***A big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book.***

I've always had a deep affection for the Phryne Fisher series. Phryne herself is a character of remarkable depth, and the vivid portrayal of life in Melbourne during that era is utterly captivating, even if through a fictional lens.

'Murder in Williamstown' goes beyond Phryne's own escapades. The members of her household evolve into amateur detectives in their own right, with Phryne guiding their research and resolutions.

Amidst all this, Phryne doesn't miss out on her share of fun, embarking on a new relationship with a charming young man, yet ultimately returning to Lin. It's a bittersweet aspect, as there seems to be no long-term future for their relationship. But, let's not dwell on that somber thought and savor her adventures while she's reveling in them.

Ruth and Jane, Phryne Fisher's adopted daughters, take on significant roles as well. Ruth excels in the kitchen and assists the cook, while Jane, with her mathematical prowess, stumbles upon discrepancies in the accounts, leading to a conversation with Phryne about how to proceed. Meanwhile, Tinker aids Phryne in unraveling the mystery of the unsettling notes left in their letterbox.

When Phryne receives an invitation to a party in Williamstown, she decides to attend, accompanied by a male friend. The festivities, featuring dancing, libations, and lively music, promise an evening of top-notch entertainment. However, an unforeseen event abruptly disrupts the party and brings the police into the picture. Can Phryne crack this new puzzle, while Ruth and Jane work to solve their own mysteries?

'Murder in Williamstown' marks the 22nd chapter in the captivating Phryne Fisher series penned by the talented Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. I found it thoroughly engrossing, particularly due to the increased involvement of Ruth, Jane, and Tinker, alongside the usual diligent presence of Dot. Even Cec and Bert make a brief appearance. My adoration for this series continues to grow, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment. If you haven't already, I highly recommend giving it a read."

An enjoyable read even if you've not read the earlier books or seen the tv series but even more so if you have, Set in 1920s Melbourne, this is the further adventures of the unconventional Miss Phyrne Fisher, her pals and her wards. Someone is doing something bad at the charity for the blind, there's a murder and there's an opium pipe- all things that wind around into the mystery. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Fun read. A woman deceive and also adoptive mother joins with the police to solve murder in China town. Miss Fisher is an independent woman which adds some interesting twists to the story. Greenwood is a favorite author.

Welcome back to the 1920’s world of Melbourne, Australia, and The Honorable Ms. Phryne Fisher! If you’ve only met Phyrne through the television series, you should really enjoy Ms. Greenwood’s mysteries as the TV adaptations were very true to the characters. This time, there’s opium, a dead Chinese man, strange doings at the local Blind Institute where Phyrne’s three wards are doing volunteer work. Dot is still at Phyrne’s side, as is Phyrne’s latest love interest, Lin Chung. There is one sex scene. Lots of wonderful historic details pair with the mysteries to move this story along.

I haven't read a lot of these books but I have watched the series which I love but didn't feel I was missing out so can be read as a stand alone. I very much enjoyed the fact that there were several mysteries occurring at once and overlapping with one another and involved Miss Fisher's wider family. It kept me turning the pages to see how things developed. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Phryne Fisher is a woman who lives her life the way that she wants and does not apologize for it. Readers may be familiar with her from other books in the long running series. Others may know Phryne from her TV exploits in Miss Fisher’s Mysteries on Acorn TV. Either (or both) ways or even if a reader does not already know her, it is worth while spending time with this protagonist. (Those new to the series do not have to have read the other books but will just have to accept that they do not know all of the characters’ backstories.)

A lot (!) is going on in this book. It opens with a scene that may well jar current sensibilities as an Asian character is called something maybe appropriate to the time of the story but not to our times. Why was this raid done? Was it successful?

At the same time, there are other subplots. Phrnye’s adopted daughters are volunteering at an institute for the blind where someone may indeed be turning a blind eye to discrepancies in the books. Also, why has one of Phryne’s daughter been locked in the music room?

Phrnye find a body (as she tends to). Is this connected to opium pipes that were found in a garden? Who is sending Phryne poisoned pen notes about her personal life (she does have a habit of taking lovers of whom Jeoffrey appears to the the latest)? What is happening with her Asian lover? And to her relationship with police officer Jack?

There are also two women (lovers) who have escaped their institution. Who are they working (and dancing) for?

Will all of these plot lines come together? It will be a test of Ms. Greenwood’s abilities but she has done it before. Follow her lead in 1920s Melbourne where the story takes place. It is an enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

"The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher is up to her elegant eyebrows in mystery once again!

Awakening unusually early one morning, Phryne Fisher finds herself with a rare stretch of free time to fill. After dropping her daughters off for their school-sponsored charity work at the Blind Institute, she visits a university professor whose acquaintance she'd made - and admired - on a prior case. At lunch, the smitten professor invites Phryne to dine at his home in Williamstown later that week.

Bookending her pleasant dinner with her new friend Jeoffrey, Phryne makes two disturbing discoveries: first, a discarded opium pipe in the park, and later the body of a Chinese man on the beach - cause of death not apparent, yet ultimately ruled a homicide. Shortly thereafter, the teenaged sister-in-law of Phryne's longtime lover Lin Chung disappears from her home. But when one of Jeoffrey's colleagues is murdered in front of a houseful of guests at a Chinese-themed party he is hosting, Phryne can't help but wonder - are the incidents all related somehow? And who on earth has been leaving notes in her letterbox, warning her to "REPENT" and that "THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH?"

In addition to the formidable and fashionable Phryne, this clever mystery once again features Phryne's three wards with their own mysteries to solve: Ruth and Jane, tracking an embezzler at the Institute, and Tinker, whose help Phryne enlists to uncover the author of the threatening missives."

I love the whole world of Miss Fisher, and after finishing the lamentably over Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries I need more Fishers in my life!

Summary

It’s 1929 and Phryne has now been living in Melbourne for almost a year. She and her three adopted children are thriving.

However, something strange has started to occur. Creepy anonymous letters have begun to appear in the house’s mailbox. The letters themselves, calling Phryne’s virtue into question, actually amuse her, but she is aware that there is a potential for escalation. She sets Tinker to work gathering information to locate the anonymous sender.

When their school sends Jane and Ruth to spend time volunteering at the Institute for the Blind, they aren’t certain how much they will be able to contribute. Then they begin to hear whispers of embezzlement and start an investigation of their own - with Phryne’s approval, of course.

Meanwhile, on a date with a handsome academic she had met during a previous investigation, Phryne discovers a body on the beach. She wonders if it had anything to do with a scream she heard earlier in a warehouse, but having reported that scream to the police, she is sure they have the situation under control. However, a second murder leads Phryne to believe they may be in need of her assistance.

My Thoughts

I very much enjoyed the fact that there were several mysteries occurring at once and overlapping with one another. It was fun to try to work out how, and if, the puzzles fit together.

As always, I adore Phryne. She is one of my favorite amateur detectives. One of the characters in the book refers to her as a “renowned warrior for justice.” She is an exceptionally intelligent woman who does not abide bullies. She is happy to indulge her appetites for beautiful men, stylish clothing, and sumptuous meals.

This story mentioned several times that Phryne had only been in Melbourne for a year. That was helpful, but also surprising because so much has happened in that year. Near the end of the story, Phryne and Lin discuss the potential for upcoming global financial turbulence, so I anticipate the start of the Great Depression in one of the upcoming books.

What Else I Liked
- It was fun to see the children getting more involved in the solving of mysteries again. They all have very different skills and personalities, so I enjoy seeing how they apply their gifts.

- Because the author does so much research for each of her books, I always feel like I’m learning something. I also usually end up finding something I’d like to learn more about. This time it was Fabian Socialism.

- At the end of the book, Kerry Greenwood includes some fascinating information about her writing process, which I always enjoy. She also has an absolutely lovely dedication to her cat, Belladonna.

- One of the best lines in the book was from Dot. She recognized a look on her employer’s face and realized “Miss Fisher was about to happen to somebody.”


My thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Kerry Greenwood for the advanced copy of this book. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

As always, a fascinating read and a rekindled love for Phryne's sass and wit. I enjoyed reading about the sleuthing of the three children in this one and hope for more in the next book. This was a bit of a strange timeline with one mystery taking up a large chunk of the first part and then the other when the first was wrapped up. However, things don't always go in nicely segmented slots in real life so this was true to form. There were a couple of consistency issues but overall a very enjoyable read indeed. Hanging out for more!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review

Olive this book so much! I’m really a Fan of Miss Fisher 💕
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the book

I always enjoy a Phryne Fisher mystery. And Phryne is as glamorous as ever. Her young charges feature much more heavily in this story which adds a freshness to the storyline. Easy to read but complicated enough to keep you guessing. Lovely.

So happy to read about Phryne again - up to her usual hijinks, in her fabulous clothes, with all the wonderful people in her orbit.

Greenwood did a great job intertwining a few mysteries in this particular book. I loved how, with Phryne’s advice, her children were able to solve two of these mysteries pretty much on their own. Watching them grow as characters throughout this series has been a delight.

Whenever I finish reading a book from this series, I honestly can’t wait until I can meet up with everyone again in the next instalment.

I must first say I do love the cover of this book. So sticking and eye-catching. Having said that I am not a huge fan of Kerry Greenwood's books but I keep trying and I found this one quite good, loving the 1920's setting and the characters.

An interesting story and mystery which kept my interest and was a well written and well layered story which made for a very entertaining read. It is a more light read with a good story, a bit of humour and some unique characters. I did enjoy this one a bit more than the other few I have read, 3 1/2 start from me.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

"Murder in Williamstown" by Kerry Greenwood is a delightful installment in the Phryne Fisher Mystery series. Set in the 1920s, it features the witty detective Phryne Fisher solving a murder case in Melbourne. The book combines historical charm, intriguing characters, and a well-crafted mystery, making it a must-read for fans of the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this very gentle read. I have seen the TV series but this was the first book I've read. I was rather nervous that I wouldn't enjoy the characters, perhaps they would just be very different to what I'd expected. There are differences, but none that detracted from the story.

While there was a murder, I enjoyed the other stories along the way - great to have some other kinds of mysteries to wrap my head around.

It was five out of five for me.

My thanks to Netgalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Another charmer from Kerry Greenwood.

It seems strange to use the term world building when referring to a Historical Mystery, but Kerry Greenwood always creates such a lush, full setting that it feels apropos. Phryne’s world has a touch of the ridiculous to it, but it’s such a delight to spend time there that the improbability of much of it doesn’t really register.

I liked the secondary mystery in this one better than the central mystery, though that’s not to say that both aren’t well rendered. The goings on at the school for the blind just proved to be more intriguing, largely because the setting was so well drawn. And I love that Ruth and Jane kind of get their own mini mysteries to solve.

Greenwood is so good with atmosphere no matter where the particular installment of the series is set, and yet the mysteries themselves never seem to suffer as a result, as often happens in this subgenre. And the Author’s Note was—as is always the case with those in this series—a delight to read.

I owe you all a confession, I've been missing Phryne. You know, that sassy Private Lady Detective from 1920s Melbourne. The Hungarian TV aired the last episode of series 3 of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries a couple of weeks ago and then, she disappeared. However, about a week ago, I spotted her on her way to Williamstown and I followed her there, discovered Williamstown with her, saw it, smelt it, and felt its breeze and sun on my skin.
Murder in Williamstown by Kerry Greenwood is full of deduction, a cheeky sense of humour, some midnight fright and late-night chases. It's not without a heart and female tact. I even feel sorry for some wretched wrongdoer, since I'm a bit shocked by the hypocrisy of the era.

Sherlock, Poirot and Marple would all approve of Phryne and her family's sleuthing methods. The readers eat some red herrings ;), as for the characters, they prefer the roast. Phryne's sidekicks are her three adopted children, Ruth, Jane and a boy, Tinker, and Dot, her assistant. The most daring and capable of them is Tinker. The least exciting sidekick is Dot, for me, she is more relatable in the show. I like it how she blooms there even in beige and brown; it's a true coming-of-age story for her.
The novel touches on some crucial social issues, yet it's more of a guilty pleasure reading, I'm going to tag it as "escapism." All the characters are annoyingly beautiful except Bert, a taxi driver, and a villain. However, I do accept that Phryne should be a beautiful bad*ss, since she carries on sleuthing even when her beau faints.

Reading this novel feels pretty much like being transported back to another era. I feel indignant about the broken opium pipe hurting the foot of a horse as if it happened the other day. I've stopped being surprised by the cumbersome starting of the Hispano-Suiza and fear the speed just like Dot and Jane. The budding linguist in me is enchanted by the slang.

Content warning: there's an explicit sexual scene, but you know, she's Phryne.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending this book for review consideration. I read a DRC. All opinions are my own.

This is the first Phryne Fisher novel I’ve read, although I was already a fan of the sumptuous tv series. Color me surprised at how very much like the tv series the book is! Kudos to the director for completely capturing the frothy, bubbly spirit of the novels.

In this outing, we follow Phryne as she discovers the corpse of a Chinese man on the beach. The clues seems to point to opium smuggling of some sort. Her three adopted children Jane, Ruth and Tink (a budding Sexton Blake) take part in the mystery, as well as new lover Jeoffrey, an academic by day and an unusually skilled lover at night. Previous acquaintance Lin Chung and his wife’s sister makes enigmatic appearances… and no more spoilers here, although there are many little subplots intervowen.

This is a lighthearted, enjoyable read, with a forgettable mystery except for the very fun gallery of characters. I especially chuckled at how exactly the prim Dot sounded as in the tv series - it really was like reconnecting with some old friends, and I didn’t miss being dropped in at the tail end of this series at all. Recommended!

I received an advance copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance copy ofMurder in Williamstown, the twenty-second novel to feature the Honourable Phryne Fisher, set in Melbourne in 1929.

Phryne is in Williamstown visiting her friend Jeoffrey when she finds an opium pipe in the local park, but her second discovery is more disturbing, a dead body at the shore. She is too busy investigating some poisoned pen letters she has received and helping her wards investigate a potential fraud at a local charity to pay these discoveries much attention, especially as Inspector Robinson is being very tight lipped about them. That changes when one of Jeoffrey’s colleagues is murdered in front of her.

I thoroughly enjoyed Murder in Williamstown, which is another fun read with a feeling of sunny optimism throughout, reflecting Phryne’s personality.

The plotting is fairly slight and is more a series of unrelated incidents than an overarching storyline. I don’t think this is a bad thing as it shows different sides of Phryne’s personality and approaches to justice. All the cases are solved, but not necessarily to Inspector Robinson’s exacting standards of justice, more a case of the punishment fitting not just the crime, but the victim’s needs. I’m not sure if I agree with it all, but it’s fun to read.

Phryne, as ever, lives her life on her own terms, easy come, easy go with boyfriends and a healthy sexual appetite, but also a desire for the truth and reasonable justice. She lives the life of a rich society woman but has some unusual friends. She’s a very likeable egalitarian.

Murder in Williamstown is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.