The Phryne Fisher Mysteries, Vol. 1 : Cocaine Blues / Flying Too High

by Kerry Greenwood

Phryne Fisher, rich, aristocratic and far too intelligent to be content as a flapper in the Jazz Age. She collects men, fast cars and designer dresses. But no matter how delicious the distractions, Phryne never takes her eyes off the main prize: bringing down villains.

Genres: Mystery, Historical, Crime, Fiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2004

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 centered 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

[Carlene Cayenne]

I just couldn't get into this book. The character seemed a bit odd and cold. The authors writing style, for me, was rigid. A little too pat I think. I thought I would like the story is I really do like mysteries especially the 20s and 30s and I think this author does no her history of the 20s but it just did not mesh for me. Actually don't like the main character I guess you need to like the main character if you want to continue on reading the story and she just didn't work for me.

[Patricia]

Having loved the TV series I definitely wanted to read the books and,although the narrator had a perfect voice for Phryne Fisher,I found it quite annoying that the recording was very poor due hearing her dry mouth,swallowing and,catching her breath nearly every time she started a sentence! It was a good story but had to suffer through the unnecessary ASMR!

[Kari]

I adore the Miss Fisher series, and all the characters in it. I'm enjoying the books, but I'm not sure I would have been that interested if I hadn't seen the show. This is one of the few times that I think the screen interpretation is better than the originals.

[Larry]

Started after seeing the PBS series. Modern female heroine set in '20s. Up from nothing Aussie girl whose father inherits, etc. Can shoot, fly, and other such nonsense, but entertaining.

[Bonnie]

Am looking forward to the next story!

[Grace Teachworth]

I want to be Phryne Fisher when I grow up

[Jean]

Engaging mystery, with unusual setting (Australia) and subject matter (women aviators). Only the second story, Flying Too High, as a stand alone.

[Harriet]

A lovely diversion! My edition included Murder on the Ballarat train. I spent a holiday weekend thoroughly captivated by Phyrne Fisher and her people. Having read quite a few of these mysteries before, I enjoyed going back to the beginning and learning about how Phyrne came to meet her entourage. I'd recommend that a reader new to these start here.

[Elly]

Really engaging mysteries set in 1920s Melbourne with a most extraordinary and fascinating protagonist. Racy!

[George Ivanoff]

Entertaining.

[Linda Burnham]

Quite a light read but very enjoyable.

[Tom]

A light diverting read with appealing characters and setting.It remains to be seen if future books in the series can susstain my interest.

[Paula]

read this book because i am in love with the TV series and it was great...added enough details to keep my interest.

[Ruth]

Afun and lively romp.