Customer Reviews

Murder in Montparnasse: A Phryne Fisher Mystery

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

in this entry in the best mystery series in the world, we learn more about phyrne's life before australia. if you have read any of the earlier titles, you will remember comments about her war work.

with great skill, greenwood offers two mysteries: one which links phyrne's and bert's and cec's wartime experiences with 1928 melbourne--former anzacs are being murdered, and there are ties to events in post-world war one paris; one concerning a kidnapped young woman. both mysteries are solved with panache--and realistic (not adolescent, hollywood) emotions.

the mysteries are extremely well handled, but the best part of this book, for me, was the part set in paris. it was a fascinating time, with new ideas, geniuses of all types, incredible energy. this is the paris of hemingway and gertrude stein. (and if you want more, track down the movie 'paris was a woman.')

besides a good puzzle, greenwood gives the reader, in all the books of this series, fascinating australian history, insights into the first world war, the effects on australia of immigration, and changes in social attitudes. this might sound dull, but definitely is not. food and fashion are not neglected. greenwood's range of knowledge is stunning. she writes beautifully, with wonderful turns of phrase.

the greatest attraction phryne has for me is this: she is an adult. she does not suffer from adolescent angst, she has worldly wisdom, and moral courage; she is compentent; she is cultured, but never a snob (who usually aren't really all that cultured or well-bred, or they wouldn't be snobs--snobbery is vulgar); she knows that poverty is not a sin, but it's no great honor either and nor is wealth. while greenwood's plots may borrow some of the fantastic elements of mysteries from between the wars, her character is realistic in her approach. even though she is a fictional character (the daughter peter wimsey and philip marlowe might have had), she's a better role model than the real women pushed by the media.

but enough of that--this is a great mystery, a wonderful read, buy it right this minute.

not long after i first read _murder in montparnasse_ (ordered from australia--i love this series so much i paid the postage in the years it was unavailable on this continent), i saw the film "paris was a woman." the film included interviews of people who lived in paris in the 20s, and served, among other things, to underscore how well ms. greenwood captures history, whether australian or european. from the stories of family members who fought in the trenches, i can say that she also captures the first world war extremely well.

along with the murders, there are an unrelated kidnapping to solve and a domestic crisis, all handled with her usual impressive skill.

as in all the thirteen or fourteen titles in this series, the plot is tight, the subplots equally well done (and resolved), the characters well drawn, the dialogue wonderful, the humor varied, the cooking superb, and phyrne fantastic. she is definitely one of the great characters in mystery writing.

Bert and Cec along with five other Australian soldiers are drinking and having a good time in Paris in 1918 when the seven witnessed a murder. Now a decade later, Bert, Cec and one of the other five Johnnys are concerned that someone is killing them off one at a time. At the inquest, two died allegedly accidentally when Maccie drowned in an irrigation ditch and Conger's van fell on him while he was fixing it. The three mates think otherwise as counter evidence disputes the official findings.

The men discuss their belief with Phryne Fisher, renowned for her investigative skills. Phryne's inquiries into the seven and a seemingly unrelated case involving a missing fiancée that somehow goes back to 1918 in the Montparnasse section of Paris too also links back to her own past in the same locale at the same time. Regardless of her memories, a murderer is on the loose and must be stopped before anyone else dies.

MURDER IN MONTPARNASSE is an exciting historical mystery that brings to life the late 1920s and a perspective from that point back to the end of World War One in Paris. The story line engages the audience due to the star as she plunges deep into the investigation while memories of her own waif lifestyle in 1918 Paris flash through her mind and her personal woes spin somewhat out of control. The support cast either enhances the who-done-it or brings insight into what makes Phryne tick. Phryne has starred in other adventures so that anyone who reads this delightful tale will seek other works starring a wonderful protagonist.
`
Harriet Klausner

As any other lover of mysteries I sometimes discover a number of books on my overflowing shelves of the author I never read before. Hence I felt compelled to read at least one of quite a few books written by Ms. Greenwood that I possess.
This entertaining novel is pretty hard to pin down. It has the flair of the times long gone, but slightly more free spirited and rounchy. The sleuth in question, Ms Phryne Fisher is a rich young women with unconventional life. She has pots of money, two adopted daughters and Chinese lover. Even in wild 1920's she would be considered a hussy. Somehow she is absolutely revered and respected in society. Money helps...
The books is deffinitely not my cup of tea, but it was witty and quick read and I am planning to try another of her books in the near future.

I really enjoyed the first Phryne Fisher books, but never expected them to get better and better. I enjoy books for escape and also learning. These are great books for both. I am not looking for depressing introspection on the human plight, or following evil villains being evil. Somehow Kerry Greenwood can take us thru the depths of human emotions and experience while observing from just enough of a safe distance to not be caught up in the negatives and become depressed. I think you really need to read many of the earlier books to get a good background of the cast and help put things in perspective. Keep reading them, because they get better and better. The other writer I have found just as entertaining is Alan Bradley and his Flavia DeLuce series. Phyrne is in her late 20's and Flavia is 11, but both are masters of their world. Both are early 20th century mysteries, and both are wildly entertaining and also informative. My only fear is that, having discovered Kerry Greenwood and Alan Bradley, that I might finish their works and be forced to read some less capable writers.

If you haven't discovered this engaging series set in 1920s Australia, then you are in for a treat. Upper-crust Phryne Fisher is classy, sexy, intelligent, and just enough over the top to keep readers interested in her sleuthing, romance, and fashion!

This light hearted story has a most likable, eccentric, some would say immoral, heroine, Phryne Fisher. Phryne, seemingly awash in wealth, busies herself with investigating various wrongdoings in Australia. Even though the story takes place in Melbourne, Australia, there are numerous flashbacks to memories of Phryne's time in Paris, when she was recovering from her horrifying days as an ambulance driver during World War I. Now in Melbourne, she is attracted to the suspicious murder of Australian men who were soldiers in Paris during the time she was there. The disappearance of a young girl recently arrived from a finishing school in France also arouses her interest.

The book's descriptions of once besieged Paris are the most vivid. There are details of the seamy Parisian bohemian life, spiced by the appearance of famous poets, artists, musicians, and general hangers on. At one point the author even lists the items, now artifacts, that Phryne carried when driving her ambulance. This is a city Phryne obviously loved, the city where for the first time in her young life she had found "kindness and freedom." It would have helped if we were told how and why Phryne left.

The dark side of 1920s Melbourne is brought to light as well, with both police and strong arm types on the take. Phryne's days are further clouded with the upcoming arranged marriage of her sexy lover, Lin Chung. On a brighter side is the Food Reform Movement, with its efforts to teach people to forsake their typical fried food and sauces diet in favor of grains, vegetables, and fish. The Lord Mayor's Ball, a prestigious affair much sought after by Melbourne citizens, also makes an appearance.

This is the first Phryne Fisher book I've read (though it is not, as the other reviewer said, the first Phryne Fisher book -- it's the twelfth), and I'm wondering where Phryne has been all my life. Were these books only recently published in the U.S.?

She does tend to be a bit too perfect, but she carries it off with such elan, I can't fault her for it. The book is sparkling and witty, with an intriguing plot, colorful secondary characters, and plenty of humor. The detailed descriptions of fancy clothes and food are a little unusual in this genre, but the author (and Phryne) clearly enjoys them so much, I find myself enjoying them too. There is also a dark edge, as we see tiny glimpses of what "the prisoner" (the kidnapped girl whom Phryne is trying to rescue) is enduring, and as Phryne reluctantly recalls her postwar days in Paris and the man who broke her heart.

As soon as I finish this one, I'm off to find the rest.

The Phryne Fisher murders are entertaining and very well crafted. This is one of the best- only why doesn't Amazon stock her latest books- forcing those of us who can't wait to order directly from Australia?

Is the only way I can describe this. Every idea presented to Phryne (no matter how brillant) could be improved only with Phyrne's fantasticness. She's everyone's agony aunt and best friend (including her lover's new wife), pretty, modern,. annoyingly perfect and has an disturbing need to have the last word with everyone. She does no wrong unless you count grating on the reader's nerves.

Of the characters, there was far too little friction/interaction between them. Everyone seemed to accept what Phryne said and did we ever find out what happened to Phyrne's servants who wanted to leave because of Phryne's beliefs? They just seemed to disappear at the end.

And who names their kid Phyrne? Rather normal for the 60's but the 30's?

On the positive note.. at least the plotline was decent.

Ms Greenwood nice try if this was a first book but this really needs an editor.