"Taking the waters has never been more delicious - or dangerous...

When a mysterious invitation for a spa holiday arrives for Miss Phryne Fisher from an unknown retired Captain Herbert Spencer, Phryne's curiosity is piqued. Spencer runs a retreat in Victoria's rural spa country for shell-shocked veterans of World War I. It's a cause after Phryne's own heart, but what can Spencer want from her?

Phryne and her faithful servant Dot set out for Daylesford, viewing their rural sojourn as a short holiday. While Dot gets to know the remarkable women who run the hotel where they are lodging, Phryne enjoys an enticing meal - and dessert - with the attractive Captain Spencer. But their relaxation is short-lived as they are thrown into treacherous Highland gatherings, a mysterious case of disappearing women, and a string of murders committed under their very noses. Meanwhile, back at home, Phryne's three wards are busy solving a mystery of their own when a schoolmate is found floating facedown near the docks - and pregnant at the time of her death.

With her usual pluck and deft thinking, Phryne methodically investigates the strange goings-on in this anything-but-tranquil spa town."

I can literally not adequately express how excited I am that we have a new Phryne Fisher mystery.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for this ARC. I really love this series. I only found it after the second to last book was published so I binge read the entire series. I was worried that after such along gap plus the TV series, I wouldn't enjoy this book as much and TBH for the first few chapters I struggled but then I got past the 'hump' and could not put it down. I really hope this isn't the end of Phryne and more books are to come.

Awesome story! What I loved the most were her descriptions, like the « a spring flood at a levee ». A lot of stories intertwined, beautiful descriptions, nice paced, page turning. Looking forward for the next Phryne Fisher mistery.

Phryne Fisher is one of my favourite characters, and I love both the book and the TV series. I was therefore really excited when I received and ARC of Death in Daylesford.

I love Phryne so much, I love her unabashed enjoyment of men, I love her capacity for love, I love the way she gathers an alternative family around herself, I love how self possessed she is, and I love her determination to see justice done.

In this story, Phryne and Dot travel to Daylesford. Here they investigate several rather entangled mysteries, in a very satisfying way. I enjoyed this immensely. So much so, that I can’t really find the words to express it (rather a fault in a book reviewer!).

I also loved the subplot of Hugh, Jane, Ruth, and Tinker investigating the death of a girl whilst Jack (and Phryne) are away. I particularly enjoyed Tinker’s character development as a result.

All the mysteries are satisfactorily wound up, and mostly happy endings dispensed (though not to the victims).

Another excellent instalment in a favourite series, this book contains all the much-loved elements. I highly recommend it. If you’ve not read any books in the series, this would work as a standalone, but you’ll get more enjoyment out of it if you read the series from the beginning.

I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own.

Like many others, I have seen the TV series based on the Phryne Fisher mysteries, but I was not as familiar with the books. I usually like to read book series in order, but when NetGalley granted me an advanced reader's copy, I decided to dive into this, the twenty-first novel in the series.

The descriptions in the book are quite sumptuous, much like Phryne herself. The heroine is one of the strongest elements of the book, as you can't help but like spending time with her. She's beautiful, rich, and just scandalous enough to make for a lot of fun. She's joined by her faithful assistant, Dot, at a spa retreat in Daylesford, Australia, where they get caught up in a complicated mystery.

Back at home, Ms. Fisher's adopted daughters are caught up in a mystery of their own, when one of their classmates is killed. They assist Dot's beau, Hugh, with the interrogation.

I enjoyed spending time with characters who were familiar to me from the TV series, and I hope to read more of the books to fill in the empty gaps. There are a few differences between the books and TV show, but for the most part, reading the book was like watching a new episode of the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I couldn't get past the first chapter of this book. The orientalism and exoticizing the sexuality of an Asian man while also mentioning the subservience of an Asian woman was gross. I've enjoyed parts of this series in the past but I'm done now.

I've never read any of the previous books in this series but I love the TV show. It was fun to get a new adventure with Phrynie and crew. The murders were nice and intricate with a very intriguing murderer. I didn't quite figure it out but that is actually part of the fun. The writing style is lush and made me feel like I was in 1920's Australia. I did, of course, picture the actors from the show and hear their voices while reading the book, but I think that is both a testament to a very good adaption and excellent writing.

3.75 stars

The latest in the long line of rich Australian sleuth Phryne Fisher's adventures. This popular series is sometimes short on introspection and character development, but definitely brimming with action and interesting plots. With Phryne, you learn about her by watching how she spends her time. Set in 1920s Australia, with a likable cast of friends, co-workers and household help, these are quite readable.

This time out, Phryne and assistant Dot set out for a rare lush resort setting at the request of a man working with shell-shocked veterans. When they arrive, they find multiple layers of problems. Missing wives and some odd deaths are unexplained. It isn't long before another man dies and Phryne is sure she has witnessed a murder. In a parallel story line, Phryne's three wards are at home with Dot's fiance copper Hugh. A classmate is found floating in the river and they decide to investigate the death.

One of the most endearing features of the Phryne books is her continuing commitment to helping women and children who have experienced life's harder side. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Miss Phryne Fisher a well known private detective in the 1920’s. Phryne and her companion Dot are invited for a holiday spa. Phryne is thrown in at the deep end when many local women start to disappear. There is also a string of murders connected to the local pub. Meanwhile back home Phryne’s wards have a death of their own to investigate. You will have to keep your wits about you to keep up with all the different mysteries to solve. Phryne and Dot are relatable characters especially Phryne who is a woman ahead of her time. This is a nice light mystery to sink yourself into when you have an afternoon to spare.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Another fine addition to the Phryne Fisher series. This novel is two mysteries for the price of one. While Phryne and Dot untangle a series of disappearances while on retreat at a spa, Ruth and Jane, along with Tinker, tackle their own who-done-it. The atmosphere of the spa countryside is a delight, and Phryne's signature steel and razor sharp intelligence only serve to remind the reader why they love her. Although the end seems to continue on a little further than necessary, overall, a diverting and satisfying story.

Phryne and Dot visit a small town with big secrets in "Death in Daylesford," the latest from Kerry Greenwood in the Phryne Fisher mystery series.

While the titular mystery gets most of the attention, there is a submystery that Phryne's wards, Jane, Ruth, and Tinker, solve handily, with help from Dot's police beau, Hugh. All the characters put in at least a brief appearance.

Phryne and Dot investigate the disappearances of several women in rural Australia, as well as the murders of several men. Are the crimes being done for love or money...or both?

Phryne is her effervescent self in this one, choosing her lovers and her libations with care. The book has a different tone than some of the earlier ones, and Phryne seems less patient with some foibles she might have shrugged off in earlier novels.

Still, it's a solid entry in the series, and fans and newcomers alike will enjoy it and cheer Phryne on.

Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy from Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The only bad thing about having read the latest Phryne Fisher book by Kerry Greenwood is that there isn't another one to read right away. As always, the mysteries and characters make one want more.

Death in Daylseford by Kerry Greenwood, is the latest in the Australian based Phrynie Fisher mystery series. This series is always a pleasure as this time in history was such a time of growth for women and Phrynie Fisher leads that march.
This entry in the series is a bit different in that Phrynie and Dot are in one town, investigating one crime, while High and Phrynie's adopted daughters and Tinker, the young man she has given a home, investigate and solve, another crime. It gives more depth to all the familiar characters. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The sophisticated Miss Phryne Fisher, the Australian Rosalind Russell is back in this highly entertaining and uproariously funny whodunit taking place in rural Australia at the end of the Roaring Twenties. I never read Ms Fischer's sleuthing adventures for the plot or plots because they are absurd most of the time and they can easily be forgotten. But what I really and fully enjoy are Ms Greenwood spectacular displays of verbal pyrotechnics and the abundance of unforgettable one-liners. Her dialogues are simply incredible, hilarious and memorable. They usually keep me in stiches for days.... Fabulous historical details (especially when it comes to fashion), luscious descriptions of the Australian flora and fauna and a very colorful and zany cast of characters (wombats included) will definitely keep the reader hooked from start to finish. It's wacky, it's really funny and it should be enjoyed without any moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this wonderful novel prior to its release date

Death in Daylesford is the first Phryne Fisher novel I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Geography is not my best subject but the description of the Australian landscape was fascinating and the story was very well done. I don't always care for split narratives - that is two completely different stories in one book - but I enjoyed the children's case just as much as I did Phryne's. Even though I was unfamiliar with the various characters' backstories I was able to follow the various plot lines and enjoy the book. I love it when I am not able to figure out "whodunit" before the fictional detective but this motive and killer was surprising and satisfying at the same time. I will definitely be reading more of Miss Fisher's adventures! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #DeathinDaylesford.

Greenwood's newest story in the Phryne Fisher series is just as deliciously enticing as the rest - who can resist a heroine who has mad detecting skills, a high flying life (earned the hard way), a distinct disdain for convention, a deep empathy for society's outcasts, and a highly tuned sensual nature? In this entry, Phryne and companion Dot visit the charming spa town of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia, upon the invitation of the owner of a health spa for PTSD victims of the war (WWI). Mounting mysterious deaths and disappearances are the problems that Phryne must solve. Greenwood always works in thorny social problems of the time (many still very relevant today), and in this case, not only the problems of traumatized soldiers, but battered wives, unlawful love, and more. The intriguing second line story has Phryne's household solving their own local mysterious death while she and Dot are in Daylesford.
It's hard to believe this is the 21st book in the series. New readers can enjoy this story on its own merits, but the more satisfying method is to start at the beginning of the series, especially to gain background on the entire household.

Phryne Fisher returns with her sidekick Dot in this murder mystery from Dalesford, Australia. Phryne and Dot travel to Daylesford for a vacation, when they are faced with several disappearances of women, and murders of local men. Phryne is her elegant, sophisticated self as she investigates these happenings. There is no doubt that she will stylishly solve them all!

Three and a half stars.

Well, do I feel stupid? I read this entire book not realising that Phryne Fisher is theMiss Fisher of the TV series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, D'oh! Although in my defence I don't think I've actually seen an episode.

Miss Fisher is a single wealthy woman. She lives in a large house in Melbourne with her cook, maid/companion Dot, and butler (Mr Butler) and two young school girls (Ruth and Jane) and a young man (Tinker) that she has adopted. She is modern and forward-thinking and is happy to be the concubine of a wealthy Chinese businessman.

In this novel Miss Fisher receives an invitation to visit a spa in the country, one that treats injured soldiers from WW1. Whilst Phryne and Dot are away in the country, Tink and the girls solve a mystery with the help of Dot's fiancé, Sergeant Hugh Collins.

Phryne and Dot arrive in the small town of Daylesford to find it a hotbed of mysteries and sexual tensions. Several women have disappeared over the years and their bodies have never been found. Soon after Miss Fisher arrives a man is killed at the Highland Gathering when he is hit by a misthrown caber. As the body count of young men mounts up, murdered under Miss Fisher's very nose in public, two more women disappear.

To start with, I found the way in which the author over-used adjectives and liked to use long words to be irritating, do I need to have Miss Fisher's turquoise silk robe referred to like that constantly? Can't it just be a robe the second and third time it's mentioned? Also I found the scene between Phryne and her lover Lin Chung a little uncomfortable, along with other incidents/descriptions in the book, I don't know if I'm being overly sensitive and this is just Aussie plain-speaking, or just an attempt to be historically accurate.

However, I am glad I persevered because once Phryne and Dot got to Daylesford the story overtook the writing and the irritant factor dropped considerably. Having not read any of the previous 20 books in the series, I do wonder whether Kerry Greenwood is writing for the TV series (or with it in mind), as the descriptions of what Dot and Phryne are wearing seemed a bit excessive, especially since Dot only seems to wear combinations of brown and beige, ditto the recitation of what they have for breakfast every day! I also found it a bit disconcerting that the action shifted from Daylesford to Melbourne between one paragraph and another without any warning, one minute I was knee-deep in shell-shocked WW1 soldiers and the next Tink was fishing with his old mates in Melbourne.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the unravelling of each of the mysteries, some of them I guessed and some came to Phryne in a flash of inspiration. Any book that contains three murders, two attempted murders, a kidnapping, a drowning, and a secret baby can't be bad.

Overall, I would say I enjoyed this but I suspect the writing style might become repetitive if I read more in the series.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Oh what a relief to have Phyrne Fisher back in fine form! The previous book in this series (Murder and Mendelssohn) was really the poorest entry, and all the more alarming because it seemed to be the final book, with no others planned. Now Death in Daylesford is here to the rescue. While it had some textual weaknesses (particularly in unneeded repetition) that could be fixed in editing—and may already have been, I did read an advanced copy—it also has all the strengths of the series, with lots of 1920s Australian attitude and appearances from many lovely favorite characters. I especially enjoyed that there were several mysteries, most of which did not at all turn into one intertwined mystery at the end, a feat almost unheard of in the realm of mystery novels.

I’m giving this five stars because the writing style was excellent and every single one of the mysteries was logically laid out and engaging. I had fun following along with the clues and meeting newest characters.

But I do feel the need to state that the writing style is quite different from previous books in this series. Some character and plot points differed from what we’ve read previously.

That being said, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this entertaining read.