Phyrne's frolics once more intrigue!

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Murder and Mendelssohn: A Phryne Fisher Mystery #20 by Kerry Greenwood

Just from Greenwood's opening line I could feel the 1929 summer Australian sunlight coming in through that St Kilda window warming me. Greenwood's highly evocative prose had me picturing Phryne 'sitting in her jasmine bower, drenched in scent.' All made even more delectable and real by the wonderful cover, the divine Phyrne in her equally divine 'green silk gown embroider in phoenixes.' I am transported back to that time and place instantly. Of course Phyne nibbles croissants and sips cafe au lait!
I am smitten by these scenes before moving further! I have to pause to drink it all in.
I have long been a fan of Kerry Greenwood and Phryne Fisher's marvellous exploits. She is a wonderful twenties woman.
This episode does not disappoint. We have a murdered orchestra conductor on one hand and are renewing acquaintances with dear John Wilson from Phyrne's war days as an ambulance driver on the other. But John brings more murder attempts on a different front, John's friend Rupert Sheffield, mathematical genius, ex code breaker, beautiful to look at and without the slightest idea of how to win friends and influence people, is at risk. Phyrne's interesting menagerie, or rather 'family' and adherents are of course all there to lend a hand, including Molly the dog and Ember the cat (who is more autocratically decorative than anything else). Jane and Ruth are growing up, each in such a different way, and I'm quite delighted by Tinker, the ragamuffin fisher lad from Queenscliff. Every now and then I flash onto 'Auntie Mame' particularly when Phyrne and her family and friends are interacting, only Phyrne is just so much 'more' in every way.
An enchanting read with the delectable, unpredictable Phynre.

 A NetGalley ARC

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