Customer Reviews

The green mill murder: a jazz-age murder mystery

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

 

 

The Honorable Phryne Fisher accompanies Charles Freeman to Green Mill, a dance hall that was very popular in Australia in the 1920's. She promised his mother that she would look after her son when one of the participants in a dance hall is knifed to death. He was behind Phryne who didn't see the actual stabbing but when her escort sees the bloody body, he gets sick and runs into the men's room. By the time the police arrive on the scene, Charles has disappeared.

His mother, a cruel and hateful virago, asks Phryne, who moonlights as a private detective, to find him. She discovers Charles is gay and possesses pictures that could get him killed since at that time and place sodomy was against the law. When she finally finds Charles she hands him over to the police even though she doesn't think he is the killer. She also has to make a trip to the outback to find Victor, the brother who Charles believes is dead because his mother told him so. Mrs. Freeman wishes Victor was dead so she would inherit the house and money as her late husband left her with nothing. Phryne finds a confrontation between the two brothers is inevitable.

THE GREEN MILL MURDER is so much more than a murder mystery, it is a journey into the heart of a family, a trip into the new musical world of jazz and it is the story of a woman who lives her life her way regardless what society thinks. 1920s Australia comes to glorious life in Kerry Greenwood's capable hands, but though the mystery is superb, the locale vivid, and the era descriptive, readers will continue reading this series because the heroine is such a fascinating character.

Harriet Klausner

in my copy, which i ordered from australia since it wasn't available here at the time, the main mystery was definitely solved. (i am editing my review to include this information: a chapter and a half is missing from this edition, which i bought to replace my worn australian paperback. i just re-read the novel yesterday and compared it to the paperback. i'm appalled.)

so, assuming you can get a complete copy, i would recommend this and every other phryne to anyone interested in mysteries (except the writer of the synopsis who thinks, goodness knows how, that the mysteries are light), or in australian history 9and if you aren't interested in australian history, you will be after one of these books), or just wonderful writing. the series is consistently high quality, with even the less than perfect far superior to most of what is currently being published. phyrne is refresingly adult, decisive, independent, and competent. the plots hark back to the great mysteries of the 20s and 30s. there is humor, suspense and interesting characters.

who could ask for anything more?

The main mystery isn't concluded -- which is itself a mystery. What I'm wondering, given that the book has approx. 173 pages and amazon lists it as 270 pages, is whether the last 100 pages might be missing for some reason, which would account for the comments on the slightly disappointing ending or lack of conclusion. Otherwise, a witty and enjoyable novel and particularly interesting on the jazz age.

The USA should discover Phryne Fisher. These books are fun! Kerry Greenwood has created a character all women will love - 1920's modern, stylish, independent. Phryne travels through life solving peoples problems, and collecting a wonderful cast of friends. Traveling with Phryne (always first class and in the latest fashions) is a rich adventure.

Phryne Fisher attends the last day of a dance marathon with her friend Charles. When another dancer is murdered, Charles disappears. In order to protect the family estate, Charles' mother hires Phryne to find Charles' brother, who went to the Outback after WWI. In the meantime, the blues singer at the club where the murder occurred, asks Phryne to find her missing husband.

Phryne is such a wonderful character; smart, confident, self-possessed and very fashionable, and surrounded by diverse and interesting supporting characters. These are traditional mysteries; not cozy but not dark, and they always touch on series issues. Ms. Greenwood has clearly done extensive research about the time and I always learn something when I read these books. Poisoned Pen is releasing the series in hardcover with the delightful illustrated covers. Unfortunately, they started in the middle of the series, so it's not easy to find the early book. But if you can find them, I do recommend them. This is a very good book and a wonderful series.

The Green Mill Murder is the 5th of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series. Phryne is having a delightful time in her sparkling lobelia-coloured georgette dress at the hottest dancehall in town, The Green Mill, when the evening is shattered as a male dance-marathon finalist is stabbed to death on the dance floor. Shortly afterwards, her dance partner, Charles Freeman, disappears. Phryne is engaged by Charles's mother to find him. In this episode, Phryne encounters some interesting jazz musicians, a dreadful , devious mother, a very talented blues singer, a hermit and some men who are described as "unlikely to marry", that is to say, homosexual (gay, in those days, just meant happy). Phryne's best quote is "Words are seldom given the respect they deserve" As always, Dot, Mr and Mrs Butler, Bert and Cec play their dependable supporting roles. As well, Phryne flies her Gipsy Moth over the Australian Alps in a daring search for a young man, makes sure the dancers get their prize and solves the murder with time to spare. While Phryne makes a few dubious judgement calls at the end, overall, devoted readers will not be disappointed.

I think I know who did the murder but the book never tells us. For that I found it disappointing. I love Kerry Greenwood and this book was great but I need to know for sure if who I think did it, did it!

Reviewed by A.J. Cooper for Reader Views (2/07)

Phryne Fisher is an eccentrically wealthy and fun character. She enjoys solving mysteries and doesn't hesitate to leap right in and help her friend Detective Inspector Robinson. The book opens in a dance hall with two couples battling to stay on their feet to win a car. All of a sudden one of the men collapses at the feet of Phryne and the mystery begins and the dance competition is won by one extremely exhausted couple. Phryne was at the dance hall to listen and dance to some good music. Phryne's dance partner Charles is so shocked to find out that the man that has fallen has actually been killed. When Charles sees the blood he flees to the men's room. Charles completely disappears from the dance hall and it looks like he may be involved in the murder.

While Phryne is waiting to give her statement to the inspector, she starts talking to a one of the band members that she finds completely attractive, Tintagel Stone. Phryne agrees to meet Mrs. Freeman to help her find her son Charles. In the process Phryne agrees to search for Charles's older brother Victor who was in a great war and came back not quite the same and then disappeared. Along the way Phryne receives mysterious calls at her home and visits a strange man where she discovers that Charles is not what he seems. She finally convinces Charles to turn himself in to the police and clear himself. Phryne does all of these things while always being dressed in the best society has to offer. She likes to drive fast and has friends in all walks of life. She has romantic liaisons with two men in the book. She discovers Victor's last location and must fly into a remote mountainous area of Australia. The flight is very risky due to the size of her plane and the treacherous mountains.

"The Green Mill Murder" would be enjoyable to anyone who enjoys a mystery. It would appeal to all ages and could be a timeless story. I enjoyed all of the twists and turns and finding out little tidbits about Phryne's personal life. It was a grand adventure that I would recommend to anyone. I would also read other mysteries involving this character. The book is easy to read and fun to try and figure out the end. I was totally surprised at the ending and sorry that there was not more to read. The book was not completely spelled out and left something for the imagination to wander through and figure out.

Book received free of charge.

Phryne does it again. It's a big island; can't anyone resist her? Good stuff on 20's jazz.

the previous reviewer hit all the high spots. i'm submitting a review to let potential phyrne lovers know that there are more fans of this series.

greenwood writes wonderfully--there's humor, suspense, excitement in all the books, and wonderfully twisty, tricky plots. and good grammar, which is delightful to me and getting to be non-existent in american writing. there's a definite flavor of the golden age of mystery writing, too, suitable for the 1928 setting.

ms. greenwood is obviously an adult, perceptive, well-read, wordly, and experienced person (as one would hope from a pro bono attorney, which she is). this adds depth to her writing. her books can be read and re-read--the mystery is only part of the attraction.