Until this. Until a book which appears SO MUCH out of character that I wonder if the author is really the author. Suddenly, when a discreet doctor is needed for a female victim, Dr. Mac isn't even mentioned. A sister so effectively used in the previous book is suddenly ... not even mentioned.
Let's ignore the suddenly horrendous typography and layout, which made the Kindle book near unreadable. Let's skip the out-of-character behaviour of the main characters.
The plot. What about the PLOT? "What about the plot?" I hear you ask. Yes. What about it? Where was the plot? I shan't spoil, but honestly I am tempted to retitle this volume: "The Chase for the Itinerant Plot".
This one was a shock to my system after the lovely #13 ("The Castlemain Murders") and the absolutely delightful #14 ("Death by Water").
Again: was this REALLY written by Kerry Greenwood? Ya could'v fooled me.
And an odd version it is - hence the two stars. Is the book really by Kerry Greenwood? I wonder.
Lately I've had a grand ol' time reading through the Phryne Fisher mysteries. Despite a certain curiosity as to why vol. 1-3, then 10-18, but not 4-9 is available to me in the Kindle store, I've very much enjoyed the books. Some are better, some are worse, but all are entertaining.
Until this. Until a book which appears SO MUCH out of character that I wonder if the author is really the author. Suddenly, when a discreet doctor is needed for a female victim, Dr. Mac isn't even mentioned. A sister so effectively used in the previous book is suddenly ... not even mentioned.
Let's ignore the suddenly horrendous typography and layout, which made the Kindle book near unreadable. Let's skip the out-of-character behaviour of the main characters.
The plot. What about the PLOT? "What about the plot?" I hear you ask. Yes. What about it? Where was the plot? I shan't spoil, but honestly I am tempted to retitle this volume: "The Chase for the Itinerant Plot".
This one was a shock to my system after the lovely #13 ("The Castlemain Murders") and the absolutely delightful #14 ("Death by Water").
Again: was this REALLY written by Kerry Greenwood? Ya could'v fooled me.
April 27, 2018
Queen of the Flowers by Kerry Greenwood is book 14 in the Phryne Fisher Mystery series. Phryne has been chosen to be Queen of the Flowers in the St. Kilda parade and when one of her maidens goes missing she is hired to find her. An interesting and captivating mystery with no murder involved this time. All the usual characters are here and we meet others from Phryne's past. The narrator is outstanding and perfect as Phryne and the Audible version includes an interesting interview with the author.
January 31, 2023
As another reviewer has said, this book is so odd that it made me wonder if Greenwood was bored with Phryne's world, or had to rush another installment to her publisher to meet a contract--or if someone else wrote it. It reminded me of Dick Francis' corpus: some are cracking good yarns, others weak in the extreme. There is a growing consensus that Mr Francis had more than a little "help" writing his best novels, and that the weak ones were the ones he did solo. Perhaps someone else dipped their pen in the Fisher inkwell this time? It certainly seems so, particularly when Phryne tells Dot all about her time in the circus (see Blood and Circuses)--and yet Dot was working for her at the time, and knew where she was etc. After all, the entire series takes place in one year, her circus adventures weren't all that long before, a few weeks at most.
So many plot threads: a dying mother, a disappeared father, a runaway with an evil grandfather, absent father, bitchy friends and ineffective mum...another runaway (this time in Phryne's own menage)...a lover from the past...and yet the story seems so flat. I guess what was missing was the humour, the pacing, the spark. Even the descriptions are bland; accustomed to the vicarious pleasure of Mrs Butler's meals described with loving care, this time we are told they had sandwiches, or a cold collation, or a "thoughtful cocktail"--but that's it. Not even a recipe for that cocktail! What a letdown.
And I won't even go into Camellia, Lin Chung's wife, designing a garden for her husband's "concubine." Oh yeah, like they're gonna be best friends. Uh-huh. Good luck with that.
I'm re-reading this to see if I was peevish the first time. In this volume Phyrne tells Lin apologetically, "I can't sing." Yet in Vol 20, she joins the choir because she's sung in several choirs before? Oh please, Ms Greenwood--a little character coherence would be nice. That's right, I forgot--Phyrne's first name is Marysue. ETA 2: If Jane found a good second-hand copy of Grey's Anatomy at the bazaar, why does Phryne then give her one for Christmas of the same year, in Murder in the Dark?
Definitely not Greenwood's best work.
ETA: I noticed this time round that Phryne has gone from the "Silver Lady" of the first encounter with Lin Chung to "Jade Lady." It fits, as her eyes are green. Also, in Asia, a "jade woman" is very intelligent, beautiful and practically perfect, as Phryne is meant to be. I also noticed that she always refers to him as Lin, as if that were his first name, but in other novels we are told that Lin is his surname-- Asian names are usually expressed like that, first name in second place, but would you consistently call your lover by his surname?
So many plot threads: a dying mother, a disappeared father, a runaway with an evil grandfather, absent father, bitchy friends and ineffective mum...another runaway (this time in Phryne's own menage)...a lover from the past...and yet the story seems so flat. I guess what was missing was the humour, the pacing, the spark. Even the descriptions are bland; accustomed to the vicarious pleasure of Mrs Butler's meals described with loving care, this time we are told they had sandwiches, or a cold collation, or a "thoughtful cocktail"--but that's it. Not even a recipe for that cocktail! What a letdown.
And I won't even go into Camellia, Lin Chung's wife, designing a garden for her husband's "concubine." Oh yeah, like they're gonna be best friends. Uh-huh. Good luck with that.
I'm re-reading this to see if I was peevish the first time. In this volume Phyrne tells Lin apologetically, "I can't sing." Yet in Vol 20, she joins the choir because she's sung in several choirs before? Oh please, Ms Greenwood--a little character coherence would be nice. That's right, I forgot--Phyrne's first name is Marysue. ETA 2: If Jane found a good second-hand copy of Grey's Anatomy at the bazaar, why does Phryne then give her one for Christmas of the same year, in Murder in the Dark?
Definitely not Greenwood's best work.
ETA: I noticed this time round that Phryne has gone from the "Silver Lady" of the first encounter with Lin Chung to "Jade Lady." It fits, as her eyes are green. Also, in Asia, a "jade woman" is very intelligent, beautiful and practically perfect, as Phryne is meant to be. I also noticed that she always refers to him as Lin, as if that were his first name, but in other novels we are told that Lin is his surname-- Asian names are usually expressed like that, first name in second place, but would you consistently call your lover by his surname?
July 31, 2018
This is fairly standard for this series. I enjoyed it. It's easy reading. I did think people were a wee smidge too casual about two separate teenage girls going missing. But I did find the extended cast (at least the core members - Dot, Hugh, Jack, Jane, Ruth, Cec, Bert, Mr. and Mrs. Butler) were particularly well used in this one, which kind of made up for it?
October 22, 2017
Queen of the Flowers, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries #14, finds the socialite lady detective solving the disappearances of several young ladies. The carnival is in town, bringing old friends; several shady characters are looking for Rose--they are so vile the most vile bar has banned them; and Phryne is slated to be the Queen of the Flowers in the upcoming 1928 Flower Parade. Now, if only the Flower Girls would stop disappearing...
I have been watching the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries on Netflex as entertainment while hand appliqueing in the evening. The books are being published by Poison Pen Press and I thought it would be fun to read one.
Miss Fisher goes on the trail of her missing adopted daughter who had been searching for her birth father. She is also hiding Rose, a girl who nearly drowned, and whose life is threatened. Her investigations bring to light instances of abuse against girls, a professor's double life, and the workings of a gambling ship. Girls fight over a vacuous but angelic looking teen. All the gang appear: Dot and her beau Hugh, Detective Jack Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, and Bert and Cec, and of course the ravishing Lin Chung.
I enjoyed the humorous authorial asides such as "Phryne had rescued the girls from slavery at considerable trouble and expense." When Pyryne checks out a lead and is asked about it she replies that it was "Remarkably like being inside the Castle of Otronto without the giant hand, thought it might have put in an appearance later." I also loved her adage, "Guilt is a useless emotion and not to be indulged in."
I thought the book Phryne is very like the TV show one, well-heeled, confident, and nonplussed in the midst of danger. I did cringe a bit over her willingness to be considered her Chinese lover Linn's concubine ("Phryne, fortunately, liked being an amusement.") and her acceptance of prostitution as a welcomed career for impoverished girls.
It was an enjoyable, light read with wonderful historical ambiance and a definite Australian flair.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
I have been watching the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries on Netflex as entertainment while hand appliqueing in the evening. The books are being published by Poison Pen Press and I thought it would be fun to read one.
Miss Fisher goes on the trail of her missing adopted daughter who had been searching for her birth father. She is also hiding Rose, a girl who nearly drowned, and whose life is threatened. Her investigations bring to light instances of abuse against girls, a professor's double life, and the workings of a gambling ship. Girls fight over a vacuous but angelic looking teen. All the gang appear: Dot and her beau Hugh, Detective Jack Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Butler, and Bert and Cec, and of course the ravishing Lin Chung.
I enjoyed the humorous authorial asides such as "Phryne had rescued the girls from slavery at considerable trouble and expense." When Pyryne checks out a lead and is asked about it she replies that it was "Remarkably like being inside the Castle of Otronto without the giant hand, thought it might have put in an appearance later." I also loved her adage, "Guilt is a useless emotion and not to be indulged in."
I thought the book Phryne is very like the TV show one, well-heeled, confident, and nonplussed in the midst of danger. I did cringe a bit over her willingness to be considered her Chinese lover Linn's concubine ("Phryne, fortunately, liked being an amusement.") and her acceptance of prostitution as a welcomed career for impoverished girls.
It was an enjoyable, light read with wonderful historical ambiance and a definite Australian flair.
I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.
August 25, 2017
I love Kerry Greenwood's books of Phryne Fisher to no end. I feel that the TV series follows the books except for Jack Robinson. He should be played down and Lin should be the person played up as Phryne's lover. In this story he was more evident than Jack. And I love the way Phryne handles herself when she meets with the gambler Mr Walker and then with the prostitute boss, Professor Merckens. She makes a lot of sense when she talks to her flower girls and when she meets with all the serving girls. She is the women's woman.
July 24, 2014
I've been reading this series in order and really enjoying it, until this book. This one really disappointed me.
The beginning of the book had far too much back story that sucked the tension right out of the story. It interrupted the action and mystery with information that wasn't needed, not there anything. Plus the back story went on and on and on.
Then later, the characters lacked emotion and their actions were not believable. I won't say more than that due to spoilers, but this story fell flat for me.
The beginning of the book had far too much back story that sucked the tension right out of the story. It interrupted the action and mystery with information that wasn't needed, not there anything. Plus the back story went on and on and on.
Then later, the characters lacked emotion and their actions were not believable. I won't say more than that due to spoilers, but this story fell flat for me.
October 8, 2019
2018 - I like bits of this story very well - Mr Butler meeting Flossie the elephant is wonderful. But as I commented in 2013, other parts of the story drag.
2013 - I'm not sure why, but this just didn't keep my interest as so many of the others in the series have done. I started over once and even back-tracked after a while.
2013 - I'm not sure why, but this just didn't keep my interest as so many of the others in the series have done. I started over once and even back-tracked after a while.
September 17, 2011
I found it totally odd that one of Phryne's crew would go missing and there wouldn't be a bit more...anxiety? But nope! Everyone sleeps soundly (seriously, Miss Greenwood makes a point of specifying this) and Phryne goes on with her usual community tasks.
October 16, 2017
I requested this through Netgalley as soon as I saw it because I am a big fan of the TV series!
I was a bit worried before I started reading that it wouldn't live up to the TV version and would just end up ruining it for me. As soon as I started reading I realised my fears were groundless. The book version of Phryne Fisher is smarter, bubblier, sharper, just more than the TV version.
The characters are very likeable and I just love the descriptions of them. Phryne is an absolute delight to read. I love her independence and her outlook on life.
One of my favourite things about the TV series is the banter between Phryne and Inspector Jack Robinson. I thought I would miss it in the book but I actually like that's it not there because it seemed to give the character of Phryne more room to breathe.
The tone stays light but the mystery ended up going in a quite dark direction, and Phryne does some decent investigating. I feel it does get a bit convoluted with two different stories going on and a few dips into the past thrown in. There were a few too many coincidences in Ruth's story and it didn't make sense why some of the people did the things they did.
I liked the main mystery though, and I found that once I read the first chapter I couldn't put it down.
This is just like a glass of wine in book format. It's all bubbles and lightness and the story fizzes along. I love the world the author has created and I will definitely be reading more of the series!
I received a free copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
I was a bit worried before I started reading that it wouldn't live up to the TV version and would just end up ruining it for me. As soon as I started reading I realised my fears were groundless. The book version of Phryne Fisher is smarter, bubblier, sharper, just more than the TV version.
The characters are very likeable and I just love the descriptions of them. Phryne is an absolute delight to read. I love her independence and her outlook on life.
One of my favourite things about the TV series is the banter between Phryne and Inspector Jack Robinson. I thought I would miss it in the book but I actually like that's it not there because it seemed to give the character of Phryne more room to breathe.
The tone stays light but the mystery ended up going in a quite dark direction, and Phryne does some decent investigating. I feel it does get a bit convoluted with two different stories going on and a few dips into the past thrown in. There were a few too many coincidences in Ruth's story and it didn't make sense why some of the people did the things they did.
I liked the main mystery though, and I found that once I read the first chapter I couldn't put it down.
This is just like a glass of wine in book format. It's all bubbles and lightness and the story fizzes along. I love the world the author has created and I will definitely be reading more of the series!
I received a free copy from the publisher in return for an honest review.
September 15, 2018
so in this one we find out who Ruth's father is.
January 26, 2019
Once again, Phryne saves the day! and this time she has a little help.
March 25, 2017
Enjoyable, as all the Miss Fisher books are, but not an earth shaking one. A light and easy read. With elephants.
June 17, 2014
This book opens with an elephant dropping in on the heroine, forcing the butler to try and make excuses to stall the poor thing. Because if you worked at a circus and were taking your elephant for a walk, why wouldn't you drop in on your old friend? It also includes a libertine flapper detective, Marxist cab drivers, orphans, despicable rich villains, vile gutter-dwelling villains, hypocrisy and satisfyingly just desserts. And about one coincidence and on plot too many for one book.
This is the first one in the series I've read (though I've seen a few of the TV shows) and despite my plot quibbles it's more than entertaining enough as a diverting mystery.
This is the first one in the series I've read (though I've seen a few of the TV shows) and despite my plot quibbles it's more than entertaining enough as a diverting mystery.
June 15, 2009
This was fun, but I kind of wanted something different to happen for a change. Also, I wanted more description of the costume for the Queen of the Flowers.
June 25, 2019
Es fehlt an Spannung
Buchmeinung zu Kerry Greenwood – Tod am Strand
„Tod am Strand“ ist ein Kriminalroman von Kerry Greenwood, der 2019 im Insel Verlag in der Übersetzung von Regina Rawlinson erschienen ist. Der Titel der englischen Originalausgabe lautet „Queen of the Flowers“ und ist 2004 erschienen.
Zum Autor:
Kerry Greenwood, geboren 1954 in Maribyrnong City, Australien, studierte Rechtswissenschaften und englische Literatur. Sie arbeitete als Rechtsberaterin für die Victoria Legal Aid und als Bewährungshelferin. Aus Leidenschaft für Literatur begann sie zu schreiben. Sie verfasst historische, Fantasy- und Kriminalromane und wurde mehrfach ausgezeichnet, u. a. 2003 mit dem Ned Kelly Award für ihre Kriminalromane. Kerry Greenwood lebt in Melbourne.
Klappentext:
Glamourös, klug und unabhängig, eine moderne Frau und eine gewitzte Detektivin – das ist Phryne Fisher. Die wohlhabende englische Aristokratin lässt sich in den wilden 1920er Jahren in Melbourne nieder und lebt mit ihren beiden Adoptivtöchtern in St. Kilda, wo sie ihr Single-Dasein in vollen Zügen genießt – und nebenbei einen Mordfall nach dem anderen löst. Nicht immer zur Freude der örtlichen Polizei.
Das kleine Städtchen St. Kilda steht kopf: Der Zirkus ist in der Stadt, und in wenigen Tagen wird die große Blumenparade stattfinden. Und natürlich wird die allseits beliebte Phryne Fisher die »Queen of Flowers« sein. Mitten in den turbulenten Vorbereitungen wird plötzlich eines der Blumenmädchen halbtot am Strand aufgefunden, kurz darauf ist auch Phrynes Adoptivtochter Ruth wie vom Erdboden verschluckt.
Nun ist Phryne Fishers Spürsinn gefragt. Unerschrocken, mit Charme und Chuzpe ermittelt sie zwischen Tee und Tango, unter Puppenspielern und Halunken und schreckt weder vor ehemaligen Liebhabern noch vor Elefanten zurück …
Meine Meinung:
Als bekennender Fan der Fernsehserie um Miss Phryne Fisher war ich sehr auf das Buch gespannt. Es gibt natürlich ein paar Abweichungen zwischen dem Buch und der Fernsehserie. Im Buch wird Mister Butler durch seine Ehefrau bei den Arbeiten im Hause Fisher unterstützt und Miss Fisher und der Kommissar gehen getrennte Wege. Miss Fisher ist noch eine Spur selbstbewußter und geht ihren eigenen Weg. Ein wichtiger Bestandteil sind mehrere junge Damen, die Miss Fisher auf einer Blumenparade begleiten sollen. Ihr Verhalten und ihre Probleme spielen eine gewichtige Rolle. Es gibt wunderschöne Bilder, z. B. Jenes mit dem Elefanten, der Mister Butler mit dem Tuch die Stirn abwischt. Auch agiert Miss Fisher unerschrocken, scheut keine Risiken und deckt diverse dunkle Geheimnisse auf. Auch die Atmosphäre stimmt. Aber leider hat mich das Buch trotzdem nicht gefesselt, weil keine Spannung aufkommen wollte.
Fazit:
Ohne Spannung kommt kein rechtes Lesevergnügen auf. Deshalb vergebe ich nur drei von fünf Sternen (60 von 100 Punkten).
Buchmeinung zu Kerry Greenwood – Tod am Strand
„Tod am Strand“ ist ein Kriminalroman von Kerry Greenwood, der 2019 im Insel Verlag in der Übersetzung von Regina Rawlinson erschienen ist. Der Titel der englischen Originalausgabe lautet „Queen of the Flowers“ und ist 2004 erschienen.
Zum Autor:
Kerry Greenwood, geboren 1954 in Maribyrnong City, Australien, studierte Rechtswissenschaften und englische Literatur. Sie arbeitete als Rechtsberaterin für die Victoria Legal Aid und als Bewährungshelferin. Aus Leidenschaft für Literatur begann sie zu schreiben. Sie verfasst historische, Fantasy- und Kriminalromane und wurde mehrfach ausgezeichnet, u. a. 2003 mit dem Ned Kelly Award für ihre Kriminalromane. Kerry Greenwood lebt in Melbourne.
Klappentext:
Glamourös, klug und unabhängig, eine moderne Frau und eine gewitzte Detektivin – das ist Phryne Fisher. Die wohlhabende englische Aristokratin lässt sich in den wilden 1920er Jahren in Melbourne nieder und lebt mit ihren beiden Adoptivtöchtern in St. Kilda, wo sie ihr Single-Dasein in vollen Zügen genießt – und nebenbei einen Mordfall nach dem anderen löst. Nicht immer zur Freude der örtlichen Polizei.
Das kleine Städtchen St. Kilda steht kopf: Der Zirkus ist in der Stadt, und in wenigen Tagen wird die große Blumenparade stattfinden. Und natürlich wird die allseits beliebte Phryne Fisher die »Queen of Flowers« sein. Mitten in den turbulenten Vorbereitungen wird plötzlich eines der Blumenmädchen halbtot am Strand aufgefunden, kurz darauf ist auch Phrynes Adoptivtochter Ruth wie vom Erdboden verschluckt.
Nun ist Phryne Fishers Spürsinn gefragt. Unerschrocken, mit Charme und Chuzpe ermittelt sie zwischen Tee und Tango, unter Puppenspielern und Halunken und schreckt weder vor ehemaligen Liebhabern noch vor Elefanten zurück …
Meine Meinung:
Als bekennender Fan der Fernsehserie um Miss Phryne Fisher war ich sehr auf das Buch gespannt. Es gibt natürlich ein paar Abweichungen zwischen dem Buch und der Fernsehserie. Im Buch wird Mister Butler durch seine Ehefrau bei den Arbeiten im Hause Fisher unterstützt und Miss Fisher und der Kommissar gehen getrennte Wege. Miss Fisher ist noch eine Spur selbstbewußter und geht ihren eigenen Weg. Ein wichtiger Bestandteil sind mehrere junge Damen, die Miss Fisher auf einer Blumenparade begleiten sollen. Ihr Verhalten und ihre Probleme spielen eine gewichtige Rolle. Es gibt wunderschöne Bilder, z. B. Jenes mit dem Elefanten, der Mister Butler mit dem Tuch die Stirn abwischt. Auch agiert Miss Fisher unerschrocken, scheut keine Risiken und deckt diverse dunkle Geheimnisse auf. Auch die Atmosphäre stimmt. Aber leider hat mich das Buch trotzdem nicht gefesselt, weil keine Spannung aufkommen wollte.
Fazit:
Ohne Spannung kommt kein rechtes Lesevergnügen auf. Deshalb vergebe ich nur drei von fünf Sternen (60 von 100 Punkten).
February 10, 2022
one thing i love about these books is how absolutely batshit they are.
sometimes in these books phryne refers to the books ruth (one of the two girls she adopted from an evil hypnotist who was forcing them to steal things) (yes that is a plot line) reads as "train novels" since they have no substance and serve the purpose of reading on a train to pass the time. that is exactly how i feel about the phryne fisher books and yet i absolutely cannot stop reading them.
and again, THEY ARE BATSHIT!! just when i thought they couldn't top phryne receiving lin chung's ear in the mail or being possessed by the goddess isis to help her solve a murder she goes and rides on the back of an elephant wearing a dress made of flowers.
don't even get me started on how down bad dot and phryne are for each other!!! in "urn burial" there was FULLY a line where dot said "you drive me crazy but you smell so good" is that not the gayest thing you have ever read??? and this is not at all me hating on hugh (dot's himbo bf) because he is a simp and i love him, i just feel bad that dot is dragging him along while she awoogas over phryne. like.........they raise two children together.
from an actual review standpoint, these books all read sort of like a wattpad (specifically) fanfic. speaking as someone who has written wattpad fanfic, i can pick it out pretty quick. kerry greenwood writes sometimes like she has to hit a word count to get this chapter out to her wattpad followers and sometimes like she's having a genius moment and writing beautiful prose completely naturally. for real though, i am HOOKED.
my critiques are as follows:
-just let dot and phryne hook up
-give hugh a nice gf who isn't distracted all the time by her hot boss
-let it be 1929???? it has been 1928 for 14 books now and i find that a little bit hard to believe
-let dot and phryne smooch
sometimes in these books phryne refers to the books ruth (one of the two girls she adopted from an evil hypnotist who was forcing them to steal things) (yes that is a plot line) reads as "train novels" since they have no substance and serve the purpose of reading on a train to pass the time. that is exactly how i feel about the phryne fisher books and yet i absolutely cannot stop reading them.
and again, THEY ARE BATSHIT!! just when i thought they couldn't top phryne receiving lin chung's ear in the mail or being possessed by the goddess isis to help her solve a murder she goes and rides on the back of an elephant wearing a dress made of flowers.
don't even get me started on how down bad dot and phryne are for each other!!! in "urn burial" there was FULLY a line where dot said "you drive me crazy but you smell so good" is that not the gayest thing you have ever read??? and this is not at all me hating on hugh (dot's himbo bf) because he is a simp and i love him, i just feel bad that dot is dragging him along while she awoogas over phryne. like.........they raise two children together.
from an actual review standpoint, these books all read sort of like a wattpad (specifically) fanfic. speaking as someone who has written wattpad fanfic, i can pick it out pretty quick. kerry greenwood writes sometimes like she has to hit a word count to get this chapter out to her wattpad followers and sometimes like she's having a genius moment and writing beautiful prose completely naturally. for real though, i am HOOKED.
my critiques are as follows:
-just let dot and phryne hook up
-give hugh a nice gf who isn't distracted all the time by her hot boss
-let it be 1929???? it has been 1928 for 14 books now and i find that a little bit hard to believe
-let dot and phryne smooch
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2022
This was quite different than the TV show, and I think better. It didn't deal with sordid details in quite such graphic detail, and the way things played off in the book seemed more plausible. I am not entirely sure why the carnival/circus was necessary, or the elephants, though they added a nice dramatic flair.
There was so much going on with kidnappings and the like that I can almost see why Phryne was not sometimes concerned about her daughter being missing. It is just me, or did it seem like she only half remembered that after quite a bit of time had elapsed? And the other daughter didn't seem too put out by it either. I did find that odd.
But other than that, the rest of the book was full of action and had some interesting asides. I was particularly surprised to find myself in Orkney late one night. This side plotline was completely missing from the show, so the closure at the end didn't happen in the show either. I found this a much more satisfying ending.
So I bumped it up a star just for Orkney content, because I'm a sucker for that. It was beautifully done. I also liked where it lead the central narrative arc of the series. But then, the central series arc in the show is Phryne's sister going missing, and that is completely absent from the books.
I was kind of thinking I would skip this one, because I found the episode of the show to be so distasteful. But this was handled much better (the grandfather is still ew but it doesn't involve the boy so closely and the flower girl in question gets a happy ending). So I'm glad I did read it, and I won't skip any going forward (I haven't yet, so no harm done). I have 7 more to go!
There was so much going on with kidnappings and the like that I can almost see why Phryne was not sometimes concerned about her daughter being missing. It is just me, or did it seem like she only half remembered that after quite a bit of time had elapsed? And the other daughter didn't seem too put out by it either. I did find that odd.
But other than that, the rest of the book was full of action and had some interesting asides. I was particularly surprised to find myself in Orkney late one night. This side plotline was completely missing from the show, so the closure at the end didn't happen in the show either. I found this a much more satisfying ending.
So I bumped it up a star just for Orkney content, because I'm a sucker for that. It was beautifully done. I also liked where it lead the central narrative arc of the series. But then, the central series arc in the show is Phryne's sister going missing, and that is completely absent from the books.
I was kind of thinking I would skip this one, because I found the episode of the show to be so distasteful. But this was handled much better (the grandfather is still ew but it doesn't involve the boy so closely and the flower girl in question gets a happy ending). So I'm glad I did read it, and I won't skip any going forward (I haven't yet, so no harm done). I have 7 more to go!
August 7, 2017
I received a free e-Arc from Netgalley.
This is one of the better paced Miss Fisher books, not that I haven't enjoyed them all, but Queen of the Flowers is jam packed with storyline and it was a real pleasure to read; the conclusion coming at the end, as it should, as opposed to half way through as sometimes happens.
The attention to detail Kerry Greenwood strives to achieve can sometimes be a bit over the top. I don't really enjoy all the descriptions of food and drink, but I know that many people thrive on those little nuggets so I can understand the author including them.
The descriptions of Orkney were entertaining, as were the more exotic locations.
Over all, a good 5/5 to a thoroughly enjoyable novel.
This is one of the better paced Miss Fisher books, not that I haven't enjoyed them all, but Queen of the Flowers is jam packed with storyline and it was a real pleasure to read; the conclusion coming at the end, as it should, as opposed to half way through as sometimes happens.
The attention to detail Kerry Greenwood strives to achieve can sometimes be a bit over the top. I don't really enjoy all the descriptions of food and drink, but I know that many people thrive on those little nuggets so I can understand the author including them.
The descriptions of Orkney were entertaining, as were the more exotic locations.
Over all, a good 5/5 to a thoroughly enjoyable novel.
June 7, 2021
Hat mich nicht so begeistern können, wie ich es mir erhofft hatte. Ich denke das liegt aber auch daran, das ich die TV Serie dazu einfach so grandios finde, das mir die Unterschiede dazu nicht so gut gefallen haben. Vermutlich wäre das anders, wenn ich zuerst die Bücher gelesen hätte.
Dadurch wirkte die Handlung für mich irgendwie aufgebauscht und an einigen Stellen gab es für mich unnötige Handlungsstränge, und auch unnötige Figuren.
Nun ja, ich schau dann ehrlich gesagt lieber weiterhin die Serie.^^
Dadurch wirkte die Handlung für mich irgendwie aufgebauscht und an einigen Stellen gab es für mich unnötige Handlungsstränge, und auch unnötige Figuren.
Nun ja, ich schau dann ehrlich gesagt lieber weiterhin die Serie.^^
September 9, 2017
Another enjoyable Phryne mystery
June 13, 2021
A re-read, first read before I joined GR, and just as good this time.
March 17, 2023
A very fun one full of twists and turns and classic phyrne
Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews