Unnatural Habits (Phryne Fisher Mysteries)

Unnatural Habits by Kerry Greenwood is the nineteenth book in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. It is 1929 in Melbourne, Australia and the Honorable Phryne Fisher is on her way to a meeting of the Adventuresses Club with Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan (Mac). Along the way, they encounter a woman being attacked by some thugs. After rescuing Polly Kettle, they take her along to the club. It seems that Miss Kettle is a reporter for the Daily Truth working on a story about girls who have gone missing from Magdalene Laundry at Abbotsford Convent. The three young women were pregnant and no one seems to care that they have disappeared. Miss Kettle is determined to stick with her story and soon departs. The next day Phryne gets a visit from DI Jack Robinson who reports that Polly has been abducted and asks Phryne to investigate. Phryne needs to retrace Polly’s steps in order to find the missing reporter. Will Phryne and her compatriots be able to find Polly in time?

Unnatural Habits follows Phryne Fisher on another investigation. I found the mystery to be complicated with multiple parts. It was a little convoluted at time, but it was interesting. I did feel, though, that the story was a little too long. The author could have cut out some of the eating and bathing (we do not need details on every bath and meal) for a more concise story. Unnatural Habits has entertaining characters with Phryne at the forefront. Phryne is smart, sassy, strong, social and so much more. I wish the author had not made Jack so bland. He fades into the background. The author did an amazing job at capturing the time-period (clothes, language, food, cars, entertainment, etc.). While Unnatural Habits is the nineteenth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides all the details a reader needs. I am giving Unnatural Habits 4 out of 5 stars. Pick up a copy of Unnatural Habits to go on another adventure with Phryne Fisher and her troupe of family and friends.

I really should be used to the differences between the books and TV episodes by now. The episode inspired by this book bears almost no resemblance to the book. Basically, all they have in books common is missing pregnant teen girls.

So, the book. Phryne encounters a female reporter and finds herself getting involved in the case of some missing poor, young girls. Then the reporter goes missing. And soon, Phryne and her crew, or minions as she likes to call them, are on the hunt and up to their necks in white slavery, slave labor, virginity tests, child marriage, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and a socialist-inspired fruit farming collective run and worked by females only. There's a lot going on and at times my attention wandered but Phryne and minions were full of life and opinions and passion. Phryne is more self-centered and sybaritic than in the TV show and at times, I thought she needed to woman up and be less indulgent but she never backs away from doing what she thinks is right and enacting her own version of justice. When you are in trouble, Phryne Fisher is just the woman to help you. Provided she thinks you're worth helping.

Greenwood has beautifully developed the relationships in the series. They're layered, rich, and complex. She weaves politics, economics, social issues, a hint of romance, humor, and mysteries into a brew that's dark wit a hint of sweet, rich, and engaging.

Some favorite quotes:

"Miss Fisher is a force of nature and there is never anything you can do about her."

"Well, darling, one does not like to watch a nice little woolly baa-lamb go leaping and gamboling into a field full of large bitey wolves. It has a certain morbid interest, I agree," said Phryne, sipping deeply. "But it is basically a blood sport and I don't even like fox-hunting."

The egg whites, apparently, had completely declined to be whipped.

...but Jane's writing looked like an intoxicated inky spider had staggered across the page on the way to the bar for another drink. Which it really didn't need.

I received a copy from the publisher for review.

Kerry Greenwood created a much more complex mystery in Unnatural Habits than others of the Phryne Fisher Mystery Series that I have read. There are several significant investigations occurring simultaneously as well as some minor threads to be unravelled. I remember viewing the movie version of this book years ago. With this series, I usually like the movie better than the book, but in this case I must insist that the book is, in fact, light years past the movie which can not begin to do justice to the intricate plot or character development.

Greenwood, through Phryne Fisher, takes up the cause of girls and women who are treated like sexual property in a time when most women receive little respect and the Catholic church ignores various kinds of ill treatment of girls, women, and boys. Phryne is unable to rest until all of the immediate problems are solved, and she puts her own life at risk to rescue less fortunates.

This particular tale is enhanced by the frequent inclusion of her “minions” as she calls her willing helpers—Tink, her apprentice; Dot, her assistant and companion; Jane and Ruth, her adopted daughters; Burt and Cec, socialist taxi drivers; and Mr. and Mrs. Butler, providers of specialty drinks and food. Each character is called upon to use their unique skills to aid in the investigations.

Australia of the 1920’s comes to life with descriptions of dress of various levels of society, examinations of attitudes, laws, and customs, and use of unique terms. Some of the moral issues examined in the book would be considered reprehensible by most people today. Others are still being debated. There are some actions taken in the novel by Miss Fisher and others that are illegal, but are ignored because ignoring them promotes the general good and provides food for thought for the reader.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kerry Greenwood writes a really strong story set in Australia...with loads of character and action. Phyrne Fisher has been asked to look into the disappearance of three pregnant girls and a female Reporter. There is a hint,that white slavery may be involved. The Book is set after World War One so there are characters who live with the scars of War. Mr. Bates, who is one of them, resented his story being taken over by the girl Reporter. But so do others resent her. Phyrne is on the trail of the disappearing girls. She interviews the homes they came from and the friends or people they talked to. The list is growing of people who could have helped them disappear ...but did they?

The main character has a large group of people in her life who help with the investigation. Mr. and Mrs. Butler run her house, Dot, Ruth, Jane and now with this one Tinker, help on occasion with research and cover. Many of those they interview live in seedy circumstances and in a couple of cases, a jealous Mother or an abusive Father are not ruled out. The puzzle builds as Phyrne goes to the Blue Cat Club for a Conference with a group of men who have to remain anonymous. They may have information however.

Greenwood has gone into many of the taboos of the post World War One time-frame. This includes a Priest who inpregnated one of the girls, a Father who sold his daughter to a Neighbor for rent, beer and cigarettes, and a comunity of Men who love their fellow man not a Woman. The attitude of the sparse, religious setting the girls were forced to live in and have their babies... which would be taken away from them as soon as they were born, adds a fine historical touch to the plight of Women. All- in- all you have a fine, mixed plot to enjoy and savor.

The vintage tidbits bring realism to the book. I enjoyed the description of designer clothes, and food, that the Phyrne household got to eat. The licentious, underbelly of Society, Phyrme treads to interview and has no fear of ... as she follows the path of the disappearing four Women- just expands the flavor. It is easy to see why these Books were made into a Television Series they have everything. I read this book in one sitting.

My thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press

UNNATURAL HABITS by Kerry Greenwood
I do so admire Phryne Fisher, dynamic, generous, and brave, and her wonderful supporting characters, so capable in dealing with the villains and enjoying life along the way. I finished UNNATURAL HABITS last night before going to bed, and slept soundly knowing Phyne had tied up all the nasty loose ends so neatly. My only sadness is in coming near the end of this series; waiting for more will be so hard. <3
Some favorite insights: “Food made Tinker sentimental.” Those who’ve known real hunger have a greater appreciation of food and of sharing with others.
. . . “threat, landscape, or prey . . . Phryne had never, since childhood, been prey. And was far too active to be landscape.”
“Here in third class the seats were harder and the company less select, but no one chloroformed her, which was an improvement.”
Learning something new: subfusc |səbˈfəsk|adjective literary dull; gloomy and
“gave the cup to Phryne, an action comparable to that of Sir Philip Sidney.” (I had to look him up)
[...]

Pretty, blonde girls who are down on their luck have begun to disappear in Melbourne — including three in their eighth month of pregnancy. In the nineteenth novel to feature the Honorable Phryne Fisher, set in 1929, the fabulous Phryne begins the investigation with the disappearance of a well-meaning but blundering girl reporter with the made-for-19th-century-melodrama name of Polly Kettle. Phryne’s investigation then expands to the three missing unwed mothers and, eventually, to the larger criminal enterprise.

More details would spoil the novel for the reader, but the mystery proves very cleverly plotted. I can also say that all of Phryne’s fabulous family is back: the Butlers, her adopted daughters Ruth and Jane; her loyal maid and friend, Dot Williams; Dot’s shy boyfriend, policeman Hugh Collins; Inspector “Call Me Jack — Everyone Else Does” Robinson, “red-raggers” Cec and Bert, Phryne’s sister Eliza and her lesbian lover Lady Alice Harborough, and the worldly wise Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan. What a joy! Just like meeting up with old friends unexpectedly while out at dinner or shopping! Plus there’s a new addition to Phryne’s eclectic household: orphan Tinker, an urchin apparently picked up in No. 18 in the series, Dead Man's Chest: Phryne Fisher #18 (Phryne Fisher Mysteries), which I have yet to read.

Lastly, author Kerry Greenwood sometime draws attention to serious matters in her lightheartedly novels, and she does so here. The silence of the Church in the face of predatory priests and the sanctimonious cruelty of the Magdalene Laundries will prove a lesson for those who thought such crimes were of more recent vintage.

This is the 19th in this series of period mysteries set in Australia during the Jazz Age. The series centers on Phryne Fisher, a wealthy young woman who enjoys spending her time solving mysteries and having adventures. Aiding Phryne in her various escapades are an interesting group including two wharfies turned cab drivers, a very cooperative police detective, a faithful maid/companion, two adopted daughters and her most acquisition - a young boy who wants to become a detective.

This novel finds Phryne trying to locate some missing young women. A reporter, a young woman, who is attempting to track down a story about young women missing from the home for unwed mothers run by a group of nuns, who exploit the girls as slave labor. Where on earth could three very pregnant young girls go? Not home to the families that had sent them away in disgrace, and not to any of the brothels the reporter was asking about them. Before Phryne could make any sense out of the matter the reporter herself had vanished. In order to ferret out the truth in the matter Phryne had to call in all sorts of favors from various people she had helped in the past, and get help from her expanded family.

As always with the series there is never any doubt that Phryne will manage to bring about a very satisfactory conclusion for all involved. The true attractions to this series are Phryne's adventures and the various characters that have become Phryne's extended family. The author has gone to great lengths to provide an authentic depiction of Australia in the late 1920's while still telling an entertaining tale.

4 and 1 / 2 stars

In 1929 Melbourne young women are missing. Some of them are even pregnant. What is going on?

The Honorable Miss Phryne Fisher is on the case. She and Dot go on the search for clues and the missing women. Now there is a missing woman reporter as well. Of course, Phryne gets herself into trouble – again. With sweat shops masquerading as homes for unwed mothers and nuns as slave drivers the story heaps upon itself. Phryne must call upon her friends and unofficial family to sort out the mess. It is a very good thing that she has such loyal friends.

This is another rollicking Phryne Fisher novel in true Kerry Greenwood fashion. As only Ms. Greenwood can write it; well written and plotted. The story moves along very nicely and comes to a grand conclusion. The novel is both well written and plotted. I appreciated the bibliography at the end as well.

I want to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for forwarding to me a copy of this delightful book to read.

Unnatural Habits is the nineteenth book in the popular Phryne Fisher series by Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. A chance encounter with a young female reporter for The Daily Truth in a laneway leads Phryne Fisher to investigate the disappearance of three pregnant girls and said reporter. Margaret Kettle, better known as Polly, is determined to make her name as a serious journalist and steals a colleague’s story on White Slavery. But her enquiries into the fate of three very pregnant teenagers last seen at a pious widow’s nursing home mark the last sighting of the enthusiastic if somewhat careless reporter.

Her questions in a variety of places have ruffled some feathers, but whose? Someone associated with the Convent of the Good Shepherd and their workhouse-like Magdalen Laundry business? The owners of local brothels or exclusive Gentlemen’s Clubs? Or does her disgruntled colleague have a hand in her disappearance? What does the employment agency, Jobs For All, have to do with it? And just who is going around performing involuntary vasectomies on deserving males?

In this instalment, Phryne makes full use of her daughters (on vacation from school), of Dot, of her new employee, Tink and of her taxi drivers, Bert and Cec. Her minions (as she repeatedly refers to them in this instalment) are put to work on a secret code and other researches as well as taking active parts in the interrogation of witnesses. Phryne adopts an assortment of disguises: a blonde actress, a pregnant girl and a nun, as required by the different strands of the investigation. As well as white slavery, eugenics, virginity tests, kidnapping, slave labour and a female-run fruit-growing collective all feature. With this excellent novel, Greenwood once again proves herself a mistress of historical crime fiction.

I love Kerry Underwood's books and especially the Phryne Fisher series. Set in 1929 (love reading about that era) Phryne Fisher is a force to be reckoned with. She goes in with an authority that tells everyone "I am here and here's what we are doing". Her "crew" is filled with some pretty quirky characters and I found myself chuckling at them and their antics several times.

A great series that, while I have not read all of them, I have certainly enjoyed the ones that I have read. I love when people say something can't be done and she replies "yes, it can", here's the money, get it done!

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

Unnatural Habits is the 19th Phryne Fisher investigation and this time she looks at the dark side of Melbourne and the treatment of young unmarried mothers. Phryne gets drawn into the investigation when she rescues a young woman from being beaten up by three thugs. The woman turns out to be a reporter called Polly and she is investigating a story about 3 pregnant girls who have vanished from a convent that is supposed to be caring for them until after their babies are born. She believes that the girls are forced to work in the convent laundry under conditions so cruel it is a wonder they survive long enough to give birth. She also tells Phryne that blond girls are disappearing and she believes the two things are related. Shortly after this detective-inspector Jack Robinson tells Phryne that Polly has gone missing and needs her help because of the female angle, there are some places a male detective just can’t go. He knows Phryne can get to places he can only dream of.

Despite of the seriousness of the investigation there are many funny incidents and lots of witty repartee to break up the drama. Fast paced and well written the characters come alive off the pages. All the usual sidekicks are here, Phryne’s adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth; the Butlers who are her housekeeper and Driver/Butler respectively; then her aide-de-camps Bert and Cec and her maid Dot. Each of these characters have their role to play in the investigation. From brothels to nunneries and out to a farming commune, no stone is left unturned. Slavery, incest and paedophilia are rife and an avenging angel is cheered on silently. It is sad to see that the ladies in the brothel were treated better that the young girls were in the notorious but historically true Magdalene laundry in Melbourne run by the Sisters of Mercy.

Where can the girls be? Where is Polly, and who is taking the young blonde girls? Never fear, Phryne is here and with a huge daring edge of the seat rescue mission climax all is revealed, justice served, not necessarily legal justice, and the end finally arrives after lots of twists and turns. The settings and characters are very believable as is the wrap up. I love this series and love the TV version as well. May there be many more.

A Phryne Fisher mystery never disappoints!
Phryne is hot on the trail of string of missing girls - cute blonds, and the girl reporter trying to track down the story. Through the convents and laundries where disgraced girls are sent to atone, Phryne will risk her life to get to the bottom of this mystery. This adventure also finds Phryne on the trail of an unusual perpetrator of unusual crimes.... Plenty of twists and turns, and an excellent historical study into the plight of fallen women. Even Dot begins to question some of the practices of her own faith as she helps Phryne navigate the customs of the Catholic church.

Another rollicking read from Ms. Greenwood featuring her fabulous Phryne Fisher. I read Greenwood because she's an entertaining, articulate author who creates compelling characters and stories that just plain fun to read. Her work is also well researched, which makes Phryne's often outrageous exploits more believable and interesting. I learn a little about Australia and this time period in every book I read. This one was one of my favorites. It sent me back to the beginning to re-read Cocaine Blues, the first book in the Phryne Fisher mystery series. As a reader, I am grateful that Greenwood didn't stop after two books as originally planned. (less)

The divine Miss Fisher returns--for the 19th time. If you are new to Phryne Fisher, and author Kerry Greenwood, you are missing a great, erudite, fun and sometimes-risque series. This book, like all in the series, can be read without reading previous books. Ms. Greenwood does an excellent job of bringing new readers up to date without any repetition or blather. Yet each volume brings us a fuller understanding of the complexities that are Phryne.

In Unnatural Habits, protagonist Phryne (pronounced fry-nee) is swept into an unpleasant mess involving kidnapped girls, white slavery and personal abuses by church organizations that should have had the welfare of their parishioners at heart. It is 1929, Melbourne, Australia, and Phryne, not born to wealth but now indulging herself in nice things since her father's ascension to a title in England, is determined that her wealth will not only give her a comfortable lifestyle, but help better the lives of those around her. Those include her adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth, her cook and houseman Mr. and Mrs. Butler, her aide-de-camps Bert and Cec, and her maid-cum-sidekick Dot.

Greenwood does a wonderful job of making the characters believable, and fully fleshed out in realistic behaviors and mannerisms. In this book, when a determined and misguided girl reporter, Polly Kettle, goes missing while investigating a church-run laundry, Phryne and Dot step in to help. There are layers of evil to penetrate and piracy afoot! Greenwood explores more than just the fleshpots of the Roaring 20s; she also shows a world where the poor, while always with us, are abused and misused for the benifit of others, while leaving them malnourished and poorly housed. Although dealing with sometimes uncomfortable topics, Greenwood keeps her touch light and deft, letting her readers feel as if they are exploring the inside story, while having fun with a clever mystery.

As is often the case, Greenwood deals with real places (the Magdalen Laundries, for instance, were real, and not just in Australia) and real people, sprinkling her book with bon mots about social justice and political upheavals that help spark the storyline. Even though free-standing, each book in the series deepens the reader's understanding of the characters: Lin Chung, Phryne's longtime lover, and his protective cohorts who, while not interfering with her detecting, stay in the background to insure her safety; her police insider, John ("just call me Jack") Robinson, a detective-inspector who has learned to trust Phryne's instincts; and Dot's fiance, Hugh Collins, also a police officer. As her team works the co-mingled cases, and delves into the darker byways of Melbourne life, we are set to reminiscing about days when the bad guys were really bad, and the good guys (and gals) were gutsy, determined and unrelentingly curious. A worthy series whose quality of writing remains high, and the plots adroit and twisty.

First Sentence: The attack came on suddenly.

Young pregnant girls are going missing and reporter Polly Kettle thinks she knows what is happening to them. Then Polly disappears. Phryne and her minions are on a case that involves much more than first thought.

Greenwood has the most wonderful voice and use of humor…”This was going to be an evening where she needed every single whit about her, as plate armour was no longer worn in polite society.” At the same time, the book addresses several serious social issues, but in a way that’s never preachy. “Unnatural Habits” looks at the Magdelene Laundries run by the Catholic Church using single, pregnant young women; sex trafficking and the gay community in the 20s.

Phryne Fisher is one of the most wonderful protagonists one can find. She comes from poor beginnings and has never forgotten them, but has gained wealth. She is independent, strong and very capable yet, through the series, “adopts” people into her informal family. She believes in manners and elegance, yet stands up for those who are abused, oppressed or discriminated against and is intolerant of cruelty. In a “gentleman only” club where Phryne is invited to join them for lunch, she is told she will be an honorary gentleman, to which she responds, “I have always tried to behave as one.” At the same time, she is not above the appropriately used insult, invective or expletive.

Greenwood’s descriptions place one in Phryne’s world. The descriptions of food are mouth-watering and of clothes leaving us to wish for a more elegant time. At the same time, Greenwood expects a level of intelligence from her readers. Aside from being a fun detective story, it is—as are all the books in the series—a book with a strong social conscience.

Although Phryne’s involvement in solving crimes with the approval of the police may be improbable, one doesn’t really care. All the threads are neatly tied, all the questions satisfactorily answered, and justice, either legally or morally, is served.

“Unnatural Habits” is a totally, delightfully fun read with a very good twist.

UNNATURAL HABITS (Hist Mys-Phryne Fisher-Australia-1920s) – VG+
Greenwood, Kerry – 19th in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2013

I really enjoyed this book. When I first started reading this series I thought the stories were shallow and the characters underdeveloped. I gave them a 3 start rating. As Miss Greenwood continued to write the books, the plots became stronger and the characters were filled out and had personalities. As far as plot and characters, I think this is the best written of the book in this series.

Unnatural Habits and Raisins and Almonds were my favorite books. The only one I really didn't like was Death Before Wicket. Too much of the book involved discussion of cricket, and cricket really didn't have anything to do with the mystery. Since I know nothing about the game, much of that story was meaningless for me. If some time in the future I reread this series, I will just skip over that book.

I had trouble believing Phryne could learn to become a circus performer in a short period of time as portrayed in Blood and Circuses. Queen of Flowers wasn't one of the better books in this series. Miss Greenwood must have a thing for elephants. Phryne does take on the "super hero" roll in the books. She doesn't wear high boots, carry a magic whip, or strut around in a suit with matching tights. She is a rich, free-spirited woman of the 1920s. Phryne enjoys sex, but has no interest in marriage. She is also friends with more than one gay person.

The Magdalene Laundries are a focus of much of this book. Run by nuns for the care of unwed mothers, these laundries have a very bad reputation. Do the laundries deserve this reputation? Maybe or maybe not. Considering all of the problems going on now concerning the Catholic church's covering up decades (centuries) of sexual abuse of children by priests; I believe there is some truth behind the bad reputation of Magdalene Laundries. They may not have abused the women as portrayed in this book, but I doubt being a resident of the laundry was an uplifting experience.

I have not seen the movie Philomena, but I believe it concerns an unwed mother who spent time at a Magdalene Laundry in Ireland and had to give up her son. The March 10, 2014 edition of People has an article on Catherine Deasy, one of the children born in a Magdalene Laundry in Ireland. The article focuses on Deasy search to find her birth mother, and the lack of support she received from the Catholic church.

I am disappointed that the PBS series based on these books did not follow the books faithfully. I do understand that in the confines of an hour long program ( probably 50 actual minutes) you have to condense some things, but leaving characters out, adding an irritating aunt, and rewriting part of the plot shouldn't occur. I have only seen the first season of the television show, and probably won't bother watching future installments. The books are much better.

Phryne Fisher rescues a young journalist, Polly Kettle, from an awkward and potentially dangerous situation. Shortly afterwards she hears Polly has gone missing. Her friend - Detective Jack Robinson - asks for her help. Phryne, in her usual inimitable fashion, starts asking awkward questions and soon discovers that Poppy was onto something.

Girls are disappearing without trace and it seems as though pregnant girls are being badly treated by the local convent in their Magdalen laundries. Are these two problems connected in any way? What puzzles Phryne most is that the parents of four missing girls, including Polly, seem not be to be all that concerned about their fate.

With the help of Phryne's many contacts and her adopted daughters, Jane and Ruth ably assisted by Tinker and Dot, the mystery is well on the way to being solved. This book is up to the usual high standard of this entertaining series. In fact in my opinion it is one of the best in the series.

The scenes towards the end of the book on board ship are absolute classics as is Phryne's disguise. There are many amusing incidents and comments in this fast paced well written story and in spite of the serious subject matter the book is light hearted and exciting. If you have not read any of this series before then start with Cocaine Blues - though the series does not have to be read in order. If you like Carola Dunn's Daisy Dalrymple or books by Rhys Bowen then you may enjoyed the Phryne Fisher series.

In Melbourne, the Honorable Phryne Fisher and Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan head to the Adventuresses Club when they observe three thugs about to attack a lone female. Phryne gives them a warning they ignore so three Chinese working for her lover Lin Chung beat the hooligans up.

The target is reporter Margaret "Polly" Kettle. She explains that she is investigating a story on three pregnant girls allegedly vanishing from a nursing home after working at the Abbotsford Convent's Magdalen Laundry. Furthermore the journalist says she told the cops who ignored her plea. She begs Phryne to help, but soon afterward Polly disappears. Phryne makes inquiries finding shocking inhuman conditions.

The latest Phryne Fisher Australian 1920s mystery (see Dead Man's Chest) is a powerful thriller that uses the real Magdalen Laundry as the base for an investigation into despicable greed ignored or conspiratorially concealed by authorities due to influence peddling. The insightful storyline will shake readers with the premise that the brothels house their female supply in much nicer conditions than the convent's laundry room filled with pregnant unwed girls as the former is needed in top condition while the latter is being punished for their sins. Readers will appreciate Phryne's trek into the darkest side of post WWI Melbourne.

Harriet Klausner

The long list of Phryne Fisher mysteries revolves around the stylish The Hon. Ms. Fisher and her entourage solving a murder here, another crime there. In this, the 19th in the series, Phryne sets about finding three missing pregnant women and soon discovers other upsetting mysteries to solve: young blonde girls, mostly teenagers, have also gone missing. And then she is confronted with the disappearance of an aspiring young woman reporter who was chasing a story about the missing girls.

The police are stymied, and as usual, it falls to Phryne to solve the various cases. And she goes about it in a pretty straightforward manner, albeit not without some difficulties.

This novel isn't like many of its predecessors, which were lighter in tone, with many amusing asides. "Unnatural Habits" is rather dry compared to them. This observation is not a negative, because the novel is an excellent and well-written mystery, just not as amusing as many of the preceding entries in the series, and it is recommended.

A smart, Agatha Chritie-esc series.  Phryne Fisher is a well off, matter of fact aristocrat, who has acquired many important contacts and friends through her previous sleuthing adventures.  Phryne is one of those characters that I wish I knew, she is a real pistol in this delightful book that offers a little bit of everything;  suspense, romance, some off color characters,  and a good, believable mystery.

In this episode Phryne is on a mission to locate three missing, pregnant girls who have disappeared under similar circumstances.  As her investigation proceeds she must go undercover, and while in disguise, she is aghast to find some cruel and disturbing crimes being committed by some very unlikely characters.  With the help of the law and her beloved, loyal minions, she sets out to choke and arrest all nasty, extending tentacles that are attached to her appalling discoveries. 

Stephanie Daniel is the ideal narrator for Phryne's character.  Her other voices were nicely distinct, and created true personality and spirit for each  in the vast cast of characters.  This was my first in the series but look forward to more of her fun, fast paced mystery escapades.

I only recently discovered Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Having virtually binge watched all three seasons, created a Miss Fisher board on Pinterest and joined the Facebook group, I was running out of options to get my Phryne "fix". Then it dawned on me, that the series character was based on the novels by Kerry Greenwood. This is the second novel I've read. What I enjoyed about this one is the little details, regarding what Phryne's bathroom looks like, what fragrances she wears, how she chooses her outfits. I also enjoyed the appearance of the characters from the TV series with whom I'm familiar. I'm anxious to find out how Tink and Ruth joined the minions. For me, there is something captivating about Ms. Greenwood's storytelling, and Unnatural Habits didn't disappoint.

Probably 5 stars doesn't do this justice. While the narrative is complex, it is not incomprehensible. In my mind, white slavery was an issue in the '30's here in America. By using it as a plot element in this novel, it is not only interesting from the historical perspective, but relevant to today's headlines. It isn't so much that she wrote a good story, but Kerry Greenwood came up with a great solution. In looking for one missing woman, she was able to explore three elements of society.

The story keeps you reading well into the night, and I had to really stop myself from flipping further into the book to see what happens, because I felt I was reading quick enough. I enjoyed it very much.
Recently there has been a Television series based on these books, whilst I love the visual, nothing can beat the writing style of the book - you just can’t fit everything that is in this book into an hour episode.

Miss Phryne Fisher and Dr. Elizabeth MacMillan saw three thugs approach a sole woman with bad intent. Phryne warned the thugs to take off when they didn’t Phryne made a signal and four men came out of the shadows and took care of the thugs. Phryne was the mistress of Lin Chung and heavily protected. Phryne and Dr. Macmillan to see if she was okay. Her name was Margaret /Polly Kettle and she was a reporter tired of not having a good story to write. She didn’t want to write just fluff articles. Dr. MacMillan worked in Queen Victoria Hospital. Phryne asked Polly if she would like a drink and new stockings as they headed toward the Adventuresses Club which was only for women in Little Lon. Dr. MacMillan told Polly she was not to write about the club and Polly told Dr. MacMillian her lips were sealed. Polly was a well brought up young woman and Polly said she had been asking too many questions and that is why she was set up to be attacked. Outside the club sat a ragged boy Tinker that was an apprentice detective for Phryne and lived at her house. Tinker was to do certain things for Phryne. Dr. MacMillan took Polly to the Withdrawing Room. There was a girl in the room named Annie who took care of Of Polly and Annie cleaned the mud off Polly’s knees and palms, gave her new hosiery and let Polly wash her face and comb her hair Annie also attended to Polly’s clothes Molly drank her sol volatile,her hot sugared tea, and then drank her brandy obediently. Annie explained she was an attendant { Annie had a scarred face and no one else would probably hire Annie who was probably eighteen}. Annie said she loved her job. After that Polly went to the table with Dr. McMillan and Phryne. Who were having a drink and got her the gin and tonic she requested when they asked. Polly worked for the Daily Truth she was doing a story on three missing very pregnant girls who had come up missing from the Magdalen Laundry at the Abbotsford Convent. They had been sent out to stay with a pious widow in Footscray and then they vanished. No one had heard from the girls and “ No one cares about bad girls” Polly burst burst out “ one mistake and they are shut up in a laundry doing hard work , their babies are adopted out and they are ruined”. Phryne had told Polly she had to make sure if the girls are dead or alive and go from there. Polly had never met anyone like Dr MacMillan or Phryne. Among the women of Polly’s nice respectable middle class she was considered exceptionally bold and even immoral for insisting on a career that did not report on garden parties. Polly had pictures of the three missing girls. Phryne told Polly her questions needed to go in another direction as she could definitely get hurt or worse. The next day while at home Phryne got a visit from Jack who was a cop who came to let Phryne Polly had already been abducted- three guys had grabbed Polly and shoved her in a big black car and no one had heard from her since.
I just couldn’t get into this story. It just didn’t keep my interest in any way so I didn’t finish it. I don’t know why I just didn’t enjoy reading this but I am sure others will.

This was the first book have read by this author. What a delight. Totally enjoyed thisleading character Phyrne,who was a thoroughly independent woman, which was a great accomplishment for the 1920s. Enjoyed the interconnected plots which were a challenge to put together.

This was a delightful read. Phryne Fisher is an uncommon lady with an unusual household. She is never afraid to dive in and help someone out, especially if there's a mystery. I found the plot full of enough twists to be engaging without ever making me feel tricked by the author if I didn't see something coming. An excellent book. I'm looking forward to a chance to get my hands on more of this series.

After falling in love with the show, I was somewhat disappointed by the book. Similar to the Agatha Christie style, these are long on description and low on action. Several character differences from the show as well, which I enjoyed.

I started reading this Austrailian based mysteries because of the TV show. Great fast reads and a good snapshot of the social workings at the time between WWI and WWII. I enjoy the Phryne character & all her associates; quite a colorful lot.

Once again the Hon. Miss Fisher is putting her head together with her minions to solve a mystery. Girls are disappearing on Melbourne. They are mostly bad girls and not too many people are looking for them, that is until Phryne find out about it. I highly recommend this book.

Loved it! Maybe because I have seen several episodes of the TV series and knew the characters. Phryne is a gem, a unique and colorful leader. Very little phases her and very little surprises her, but a few things appall her. UNNATURAL HABITS abound with the latter and Phryne is excellent at detecting the truth and righting wrongs.