Cocaine BluesA Phryne Fisher Mystery - book 1
by Kerry Greenwood
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Published: 2007
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Genre: Historical, Mystery, 1920s
Paperback: 175 pages
Rating: 4
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This is where it all started! The first classic Phryne Fisher mystery, featuring our delectable heroine, cocaine, communism and adventure. Phryne leaves the tedium of English high society for Melbourne, Australia, and never looks back.
The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honorable Phryne Fisher--she of the green-grey eyes, diamant garters and outfits that should not be sprung suddenly on those of nervous dispositions--is rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia.
Almost immediately from the time she books into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives, cocaine smuggling rings, corrupt cops and communism--not to mention erotic encounters with the beautiful Russian dancer, Sasha de Lisse--until her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish baths of Little Lonsdale Street.
Series:
Cocaine Blues (1989) aka Death by Misadventure
Flying Too High (1990)
Murder on the Ballarat Train (1991)
Death at Victoria Dock (1992)
The Green Mill Murder (1993)
Blood And Circuses (1994)
Ruddy Gore (1995)
Urn Burial (1996)
Raisins and Almonds (1997)
Death Before Wicket (1999)
Away With the Fairies (2001)
Murder in Montparnasse (2002)
The Castlemaine Murders (2003)
Queen of the Flowers (2004)
Death By Water (2005)
Murder in the Dark (2006)
Murder on a Midsummer Night (2008)
Dead Man's Chest (2010)
Unnatural Habits (2012)
My two-bits:
In-a-word(s): determined sheila
Slight difference with the portrayal of this Phryne character versus the tv version. The book version is still very likable but a touch more serious.
I like that Phyrne is a single older female detective who is sexy, smart and sassy (for the 1920s time period). Other strong female characters are introduced that make this an appealing mystery series who gravitate towards women's fiction.
* story is part of Introducing the Honorable Phryne Fisher: The First Three Phryrne Fisher Mysteries by Kerry Greenwood courtesy of publisher
* part of past event: Flappers at Floyd's
