lauratoria's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tobyyy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The redoubtable Phryne Fisher returns…! I enjoyed this book quite a lot. Phryne never gets old! And honestly with my track history of struggling with series, I’m shocked that I’m still reading and enjoying this one. Hooray for finding ways around ADHD “boredom”!
aksharpes's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nikshelby's review against another edition
4.0
Anything Goes: "In olden days a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, now heaven knows, anything goes. The world's gone mad today and good's bad today and most guys today that women prize today are just silly gigolos. Although I'm not a great romancer I know that you're bound to answer when I propose. Anything goes."
>>> "Phryne fought down an urge to start throwing things. There was a fine heavy skillet to hand and she thought that Mr Black's looks could hardly be damaged further by a good solid metallic impact. And this would make Phryne feel much better."
>>> "Good. Now pull, push and twiddle everything which looks twiddleable."
>>> "Phryne fought down an urge to start throwing things. There was a fine heavy skillet to hand and she thought that Mr Black's looks could hardly be damaged further by a good solid metallic impact. And this would make Phryne feel much better."
>>> "Good. Now pull, push and twiddle everything which looks twiddleable."
caitz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
amy_rose29's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hazelheaded's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
siria's review against another edition
4.0
This is an enjoyable, Australia-set take on a country house mystery. Phryne Fisher decides to visit a friend's estate in order to recover from her experiences in [b:Ruddy Gore|382842|Ruddy Gore (Phryne Fisher, #7)|Kerry Greenwood|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328757590s/382842.jpg|372613]—of course, this being the series that it is, she's not there very long before there's all sorts of mischief afoot with murdered housemaids and hidden secrets. I enjoyed all the OTT twists and turns, Dot (as per usual; what a great example of a female character who is competent and brave without being a Strong Female Character cliché), and Phryne being unashamedly polymorous. However, while I also really enjoy Lin being represented as a desirable, heroic figure, and do like that Greenwood subverts some expectations (Lin identifies as Chinese but was born in England and educated in Oxford), there's still some exoticisation going on here which makes me wince. Ditto the frequent comparisons made here to Phryne as a Manchu Princess—Phryne is a fantastic character in and of herself, and using a (nameless, non-white) female Other as a shorthand symbol of that awesome is just unnecessary. And, you know, a little racist. The one recurring irritation in what is otherwise a really fab series of books.
astropova's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Misogyny, Murder, and Racial slurs
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
Warning for claustrophobia - there is extensive description of two situations of being trapped in dark and enclosed spaces. The racism & slurs are presumably period-typical and are challenged (not condoned) within the narrative. No on-screen rape or assault, only references to (a lot of) past actions.