I haven't read the previous books of the series, so unfortunately I couldn't enjoy the contents of the book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

How lovely it was to be back with Phryne! It's been so many years. Here we have two plotlines going on. In one of them, Phryne and Dot go to Daylesford to visit a spa for War veterans. It is a cause very dear to Phryne as she herself was an ambulance driver during the war. And of course there she finds a mystery to solve. Women have gone missing and young men have been murdered in broad daylight. Meanwhile back at home, Jane, Ruth and Tinker have a mystery of their own: a body of Jane and Ruth's classmate has been found in the river. Detective Jack Robinson is away on another case and this murder is assigned to a different detective, who is rather a joke, and so it's Hugh Collins, Jane, Ruth and Tinker who will have to solve the crime.
Out of the two mysteries I enjoyed one at home a bit more, couldn't waittoget back to it. And I think what was missing is the whole crew when they are together. I love the warmth of Phryne's household and because they were separated it was missing a bit. But overall, a great installment to one of my all-time favorite series.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great murder mystery novel. Love the cover.

Death in Daylesford

by Kerry Greenwood

The inimitable and exquisite Phryne Fisher, lady detective, stars in a new Phryne Fisher mystery. In Death in Daylesford, there are two main plots as Phryne is invited to visit a spa that helps soldiers recovering from shell shock with an end to soliciting her financial support. She and her constant companion, the very sweet Dot, enjoy a vacation in the area where there are many mysteries that find their way to Phryne’s attention.

Back at home in St. Kilda, a girl is found dead in the water. Jack Robinson has been assigned a temporary post in another town, and an incompetent detective inspector is taking his place. Dot’s boyfriend Detective Sergeant Hugh Collins recruits Phryne’s household to assist in his investigation. Phryne’s adopted daughters Jane and Ruth along with Tinker, a helpful youth Phryne has taken in, use their respective strengths to uncover the secrets that led to the girl’s death.

This is an intricate and well-played mystery with multiple surprises and twists along the way. Given that there are so many issues to be resolved, it is amazing how Phryne sorts through the mysteries which range from minor quirks to multiple murders that occur in plain sight of crowds of people. Yet no one sees anything.

In Daylesford there is a local bumbling officer whose “talents would be taxed to the limit by remembering his own name and address, or the number of digits on his extremities.” There is also a quite competent inspector brought in to work on the murder cases, and he respectfully solicits Phryne’s help and their collaboration, although dangerous, is successful.

Although sexual encounters of various types are referred to, they are not displayed in the book. Phryne is an unusual woman for her time. Her wealth allows her the freedom to challenge conventional norms while her background helps her understand the dark, seamier side of life.

There are a lot of characters in this novel, and at times I had to refer back to refresh my memory. The setting changes back and forth between storylines, but at no time do the two overlap.

I have enjoyed all the Phryne mystery novels and the movies made from them under the title Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. This book exceeded my high expectations for another complicated plot with a creative, sophisticated sleuth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. #21 in the Phryne Fisher Series, but could be read as a standalone.
2. There are references to various sexual preferences.
3. Set in Australia, it contains lots of Australian terms if you enjoy dabbling in linguistic differences.

Publication: June 1, 2021—Poisoned Pen Press

Memorable Lines:

“To save time and fuss I may as well tell you that your fame precedes you. And while I’m not gonna play Dumb Cop to your Aristocratic Detective, I need a result here and I’d be a fool if I didn’t use whatever help you can give me.” He blinked, and put his massive head on one side, looking now like a kookaburra eyeing off an unattended sausage at a barbecue.

“You do realize that the front door doesn’t lock, don’t you?” Al grunted. “S’orright, though. We got a dog. Burglars are scared of Bluey.” “Why is that, sir?” “On account of gettin’ slobbered on a lot. Nuthin’ worse than an overenthusiastic dog when yer tryin’ to rob a house.”

Now the smugness was unmistakable. Kelly could feel the conceit rising in the insolent young man like yeast in a bowl of dough.

Why is it that I always find books that are part of series? I can never get past it. So i respectfully put this to the side for the simple fact that at the time i tried to read it, i wanted to read the other 20 books before it, but dont know when it will happen

Phyrne Fisher is one of my favorite mysteries! Phyrne is an independent and sassy character. She is also capable and very strong! I love this latest installment in this mystery. Not only did this nov have plots and twists, but it was fun to revisit the characters I love. Thus, this series is a must-read for fans of historical mysteries!

Phryne Fisher does it again! I loved the 2 communities and their differences. I enjoyed the 2 different murder mysteries. Might be an idea for a children’s series. The only piece I had trouble with was jumping back and forth between the 2 stories. In the beginning, it seemed like the 2 stories alternated chapters which helped keep the action straight. Halfway through though, it started flipping back and forth in the middle of chapters which made it much harder to follow. I had to go back and reread several sections because I couldn’t figure out which mystery we were talking about. I’d get caught up in the action and then couldn’t find out where Phryne was only to realize she wasn’t in that section and I was trying to figure out the wrong culprit. Once I got things straightened out, I enjoyed both stories.

Death in Daylesford is the 21st mystery featuring expat British aristocrat Phryne Fisher and her entourage by Kerry Greenwood. First released in late 2020, this reformat and new release 1st June 2021 from Poisoned Pen Press is 336 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is such a well written romp, full of action, eccentric characters, skullduggery, and the returning cast of regulars doing what they do best. This installment sees Dot and Phryne off consulting (and scaring the rurals zooming around in the Hispano-Suiza) while Mr. & Mrs. B, Hugh, Cec Burt & Tinker, and Phryne's adopted daughters investigate the tragic death of one of the girls' classmates.

Although it's the 21st book in the series, it works quite well as a standalone. I heartily recommend the entire series, but caveats apply - they're variable in pacing and writing (all worth reading, but uneven). For readers unfamiliar with Phryne & co., she's redoubtable, fiercely independent, intelligent, and outspoken. She and her companion Dorothy investigate crimes and thwart criminals great and small. There's always a lot of wit and some light comedy in the books, but they're also very intelligent with unexpected twists and turns. The denouement and resolution here are satisfying, the clues are fair play, and Phryne is (as always) unflappable and resilient.

To me this is a well researched historical diverting read, full of Antipodean charm, dependable and believable characters, and a good ending. The language is mostly clean (a few damns and bloodies, nothing worse). There is some strongly suggestive light erotic content (completely consensual) between Phryne and a lover, but nothing explicit. I love her pragmatic view of sex and food and her hedonistic honesty. It's pure wish fulfillment and fantasy of course, but it's a lot of fun to read. This is also the very first time in all of literature in which I can recall reading a death-by-caber-toss.

Four stars. Phryne's a delight.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is the 21st book in the Miss Fisher Mysteries series.
We get to revisit Phryne and Dot as they are offered a holiday at a spa for shell-shocked WWI veterans.
Women are missing and men are murdered!
Sit back as Phryne solves this mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This 21st installment of the "Phryne Fisher Mystery" series was a wonderful three-ring circus of stories. Phryne and Dot have headed off to the country for a week's R&R after Phryne had received a letter of invitation to check out a sanitarium dedicated to World War I veterans struggling with PTSD. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson has been assigned to a high-risk/low possibility of succes case against a racketeer deep in politicians' pockets. Such persuits have already ended the careers of a number of police personnel whether through death or being forced off the job. Jack's usual partner, Sergeant Hugh Collins, has been reassigned to assist a dolt of a man, Acting Detective Inspector Fraser. When a body surfaces in nearby waters, Fraser is quick to judgement and an unlikely person is accused of the crime. Hugh is troubled by Fraser's lack of procedural due process and quietly investigates on his own with the assistance of Phryne's three adoptees.
Meanwhile, back in the hinterlands, Phryne and Dot encounter hints of missing women, a few murders, folks keeping secrets and acting quite odd. There's no respite for Phryne and Dot until the troubles of Daylesford are resolved to Phryne's satisfaction.

As much as I have enjoyed the "Miss Fisher Mysteries" television episodes, I found the written stories so much richer in the telling than television can offer. The writing was deeply atmospheric with the subtlest of details placing the story firmly in Australia of the 1920s. The description of food and fashion was absolutely delicious. The sounds and signs of nature, out in the country, were absolutely charming. Wombats and kookaburras are little known in the northern hemisphere and their desciption adds an exotic element to the story. There are a number of red herrings and a passel of suspects. The tension is maintained evenly throughout the story. All in all, this was a pleasant and enjoyable cozy mystery.

I am grateful to author Kerry Greenwood and Poisoned Pen Press for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Kerry Greenwood intrigues Phryne Fisher with Death in Daylesford; women are going missing and men are murdered mysteriously in a rural Australian town in 1929. Lots of suspects, complicated plots and Phryne at her best as detective. Meanwhile her city household is working on the mysterious death of a young teen girl found in the water near a pier. Smooth storyline with a little Phryne sophistication thrown in.

This was a book that I ended up not finishing due to lack of interest in content. For that reason I was unable to rate more than one star.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

My first Fisher book...and I won't hurry to read any more. Way to flowery and wordy for me.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood is the twenty-first Phryne Fisher Mystery. I enjoyed the television series and so was delighted to have the opportunity to read and review this book. The mysteries are intriguing, and it’s nice to revisit beloved characters, but I found the casual racism, colonialism, and offensive, outdated terminology to be offputting. It may have been historically accurate, but this book was written recently, and I think we can and should do better. Publishing Date: June 1, 2021. #DeathInDaylesford #KerryGreenwood #PoisonedPenPress #PhryneFisherMysteries #MysteriesAndThrillers #HistoricalMystery #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

Oh my dear Phryne, we meet again.

Long awaited new adventures of The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher did not disappoint. This time fancy takes Phryne to Daylesford/Hepburn Springs and Spa Country in Victoria, Australia. I have to admit it is one of my favourite places.

Phryne gets to enjoy the food, the waters, the people and shady goings on of closed country community. Just what she likes. She gets to uncover a few secrets, to grant several wishes and to try vegetarian meals.

Kerry Greenwood's creation is always amazing: witty, intelligent, impeccably dressed, rebellious, free-spirited and free-thinking and is not afraid of anything or anyone. Well, she has her companion Dot to keep her grounded every now and then.

Death in Daylesford is an amazing trip down history lane - into early 20th century Spa Country. The book creates such a place that I started longing to go to Daylesford myself. However, due to yet another lockdown I had to put my plans on hold.

I wonder what Phryne would have done in lockdown? Would restrictions have held her back?

Really the top of the series - Ms. Greenwood is firing on all cylinders in this entry. The plot hums with multiple mysteries, each neatly done, and our Hon. Miss Fisher swans about in lovely clothes (I could have had a little more description here but that's not what we're here for, ostensibly) seducing locals and solving crimes with a deft touch. Perhaps a third of the book is spent with Tinker, Ruth, and Jane, which is probably just enough time as I don't find these characters as winning as I think I'm meant to but that is a small criticism in light of the overall charm just radiating from the page. A great read for summer with all the comfy escapism you need.

Miss. Fisher is back and this is a treasure worth waiting for. Ms. Greenwood gives us the fashion, attitude, and exuberance of Miss Fisher in all her glory. Her adopted daughters are also brought to the fore. This is not to be missed by anyone.

I confess: I had my hopes SUPER high for this latest installment in the Phryne Fisher series. I've been a diehard fan of both the books and the shows for several years, and this wait between volumes (the last Fisher, Murder and Mendelssohn, was released in 2013) has been downright excruciating. I sincerely feared Greenwood was done with the indomitable Miss Fisher, and was overjoyed to hear she'd finally be returning.

Alas, I cannot give an effusive, solely glowing review of Death in Daylesford. The book starts strong, and there are definite high marks in terms of excitement, character moments, and deadly calamity throughout the story. But overall this is one of the weaker adventures for our intrepid lady detective and her plucky family.

Greenwood has always had an enviable knack for packing a satisfying amount of fun into a streamlined number of pages; she's an author whose every economical line serves a purpose. But Death in Daylesford feels wordier than her past novels, and in an extraneous way. There are also *several* plotlines at work here, with Phryne handling a multi-pronged series of mysteries in the titular town while her adoptive daughters and young ward pursue their own inquiry, and it all feels very busy and loud.

So while I overall enjoyed the book -- because even a middling Phryne Fisher story is better than most of what's on offer -- it's absolutely not one of my favorites. Still, completionists and longtime fans won't be entirely let down by this return, and I will continue to live in hope for more from this Aussie femme fatale.

Death in Daylesford Earns 5/5 Caber Conundrums...Entertaining to the Max!

I am a staunch and eager fan of the Miss Fisher’s Murder Mystery series, and have been extremely delighted by the original vision of my favorite Phryne as imagined by author Kerry Greenwood. She didn’t sanitize her version…thank you: Phryne smokes, goes well beyond the speed limit, drinks, and enjoys her sexuality. I plead with other fans to not overlook the books on which an episode is based; they have an air of familiarity, for sure, yet the differences and added background, scenes, and characters make for renewed enjoyment. Furthermore, the books not made into an episode may have a storyline and mystery that is new, but I still feel I’m spending time with old friends. “Death in Daylesford” is one of those new stories.

My plan was to read the series in chronological order, but, in this case, I have leapt forward to book twenty-one, the newest release. Phryne and Dot are en route to Hepburn Springs in response to a letter received from Captain Spencer requesting she visit his facility treating war veterans suffering from shell shock and to consider an investment. She, herself, is aware of the effects of the “Great War” as she had up close and personal experiences as an ambulance driver, so to witness this work first hand was enough to pique her interest. Besides there is the Daylesford Highland Gathering that could make this akin to a vacation. But where Phryne goes so follows…murder. Phryne’s expertise is unwanted, of course, but the inept police sergeant makes her involvement necessary, and, of course, we know nothing is as simple as it seems.

Detective Inspector Jack Robinson has been assigned to a case investigating a well-intrenched “Shark,” which has confounded his detective predecessors. This new case is only for DI Robinson, so DS Collins will be under the authority of the oddly ill-equipped Acting DI Fraser should any cases pop up. Well, that it does. Tinker, a ward of Phryne’s, hopes to be a detective one day, and when coming upon his friends Cec and Bert, they discover the body of a young girl floating near the docks. Jane and Ruth, Phryne’s adopted daughters, have been worried about a classmate not being in school for two days, and hope to check around on their own to find her. Unfortunately, both incidents meld into the same case of homicide. With the inept Acting DI harassing what Collins believes to be the wrong man, he decides to mount a “behind his back” inquiry with a trio of sidekicks eager to get involved.

I am amazed, yet delighted, by how much I’ve been enjoying Kerry Greenwood’s version of Phryne Fisher Mysteries with subtle differences, deeper insights, and broadening the drama into multiple felonies. The drama for this twenty-first book incorporated the plight and stigma of men deeply bruised by war along with issues related to the role of women…good and bad. Greenwood’s writing style has made me a fan with ample descriptions of the various environments and characters thru a 1920s lens, sprinkling in moments of levity and intimacy, and varied personalities from insightful to incompetent, innocent to suspicious, eager to help to eager to harm. The resolutions varied, but well explained, from disappointing to a pleasant surprise, from fair to “eminently fair,” from quiet karma to in-your-face justice all punctuating well my enjoyment. Great length allowing friendly interactions, bridge games, lunches, dances, and local openings. However minor, moving in between the two main storylines was a bit problematic, as new chapters weren’t used to show a change in the perspective and the centered lines breaking the action didn’t consistently herald a change in the investigations. All in all I highly recommend the series and this book! Engaging. Clever. Don’t ignore the fascinating behind-the-scenes information in the Author’s Note.

Death in Daylesford by Kerry Greenwood is the twenty first book in the series and I must admit not my favorite one.

I was so happy when I got approved for this book and was so looking forward to reading it, only to be somewhat disappointed.
While I love Miss Fisher, she is definitely one of my most loved characters, I struggled with this one. The story was stilted, it didn't have that easy flow and perfect rhythm I came to expect.

I found that the story happening at home was far more interesting than the one in which Phryne was involved. It was unimaginative and the place where the murder happened and most of the characters were weird and sinister and it gave me a strange vibe. I couldn't warm up to the story and lost interest very quickly.

The dialogue was uninspired and flat.

I hope that the next installment will provide the thrill and enjoyment I came to expect from this author.