Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Poisoned Pen Press (2012), Edition: 1.1, Kindle Edition, 257 pages
Description
The redoubtable Phryne Fisher is holidaying at Cave House, a Gothic mansion in the heart of Australia's Victorian mountain country. But the peaceful surroundings mask danger. Her host is receiving death threats, lethal traps are set without explanation, and the parlour maid is found strangled to death. What with the reappearance of mysterious funerary urns, a pair of young lovers, an extremely eccentric swagman, an angry outcast heir, and the luscious Lin Chung, Phryne's attention has definitely been caught. Her search for answers takes her deep into the dungeons of the house and into the limestone Buchan caves. What will she find this time?
User reviews
LibraryThing member cameling
The redoubtable Phryne Fisher comes to the rescue once more. She's fiesty, bold and charming. Who could fail to love this woman who is a force unto herself. Set in the 1920s in Australia, Phryne goes on what she thinks is a weekend party and ends up wearing her sleuthing hat as murder steps in,
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which, in addition to many other combustible secrets, lead to a very exhilarating story Show Less
LibraryThing member JenneB
This was a pretty good one. Shockingly, she actually had the same boyfriend for two books in a row!
This was a full-on Agatha Christie house-party mystery, complete with a fluffy old lady named Miss Mary Mead. Ha.
This was a full-on Agatha Christie house-party mystery, complete with a fluffy old lady named Miss Mary Mead. Ha.
LibraryThing member annbury
Series have high points, and series have lows: this book definitely falls into the latter category. It won't stop me from reading the series -- the central character is still very engaging, the characterization is still strong, and the clothes are still great. But the story is confusing and
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unclear. The author seems to have been trying out a standard of pre-war British crime fiction -- the isolated country house, complete with a long and murderous guest list -- but it gets out of control. The house is too weird, the guests are too ill assorted, and the fact that EVERYONE has reason to kill goes a bit too far. Also, Phryne's Chinese boyfriend is cast into the shadow. I look forward to the next in the series, but if you are starting out, there are better Phryne Fisher novels earlier in the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
A little bit long winded at certain points but still pretty good.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
A little bit long winded at certain points but still pretty good.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
A little bit long winded at certain points but still pretty good.
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
A little bit long winded at certain points but still pretty good.
LibraryThing member cissa
I love the Miss Fisher mystery series, and this is no exception!
In this volume Green wood does a riff on the classic murder mystery house party, intensified by a flooding river cutting off normal access to the outside world. Meanwhile, there's murder, and blackmail, and revenge sought, and all
The plot was nicely intricate, with both things that appeared to be related ending up not being, and things that seemed unrelated twisted up together. Despite all the complications this implies, I am reasonable sure that Greenwood pulled it off, without getting the threads snarled unintentionally.
There were a lot more characters this time, so it was nice to have a listing of them in the front of the book- I did check that a few times when I got confused, since everyone not in Phryne's party was new to me. Her cohort, though, were beautifully drawn and we learned more about all 3 of them. The others were reasonably complex within the limits of their limited roles, though I must say the Big Bad was not so much; he was a weird mixture of savvy and batso nuts. Still, that wasn't completely obvious to me till the end, because there were at least 2 other candidates.
Very enjoyable, especially when one has read a good number of country house-party murder mysteries! Greenwood has some great twists on them here.
Recommended, and I have to discipline myself not to just dive into the next one!
In this volume Green wood does a riff on the classic murder mystery house party, intensified by a flooding river cutting off normal access to the outside world. Meanwhile, there's murder, and blackmail, and revenge sought, and all
Show More
sorts of other secrets.The plot was nicely intricate, with both things that appeared to be related ending up not being, and things that seemed unrelated twisted up together. Despite all the complications this implies, I am reasonable sure that Greenwood pulled it off, without getting the threads snarled unintentionally.
There were a lot more characters this time, so it was nice to have a listing of them in the front of the book- I did check that a few times when I got confused, since everyone not in Phryne's party was new to me. Her cohort, though, were beautifully drawn and we learned more about all 3 of them. The others were reasonably complex within the limits of their limited roles, though I must say the Big Bad was not so much; he was a weird mixture of savvy and batso nuts. Still, that wasn't completely obvious to me till the end, because there were at least 2 other candidates.
Very enjoyable, especially when one has read a good number of country house-party murder mysteries! Greenwood has some great twists on them here.
Recommended, and I have to discipline myself not to just dive into the next one!
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LibraryThing member DrLed
Synopsis: Phryne and Lin are invited to a country house for the weekend, but as they arrive they hear a gun shot and hear a woman scream. Although they rescue her and get her to the house, she is later murdered. Other strange things happen during the weekend and Phryne must solve the
Review: This was an interesting book, dealing with racism, the abuse of women, and misappropriation of funds for charities. It's also a very well done mystery.
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mysteries.Review: This was an interesting book, dealing with racism, the abuse of women, and misappropriation of funds for charities. It's also a very well done mystery.
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LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
More about Miss Fisher's relationship with Lin Chung, and a delightful minor character whose name is Miss Mary Mead and there's a minor clue about her character in the name, and when the truth came out about her I had to smile at the aptness of it all.
It's interesting to see how the TV show and the
Murder of a maid and threatening letters and lots of red herrings in a house party that also has a lot of characters who are not what they seem. Miss Fisher has to deal with racism and too much choice occasionally.
It's interesting to see how the TV show and the
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books have diverged.Murder of a maid and threatening letters and lots of red herrings in a house party that also has a lot of characters who are not what they seem. Miss Fisher has to deal with racism and too much choice occasionally.
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LibraryThing member kmajort
This series is like comfort food - I'll not grow tired of it, won't have it every day. This particular story is different enough from the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries series(on Acorn) that I can see it being avoided completely... perhaps they'll use elements.
All around a fun time, with period
May have to cosplay this character....
All around a fun time, with period
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mansion in the Outback, a genius hermit (aren't they all?) and Phryne don't her own wonderful thing.May have to cosplay this character....
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LibraryThing member Auntie-Nanuuq
This was a great mystery, I really enjoyed the part about the cave and urn (hence the title) and the end! This was one of Greenwood's better books in the series, it was exciting and again I loved the theatrical ending. I also love Phryne and her wardrobe!
LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Phryne Fisher is taking a holiday at Cave House. A bit of a architectural mish-mash of a gothic estate owned by an old friend, Tom Reynolds and his wife Evelyn. It is located in Australia's Victorian mountain country. She has taken her maid, Dot, along and also Lin Chung and his man Li Pi.
They
There is something going on at Cave House and Phryne is determined to get Tom to tell her. Ransom notes, threats, traps and funerary urns that are moved from where they are to be to where they shouldn't. The guest list includes a young girl and her overbearing mother, an overbearing major and his timid wife, two young, handsome young men, a doctor with a nerve condition, two spinsters, a Polish poet and Dingo Harry the swagman. Then there is also the staff of the estate. And it seems that they all have secrets that also seem to have something to do with the strange goings on.
Phryne is out to find out what is going on and who is responsible. She is also going to be sure to spend some quality time with Lin Chung.
This was a non stop read for me. I started Friday evening and finished at 4 a.m. Saturday. And thoroughly enjoyed it! I may be dragging later today, but that's OK by me!
They
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arrive after dark and are greeted with a shotgun blast and a woman's screams. Turning the car with the headlights facing where the scream comes from, she leads the girl to safety. The girl turns out to be a maid at Cave House. This is just the first unusual event...There is something going on at Cave House and Phryne is determined to get Tom to tell her. Ransom notes, threats, traps and funerary urns that are moved from where they are to be to where they shouldn't. The guest list includes a young girl and her overbearing mother, an overbearing major and his timid wife, two young, handsome young men, a doctor with a nerve condition, two spinsters, a Polish poet and Dingo Harry the swagman. Then there is also the staff of the estate. And it seems that they all have secrets that also seem to have something to do with the strange goings on.
Phryne is out to find out what is going on and who is responsible. She is also going to be sure to spend some quality time with Lin Chung.
This was a non stop read for me. I started Friday evening and finished at 4 a.m. Saturday. And thoroughly enjoyed it! I may be dragging later today, but that's OK by me!
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LibraryThing member treehorse
A cast list for a mystery is never a good sign.
LibraryThing member amcheri
Meh. I didn't enjoy this one a whole lot. Just meh.
LibraryThing member funstm
Phryne Fisher is a likeable, charming and vibrant individual. She's kind and generous to those she meets, smart and logical when faced with problems or obstacles and adventurous in her dislike of boredom. She is brave and tenacious and brutal when faced with injustice.
A few deaths of distant
Being an Aussie and a proud Melbournian - the Melbourne setting was a highlight. Recognising the street names and places was fun. And Melbournians will understand the delight in recognising how strange our weather is to outsiders.
As far as the genre goes, I don't know if I'd really say it was crime or historical. I mean it is a historical period but it felt kind of modern. The crime was good but it was interspersed with character relationships. There was romance but none of it was meaningful or relevant. It was too lowbrow to be literary and too much reality to be chick lit. It's an odd mix that was an enjoyable read but likely not for everyone.
It's also fairly different from the tv show (and she's a lot younger in the books) but the main elements are present - like Phryne's love of clothes, her humour, confidence and loveable charming personality.
Character wise, I love them all! Phryne, Dot, Dr Elizabeth MacMillan, WPC Jones, Inspector Robinson, Bert and Cec, Mr and Mrs. Butler, they were all fantastic and had me giggling throughout. And I adore the way women are portrayed in this series. I love that all the female characters are strong willed and fierce and able to look after themselves - even when it doesn't always seem like it. I also really like how the cops aren't written as useless or inept - but rather unable to significantly help without someone willing to speak up and testify.
Well the first three books have definitely been the strongest books in the series, but this wasn't too bad. I liked Li Pen (Lin Chung's bodyguard) and I liked the friendship him and Dot strike up. The mystery was kind of all over the place - I'm not sure I really followed the logic behind most of it - and I also couldn't really keep track of the characters. Many of them seemed to just kind of blend with one another. Still it was an easy enough read. 2.5 stars.
A few deaths of distant
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relatives were all that stood between her life of poverty and her ascent into luxury at the age of 12 and she never takes her wealth and social standing for granted. The result of which is a kind and generous soul who is always willing to speak up for the victims, the downtrodden or the underdogs and one who relishes fine food, fine clothes and the myriad of pursuits open to her. Her open mindedness leads to an unique and vibrant cast pulled from all walks of life. Being an Aussie and a proud Melbournian - the Melbourne setting was a highlight. Recognising the street names and places was fun. And Melbournians will understand the delight in recognising how strange our weather is to outsiders.
As far as the genre goes, I don't know if I'd really say it was crime or historical. I mean it is a historical period but it felt kind of modern. The crime was good but it was interspersed with character relationships. There was romance but none of it was meaningful or relevant. It was too lowbrow to be literary and too much reality to be chick lit. It's an odd mix that was an enjoyable read but likely not for everyone.
It's also fairly different from the tv show (and she's a lot younger in the books) but the main elements are present - like Phryne's love of clothes, her humour, confidence and loveable charming personality.
Character wise, I love them all! Phryne, Dot, Dr Elizabeth MacMillan, WPC Jones, Inspector Robinson, Bert and Cec, Mr and Mrs. Butler, they were all fantastic and had me giggling throughout. And I adore the way women are portrayed in this series. I love that all the female characters are strong willed and fierce and able to look after themselves - even when it doesn't always seem like it. I also really like how the cops aren't written as useless or inept - but rather unable to significantly help without someone willing to speak up and testify.
Well the first three books have definitely been the strongest books in the series, but this wasn't too bad. I liked Li Pen (Lin Chung's bodyguard) and I liked the friendship him and Dot strike up. The mystery was kind of all over the place - I'm not sure I really followed the logic behind most of it - and I also couldn't really keep track of the characters. Many of them seemed to just kind of blend with one another. Still it was an easy enough read. 2.5 stars.
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LibraryThing member 4leschats
Tom, an old friend has been receiving threatening letters. So, Phyrne is with her lover, Lin, Dot, and Li as they travel to Tom's home. The group hears a gunshot just off the road and rescue a young maid from assault and return her to Tom's house.
The house proves to be a grotesque mishmash of
As the events unfold, it becomes clear that more than one person has a secret and an agenda. But, will the detective and her team survive long enough to sort everything out?
The house proves to be a grotesque mishmash of
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various styles. And, the party gathered is an equally odd mix of people and the "accidents" keep happening: Phryne is thrown from a horse due to a wire across the path, the rescued maid is found dead but the body disappears, and urns keep appearing in Phryne's room.As the events unfold, it becomes clear that more than one person has a secret and an agenda. But, will the detective and her team survive long enough to sort everything out?
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1996-01-01
ISBN
1590581695 / 9781590581698