Customer Reviews

Away with the Fairies

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When Marcella Lavender dies, a guilty Detective Inspector Jack Robinson asks private detective Phyrne Fisher to determine whether she died of natural causes or was murdered. Marcella came to him a few weeks ago, showing him threatening letters she received and he told her not to worry because poison pen letter writers usually don't do anything violent. Now he is second guessing himself and wants a second opinion and there is no one he respects more for getting to the bottom of things than Phyrne.

Miss Lavender was a writer who produced many books about fairies and was the advice columnist at a progressive woman's magazine Women's Choice. She also has an unexplained monthly income from the Marshall & Company. Nosing around Ms. Lavender's work place and apartment complex, Phyrne learns that she was not well liked and when the autopsy reports show she died of cyanide poisoning the sleuth dives into the investigation with enthusiasm in part to get her mind off her lover Lin Chung who is in a dangerous China currently wracked by turmoil.

AWAY WITH THE FAIRIES takes place in 1928 Melbourne starring a rich, young independent heroine with an adventurous spirit who doesn't believe that women should be held down because of their gender. She has the respect of the crusty Detective Inspector and mixes with people of all social classes. The brilliant private investigator makes this tale hum as historical who-done-it readers will take delight with her inquiries into an unpopular victim with several individuals having motives and opportunities but without knowing which one would actually kill. Kerry Greenwood makes it impossible for the audience not to like the charming Phyrne or her investigations.

Harriet Klausner

_away with the fairies_ is part of one of the most consistently well-written mystery series i know, and i've been reading mysteries for many many years.

the historical facts are always fascinating, the characters are well-drawn individuals, the writing is always first rate, and the mystery here, as in the other titles, won't be solved by the third chapter. the description of the meals phyrne's cook produces are enough to cause weight gain. and the humor can produce anything from a slight smile to a loud guffaw.

i'm thrilled to see that greenwood's current publisher has brought the series back to the states--the first three were published here in paperback in the early 90s. i enjoy them so much i finally ordered all the other ten titles in paperback from australia--in spite of the extortionate postage. now that i can buy hardback editions from amazon, i'm a very happy reader. i think other mystery readers will be equally happy once they try this wonderful series.

You should read the first books to learn the characters, but this is an exceptional treat. I always enjoy Kerry Greenwoods books, but she really takes her time with the characters, the world history and the plot in this book. Toss in a little science and a little fun and stir well. This is a winner on all fronts. And rather than being an uninvolved detective, she gets personally involved in one of the sub plots to an unprecedented level. This is the one that should be made into a movie, IMO.

This was my first introduction to Kerry Greenwood's Phryne (fry-knee) Fisher. It was such fun I've managed to buy more of her books and have read all but one of them--saving it for the ultimate treat. It's light fare with a heroine who lives with inherited wealth now (she was impoverished), but with an unselfish spirit. She is generous as well as naughty but nice, which makes her fun to be around. I highly recommend Kerry Greenwood's books.

If you haven't yet met Phryne Fischer, what are you waiting for? This is a fun series with an independent, unique heroin. Check them out!