An ok entry in the series; I find the more serious novels to be a bit of a slog and there wasn't enough levity here to keep me super interested. The antiques/treasure hunting scenes at the end of each chapter were thoroughly baffling and didn't pay off in a way that made their intrusion into the narrative worthwhile. A midgrade book for me and one I would say even completists could probably skim over.

Murder on a Midsummer Night is, I believe, one of the stories that hasn't been made into a tv show. It's quite nice to find one that hasn't! As such, I got to appreciate the delight that is a Miss Fisher murder mystery without already knowing 'who dun it'.

I am a self-confessed fan of these books, and probably also the time period, as I also love a good Poirot! Not that the two could be any more different if they tried. As such, I always expect to enjoy them, and enjoy this story I did very much. It is one of the more cleverly put together of the novels, with all the main characters making an appearance at some point, and not one, but two good mysteries to solve.

Thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

My rating: 3 of 5 stars, I liked it.

Book 17 in the series.

I actually came to this series after watching the tv series on Netflix. And I'd not read any other book in the series. Each book is its own stand alone story. But, if you've come to the books after the TV show, be warned, they have many differences. It took me a bit to get past my preconceived notions and settle in to the mystery. Once I did, I enjoyed it and finished it in just a few hours.

I love Phryne, book and TV version. She's spunky, smart, observant and caring.

I will most certainly be reading more books in the series.

Murder on a Midsummer Night by Kerry Greenwood is yet another installment of the wonderful Miss Fisher Murder Mystery stories featuring the Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher. This one is set in the scorching heat of summer and finds her investigating the apparent suicide by drowning of a junk-shop owner.

The only problem is that things aren’t quite what they seem to be. The junk-shop isn’t full of junk, and the man himself seems to have been something of a business marvel. With a gift for hunting up treasures and selling the unsellable, he was something of a genius in his field.

Of course, his mother insists he would never have killed himself and certainly never by drowning and so she hires Phryne to discover the truth.

At the same time, Phryne is called upon to hunt for a missing heir. An illegitimate son was born to a woman with a healthy estate. He is now one of the heirs to her fortune. Without finding him, or what happened to him, they can’t distribute the estate to any of the heirs.

As always the dashing and impeccably dressed Phryne looks at the world in her own unique way. She uses resources the rest of us may not consider (like her ward Jane with the autopsy). The author manages to juggle two complex cases yet the reader doesn’t lose the way.

A Glimpse Of The Past

With all of the books in this series, there is a fast-paced adventure complete with a few harrowing moments. There is that here too but I particularly enjoyed reading a little more about Miss Fisher’s past. Reading how she interacts with her sister in the present was fun as well. (Two more different siblings you are not likely to find).

This is an excellent addition to the series yet works well as a stand-alone book. Very enjoyable.

Reviewed for LnkToMi iRead in response to a complimentary copy of the book provided by the publisher in hopes of an honest review.

Murder on a Midsummer Night

by Kerry Greenwood

In Murder on a Midsummer Night, there are two major non-connected mysteries and one minor mystery. A man with no apparent reason to commit suicide is found drowned, and Phryne Fisher is hired to discover what really happened to him. Simultaneously she takes on a case to find a person who was given up for adoption many years prior. A mother has died and her will indicates that this person should be included in receiving monetary benefits. At the end of each chapter is a brief part of yet another tale. It appears very disconnected from the main plot lines until the very end of the book at which time it is tied into one of the threads. Rather than being clever, I found it distracting.

This is the first Phryne Fisher mystery that I have not totally enjoyed. In addition to the dangling mini-mystery, the characters did not have the pizazz that they normally have. The author relates the actions the characters take rather than allowing the reader to watch the action, participating vicariously. I regretted that Phryne’s family members as well as other regulars in the series are present but not very active. The result is a flat feeling to the story. In addition there are a number of truly distasteful characters in this book. Phryne doesn’t like them, and the reader has no reason to like them.

I am a big fan of the Phryne Fisher Mystery Series, but this mystery was disappointing. If this were my first experience with the series, it would probably be my last. Knowing the usual quality of the books in this series, however, I will be back.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5

Category: Historical Fiction, Mystery

Notes: #17 in the Phryne Fisher Mystery Series

Publication: February 6, 2018—Poisoned Pen Press

Memorable Lines:

There was never any point being cross about weather, it was like politicians: to be born patiently, because it was compulsory.

She didn’t care what anyone said about the association of Phryne and Lin Chung, especially James, who was leaning against the white-painted wall, looking exquisite and drinking his third glass of the revolting port. That appeared to be the sum total of his social skills but Phryne supposed that he might have hidden depths.

But then, every country has its mistral, its meltemi, its own terrible wind.

This was just not my favorite Phryne Fisher mystery. It just felt a little slow, and a little disjointed. I missed Hugh and Jack. Jack was there, just not much of a presence. I also don't think we really got any deeper insight into any of the regular characters. Everyone was just kind of there. Still a great book, just didn't enjoy it as much as the usual Phryne.

This was a pretty typical installment of the Phryne Fisher mystery series. I had actually already read it, but had absolutely forgotten it.

I really enjoyed this mystery. I'm a fan of the mystery movies that come from these novels and this was everything I hoped it would be. Full of Ms. Fischer's antics and the way she goes about solving the mystery are great. I definitely want to read more

As a fan of the tv series was looking forward to reading one of her adventures . Struggled to finish this book, long and drawn out description, which I personally felt was unnecessary.

Nice story! Kept me wondering who made it and turning the pages to find it out, Kerry Greenwood’s « Murder on a Midsummer Night » story is easy to read,

This was book 17 in the Phrynie Fisher series. It’s 1929 and an extremely hot summer in Melbourne. But Miss Fisher and company have more to worry about besides beating the heat, she has two cases to investigate.  One involves a request to investigate the apparent suicide of an antiques dealer on St. Kilda Beach. The second request comes from a lawyer who asks her to search for a possible child and heir of a deceased client. Both cases involve unique challenges and a motley crew of suspects. As usual part of the fun is not only the indomitable Miss Fisher, but two adopted daughters Jane and Ruth, her very Catholic assistant Dot, and keeping the home running smoothly, Mr. and Mrs. Butler. Also making appearances were her mates Bert and Cec, and her favorite policeman Jack Robinson. I also met here for the first time Phyrnie’s younger sister Eliza.  I was particularly amused by the very scientific minded 12-year-old Jane’s joy at meeting a mortician and attending an autopsy. The other delight was Dot’s chance to join in the investigation and interview two marvelous elderly former stage actors. It was great to see the normally reticent Dot’s enthusiasm for all thing’s theatrical. This was one of my favorite books in an excellent series. The author, Kerry Greenwood, does an fine job of writing and of research on the time period. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

The Honourable Phyrnne Fisher is quirky but a good detective who gets things done. Sometimes not in a very orthodox way, but who cares. When you pay for an investigation everyone wants results and the Police seem to be happy that one more case gets closed because very often Phyrnne slips out of the picture, and the local police gets the credit.

An apparent suicide, a lost child, magic which makes things and people appear and disappear all add to the story in the midst of a Melbourne heatwave. Along with Phyrnne's rather large entourage of family and retainers all playing a role the murder mystery is always solved.

Full of color both in characterization and surroundings, the story is always light hearted, easy to read and very enjoyable.

Goodreads and Amazon review posted 28/12/2017. Review on my blog also posted on 28/12/2017.

Kerry Greenwood has a way of getting the reading right into the scene, her description make me feel right there with her.
Her storylines are just so well written that I am sorry when the book concludes, yet I always race through them to see what happens in the end. Really enjoyable

The amount of effort Kerry Greenwood puts into making sure all her diligent research results in a highly enjoyable novel that feel authentic instead of dull and lecture-y will never cease to amaze me. She is such a wonderful writer, and it's a joy to immerse yourself into Phryne's world, the glittering (or maybe only shiny-on-the-surface) 1920s in Australia. I love learning something new about this era with each book, seeing a new aspect of their daily lives. I love how every time Phryne investigates more than one case, each features different aspects, and observations and little things about one case will ultimately help Phryne solve the other.

In this case, Phryne is asked by her socialist sister to investigate a death the police have ruled accidental. The owner of an antique shop was found drowned, and only his mother refuses to believe he was suicidal. Phryne soon discovers hidden treasures, drug addicts, spiritualists, and many more unpleasant things. Only with the help of her entire family and her lover Lin will she be able to shed some light.
Her other case involves an old family hiding some shameful and ugly secrets that are threatening to ruin more than one life. Phryne's companion Dot finally gets to some more sleuthing on her own, which takes her to the theater of all places, where she finds herself charmed by ageing actors reminiscing about the past.
Another strand of narrative features soldiers in the Holy Land, which did confuse me a bit, but ultimately kept me turning the pages, curious to see how it all worked out. I'm still not really sure what happened there, to be honest, but maybe I'm just missing some historical knowledge? Anyways, these bits were small enough to not bother me.

All in all, I loved spending more time with Phryne and her minions, and I can't wait for more. I've read this series completely out of order, after having watched the series, and I can safely say they work as stand-alones. If you ever come across one of these awesome books, don't worry about which number of the series it is, just go for it. You won't regret it!

Phryne Fisher's investigative skills have become known around Melbourne, Australia. She is plucky, a woman who is both a hedonist and a feminist, and she is a collector of lost souls. With the assistance of her friends and family, she takes on spiritualists (who were vastly popular after WWI), antique dealers, and the upper crust of Melbourne society who are rife with family secrets. She is the epitome of women who "did their bit" during the War. And, she has taken on the Australian penchant for rule-breaking. With a Chinese lover and a gun in her stocking, she is willing to right all wrongs. "Murder on a Midsummer Night" is true to the series and those that enjoy the PBS/Acorn run television series will thoroughly enjoy the book.

A very good book as usual. Good plot, good set of characters and the right level of suspense. Miss Fisher books are never a disappointment.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Poison Pen for giving me the chance to review this book

Another excellent entry in this series! I can't get enough of Phryne!

These books are so, so, SO much better than the television series! The characters are much more real--with time to develop--and much more appealing, especially the protagonist. I first heard of this series from an Australian friend, and have read many of them. I suggest you read them in order, to really enjoy how the relationships unfold, but it's not necessary. The author does a nice job of creating a world most of us aren't familiar with. It'd be nice if the author included a short glossary in the back, that defined period-specific and Australian vocabulary. Wonderful setting, great characters, good mysteries. I recommend!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy of Murder on a Midsummer Night, the 17th outing for the Honourable Mis Phryne Fisher of Melbourne.

It's 1929 and fast approaching Phryne's 29th birthday which is perhaps why she accepts the case of 29 year old Augustine Manifold who has apparently committed suicide by drowning and whose mother refuses to accept the verdict. As she starts to investigate she is approached by a lawyer who asks her if she can discreetly investigate a potential illegitimate baby from the 1860s who wil be due a substantial inheritance. Along the way Phryne encounters uncomfortable weather, spiritualists, wrong doers, interesting characters and danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed Murder on a Midsummer Night which is an exhilarating, fun read. Unlike the other novels there are several points of view and their purpose is slightly confusing until all is revealed at the end. I found them distracting and felt they marred an otherwise excellent read. As always in this series the plot is not the main event but while it is slightly preposterous it is addictive and had me hooked from the start.

The main event is Phryne. She lives her life at a frenetic pace and in a most unusual way for the times - she has a Chinese lover, adopted children and an eclectic mix of friends, associates and helpers. Being rich and beautiful helps her but it is her intelligence and zest for life which really appeal. I just love her and her unconventionality and admire Ms Greenwood's research and the rich period detail she adds to the novel because Phryne is not a modern miss inserted into a historical setting (as in many novels) she fits.

Murder on a Midsummer Night is a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.