Customer Reviews

Raisins and Almonds (Phryne Fisher Mysteries)

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The ninth book in the series now appears (publication in the US follows no order), bringing the Hon. Phryne Fisher into another world--that of the small but religious Yiddish population of Melbourne, Australia during the period between the two World Wars. We find her dallying with young Simon Abrahams, son of a wealthy Jew, exposing her to the language and culture of the world of refugees, rabbis, kosher cuisine, chicken soup, Kadimah, the Torah, Kabala and Maimonides.

Simon's father asks Phryne to investigate the strange death of a young religious student in a bookshop owned and operated by one Miss Lee in a property she rents from Simon's father. She is accused of the murder. Phryne follows the usual course in the investigation, using all her wiles and helpers--her maid Dot, Bert and Cec the Wobbly cab drivers and Inspector Robinson. The task is complicated by all kinds of considerations, including alchemy, mysticism and politics, including Zionism. Phryne has to learn all of the nuances, and even begins to speak a little Yiddish.

While a mystery, the story takes on a very different flavor from that of other novels in the series. It is not only entertaining in the customary manner of the other books in this series, but is informative and the unexpected descriptions of Yiddish culture are authentic.

When her Chinese lover Lin Chung leaves Australia on business in Shanghai, Phryne Fisher finds a handsome diversion, Simon Abrahams at a public dance hall. Soon afterward they compete at the Foxtrot Competition run by the Jewish Young People's Society in which Phryne is the exotic shiksa. They win the contest but lose the "heat" as Phryne is not a member. While much of the Braille Hall ballroom participants debate the ruling of the judges, Simon's Uncle Marek informs his nephew that his father Benjamin wants to meet his dance partner.

Benjamin asks Phryne for a favor. A different Simon, a Jew from Salonika was poisoned at Lee's Books New and Secondhand Shop. The evidence was swept away by the owner Miss Sylvia Lee and the certifying physician Dr. Stein. The police arrest Miss Lee, as the victim owed her money and she is the only person who could easily have slipped strychnine into his tea and clean the cup afterward. Phryne charges him 10 "oy" quid a day with the understanding that she will seek the truth which could be a Jew killing a Jew. As she investigates, Phryne digs deep into the Jewish community in Australia where chicken soup cures most everything and RAISINS AND ALMONDS are a tradition, but can either solve a murder with political implications?

The latest Phryne Fisher historical whodunit is a great period piece that brings to life the Jewish culture in Australia in the late 1920s. Phryne remains a unique protagonist who defies society rules for single women as she does what she wants flaunting society's restrictive dictates. The mystery is clever with a few twists and the way the sleuth finally figures out the case is brilliant as she understands human nature. Readers will appreciate this vivid deep mystery but never look at RAISINS AND ALMONDS the same way as before digesting Phryne Fisher's newest caper.

Harriet Klausner

I have to say, much to my dismay, that this isn't my favorite of the Kerry Greenwood series. While I realize that the Middle East politics discussed have a direct relationship to today's world, I really don't understand it. Harry Potter fans may get some enlightenment from the Philosopher's Stone discussion and alchemy, but that, too, lost me a good bit. The story itself was fine, and I was completely blindsided by the identity of the murderer!!!

The period between World War 1 and World War II in the British Empire was an incredible time. As we saw in the Kings Speech, the world was changing on all fronts. The basic way of life changed dramatically after WWII, so this period represents the dying gasps of a society where entitlement reigned, the aristocracy were thought to be better than the rest of us -- and in some cases, you could argue they actually were! This would be so in the case of the Honorable Phryne Fisher, daughter of a Duke, ensconced in Australian society while flaunting its restrictions charmingly and somewhat naughtily. Keenly intelligent, brave and beautiful, she makes the perfect heroine. Her liberal attitudes have attached a number of interesting symbiotes to her life, from adoptive daughters to enterprising servants all the way to adorable animals. This episode of Miss Fisher's adventures has her actually at loggerheads with Inspector "Just call me Jack" Robinson in the beginning, which was a surprising twist. She is taking a break from her Chinese lover with an equally attractive Jewish man, when her association with the community leads to her investigating an odd death. This book has all the things one loves about Kerry Greenwood's masterpiece series about Miss Fisher - well drawn characters, evocative period detail, beautiful clothes and a wickedly charming heroine. I absolutely do not understand why this hasn't taken off here in the States.

Kerry Greenwood cont to produce an exciting and believible heroine with stories that move and kept me reading into the night. The only down side I can see, is I can't get the series very often. A must read if you like Christy or

Winspear.

Raisins and Almonds is another thoroughly enjoyable entry in the Phryne Fisher series of mysteries--if you've never read one, you're in for a treat. Phryne is an independently wealthy, strong-minded, luxury and glamour-loving, free thinking young woman ahead of her times--and the times (1920s Australia) are always an integral part of the story. Not only is Phryne the type of heroine that many people would love to be in real life (not possible, unless one is a peeress), but the secondary cast of characters are always deftly drawn.

In this outing, Phryne investigates a murder that may have ramifications for the Jewish population of Sydney. Social commentary is gently mixed with the mystery, and a good time is had by all.

If you haven't tried Phryne.....this is a good place to start. (This is one series that doesn't suffer unduly if read out of order.)

Phryne Fisher Mysteries are enjoyable in that one cares about the heroine, Pryne Fisher, and those in her circle. In Almonds and Raisins, I was interested to learn about Jewish customs, and, of course, Miss Pryne solved the case, and brought the murderer to justice. A very entertaining read.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (7/07)

Phryne Fisher's lover, Lin Chung, had been forced to travel to Shanghai to purchase silk. Handsome, Jewish Simon Abraham made a nice distraction for a while. Phryne and Simon entered a dance contest and would have won if Phryne had been Jewish. When a Jewish student was poisoned in "Lee's Books New and Secondhand," Simon's father Benjamin Abraham asked Phryne Fisher to investigate. Benjamin owns the building housing the bookstore. Miss Sylvia Lee ran a quiet and neat establishment. When the body was removed, Miss Lee swept and cleaned, bringing suspicion upon herself. Phryne agrees to look into the matter for ten quid a day. She warns Benjamin that she will tell him only the truth. It may be that a "Jew murdered a Jew." The investigation takes Phryne deep into the Jewish community, politics, and culture. Favorite characters return to assist Phryne with the investigation -- Bert, Cec, Dot and Detective Inspector Robinson.

Fans of Phryne Fisher will be elated that's she's back again in "Raisins and Almonds," by Kerry Greenwood. The setting is 1920s Australia. The Jewish people are in exile; passions run strong in the Roaring 20s. Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher is a strong, likeable character. She is a witty and clever hero. The cover of "Raisins and Almonds" is wonderfully done, capturing the attention of the reader at first glance. The plot draws the reader in. I found myself eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next. The supporting characters add to the charisma of story. My favorite is Dot, Phryne's maid. I highly recommend "Raisins and Almonds" by Kerry Greenwood to fans of strong female characters and mysteries.

Book received free of charge