Murder in Montparnasse (Phryne Fisher Mysteries)

4 stars

As Phryne is walking down the street toward an appointment, a man flies through the plate glass window in front of her. As she enters the establishment, an upscale French restaurant, the chef tells her about of friend of his that has gone missing. He wants Phryne to find her.

So begins another Hon. Phryne Fisher adventure! Bert and Cec’s old comrades in arms are being mysteriously killed off. They ask Phryne for help and they fear for their own lives as well as the lives of their surviving friends, three additional men. Bert and Cec are sometimes cabbies, but mostly jacks of all trades.

At the same time, Phryne’s beloved is all set to marry a woman from China whom he has never met – and that his mother and the bride’s mother picked out for him.

And Mr. Butler is threatening to quit!

Oh my, whatever in the world is she to do?

This is another great Phryne novel and I love them all! Melbourne, Australia in the 1920’s is an exciting and vibrant place. Ms. Greenwood does her research for the descriptions of the culture and the people are very apt. They are an easy, quick read and quite enjoyable. This is a very busy novel; there is quite a bit going on.

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

My second read of this investigative officer. Titled, quirky, clever and beautiful. The setting is Melbourne, again different and the time frame is the early 20th century.

Seven Australian soldiers unwittingly and unknowingly witnessed a murder in Paris. They were for the most drunk, never knew about it until one by one death stalks them in uncommon circumstances. Though made to look accidental two of them are sure there is something different about these deaths and Phyrne Fisher comes to the scene.

Unraveling it further, Phyrne discovers that it is closer to home than she thinks. These are not random killings and she has to go deep to discover why and how and where the next murder is going to take place. The who is told to us half way through. Again unusual.

The style of writing is old fashioned, the methodology old fashioned, accurate and never fails. Not an Agatha Christie style of mystery murder neither is it a Patterson or Baldacci but one in its own right very very good.

I liked the style of writing, the characterizations and the plots and only hope I will be able to get to the rest by this prolific author.

This is the best Phryne Fisher yet. I learned more about Phyrne's past in this book than any other, and I think this adventure found Phryne with more on her plate than ever before. A murderer is on the loose, and Bert or Cec could be next, a young girl is missing, Lin Chung is getting married, and Phyrne's orderly household is in turmoil. And, as if this weren't enough, a ghost from Phryne's past has returned, forcing her to face memories long-buried. Our heroine may need to be rescued herself before all the loose ends can be tied up! Definitely tops the list of my favorite Phryne Fisher mysteries.

Murder in Montparnasse is the twelfth book in the popular Phryne Fisher series by Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. A request from the French chef/owner of Café Anatole to locate a missing prospective young bride has Phryne thinking back to her time in Paris in 1918. Shortly after, Bert and Cec ask for Phryne’s help with the suspicious death of two of their mates from the war: they believe others in their group of seven diggers are in danger. Discussion leads Phryne to conclude that they witnessed the murder under a Metro train at Montparnasse of a Parisian artist, Pierre Sarcelle. Coincidentally, Phryne was also in Paris at the time, and had posed for Sarcelle. Memories both good and bad flood in. On top of this, Phryne’s plan to continue seeing the soon-to-be-married Lin Chung has Mr Butler threatening the unthinkable. This instalment has an arsonist, standover merchants, a cranky father, a ransom note, a car theft gang, lots of French food, some cross-dressing, spiked drinks and a tin of Best Seville Orange Marmalade. Phryne enlists the help of Ruth and Jane in some undercover pursuit, meets Jack Robinson’s wife Rosie and Lin Chung’s prospective wife Camillia and foils an eviction. Hugh Collins accidentally solves a crime in Mildura and Jack Robinson makes a daring food choice. Greenwood gives the reader a bit more of Phryne’s backstory with her activities in Paris amongst the famous and infamous, as well as a cracking good mystery with plenty of intrigue, some excellent twists and a bit of irony. Phryne fans will love it!

Phryne Fisher's friends - Bert and Cec, taxi drivers and wharfies - are worried that some of their former army mates from the Great War are being murdered. Phryne agrees that there seems to be something odd going on and wonders whether it is linked to something they may have witnessed in Paris.

Phryne herself was in Paris at the time but it is part of her life she really doesn't want to recall. Current circumstances force her to confront her fears and deal with the past.

Phryne also has two other cases to investigate - various attacks on a French restaurant whose owner refuses to pay protection money and a kidnapped girl who is about to marry the restaurant owner.

Phyrne's adopted daughters Jane and Ruth play a part in this story with some very good detective work. I really enjoyed this book and I think it is probably my favourite in the series so far. The plot is complex and interesting and kept me guessing until all was revealed. I also enjoyed the update on Lin Chung's marriage plans and the twist that involves.

I thoroughly recommend this series to anyone who likes crime and mystery stories which are a bit different from the norm. There are interesting characters and backgrounds and a touch of humour though this does not stop Phryne and her author, from tackling some complex and serious issues.

This light hearted story has a most likable, eccentric, some would say immoral, heroine, Phryne Fisher. Phryne, seemingly awash in wealth, busies herself with investigating various wrongdoings in Australia. Even though the story takes place in Melbourne, Australia, there are numerous flashbacks to memories of Phryne's time in Paris, when she was recovering from her horrifying days as an ambulance driver during World War I. Now in Melbourne, she is attracted to the suspicious murder of Australian men who were soldiers in Paris during the time she was there. The disappearance of a young girl recently arrived from a finishing school in France also arouses her interest.

The book's descriptions of once besieged Paris are the most vivid. There are details of the seamy Parisian bohemian life, spiced by the appearance of famous poets, artists, musicians, and general hangers on. At one point the author even lists the items, now artifacts, that Phryne carried when driving her ambulance. This is a city Phryne obviously loved, the city where for the first time in her young life she had found "kindness and freedom." It would have helped if we were told how and why Phryne left.

The dark side of 1920s Melbourne is brought to light as well, with both police and strong arm types on the take. Phryne's days are further clouded with the upcoming arranged marriage of her sexy lover, Lin Chung. On a brighter side is the Food Reform Movement, with its efforts to teach people to forsake their typical fried food and sauces diet in favor of grains, vegetables, and fish. The Lord Mayor's Ball, a prestigious affair much sought after by Melbourne citizens, also makes an appearance.

Bert and Cec along with five other Australian soldiers are drinking and having a good time in Paris in 1918 when the seven witnessed a murder. Now a decade later, Bert, Cec and one of the other five Johnnys are concerned that someone is killing them off one at a time. At the inquest, two died allegedly accidentally when Maccie drowned in an irrigation ditch and Conger's van fell on him while he was fixing it. The three mates think otherwise as counter evidence disputes the official findings.
The men discuss their belief with Phryne Fisher, renowned for her investigative skills. Phryne's inquiries into the seven and a seemingly unrelated case involving a missing fiancée that somehow goes back to 1918 in the Montparnasse section of Paris too also links back to her own past in the same locale at the same time. Regardless of her memories, a murderer is on the loose and must be stopped before anyone else dies.
MURDER IN MONTPARNASSE is an exciting historical mystery that brings to life the late 1920s and a perspective from that point back to the end of World War One in Paris. The story line engages the audience due to the star as she plunges deep into the investigation while memories of her own waif lifestyle in 1918 Paris flash through her mind and her personal woes spin somewhat out of control. The support cast either enhances the who-done-it or brings insight into what makes Phryne tick. Phryne has starred in other adventures so that anyone who reads this delightful tale will seek other works starring a wonderful protagonist.
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Harriet Klausner

Murder in Montparnasse features an unusually ruminant Phryne Fisher. In a novel set in 1928, the fabulous Phryne delves into two mysteries: the disappearance of a wealthy girl just returned from Paris and the suspected murders of two ANZAC soldiers who fought with Phryne's red-ragger friends, Bert Johnson and Cecil Yates.

Needless to say, Phryne solves both cases, but what really distinguishes Kerry Greenwood's 12th Phryne Fisher mystery is its exploration of Phryne's vulnerabilities and its window on the ex-pat scene in Paris immediately after the Great War. Phryne's famous Parisian friends include Oscar Wilde's witty niece, Dorothy; Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, poet Natalie Clifford Barney, painter Romaine Brooks and other visitors to Barney's salon. What a delight! I can only hope that Greenwood will revisit Phryne's Paris days in yet another novel.

When a book is adapted for television or movies, one version invariably outshines the other. Usually I find that the book version and my imagination is far superior to any televised version of that book. This book, however, is just the opposite. I'm a fan of Phryne Fisher on tv and was expecting to enjoy the book. But somehow that did not happen. The plot was interesting, the writing fine, but the characters seemed flat and not very likable. Very disappointing.

not long after i first read _murder in montparnasse_ (ordered from australia--i love this series so much i paid the postage in the years it was unavailable on this continent), i saw the film "paris was a woman." the film included interviews of people who lived in paris in the 20s, and served, among other things, to underscore how well ms. greenwood captures history, whether australian or european. from the stories of family members who fought in the trenches, i can say that she also captures the first world war extremely well.

along with the murders, there are an unrelated kidnapping to solve and a domestic crisis, all handled with her usual impressive skill.

as in all the thirteen or fourteen titles in this series, the plot is tight, the subplots equally well done (and resolved), the characters well drawn, the dialogue wonderful, the humor varied, the cooking superb, and phyrne fantastic. she is definitely one of the great characters in mystery writing.

I really enjoyed the first Phryne Fisher books, but never expected them to get better and better. I enjoy books for escape and also learning. These are great books for both. I am not looking for depressing introspection on the human plight, or following evil villains being evil. Somehow Kerry Greenwood can take us thru the depths of human emotions and experience while observing from just enough of a safe distance to not be caught up in the negatives and become depressed. I think you really need to read many of the earlier books to get a good background of the cast and help put things in perspective. Keep reading them, because they get better and better. The other writer I have found just as entertaining is Alan Bradley and his Flavia DeLuce series. Phyrne is in her late 20's and Flavia is 11, but both are masters of their world. Both are early 20th century mysteries, and both are wildly entertaining and also informative. My only fear is that, having discovered Kerry Greenwood and Alan Bradley, that I might finish their works and be forced to read some less capable writers.

If you haven't discovered this engaging series set in 1920s Australia, then you are in for a treat. Upper-crust Phryne Fisher is classy, sexy, intelligent, and just enough over the top to keep readers interested in her sleuthing, romance, and fashion!

Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher is a unique character! The setting is Australia and the time is post World War One. Phryne is a woman of means and of the world. She is smart and has a big heart for the underdog. She works as a private detective and her cases are interesting and intriguing. I would recommend the Phryne Fisher books to anyone who likes a good mystery combined with a bit of history, fashion of the time and cultural reference.

We have another wonderful mystery featuring our favorite sleuth, Phryne Fisher. While Murder in Montparnasse is a cozy mystery, it also has such bittersweet events of memory for Phryne. There are several issues which are going on in Phryne’s life during this book. She has been asked to help locate a young woman who was betrothed to marriage, but is now missing.
Bert and Cec have come to her for assistance in a matter of life or death. Five men remain of the seven comrades who were together in Paris 1918 after the war. Two have died in suspicious circumstances and ...oh no...more are dying! What did Bert, Cec and the other men see or know which puts them at risk years later?
And our Dear Phryne... as she is remembering her time during the war and directly after, I felt so much emotion for her. You will read of heartbreak and learn so much about her life that we never read before. Her time in the war services at such a young age driving the ambulance is so heroic. We learn about the mystery man of her youth, her lover, her abuser, and now the hunter and the hunted!
And Phryne’s Lin Chung... The event in his life she has dreaded is about to happen. How will this change the dynamic of her life?
If you are a fan of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries this book is NOT to be missed! I found it very emotional and read it twice!

One of the best Miss Fisher mysteries and my favorite so far. Both mysteries were interesting and it was fun seeing Jane and Ruth get in on the sleuthing action. I really don't have any major complaints. The only part I didn't care for was the bit about Mr. Butler's resignation, but that doesn't bring the book down.