Review: Cocaine Blues

The mystery novel that introduces Phryne Fisher, Melbourne in the Twenties, and a cast of terrific characters. Here's Bert & Cece, Dorothy, cocaine, adventure, high society and low neighborhoods.

My oh my, what a story. Face it, not many young titled and wealthy women of society are likely to suddenly decide that, being bored with local English society, they ought to return to their native land, that being Australia, to become a private investigator! But if you re willing to shrug off that improbability, you'll thoroughly enjoy this introduction to one of the most delightful, bright, and completely liberated young women of the age. Here, most definitely, is a fresh look at the private investigator. Here is a detective who is truly unafraid to jump in where more prudent souls might hesitate A long time.

Phryne is asked by some friends of her father to go off to Melbourne to try to learn why the daughter, once thought to be safely married to a real gentleman, seems to be riding a sickly rollercoaster of good and bad health. Her parents are worried for her and every willing to seek new adventure, Phryne goes off.

With an attitude as jaunty as Phryne herself, the novel whisks us to Australia and in short order deposits the Honorable P. Fisher in the very best hotel in Melbourne and embeds her in what passes for colonial high society. But Phryne, who was born into very modest circumstances in her family, has not forsaken her humble roots. In short order she enlists the friendship and support of a couple of dock-side taxi men, rescues a suicidal young woman to be her maid and engages in hot encounters with a Russian dancer fleeing from the Revolution.

The scenery, from bustling commercial district to steamy Turkish baths, provides our detective with fascinating context and enhances our willingness to give the willful young woman every benefit of the doubt. Her language is fresh and enjoyable, the pace varies from a rapid walk to a dead run and there's hardly a misstep in the whole thing.

Phryne Fisher is a beguiling character one wants to meet and get to know, and even to just bask quietly in her aura. Author Greenwood has woven such a fantasy character with such intelligence and such care that this reader would go on reading these novels long into the night. And if you stop a while and examine her underlying themes and attitudes, you'll be mightily impressed. And then she sets you up for a the final fillip, after a couple of blind alleys, of course, so that the core of the mystery is able to stand solidly on its own.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carl Brookins - RAM

Book Review: Cocaine Blues