Murder and Mendelssohn: Phryne Fishers Murder Mysteries 20

Farewell, princess, you'll be sorely missed. Oct 13, Dana Stabenow rated it really liked it. Greenwood's twentieth Phryne Fisher novel, and I think her best yet. DI Jack Robinson brings Phryne the case file of a conductor who has, apparently, been suffocated by someone stuffing most of the score of a Mendelssohn oratorio down his throat.

Either it's murder or a really pissed off music critic. But this book isn't only or even mostly about the murder. Doctor John Wilson, whom Phryne knew from her days as an ambulance driver in WWI, is in town, and in unrequited love with his employer, math Greenwood's twentieth Phryne Fisher novel, and I think her best yet. Doctor John Wilson, whom Phryne knew from her days as an ambulance driver in WWI, is in town, and in unrequited love with his employer, mathematician Rupert Sheffield. The stumbling, bumbling love affair between these two men is really touching, and Phryne's dea ex machina efforts to speed them on their rose-colored way are, shall we say, innovative and at times hilarious, and always poignant.

In , the love that dare not speak its name was socially abhorrent, not to mention illegal. Given current events, it's a powerful reminder of how far we've come as a species. And in the background, the guns of World War I are always thundering. We get more of Phryne's frontline experiences I started to say adventures but that's way too romantic a noun to describe what happened to her and John there. Phryne and John are survivors of that conflict that killed most of a generation of young men, but they didn't come out of it unscathed. Phryne also has cause to dip into her MI5 past she got around , with fun results.

As a writer I especially appreciate this I can't write psychopaths.

The website of the fabulous Phryne Fisher

I have to get inside a character to put them in a novel and I have enough nightmares as it is. After I read this book I went back and reread Cocaine Blues , the first in the series, and then I reread my favorite, Blood and Circuses , where Phryne runs away from her safe, luxurious life to the circus. It's a case, of course it is, but not only does Phryne learn how to ride a horse standing up she learns she can triumph against the bad guys on her own. And there is a love story ended abruptly by murder that breaks her heart, and will break yours, too.

In the fact the whole series holds up well. You want a binge read? I've just returned from a short trip back to my home of Australia to visit friends and family. In my former life there I worked for the National Trust and so my parents and my best friend were terribly excited to show me a popular Australian television series named 'Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries' which was filmed almost entirely on and in National Trust properties.

I quite enjoyed it. It was enjoyable, it was a wonderfully filmed representation of 's Melbourne, and the characters were fun, I've just returned from a short trip back to my home of Australia to visit friends and family. It was enjoyable, it was a wonderfully filmed representation of 's Melbourne, and the characters were fun, if somewhat two dimensional. I couldn't have been more disappointed when I decided to pick up a real Miss Fisher murder mystery. The titular protagonist, Phryne Fisher is the most unlikeable character to ever grace the page.

She is vain, vapid, thinks far too highly of herself and seems more pre-occupied with which man she'll take home with her than with anything else. The novel starts with the brutal murder of a choir conductor and then descends in to constant reminders of how much she loves champagne, a list of what she had for breakfast, and indeed every other meal for that matter, who she has, will or would like to sleep with, and a little bit of crime solving thrown in for good measure.

The main crime is woefully underdeveloped, and Greenwood instead focuses on the relationship between Phryne's friend John and the object of his affection. It is true that someone is trying to kill the object of his affection, however it was a completely separate crime with nothing to tie it to the death of the choral master. Usually when we have two disparate crimes they come together, but in this case, so much had been given over to the relationship between the two men that it was almost as if Greenwood had forgotten that she had the actual murder to solve, and it was over and solved in a number of pages toward the end in a neat little package.

Maybe some of the other Phryne Fisher novels are better, but I didn't care enough for this one to read them and find out. I'll stick to the television show, and believe me, I feel dirty just even saying that. Sep 25, Triss rated it did not like it. Oh my poor Phyrne. Despite what your creator thinks, you and your household CAN do wrong. Time to get your own series, Bert and Cec. Jul 02, Anne Germain rated it did not like it.

Too long, tries to be clever but fails and awful sex scenes. Aug 25, Margaret rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book is the 20th novel starring the Hon. Phryne Fisher, fashion plate and private detective, set in s Melbourne. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is uncomfortable with the world of music and songsters, and asks Phryne to investigate. Someone wants Rupert dead, and John turns to Phryne for help to keep the love of his life alive. I say partly, as they are not merely John and Sherlock renamed and transported back to the s.

They are distinctly different characters, with interesting and quite horrific back stories. And Rupert is a bigger arse than Sherlock has ever been. I really hope that John and Rupert return in future books. I would love it too, if Kerry would write them a book of their own. John and Rupert are too good to only have in one book. They deserve a series of their own. It had me giggling. I only had one small niggle. Especially when he appeared to be flirting with Phryne, which is something our pillar of rectitude detective just would not do.

It is a treat for the dedicated Phryne fan, but because it touches on a lot of the back story from other books, it is also a suitable introduction for anyone who wants to explore the world of Phryne Fisher. Oct 10, Julie rated it it was ok Shelves: A choral conductor is killed in a very personal way and it looks like more conductors may follow. Meanwhile, Phryne meets a former lover from her war days.

Their reconnection is shadowed by the fact that somebody seems to be making attempts on the life of the man he loves. I love this series, but found this one disappointing. Way too much space is spent quoting and repeating music lyrics from Mendelssohn to folk songs. Way too much space! There are two mysteries to be solved and one Phryne handl A choral conductor is killed in a very personal way and it looks like more conductors may follow.

Get A Copy

There are two mysteries to be solved and one Phryne handles with her usual skill and in the other she just seems to bumble about in an uncharacteristic way. I thought the identity of the murderer was pretty obvious so why it evaded Phryne's notice when she's so clever is unclear. Really it seems like she just doesn't care very much about it, and that may be because the other mystery was more personal to her.

There was also way more sex in this book; there's always a lot of sex because Phryne is a very sensual and sexual woman and that's fine, but in Murder and Mendelssohn it felt like it was being used as filler to take up more pages. Her daughter, Jane, also seemed out of character; bright as always but completely without emotion or empathy. I think Greenwood was trying to show similarities between Jane and and another character who is genius who is, at first, totally lacking in emotion or empathy. It just felt overboard when in other books Jane is shown as a genius, but a genius who is human and not a machine.

Maybe Jane is just entering a teenage phase Altogether this book just felt not as good as the others. Normally, I'm sad when the book ends; this time it was a relief. I felt like it could have been completed in a hundred fewer pages The one bright point was that we did learn a bit more about Phryne's war service. The parts relating to military intelligence were interesting. Sep 24, Sally rated it really liked it Shelves: Phryne is a beautiful, intelligent, wealthy and independent thoroughly modern Miss.

She smokes, drinks, has casual sex and drives her cars fast — however she is very kind-hearted and always on the side of the underdog.

Murder and Mendelssohn

Phryne has a knack for solving mysteries, using the talents of her extended household, family and friends. No matter what the setting is Phryne fits in as she goes about her sleuthing. This time she has a series of murders to solve and then help an old friend find true love. Jul 13, Phrynne rated it it was amazing. The 20th Phryne Fisher book so far and it was actually one of the best! I loved all the detail about Phryne's family and the bedroom scene towards the end was one of the strangest I have ever read. I have been watching the TV series and had to make a mental adjustment to the different approach to the character of Jack Robinson.

He does not feature as a love interest for Phryne in the novels. I was sad to finish the book because I now have to wait another year for the next one. Please Kerry Greenwood keep writing them. Oct 11, Sue Bursztynski rated it really liked it. Great fun, like all of Kerry's crime fiction, and brings in a Melbourne that is long gone, yet still there.

I know that part of Collins Street! And the choir's accompanist lives in what later became an office building which housed the Education Department. I always find out something about the author by reading her books; Phryne, it seems, has choral experience, but so does Kerry. In other books, she does a loving description of some food I just know she has cooked herself. She really does write Great fun, like all of Kerry's crime fiction, and brings in a Melbourne that is long gone, yet still there. She really does write what she knows. May 04, Sharon Redfern rated it it was amazing. One of the new authors I discovered when I started working in a library was Kerry Greenwood.

From the first book-Cocaine Blues to this newest one, I have enjoyed them all immensely. In the latest book, Phryne finds herself in the middle the murder of a chorus conductor. A nasty man, he was disliked by all and no-one mourns his loss. Phrynne becomes friends with the choristers and soon finds herself singing with them.

Phryne also reconnects with a wartime amour of hers, Dr. John Wilson and his companion Rupert Sheffield. Rupert is a coldly beautiful mathematician who has come to Australia to lecture on his theories of using math for deductions in solving crimes. Rupert has become a murder target and Phryne now has two mysteries to juggle. There are all sorts of subplots going on that make the story all the more interesting.

I love the character of Phryne. She is compassionate but pragmatic, a free loving woman but fiercely loyal to those she cares for. All of the books are filled with intricate details and tightly woven plots that are rather like looking at a large tapestry. There is the main picture but when you look closely there are hundreds of smaller scenes that add to the bigger one. My only quibble with this book was no glimpse of the fascinating Lin Chung. This is truly a very enjoyable read.

Oct 20, Kylie rated it liked it. I preferred this to the last Phryne! The story flowed well, and it wasn't too unrealistic! There was a lovely twist of two cases, which complimented but didn't disturb each other - apart from Phryne running the risk of intercepting a bullet or some such disaster occasionally. Despite that I liked this story, it only merited 3 stars for me. Ms Greenwood is, falling into a very bad habit of disconnected sentences.

I don't quite know what else to call them. Made with real orange juice. Whether this is a way of emphasising a point, or a simple mistyping habit of a full-stop instead of a comma, I don't know. It's becoming very tempting to buy 2nd hand copies and indulge my inner school-teacher with a red pen Dec 28, Kathryn rated it liked it Shelves: Since I sing in a choir myself, I really enjoyed the choir aspects of this most recent Phryne Fisher mystery. And I am so very glad that our conductor is nothing like the first 2 conductors described in this! There was far too much information about one of the relationships that developed.

Jun 20, Jenne rated it liked it Shelves: For mysteries especially, it's a delicate balance for the author to give us enough fanservice and I mean that in the best way possible--in this case it's lots of descriptions of fancy outfits and delicious meals and hot guys and so on but still have an interesting-enough whodunit to be a framework for the fanservice. This one was doing a really excellent job for about the first half, but then detoured into some of the sappiest There are VERY few series that I'm still reading at installment Greenwood's feelings about bad choir directors?

Oct 09, Kate rated it really liked it Shelves: With the discovery of a choral conductor found dead in bizarre circumstances, Detective Inspector Jack Robinson finds himself needing the unique expertise of Miss Fisher. With her very own particular brand of detective skills, Phyrne gets on the case — but as more clues come to light it may be more than just the one murderer at large. The best thing about a Phryne Fisher mystery is Phyrne Fisher.

She has such a way with everyone she meets that they find her charming or infuriating — or both! Her exchanges with Rupert Sheffield during this novel were particularly amusing to read. I appreciate how Greenwood writes her as a character that is brave and lives life to the fullest. I liked the writing style and the new characters that popped up in this instalment. This book can be read as a standalone — I have only read a handful of the other books in this series but all the important details are included throughout the book. That said — I enjoyed this book so much that now I am eager to check out some more of the previous books in the series — and possibly the TV series too!

Sep 28, Damaskcat rated it it was amazing.

• LAppel de la forêt (French Edition).
• GAIVOTAS [2] (Portuguese Edition);
• !
• El diario rojo de Carlota (Spanish Edition).
• Tests of Worth (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove).
• See a Problem??
• .

Miss Phryne Fisher has been asked to help her friend Jack Robinson, the detective, to investigate the murder of a musical conductor. He thinks Phryne might be able to find out more than he can from the members of the choir. Never averse to a spot of sleuthing, Phryne agrees and joins the choir herself. It is soon clear to her that everyone could have had both motive and opportunity. Attending a lecture on the science of deduction, Phryne meets up with a former lover from the Great War, John Wils Miss Phryne Fisher has been asked to help her friend Jack Robinson, the detective, to investigate the murder of a musical conductor.

Attending a lecture on the science of deduction, Phryne meets up with a former lover from the Great War, John Wilson, who is working with the exotic, but cold, Rupert Sheffield. This is a fascinating and fast paced story which really has to be read to be appreciated and no review could do the plot justice. The writing is crisp and humorous; the background alternates between glamorous and poverty stricken; the characters are interesting and complex and the relationships between them are extremely well done. Nineteen twenties Melbourne comes vividly to life as does the glamorous and resourceful Phryne.

I have read all of this exciting and entertaining series and I think this is probably my favourite so far.

A Note from Phryne's preferred cover designer, Beth Norling

There are some absolutely marvellous scenes which I found myself reading and re-reading just to appreciate them to the full. The series can be read out of order but it is probably best to read them in order so that you can appreciate the way the series characters grow and develop. Another entertaining installment in the Phryne Fisher series. This time, she's called on both to solve the murder of obnoxious conductor Hedley Tregennis and to play matchmaker for her old friend, John Wilson, who has a terrible case of perhaps unrequited love for the cold mathematician Rupert Sheffield.

Murder and Mendelssohn has all the usual merits and flaws of a Phryne Fisher book—Greenwood's prose style could never be called polished—but I did like the care Greenwood took here to deal wit Another entertaining installment in the Phryne Fisher series. Murder and Mendelssohn has all the usual merits and flaws of a Phryne Fisher book—Greenwood's prose style could never be called polished—but I did like the care Greenwood took here to deal with the lingering aftermath of the Great War. Not because she has Wilson and Sheffield begin a sexual relationship and tries through that to address some of Holmes' and ACD's more misogynist tendencies and assumptions, but because she lauds the BBC Sherlock adaptation and dismisses ABC's Elementary as 'silly', when Sherlock is not one whit more progressive than the original canon on grounds of gender, race or sexuality.

Elementary is trying to rectify all the flaws Greenwood identifies in the original and more. Dec 26, Carolyn rated it really liked it Shelves: This is classic Phrynne Fisher. Plenty of murder, mystery, intrigue and sex. When a choirmaster is murdered Inspector Jack Robinson calls in Phrynne to help infiltrate the choir and find out who might have had a motive. Phrynne also catches up with an old lover John Watson from her days driving an ambulance in WWI and undertakes to help him find out who is trying to kill the brilliant but enigmatic mathematician Rupert Sheffield. She also detects that John has a severe case of unrequited love an This is classic Phrynne Fisher.

She also detects that John has a severe case of unrequited love and in her own inimitable way sets about remedying the situation with a most unusual bedroom scene. Enjoyable as ever although I did feel it took a while for Phrynne to get around to solving the murders. The book seemed to get a little bogged down with the choir's rehearsals for their concert Mendelssohn's Elijah and the after-parties without a lot of progress being made.

I also felt that some of the minor characters - Dot, Inspector Robinson, Cec and Bert - didn't feature as much as usual but just popped into the story when needed and their characters felt a bit flat. However, on the whole a strong story for the 20th book in this series. Murder and Mendelssohn 1 24 Aug 10, Kerry Greenwood was born in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray and after wandering far and wide, she returned to live there.

She has a degree in English and Law from Melbourne University and was admitted to the legal profession on the 1st April , a day which she finds both soothing and significant. Kerry has written twenty novels, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D'Arcy, Kerry Greenwood was born in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray and after wandering far and wide, she returned to live there.

Kerry has written twenty novels, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D'Arcy, is an award-winning children's writer and has edited and contributed to several anthologies. In she published a book of essays on female murderers called Things She Loves: The Phryne Fisher series pronounced Fry-knee, to rhyme with briny began in with Cocaine Blues which was a great success.

Kerry has written thirteen books in this series with no sign yet of Miss Fisher hanging up her pearl-handled pistol. Kerry says that as long as people want to read them, she can keep writing them.

1. Close Your Eyes.
2. Murder and Mendelssohn - Kerry Greenwood - - Allen & Unwin - Australia.
3. Meeting Dennis Wilson: Book Four;

Kerry Greenwood has worked as a folk singer, factory hand, director, producer, translator, costume-maker, cook and is currently a solicitor. When she is not writing, she works as a locum solicitor for the Victorian Legal Aid. She is also the unpaid curator of seven thousand books, three cats Attila, Belladonna and Ashe and a computer called Apple which squeaks. She embroiders very well but cannot knit.

She has flown planes and leapt out of them with a parachute in an attempt to cure her fear of heights she is now terrified of jumping out of planes but can climb ladders without fear. She can detect second-hand bookshops from blocks away and is often found within them. She is not married, has no children and lives with a registered wizard.

When she is not doing any of the above she stares blankly out of the window. But sadly it's not another scene of glorious seduction - this time it's death The Green Mill Murder 5 Gorgeous in her georgette dress, delighted by her dancing skill, pleased with her partner and warmed by the admiring regard of the banjo player, Miss Phryne Fisher had thought of tonight as a promising evening at the hottest dancehall in town, the Green Mill.

But that was before death broke in But is she bored enough to leave her identity, her home and family behind and join Farrell's Circus and Wild Beast Show? There have been strange things happening at the circus But the peaceful country surroundings mask deadly danger Raisins and Almonds 9 In investigating the poisoning of a young man in a bookshop at the Eastern Market, and the wrongful arrest of one Miss Sylvia Lee, Phryne Fisher is plunged into a world of Jewish politics, alchemy, poison and chicken soup.

Death Before Wicket 10 Phryne Fisher has plans for her Sydney sojourn - a few days at the Test cricket, a little sightseeing and the Artist's Ball with an up-and-coming young modernist. But these plans begin to go awry and soon Phryne's plans for a day or two of simple pleasure are gone for good Away with the Fairies 11 Phryne has been asked to investigate the puzzling death of a famous author and illustrator of fairy stories.

To do so, Phryne takes a job within the women's magazine that employed the victim and finds herself enmeshed in her colleagues' deceptions. Murder in Montparnasse 12 Seven Australian soldiers, carousing in Paris in , unknowingly witness a murder and their presence has devastating consequences. Ten years later, two are dead But in the dusty dark Ghost Train, amidst the squeals of horror and delight, a mummified bullet-studded corpse falls to the ground in front of them.

Phryne Fisher's pleasure trip has definitely become business. But when a body washes up on the beach, she must leave the carnival and find the killer. Not to mention find a missing daughter and deal with the return of an old lover A succession of jewellery thefts from first class passengers is hardly the best advertisement for their cruise liners -- particularly when it is likely that it is a passenger who is doing the stealing.

When three of the guests are kidnapped Phryne finds she must puzzle her way through the scavenger hunt clues to retrieve the hostages -- and save the party. Murder on a Midsummer Night 17 The fabulous Phryne - the s most elegant and irrepressible sleuth - returns for her seventeenth adventure investigating the death of a man at St Kilda while at the same time trying to find a lost child who could inherit an old woman's fortune. Dead Man's Chest 18 The unflappable Phryne is off on a quiet seaside holiday with Dot, Jane and Ruth - surely they won't be disturbed by a murder