ahbuggrit's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Spoiler
i didn't like how the mysticism was used to wrap up the mystery, felt too convenient and it doesn't quite fit with the rest of the verse?almas's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
balthazarlawson's review against another edition
2.0
Phryne Fisher and Dot travel to Sydney to attend a dinner at Sydney University and to attend the cricket test against England. She has no intentions of getting dragged into investigating any murder cases but reluctantly becomes involved in a case of theft. And her trip to Sydney becomes complicated.
The first half of this book was extremely complicated. Too many characters to keep track of and with all the classic arts references thrown in it was confusing. The story picked up halfway through but it still didn't pick up enough. It lacked a coherence to make this an enjoyable read.
The first half of this book was extremely complicated. Too many characters to keep track of and with all the classic arts references thrown in it was confusing. The story picked up halfway through but it still didn't pick up enough. It lacked a coherence to make this an enjoyable read.
theladydoor's review against another edition
2.0
I've been loving the Phryne Fisher mystery series, but this one left me a little disappointed. For one, the story takes Phryne away from Melbourne and all of her delightful family and companions except for Dot. The lack of those fun characters really took something away from this book. It was interesting to read about her going to Sydney, but I'm sure it would have been even better had I known a bit more about the city. Also I hated every dull passage about cricket, which is a completely incomprehensible sport to me. I'm sure Greenwood knew what she was talking about, but I did not enjoy reading about it.
As for the mystery, it was a bit of a mess. There were just too many side plots and red herrings and strange motives. I kept getting the university students and professors mixed up, and Greenwood didn't do an amazing job of keeping everyone distinctive. I would much have preferred if she had focused on the search for Dot's sister. Instead, there was some bizarre foray into the world of mysticism and possession. I really wasn't a fan of the strange Isis worship.
I'll keep going with the Phryne series, but I'll definitely say this one wasn't my favorite.
As for the mystery, it was a bit of a mess. There were just too many side plots and red herrings and strange motives. I kept getting the university students and professors mixed up, and Greenwood didn't do an amazing job of keeping everyone distinctive. I would much have preferred if she had focused on the search for Dot's sister. Instead, there was some bizarre foray into the world of mysticism and possession. I really wasn't a fan of the strange Isis worship.
I'll keep going with the Phryne series, but I'll definitely say this one wasn't my favorite.
nikshelby's review against another edition
4.0
>>> "So far they were drunk and cheerful, drunk and amorous, drunk and morose perhaps, but not drunk and belligerent, or drunk and disorderly."
rosemaryfay's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This book is not one of Kerry Greenwood's best. It's a bit too convoluted, and the ending has a real deus ex machina feel to it.
bookishlybeauty's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Seemed like 2 plots in one and the author amped up the spice level which I wasn’t expecting. (Also a few too many characters and not able to really tell who did it)
hazelheaded's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0