2 January 2022

review: A QUESTION OF DEATH, Kerry Greenwood

  • This edition published by Allen&Unwin Australia 2007
  • ISBN 978-1-74175-363-9
  • 258 pages

Synopsis (publisher)

The Honourable Phryne Fisher--she of the Lulu bob, green eyes, Cupid's Bow lips, and diamant' garters--is the 1920s' most elegant and irrepressible sleuth. 

This sparkling collection of Phryne short stories and other Phryne miscellany--including Phryne's favourite shoes and hats, delicious cocktail recipes, and her best tips for discouraging unwanted admirers-- forms a gorgeously collectable treat for all Phryne fans. 

Lavishly illustrated with divine color illustrations by Beth Norling, A Question of Death will bring joy to the hearts of Phryne Fisher fans everywhere. 

My Take

I mainly read this for the short stories, none of which I had read elsewhere. The short glossary at the back also told me a few things that I didn't know.

Set  in 1928, this anthology was published between #16 and #17 in the Phryne Fisher series (#16 was set on Christmas Eve 1928) There are currently 22 books in the series, with #22 due to be published in May 2022. I haven't read all of them by any means (although more than I have listed below) and so I think I should look for more this year.

Kerry Greenwood has written another 35 books outside this series (see the list at Fantastic Fiction), including some historical non-fiction, and several books for young adults.

There are 13 short stories in A QUESTION OF DEATH, some better than others, but mostly entertaining.

There is an interesting prelude by the author at the front of the anthology in which she says Phryne Fisher is her favourite heroine.

My rating: 4.5

I've also read

MURDER ON A MIDSUMMER NIGHT - #17
TRICK OR TREAT
FORBIDDEN FRUIT
4.3, DEAD MAN'S CHEST -#18
4.4, COOKING THE BOOKS
4.3, TAMAM SHUD
4.8, UNNATURAL HABITS - #19
4.3, MURDER AND MENDELSSOHN - #18

Phryne Fisher series (from Fantastic Fiction)
   1. Cocaine Blues (1989)
     aka Death by Misadventure and Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates
   2. Flying Too High (1990)
   3. Murder on the Ballarat Train (1991)
   4. Death at Victoria Dock (1992)
   5. The Green Mill Murder (1993)
   6. Blood and Circuses (1994)
   7. Ruddy Gore (1995)
   8. Urn Burial (1996)
   9. Raisins and Almonds (1999)
   10. Death Before Wicket (1999)
   11. Away with the Fairies (2001)
   12. Murder in Montparnasse (2002)
   13. The Castlemaine Murders (2003)
   14. Queen of the Flowers (2004)
   15. Death By Water (2005)
   16. Murder in the Dark (2006)
   17. Murder on a Midsummer Night (2008)
   18. Dead Man's Chest (2010)
   19. Unnatural Habits (2013)
   20. Murder and Mendelssohn (2013)
   21. Death in Daylesford (2021)
   A Question of Death (2007)
   The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions (2022)

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