Phryne Fisher is back in Melbourne and ready to relax after her Sydney sojourn but there's no rest for the wicked when she finds Detective Jack Robinson on her doorstep asking for help with the death of an old woman who was being terrorised. Phryne is only too happy for the chance to help take her mind off her missing lover Lin Chung and soon she finds herself knee deep in trouble.

I read a review that suggested this was a must read after the disaster of a last book, Death Before Wicket. Unfortunately, although it started out decently, it quickly descended into a mess. Less of a mess than Death Before Wicket but a mess nonetheless. There was less mysticism and supernatural elements than the last one which was a relief but I think I just have to accept that these books are paranormal. I would've liked to know that before I started this series but it is what it is.

As for the plot, it was convoluted and bloated. There were numerous characters, tons of threads and motives and it was all just too much for one case. That was exacerbated by the secondary plot of Lin Chung being kidnapped and held hostage and being ransomed. It was just confusing. I'm not a huge fan of their relationship but I've more or less accepted it. That said, I hated the end when Phryne suggests that any wife the grandmother chooses for Lin would have to be one that accepts her. Like wtf? Lin Chung felt more like a pet at this point than an independent male.

I was happy to see Bert and Cedric appear again, some of the magazine's staff had some funny comments on women in society and I loved the how of the crime (death by cyanide pill in a mechanical music box) but overall this was a bust for me. 2 stars. ( )

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm1iCC4OvwM/

Kerry Greenwood - Away with the Fairies: A 1920s woman’s magazine, fairies (duh), and pirates. Couldn’t ask for more. #cursorybookreviews #cursoryreviews ( )

A review I wrote in 2020:

Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood

The 11th in the Phryne Fisher Mystery series. I’ve jumped backwards a bit with this one as the last one I read was no. 13! It
doesn’t really matter what order you read them in!

Set in Australia, Phryne is an escapee from the constraints of 1920s English upper class society.
Phryne started life in extreme poverty in Melbourne but when a succession of heirs died out in the
First World War, her father inherited an Earldom in England. Phryne, after escaping posh school to
serve in an ambulance unit in France during the war and then coming into her own inheritance
and therefore financial freedom, disappeared off to Australia and now lives a delightfully
independent lifestyle. By this point in the series she has two adopted daughters, has rough and
ready socialist friends, a very sweet maid called Dot, a lavish lifestyle and numerous attractive
men friends. She has also become a self-styled part-time private detective.

In this book Phryne has been asked to look into the mysterious death of a well-known author and
illustrator of flowery fairy stories for children. This leads Phryne to take a short-term position at the
women’s magazine where the victim had been employed. Phryne soon becomes embroiled in the
lives and problems of a number of her new colleagues.

Phryne’s mind isn’t 100% on the job in hand though as her lover, Lin Chung has gone missing on
a silk-buying expedition to China and Phryne fears foul play… she needs to find Lin Chung… ( )

When Miss Lavender, a writer and illustrator of children’s fairy stories, is found poisoned in her home, Inspector Jack Robinson asks Phryne to help with the investigation, as she can work with the various women involved better than he can. She obliges, going so far as to take a job at a women’s magazine where Miss Lavender had worked, but her mind is on other things: Lin Chung, her favourite lover, has gone missing while on a buying trip to China. He was supposed to have returned some time ago, and even his fearsome grandmother, matriarch of the Lin dynasty, is worried and afraid…. This is the eleventh book in the series and could it possibly be the one where Phryne discovers love? It certainly seemed that way to me, anyway! I especially liked the way the women’s magazine was depicted, with the various women squabbling away as they all follow the high ideal of a magazine that takes women seriously in a time when that simply wasn’t done. Also, I think I would quite love to live in the type of apartment building that Miss Lavender occupied: your own complete apartment, but somebody to bring you breakfast and coffee, other meals too if you want them, and somebody to clean your place to your specifications, along with a beautiful, peaceful garden that somebody else maintains; sounds like bliss! Recommended, as usual. ( )

Phryne Fisher finds herself working at “Woman’s Choice,” a women’s magazine. Phryne has no background in the field, but it is a good place to be since she has been called in by Detective Inspector Jack Robinson to find out about the death of Miss Lavender. Lavender is one of the writers.

Miss Lavender writes and illustrates an on-going article titled “Hilda and the Flower Fairies.” She is also quite into fairies and gnomes, as shown by the décor of her flat and yard. One feels smothered by the cuteness of it all.

Seems there is a dark side to Miss Lavender and she has managed to cause many neighbours and co-workers to dislike her. This provides quite a list of suspects for Phryne to investigate.

Phryne is also dealing with another mystery — the disappearance of Lin Chung, her Chinese lover. He has gone on a buying trip to China for his family’s business, but hasn’t been heard from. Phryne feels something is gravely wrong and this is confirmed when she gets a note from him with “something” enclosed that proves serious business.

The usual cast of characters is on hand — Bert and Cec, the Butlers and Robinson. The book moves well and I felt I was spending time with some old and valued friends. Glad I have a few more on my TBR shelf! ( )