Phryne Fisher Part Deux

A few months have passed since the conclusion of Cocaine Blues. In the interim, Phryne has been burnishing her reputation as a private investigator in Melbourne. She’s also found a house, and is in the process of moving out of the hotel and settling permanently in Australia.

A very high strung lady approaches Phryne with a commission – she thinks her son is going to kill his father, and she wants Phryne to stop it. So Phryne goes off to the son’s flying school (planes are still pretty new at this point) and proceeds to blow everyone’s mind with her flying and wing walking prowess. Because she’s Phryne freakin’ Fisher and don’t you forget it. Anyway, Dad ends up dead, and sonny boy ends up being arrested for it. So now Phryne has to prove that he didn’t do it.

Meanwhile, a young girl is kidnapped, possibly for ransom, possibly for other reasons. Phryne is brought in (rather than the police) to rescue the girl. This all ties in to the flying and Phryne’s pilot friends as well.

As ever, all comes right in the end, and Phryne emerges triumphant. These books are entertaining little mysteries, quick and easy reads, done in a day or so. They’re great when you don’t want anything too heavy, which for me is pretty often.