I’m a huge Miss Fisher fan, seen all the TV (Miss Fisher and Miss Fisher Modern), seen the film, own the DVDs, been on the Miss Fisher Melbourne tour, had the Miss Fisher cocktail and met Kerry Greenwood but my favourites of all are the BOOKS!
The books just give so much more depth and detail so I was excited to win this ARC copy from Allen and Unwin. I was not disappointed! The introduction of Phyrne’s niece Peregrine brings the concept into the swinging 60’s and I loved all the descriptions of fashion, cars and department stores. Miss Fisher books and characters are almost always stylish!
The book fleshed out a mystery I had seen on TV some time ago so I still found myself trying to piece together the motives and murderer. While I guessed Peregrine might find herself in a spot of bother, I knew the chutzpah and smarts of this modern woman would win out. There was one twist that may play out in future books. Future books are something I hope might happen.
Katherine Kovacic did a great job bringing Peregrine to the page. Just prior to winning this book, I had learnt of Katherine’s art mysteries so I’ll be looking into those.

Thank you so much Allen and Unwin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. ( )

I am HOOKED!! ( )

A screen to book adaption by Katherine Kovacic of the first episode of the Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries television series (written by Deb Cox and created by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger), which itself was inspired by Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the TV series, which is based on the Phryne Fisher mystery books by Kerry Greenwood, Just Murdered is a delightful murder mystery set during the 1960’s in Victoria Australia introducing Ms Peregrine Fisher, the niece of Miss Phryne Fisher.

“She had never been one to play by the rules—at least, not unless they suited her.”

When Peregrine Fisher discovers an oft forwarded letter addressed to her late mother that requests a meeting with regards to an inheritance, her first instinct is to dismiss it as a joke, but at a loose end, having been fired that same day from her position in a hairdressing salon, Peregrine decides to accept the invitation. Upon her rather dramatic arrival at The Adventuresses’ Club of the Antipodes, Peregrine is informed that her mother’s estranged half sister, Phryne Fisher, is missing in Papua New Guinea, presumed dead, and Peregrine is her heir.

“I’ve tried hard all my life to be someone or belong somewhere…”

The murder of a young model at Blair’s Emporium, for which one of the Adventuresses is under suspicion, is just the opportunity Peregrine needs to prove herself to The Adventuresses’ Club of the Antipodes. She has big shoes to fill but it’s soon evident that though Peregrine may lack the sophistication of her aunt, she is just as bold, clever and resourceful. A genuine delight, I love her sassy attitude. Much like her aunt Peregrine refuses to be told who she is and what she is capable of, especially by men.

“Now I just have to convince Birdie and the rest of the Adventuresses that I can do my aunt’s old job. I mean, it’s not really that hard, is it?”

I enjoyed the well plotted mystery for which there several suspects. Another murder increases the stakes, especially for Peregrine, who then goes undercover to expose to the truth, despite being forcefully warned off by Chief Inspector Sparrow and Detective James Steed of Central Police.

The writing is a great reflection of the television episode, and I thought Kovacic translated the characters and events well to the page. She captures the entertaining balance of humour and tension that is the appeal of this series. The settings are well rendered, and the sense of time and place are distinct.

I expect fans of the original Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries will enjoy this spin off as I have. You can stream Seasons 1 and 2 of Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries on Acorn TV in several countries, but I would welcome continuing print instalments of this series. ( )

historical-fiction, historical-research, murder, murder-investigation, Australian-author, Australia, law-enforcement, adventuresses-club, thriller, suspense, inheritance, amateur-sleuth, adventure, unputdownable

In this mystery set in 1960 Melbourne, Peregrine Fisher is the niece of the redoubtable Phryne Fisher. While I needed the TV version to fully appreciate the scenery, fashions, and more with Phryne, this time frame is easily visualized and better enjoyed with less distraction when read. The story is more than interesting and the descriptions of people, places, and activities is great! I haven't seen the TV show, but I suspect that this is so much better for those of us who don't get the show! Loved it and want more!
I requested and received an EARC from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )

Kovacic has written a series featuring an art dealer who solves crimes, but Just Murdered isn't a Kovacic original. It's based on a script by Deb Cox for the first episode of the television series, Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries, which is a spin-off from Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, the television series based on Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher novels.

Just Murdered is set in Melbourne in 1963. Peregrine Fisher, the long-lost niece of Phryne Fisher, has led an unsettled life with her mother, who moved from town to town as debts caught up with her. Since her mother died, Peregrine has been living in a caravan in a Queensland country town, working as a hairdresser, but she's just lost her job, so when she receives a letter from The Adventuresses' Club of the Antipodes asking her to attend a meeting about an inheritance, she sets off to hitch-hike to Melbourne. At the Adventuresses' Club Peregrine finds that the aunt she'd never heard of has left everything to her niece.

The Adventuresses are a group of unusually accomplished women, so Peregrine has no qualifications for membership. When her house is burgled, she decides to prove herself by taking over her aunt's role as a detective. Her investigation leads her to Blair's Emporium (for Melbourne locals, this is very much like Myer's), a fashion parade, a murder investigation and a corrupt policeman. The plot is utterly unrealistic, but the descriptions of sixties Melbourne are entertaining. Kovacic lovingly describes the clothes, the decor, and the roles of working women, and it's these details that make the book interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. ( )