This is by far my favorite Phryne story so far!

There are so many issues discussed in this book (from homosexuality and a club that offers a safe haven for them under the guise of "gentlemen's club" to brothels, child abuse, communist communes, white slavery, and Eugenics (the idea that a population can be improved by controlled, scientific breeding to weed out "flaws"), all set to the seemingly glittering world of the 1920s. As always, Greenwood's extensive research results in an incredibly rich and fascinating scenery.

Phryne, as always, has multiple problems to solve that are all connected: pregnant girls, abused and abandoned by their families, have disappeared from a convent laundry where Phryne uncovers revolting practices; beautiful, blonde children have gone missing and appear to have been sold; desperate girls disappear from an employment agency that offers jobs overseas and are never seen again; and then the reporter that has uncovered the connection behind this disappears without a trace...

This is much darker than some of the other books in the series I have read. Phryne's outrage at the goings-on at the convent the three girls have disappeared from is so touching, and her frustration at her inability to save each and every child that suffers at the hands of the nuns there is incredibly moving. I have never been so in awe of her as in this book. The way she fearlessly takes on abusive priests and nuns, fathers and mothers who sell their children, and the slavers who sell children is so incredibly inspiring. There were times she was quite terrifying in her "angel of vengeance" state, but it was incredibly satisfying to see her take on such scum with the help of her loving and supportive family (which now includes three minions/ adopted children; her lover Lin; the Butlers; and her faithful sidekick and maid Dot).

In 1929 Melbourne young females from differing backgrounds are going missing so Polly Kettle, trainee reporter, decides to investigate. But this is just the start of the problem. So Phryne Fisher investigates with the help of her increasing minions when Polly goes missing.
This is well-written interesting mystery with a group of well-rounded characters. Of the several books of the series that I have read this was the most enjoyable.

In an Oyster Shell - An enthralling multi-layered mystery that keeps you engaged.

The Pearls - I love Phryne Fisher as a character. She is flamboyant. She is way ahead of her time but she makes it work. Phryne is a force to be reckoned with. She has lots of resources that she is not afraid to use to get to the bottom of the mystery she is exploring. It's really fun. I first heard of this series from the tv series. I am sad that it ended and so now I get to continue it with the books.

There were a plethora of characters that made this story fun to read. Phryne was a stand-up character. There was Dot who was my favorite in the tv series and I liked her even more in the books. There was the detective, who was a great supporting character. Not the same as the tv series but it worked all the same.

The setting of Australia was nice. I saw a post on Facebook about stating what setting you were in the current book. I was glad it was someplace that was exotic to me. I like that books can take you away and this book definitely does that.

The Sand - It was a good book. A little on the lengthy side.

It's 1929 in Melbourne, and Miss Fisher is on her way to her club, accompanied by her friend Dr. MacMillan when she comes across a young woman being menaced by thugs. With the help of the bodyguards provided by her Chinese lover, Lin Chung, Miss Fisher rescues her. Miss Fisher is not happy about the bodyguards but even she admits that they come in handy sometimes. The young woman is Polly Kettle, an aspiring investigative reporter with an overblown sense of self-importance and a limited sense of self-preservation. Polly is looking into the disappearance of three pregnant, unmarried girls sent to give birth at the home of a "pious" widow. Polly goes on her way but is reported kidnapped the next day. Phryne's Police Inspector friend, Jack Robinson, asks for her help in the investigation. Not only are the three pregnant girls and Polly Kettle missing, but several others as well, all young and blonde. Phryne's search takes her into a seamy underworld of brothels, piracy, white slavery and the infamous Magdalene Laundries.

I am a big fan of the Australian television version of the Miss Fisher Mysteries, starring the fabulous Essie Davis. I confess that I have read only a few of the books though they are perennially on my "TBR" list. With the background of the series, I was able to jump right into Unnatural Habits, even though there are differences. The books and series have a masterful blend of historical detail, action, highly individual characters, and social commentary presented with a light touch. I also enjoy Greenwoods' Corinna Chapman Series, set in modern-day Melbourne. I recommend Unnatural Habits with no reservations to fans of historical mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and The Poisoned Pen Press for a digital copy of Unnatural Habits. The opinions above are my own.

RATING- 4 Stars

Oh my ! Yet again a brilliant romp around Melbourne and St Kilda . The original favotrite characters with all their quirks and habits made a solid plot and hugely entertaining read .

Unnatural Habits is the 19th in the series of Phryne Fisher novels by Kerry Greenwood. Phryne Fisher is a fiction series I discovered through television before reading the books so the actress is always present while I read. We access more of the interior Phryne in the books and she is more interesting for that.

In Unnatural Habits , Phryne sets out to find some missing women. Three women disappeared from a lying-in house, transferred from the convent laundry where they had been sent after becoming pregnant, where they were waiting to deliver their babies. An intrepid but silly cub reporter has been also investigating the missing women and herself disappears, bringing Phryne into the story. Through her investigation, Phryne tracks all sorts of possibilities and the investigation wides as she learns of more and more disappeared women all linked to a Catholic charity, a temp agency, and the Magdalen Laundry, the convent, and a mysterious commune.

Who went where and why is so much more complex that you might first thing, but Phryne is doggiest and does not rest until the mystery is tided up…just in time for the 20th book, I am sure.

I enjoy Kerry Greenwood’s novels. I enjoy Phryne. I think she is an unlikely character, her character is a form of wish fulfillment. Beautiful, free, wealthy, brilliant, fashionable, kind, and with the values and mores of 2017. That’s not to say she anachronistic, the historical research is on point. Greenwood refers to actual places, people, and events in Melbourne. There is a strong sense of time and place. Phryne though, is sort of like Paul Fussell’s “category X”, a person outside the class structure…and in this case, out of time.

Greenwood is excellent about reifying Phryne with details about what she wears and how she smells. She’s always putting on interesting scents, such as cypress and her frequent choice, Guerlain’s Jicky. Because this is a series, a cozy series, it lacks that sense of jeopardy that makes for intense suspense. I was surprised that Phryne thinks Agatha Christie’s novel are trite. I cannot imagine Phryne in a Nemesis storyline. Phryne does, however, investigate a much seamier side of life than you will find in Christie’s novels, with stories that feature human trafficking, drug use and trafficking, extortion of homosexuals, domestic violence, rape and the subjugation of women. Perhaps that is what she means. Christie’s novels stay in the upper middle class parlor while Phryne is investigating sweat shops and traffickers.

I like Phryne…and will keep reading as long as Kerry Greenwood keeps on writing. For all her books, she still does not resort to stock pieces such as Kinsey Millhone’s incessant cutting her hair with nail scissors and that never-say-die little black dress of hers. Yes, Phryne takes a lot of baths, but she even gets new bathtubs and uses different scents, so there are variations on her tropes.

Unnatural Habits will be released on July 4th. I was provided an e-galley by the publisher through NetGalley.

A nice, and enjoyable read. Girls are going missing in Melbourne including Polly Kettle, a reporter who decides to investigate all the missing girls. It's time for Phryne to find Polly Kettle and the girls. If you like cozy mystery series, don't skip this one. I love Miss Phryne Fisher of the Kerry Greenwood mysteries!

I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.

Thanks Netgalley for a copy of this book. As always, a new book in the Phryne Fisher series is a real treat. The usual diverse range of characters and a good storyline makes the book a 'must' for lovers of this genre.

Another very solid entry in the series. I could read Phryne Fisher books all day every day. I love the TV series, but this book differs substantially from the related episode, so if you're worried that you'll already know the end going into it, never fear! Sometimes it seems little convenient that Phryne has connections everywhere, but really, who wouldn't want to befriend Miss Fisher? My only quibble is that a lot of the magazine/newspaper writing stuff is dropped pretty early, but that's a very minor quibble. Anyone who loves this series will be charmed by this book.

Pretty, blonde girls who are down on their luck have begun to disappear in Melbourne — including three in their eighth month of pregnancy.
In the nineteenth novel to feature the Honorable Phryne Fisher, set in 1929, the fabulous Phryne begins the investigation with the disappearance of a well-meaning but blundering girl reporter with the made-for-19th-century-melodrama name of Polly Kettle. Phryne’s investigation then expands to the three missing unwed mothers and, eventually, to the larger criminal enterprise.

More details would spoil the novel for the reader, but the mystery proves very cleverly plotted. I can also say that all of Phryne’s fabulous family is back: the Butlers, her adopted daughters Ruth and Jane; her loyal maid and friend, Dot Williams; Dot’s shy boyfriend, policeman Hugh Collins; Inspector “Call Me Jack — Everyone Else Does” Robinson, “red-raggers” Cec and Bert, Phryne’s sister Eliza and her lesbian lover Lady Alice Harborough, and the worldly wise Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan. What a joy! Just like meeting up with old friends unexpectedly while out at dinner or shopping! Plus there’s a new addition to Phryne’s eclectic household: orphan Tinker, an urchin apparently picked up in No. 18 in the series, Dead Man’s Chest, which I have yet to read.

Lastly, author Kerry Greenwood sometime draws attention to serious matters in her lightheartedly novels, and she does so here. The silence of the Church in the face of predatory priests and the sanctimonious cruelty of the Magdalene Laundries will prove a lesson for those who thought such crimes were of more recent vintage.

I love this book, it was very involved with lots of ending woven within one story. I grew up in Melbourne, and this book brings back memories a lot of the building and places from which this story is wound.
The story keeps you reading well into the night, and I had to really stop myself from flipping further into the book to see what happens, because I felt I was reading quick enough. I enjoyed it very much.
Recently there has been a Television series based on these books, whilst I love the visual, nothing can beat the writing style of the book - you just cant fit everything that is in this book into an hour episode.

Book 19 of the Miss Fisher Murder Mystery series is a bit of a corker.

A little longer than some of the previous novels I've read, this story is jam-packed with great characters and a really good plot line, with the required number of misdirections and incorrect assumptions.

Miss Fisher's house continues to grow as Tink joins the household, and somehow, even though there's now Jane, Ruthie, Dot, Mr and Mrs Butler, Lin, Bert and Cec, Dr Mac, Inspector Robinson and good old Hugh (not to mention the cat and the dog) they all still manage to make appearances in the novels that are far above token to keep the loyal followers happier.

This mystery is cleverly woven together, and Miss Fisher manages to save the day (as always) with much help from her ever growing family and close circle of friends. There's a lot more in the actual book than the TV episode, and as such, I found it well worth a read even though I could remember the eventual outcome.

Greenwood never disappoints. Unnatural Habits is atmospheric and entertaining and Phryne is always a joy!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy of Unnatural Habits, the 19th novel to feature the honourable Miss Phryne Fisher in 1920s Melbourne.

Phryne is on her way to her club when she has to rescue the impetuous and naïve cub reporter Margaret "Polly" Kettle from attack. A few days later her friend Inspector "just call me Jack, everyone does" Robinson asks for help in finding not only Polly but 3 unwed pregnant girls who have disappeared from their lying in hostel. What happens after that is a madcap adventure through some serious issues.

I love reading about Phryne's adventures. They are lighthearted, fun and frothy but have informative and serious social commentary as well. Unnatural Habits is no exception. The plotting is clever with Phryne's search for the missing women taking her all over Melbourne and into all echelons of society. She cuts a wide swathe in her charming, inimitable style. She meets the horror of the Magdalen Laundries, white slavers, brothel keepers and the love which must not say its name as she pursues her enquiries.

The issues are very real and well documented but Ms Greenwood has a light touch. She never preaches, just lays it out and uses Phryne's visceral reactions to expose the horror of it, all the time keeping the tone of the novel upbeat. I really admire her skill as it seems to be an impossible task and she manages it with ease.

Phryne Fisher is an inspired creation. She is rich and well educated, but that wasn't always the case so she knows both sides of the rich/poor divide. She is frivolous and revels in her privilege and the lifestyle it affords, hedonistic maybe, but she is also kind, caring and compassionate when the situation requires it. She is also smart and determined. What more could you ask for in a protagonist?

Unnatural Habits is an excellent read so I have no hesitation in recommending it.

4 and 1 / 2 stars

In 1929 Melbourne young women are missing. Some of them are even pregnant. What is going on?

The Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher is on the case. She and Dot go on the search for clues and the missing women. Now there is a missing woman reporter as well. Of course, Phryne gets herself into trouble – again. With sweat shops masquerading as homes for unwed mothers and nuns as slave drivers the story heaps upon itself. Phryne must call upon her friends and unofficial family to sort out the mess. It is a very good thing that she has such loyal friends.

This is another rollicking Phryne Fisher novel in true Kerry Greenwood fashion. As only Ms. Greenwood can write it; well written and plotted. The story moves along very nicely and comes to a grand conclusion. The novel is both well written and plotted. I appreciated the bibliography at the end as well.

I want to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book to read.

Another delightful mystery from Kerry greenwood! I have just started to read this series after watching the tv show and so far i am enjoying it very much!

I grew up binge-reading Nancy Drew mysteries. This morning, as I finished my third Phryne Fisher story in four days I realized that the same dynamic is in place now--and, perhaps there are more similarities than differences in the books:

Nancy Drew should have had other things to do, but dropped everything to sort out a problem. Ditto Phryne.

Nancy Drew "kept house" for her widowed father and there was a domestic routine that centered the books and her life. Phryne's cozy household helps center her, which is part of the charm of the series.

Nancy Drew had a possee of stalwart friends to assist her. Phryne has an ever-increasing cast of loyalists to tag along and they are much more fun than Nancy's buddies.

Nancy Drew had a boyfriend, Ned, but he never seemed to be #1 in her thoughts. Phryne has a man in her life too, but here she starts differing from Nancy---she often thinks salacious thoughts.

AND, that is the best part about Phryne. She has a keen moral code, but a very personal one. She is lively, adventurous, self-indulgent and totally "devil-may-care." Kerry Greenwood may be cranking out genre books in a manner much like "Caroline Keane," but they never stop entertaining and often do a wee bit more than that.

Bravo! Kerry Greenwood. Big girls need heroines too and Phryne works for me.