Dead Man's Chest: The Phryne Fisher Series (Phryne Fisher Mysteries) [Paperback]

Kerry Greenwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2010 | Series: Phryne Fisher Mysteries

Phryne Fisher needs a rest. It's summer. She packs up her family and moves to Queenscliff, a quiet watering place on the coast. Where she meets with
smugglers, pirate treasure and som very interesting surrealists, including a parrot called Pussykins. What is the mysterious madame Selavey hiding? Where
are the Johnsons, who were supposed to be in the holiday house?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

After some rather harrowing adventures (Murder on a Midsummer Night, 2009) Phryne Fisher, the Australian flapper and PI, is determined to enjoy a quiet vacation. After packing maid Dot, adopted daughters Jane and Ruth, and cat Molly into her Hispano Suiza, Phryne drives to Queenscliff, only to discover that the rental house is missing its butler and housekeeper. Then, despite her desire for a murder-free vacation, she takes on an investigation after the missing housekeeper’s beloved dog shows up on her backstep, filthy and hungry, and the local coppers prove to be no help. Phryne’s determination to get it all wrapped up before boyfriend Lin Chung joins her makes for a fast-paced story. Greenwood weaves in a local legend involving pirates and missing treasure, and Phryne makes friends with some wacky surrealists in this very enjoyable eighteenth series entry. A major new character is introduced as Phryne welcomes into the family a young man who proves a willing and capable assistant investigator. The limited cast of characters (most of Phryne’s regulars stay in Melbourne) makes this a good choice for series newcomers. --Jessica Moyer --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

STARRED REVIEW

"The best Australian import since Nicole Kidman." Booklist of Away with the Fairies

 

STARRED REVIEW

A most charming, sexy, independent, and candid heroine; clever, literate dialog; and closely woven plotting will win immediate fans for this debut series. Greenwood was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Crime Writers’ Association of Australia in 2003.” –Library Journal of Murder in Montparnasse

 

“The delightfully outre heroine is always a pleasure to revisit." Kirkus Reviews of Queen of the Flowers

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press (November 9, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590587995
• ISBN-13: 978-1590587997
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phryne may be on vacation but mysteries are not, November 3, 2010

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead Man's Chest: The Phryne Fisher Series (Phryne Fisher Mysteries) (Hardcover)

First Sentence: Dot opened her eyes.

The Honorable Phryne Fisher, private investigator, takes her family on vacation to a house she's been lent in Queenscliff, Australia. The owner had promised Phryne, her maid Dot, adopted daughters Ruth and Jane, and dog Molly, would be well looked after by Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. However, when they arrive, the Johnson's and their possessions are gone, the larder is completely empty and the back door wide open. The family settles in to make do while Phryne tries to find out what's happened to the Johnsons, and the girls are concerned about the phantom snipper who is cutting off girl's braids.

From the very first page, you glean an insight into several of the principal characters. From the first few pages, you can't help but love Phryne. My opinion has not changed; I really to want to be Phryne Fisher when I grow up.

Phryne was not born to money, so she knows hard times, but through twists of fate, is now titled, wealthy and very independent. She is kind, protective of those less fortunate, impatient with fools, has no tolerance for bigots, intelligent, observant, shoots, flies a plane, can defend herself and has a non-emotional attitude toward sex. Greenwood skillfully provides insight into those surrounding Phryne with simple descriptions of their bedrooms, including the fact that Jane reads Dorothy L Sayers.

It is fun to look at the 1920s through Fisher's eyes. We see the impact of the War, learn about the surrealists--which did lead to a conversation that was a bit esoteric for me--see an early film being made, and are treated to a view of life in Australia in this time. Greenwood creates such a strong sense of place with descriptions, she paints a visual scene. Her wonderful descriptions of food left me hungry; I'm delighted there is a recipe at the end of the book.

The plot was a bit unusual for Phryne. As the characters are on vacation, in a sense so were we. The mystery is certainly there and although there are deaths, as Phryne said "...I got through the week without a murder." Well, sort of; at least none at her hand, and when Phryne solves a crime, it makes perfect sense had one been paying attention.

"Dead Man's Chest" is yet another wonderful book in an altogether delightful series. From literary quotes, to delightful characters, a touch of humor, and unusual crimes to solve; I highly recommend it.

DEAD MAN'S CHEST (Hist Mys/PI-Phryne Fisher-Australia-Golden Age) - G+
Greenwood, Kerry - 18th in series
Poisoned Pen Press, ©2010, ARC -- US Hardcover ISBN: 9781590587973

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent historical mystery, December 4, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dead Man's Chest: The Phryne Fisher Series (Phryne Fisher Mysteries) (Hardcover)

It is time for a vacation and Queenscliff, a quiet seaside resort is the place where the Honorable Phryne Fisher, her housekeeper and companion Dot, and her adopted daughters (Ruth and Jane) go. It is a quaint coastal village, so no one would expect a murder there. Phryne sees trouble when three bullies assault a younger person.

She breaks up the fight and Tinker joins her household. The Johnsons who were supposed to be the household servants meeting them at the cottage never show up and ergo no cook. Fortunately Ruth wants to be a chef, but Phryne still wants to know where they are. The old biddy who lives across the street saw men get into a dark limo showing signs of duress. Phryne thinks there is mystery involving the vanishing and she intends to learn what it is to insure they are safe. Soon more people join her household as Phryne finds places for all these desperate misfits in order to keep them safe while she learns what happened to the Johnson's.

If this Australian historical mystery took place in 2010 instead of the late 1920s, readers (religious right would not read her exploits only condemn her as amoral) would s classify Phryne as a caring free spirit not concerned with adhering to social rules and order. The heroine and her entourage search for the missing servants and take in several endangered stragglers. Filled with action and a sense of time and place, Phryne is at her best whether it is fighting punks, arguing with Pussykins the parrot or wondering about the surrealist movement that seems to have taken over the quaint holiday spot. Fans will enjoy the often amusing but sometimes dangerous antics of Fisher and friends (see Murder on a Midsummer Night, Death by Water and Murder in the Dark).

Harriet Klausner

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful collection of characters, July 1, 2011

By 

Indian Prairie Public Library "ippl.info" (Darien, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dead Man's Chest: The Phryne Fisher Series (Phryne Fisher Mysteries) (Paperback)

Phryne Fisher is a Melbourne, Australia, jazz age flapper and private investigator. This time, though, she is on vacation. Packing up her two adopted daughters and practical companion Dot, Phryne heads for the seaside only to find a house full of Surrealists next door, a film crew making a movie on the beach, a whole town looking for hidden treasure, and, oh yes, smugglers and a missing cook and butler. In short order, between dips in the ocean and scrumptious meals, Phryne has it all sorted. Don't read Phryne for the mystery but for the delightful collection of characters that make up her world.