Phryne is back! This is an interesting mystery as Phryne and Dot leave for Daylesford and their own mysteries while Jane, Ruth, Tinker and Hal have a mystery of their own to solve. Daylesford seems to have murdered young men and lots of missing women. Phryne has her work cut out for her there. The girls have a dead classmate who was pregnant and found dead in the water.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope for more Phryne mysteries to come.

Phryne Fisher is back at her sexy, sassy best! While she is in Daylesford tracking down a serial killer, her crew is back home investigating the death of a classmate of Rose and Jane’s. All of the gang checks in on this latest addition to the long running series.

I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. As always, Phryne Fisher is unapologetically amazing. When Miss Fisher was invited to inspect a spa for soldiers with shell-shock, she never expected to be plopped down into a town completely full of mysteries. (After 2o+ books, she shouldn't be surprised any longer, but that's just my opinion.) Naturally, Phryne dove head first into the series of mysteries, and solved them all, while still being fashionable and super cool.
The mysteries themselves range from being fairly quick and easy to solve, including the one investigated by her adopted children in her absence, to one of the most difficult mysteries of her career. At this point in the series, the main characters are well established, so they didn't need much exposition to be seen, but they are all as delightful as usual. This book made me happy, and it kept me entertained during the whole book, which is all that I can ask for in a book right now. I highly recommend this series to all mystery lovers.

Ah, the joy at the return of the Honorable Phryne Fisher in this multi-plot story. As Phryne and the ever-loyal Dot off to the Spa at Hepburn, her two adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth, along with handyman Tinker, now attending Tech School, are helping DS Hugh Collins solve the murder of a girl who attended school with Jane and Ruth.

Although Phryne is the lead character, all the characters are fully developed and wonderfully realized. Yet it is the opening that truly establishes, and perhaps shocks readers, Phryne as the strong, independent, character she is with a view of relationships that is more traditionally male.

Greenwood paints verbal pictures; places, things, and most of all, people become three-dimensional through her words. This is definitely not a book to read when hungry and even the simplest meals leave one salivating. Yet with a few of the characters, she cleverly and oh-so-subtly includes a soupçon of doubt as to their honesty.

"Death at Daylesford" is chock full of mysteries all of which are solved in the coziest of manners. There are a lot of characters to keep straight, so it's best to try and keep each mystery separate in one's mind. No matter what, is it wonderful to have Phryne and the gang back again.

And another superb addition to the Phryne Fisher series! I love that you can just get back into the series at any point and enjoy a perfectly crafted mystery with an intrepid, kick-ass heroine and a loveable supporting cast.

In this one, Phryne is asked by the owner of a spa for wounded soldiers to come and see his clinic. Intrigued, she and Dot set out to what promises to be an enjoyable short holiday. But what looks like paradise on earth soon reveals its darker side. Three men, all connected to the local beauty and angel of the village, rapidly die under mysterious circumstances, women seem to be disappearing one after another, and then a young girl goes missing. Phryne must keep her wits about her (and not get distracted by handsome strangers), and goes head to head with one of her biggest foes to date...

Meanwhile, back at home, Tinker stumbles into his own investigation when he finds the body of a young girl, who turns out to have gone to school with Ruth and Jane. Soon, the junior detectives are asked by Hugh Collins to help uncover the truth and try to emulate their idol Phryne by doing some sleuthing of their own.

As always, a highly enjoyable read full of loveable characters and a lot of mysteries. Strangely, it was never hard to keep track of who was who. I love how Greenwood can create such complex mysteries backed by meticulous research and you just soak it all up and revel in the perfection. These books are some of my go-to mysteries, and always provide a much-needed comfort read. You can never go wrong with them!

When intrepid Miss Phyrne Fisher together with her trusty friend Dot travel to a retreat for shell-shocked soldiers in country Victoria, they are unsure what awaits. They are horrified to find that there are missing women and they also have to deal with three murders. Most occur right in front of Phyrne!

This was somewhat darker than most of the Phyrne Fisher books, I thought, with odder characters, I thought, but it was still fun with descriptions of beautiful scenery, Phyrne's to-die-for clothes, and scrumptious food. Phryne and Dot had a pretty good time in-between their investigations! Dot plays a big part in the story, I was please to see. I would really rather have one murder, though. It got a bit confusing. I also used to like the bibliographies at the back of the books, and there isn't one in this novel.

I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

It was a long wait but there's finally a 21st Phryne Fisher book! Once again we return to Melbourne for a visit with Phryne and her friends and family. Phryne and Dot head off to Daylesford for a bit of relaxation and to see if Captain Spencer's retreat for shell shocked soldiers is as wonderful for the men as he claims. Naturally, Phryne uncovers a few mysteries while on holiday (vacation).
Meanwhile back in Melbourne one of the girls' classmates has disappeared and Tinker finds a body while fishing with Bert and Cec.
It was wonderfully to find myself in 1920s Australia again. I loved seeing how the children are growing into themselves. I sincerely hope that we can look forward to more of Phryne's adventures from Kerry Greenwood in the future!
If you have never read the books, then go ahead and dive right in, what a treat you have in store.

I was immediately sucked into this gorgeous book by Kerry Greenwood! It was my first Phryne Fisher novel but it will certainly not be my last! I only discovered the movie, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, and Miss Fisher's Murder and Mysteries, on television this past pandemic winter! Phyne's quirky and lovely character quickly became a favorite.

I also have a personal connection to Death in Daylesford as it allowed me to revist Australia, specifically Daylesford, famous for turn of the century hot mineral springs spas. I have actually been to the charming and idyllic little village of Daylesford as my daughter is an American living in Australia. I fell in love with Australia and the telling of this story and all it's extremely well-done descriptive narrative dropped me right back there again. I could feel the heat, smell the eucyluptus and wattle flowers, see the different way the light falls, and the georgeously, phenomenal the Southern Sky ! Not to mention the non-relenting heat although it is cooler in these mountains and near the springs.

In this story Miss Phryne Fisher, extremely weathy, fascinating, and amateur detective, receives an invitation from an unknown gentleman to come to the rural area of Daylesford where he has opened a seemingly successful retreat and recovery center for veterans of WWI. Phryne is intrigued and somewhat mystified as to this invitation but agrees to the invite as her unrelenting curiousity is piqued! She and her faithful servant and companion, Dot, travel to Daylesford to what they mistakenly think will be nothing short of a holiday for the ladies. But Phyrne and Dot are quickly thrown into the mire of unsuspecting and duplicitous Highland Games gatherings, along with local women who disappear and murders are committed right in front of them! With her usual brillant and energetic self,employing her deductive, methodical and imaginative thinking, Phyrne begins to unravel the strange events occuring in this idyllic setting that has turned surprisingly deadly!
Meanwhile back home, Phyrne's three young charges are following in their mentor's footsteps attempting to solve the mystery of a murder of a young girl who has been found murdered as well as pregnant..

Sit back, sip on something refreshing to drink and slide into this intriguing world of Daylesford, Victoria, Australia with Miss Fisher,
I miss you Australia!

Another well written Phryne Fisher book i love the depth of these books and this one has not one but two mysteries to solve as Phryne's protégées have a case of their own. Phryne and Dot head to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs to not only help a friend but to relax at the spa them selves but are soon drawn into a mystery and death will she find the missing woman Meanwhile her adopted daughter with the help of Tinker and Hugh are involved in the discovery of a schoolgirls body and are soon delving into that mystery Like all the books in the series this is a tightly formatted read that draws you in and keeps you engaged a great fun read and one of my favourites in the series

Set in the 1920s, deception, disappearances (people and dentures!), murder and adventure occur in spades in this witty novel. Miss Phryne Fisher is invited by Captain Spencer to stay at his restful and recuperative rural spa where surviving soldiers are given the care they need. He hopes to garner her support as he knows her predilection for the soldiers' cause as she was active in the war herself. She and her companion Dot discover there is more to their adventure than rest and relaxation, pipers, drummers, dancers and delectable breakfasts, such as suspicious death. Phryne tackles Captain Spencer while Dot takes on the owners, inveigling and seeking answers.

Meanwhile, in St Kilda, Ruth, Jane and Tinker find themselves enshrouded by mystery and do some investigating and searching for clues on their own. This is a fun inclusion. Annie, Kenneth McAlpine, Inspector Kelly and other minor characters make appearances, too.

Phryne is full of herself and precisely knows the sensation she creates upon entering a room (or a pool). I'm not fond of her as a character but do really enjoy Dot especially and the story, including the mouthwatering food descriptions and clever historical details as well as notes on the author's inspiration at the back.

My sincere thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this lighthearted book.

This is my first book in this series. To everyone who, like me, started with watching the TV series, I assure you that it will not be a problem and you won’t be disappointed. I also had no problem not having read the previous books. I got into this story very quickly.

If you are unfamiliar with the TV show or the previous books, and this is your first encounter with Miss Fisher and her group of devoted helpers, then you should definitely get to know her. It's great to watch her brilliant mind work. At the same time, she is so cute that you can easily forgive her bravado or simple nosiness. Miss Fisher is one of those people who are not afraid to create problems, but also to solve them later on her own. Not only Miss Fisher, but also other characters are very easily to like - her trusted companion Dot, her adopted kids - Jane, Ruth and Tinker, and policeman Hugh Collins. They all make a group that is nice to read about.

The plot is also very interesting. We have two mysteries here. One is solved by Miss Fisher and Dot in the small town of Daylesford she has been invited to, and the other by Hugh and Miss Fisher's children. They are both equally interesting. I think that there is quite a good balance between these two cases, so that as a reader we are really committed to resolving both of them. At the same time, they are completely different from each other.

In the case of Miss Fisher's mystery, we can basically talk about an entire bunch of potential crimes, some of which are loosely related to each other. These are more your typical small-town crimes, although with an interesting twist at the end. I like that not everything was part of one scheme. And also, that not everything turned out to be a crime. The case Jane, Ruth, Tinker and Hugh are working on is much simpler, but the kids also need to show considerable perceptiveness to solve it. Both plotlines are really good.

Jack is not really a part of this book. He is involved in some other case. Surprisingly, it did not bother me at all, and I did not notice his absence in this story. Though I'm curious to see what Phryne and Jack's joint investigation will look like.

If you are a fan of the TV series, this book will not disappoint. If you haven't met Miss Fisher yet, feel free to read this book too. The fact that this is the twenty-first book in this series (sic!) is not the slightest problem. It is really fun to read. Now I’m into it and I will certainly read the previous books in this series too.

I can’t believe it’s been eight years since the last book in this series. But as soon as this new book opens, we see the same characters, as Phryne is entertaining Lin Chung (and vice versa). The next day Phryne and her companion, Dot, are off to the country to see Captain Spencer, who runs a treatment/rest home for shell-shocked war veterans.

The Daylesford and Hepburn Spa area is beautiful and bountiful (check the area out online; it will make you want to visit), but almost no sooner do Phryne and Dot arrive than two men die, in apparent accidents. But there is a connection between them, and Phryne suspects murder. Is there a connection between these deaths and reports of recent disappearances of farmers’ wives from their homes?

Back in Melbourne, Hugh Collins has been assigned to work temporarily with DI Fraser, a rather dim and full-of-himself character. They are investigating the case of a young woman found drowned, who turns out to be a classmate of Phryne’s adopted daughters.

The cases in country and city are intriguing, there are mouth-watering descriptions of food and drink, some comic moments, and a real feeling of time and place in 1920s Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, and Melbourne. This is just the kind of charming period mystery with engaging characters that regular readers of the series expect.

4.5 Stars! Wow! This book is so good! It is witty, entertaining, mysterious, full of twists and turns, at times disturbing, and so much more! Whenever I picked up "Death in Daylesford", I was whisked back in time to 1920's Australia and put on my sleuthing hat to solve these mysteries.

This is the 21st book in Kerry Greenwood's "Phryne Fisher Mysteries" series, and I hope there will be many more! Ms. Greenwood's writing style is simply incredible! Her characters all feel like such incredible real people, and, as you read, you really feel like you get to know each and every one. Their personalities are so distinct. Moreover, Ms. Greenwood does a brilliant job of slowly allowing the puzzle pieces of the mystery (or mysteries in this case) to unfold. The clues are there, and each and every piece falls into place in exactly the moment it needs to in order to push the plot forward.

This book centers around two different mysteries (though it turns out there are quite a few more connected). Phryne is invited to travel to Daylesford and a neighboring town, and she and Dot soon are on their way. They soon find out that mysterious and gruesome happenings have happened there before, as well as more occurring after their arrival. Phryne and Dot soon meet many people in the town, including some incredibly strong women, who believe in what is right and fight for what they believe in. As things begin to happen quickly, and with many mysteries on her hands, Phryne begins to realize what exactly is going on. I do not want to spoil anything in this review, so, I will simply say, not everything is as it seems. Some things happen for the better, and some moments and actions are absolutely horrific.

Moreover, back at home, a young girl's body washes up on the shore. As Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is away on a secret investigation, Hugh works under a different detective, who intends to blame someone for the girl's death with no proof. Hugh, Jane, Ruth, and Tinker are not going to let someone who is innocent be blamed, and decide to try to help solve the mystery themselves. Will they be able to find out the truth?

I thought that the ending scene, where everything comes together, was very, very well done, and brought such a smile to my face.

I have not read all of the books in the series (though, I most certainly want to!), but, I have seen every episode of the TV series as well as the movie! I was a bit confused exactly who one character was in particular in this book who I have not encountered before. I believe they have been introduced in previous books though. As the book went on, how this person relates to Phryne, Dot, Hugh, Jane, Ruth, etc. became more clear, but, I found myself wanting to know earlier, and. also, I did feel that the switching between plots felt a bit jumpy at times. However, even with both of these things said, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book in any way.

If you enjoy historical mysteries, I highly recommend this book! I found myself turning page after page, and chapter after chapter, to see how and what would happen next. The mysteries kept me guessing all the way through until all was revealed, and I was shocked quite a few times.

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, and I can't wait for the next book in this series! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Ah- Phyrne! She's travelled to Daylesford where see a facility for WWI vets trying to cope with shell shock and, of course, she's found herself investigating a murder. The logistics of this one are complicated- someone blew a piece of steel at the neck of Kenneth Mcalpine who is about to toss a log which then hits and kills Donald MacKay. Whew. Phyrne and Dot investigate but don't worry- Ruth and Jane are back in Melbourne working with Dot's fiance to figure out who killed a young woman. The charm of this series is in the people- especially Dot and the girls- but also in what are almost throwaway lines you go back and read and then laugh out loud about. It's different from the tv series but totally delightful. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Another top notch addition to this beloved series.
A strong female protagonist and a great story.
I highly recommend it.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

The indomitable Phryne Fisher is finally back! In this 21st installment to the delightful series, set in 1920s Australia, Phryne is invited to visit a retreat for shell-shocked WWI veterans in Victoria’s rural spa country. Hoping into her Hispano-Suiza along with her faithful maid Dot, Phryne tears through the countryside of Australia on another adventure. Mystery and intrigue will find our heroine no matter where she is, and this is time around is no exception. Upon arriving, Phryne soon discovers that women have been disappearing, and before a day is out, she is a witness to a clever murder at the annual Highland games.

Meanwhile back in Melbourne, Phryne’s trusty family and friends have also found themselves embroiled in a murder mystery. A schoolmate of Phryne’s two adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth is found dead, floating in the water. Along with Dot’s police boyfriend Hugh and Phryne’s other ward, Tinker, the four sleuths investigate to find the real killer among Claire’s friends and family.

Back in Daylesford, Phryne finds no shortage of suspects both male and female, and as her clever sleuthing slowly eliminates them one at a time, she is in a race to find the murderer before he or she strikes again!
Death in Daylesford contains all we have come to expect from a Phryne Fisher mystery! Witty prose, likeable characters, wonderful descriptions of 1920’s fashion and life in Australia. Nor would it be a Phryne Fisher adventure, without the addition of a delightful romp in in bed with one of the town’s many attractive men.
Fans of this series, or of cozy historical mysteries in general will not be disappointed. If you’re not familiar with these books, pick this one up and it might just send you back to the others for a hugely entertaining read.

This is the 21st entry in the Phryne Fisher series, and Greenwood's 65th book. This one is fun. Phryne and Dot are invited to a rural spa for a holiday near the Victoria town of Daylesford, leaving her adoptive children Jane, Ruth and Tinker at home in Melbourne with the Bulters and Hugh Collins. What follows are two separate mysteries, one in each city. In Melbourne Jane, Ruth and Tinker assist Hugh in the investigation of the mysterious death of one of the girls' schoolmates. In the other Phryne is faced with a series of bizarre murders seeming to revolve around a lovely barmaid;. Dot is an excellent sidekick, and the cast of characters all work together. This is a gentle book, despite the murders, filled with humor and good plotting. Phryne is her usual glamorous, brilliant self and the other regular characters continue to grow into their roles. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

1920s, Australia, murder, murder-investigation, investigation, witty, mysteries, situational-humor, verbal-humor, snarky, law-enforcement, historical-novel, historical-research*****

Aaah, a new book by Kerry Greenwood! Where else can you find such witticisms, excellent characters, interesting plots, and acknowledged historical license? And this time there is a travelling library, songs of freedom from bondage, and communication through knitting (as well as murders and fine detection), but no Jack Robinson. While Phryne and Dot are away on one case, Tinker/Ruth/Jane and Sgt Hugh are busy with one at home. Good sleuthing by all despite the hindrance of a couple of overweening coppers (we have them in any profession). A good read with more laughs than dead bodies!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

“This murderer specialises in killing in the middle of a crowd, and it’s a different method each time. I may add that this is a criminal of extraordinary cunning, and is moreover quite, quite mad and horribly dangerous.”

Death In Daylesford is the twenty-first book in the popular Phryne Fisher series by award-winning Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. While Phryne and Dot travel to Daylesford at the invitation of (former) Captain Herbert Spencer to visit his Hepburn Springs hotel, Detective Sergeant Hugh Collins is left assisting an incompetent Acting DI in a possible murder case while DI Jack Robinson is seconded elsewhere.

Claire Knight, a classmate of Phryne’s adopted daughters, is found floating face-down at the docks, and Hugh quickly judges that he will have to do his own investigating, when Acting DI Fraser jumps to the easy conclusion and fixes on the nearest male as the culprit. Ruth, Jane and Tinker, each resourceful and talented in their own way, make significant contributions to learning the truth.

Meanwhile, Phryne is expecting to have a quiet vacation in a spa town, inspect the hotel catering to shell-shocked soldiers with a view to contributing financial support, and to relax, but everyone seems to think she’s there to investigate the recent disappearances of several farmers’ wives.

But before she can ask a single question, there’s a terrible accident at the Highland Gathering with the caber toss, and a man is dead. Except Phryne can immediately see it’s no accident, even if the local cop, the pompous Sergeant Offaly, seems clueless.

The victim is one of many would-be suitors of the breath-takingly beautiful barmaid at the Temperance Hotel. Weeks earlier, another of their number fell from a train; when a third young man dies at the church dance, Phryne wonders: could one of Annie Tremain’s admirers be trying to eliminate rivals?

Two more women go missing during their stay so, in between enjoying the region’s attractions, their days are busier than anticipated: “Dot found it hard to sleep during the day, preferring healthful early nights to obtain her necessary recuperation. Phryne had heard of early nights but considered them hideously overrated.”

Phryne, amid spa and massage, vegetarian meals with herbal wines (all surprisingly good!) and seduction, and the ever-chaste Dot gather information by careful observation, judicious listening (or opportune eavesdropping) and shrewd questioning, and manage to satisfactorily solve several mysteries, save a horse and prevent a fourth murder, while keeping certain necessary secrets.

As well as lots of clever deduction, this instalment features Mr Butler’s dumb waiter, Dot arming herself against Phryne’s driving, a valerian-loving cat, an exploding outhouse and domestic slavery. Entertaining, as always.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press.

"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.