Kylee P. (Kylee-CT-mom) -
A Young Miss Marple
5 stars
âBlood and Circusesâ is set in 1920's Australia. Phryne (pronounced Fry-knee) is asked by some âcarnie' friends of hers to help solve some suspicious happenings at Farrell's Circus and Wild Beast Show (the circus that their carnival trails). The final incident that pushes these friends to ask Phryne for her help is when one of the carnival âfreaks' is murdered in his boardinghouse.
Phryne is a terrific character. She's witty, down to earth; unlike some of the other characters in the book. Lizard Elsie is a crack up! There are 20's era gangsters, a strongman, trick riders, a magician, acrobats, clowns, so many fabulous people to meet in the circus and the carnival.
Kerry Greenwood's writing is wonderful. I was transported to 1920's Australia through her words. It really remind me of the feeling I get while reading an Agatha Christie, but being that the crime solver is a woman, it brought Miss Jane Marple to mind more so than Hercule Poirot. âPhryne looked around her dining room, which hung with pale damask. ⦠On the wall, opposite the big windows which opened onto her pocket-handkerchief sized front garden, hung seven oil sketched of dancing acrobats. ⦠Usually they refreshed her spirit. Today they looked as animated as dolls.
One of my very favorite scenes is about ¾ of the way the way through âBlood and Circusesâ. It is a scene between Lizard Elsie and Miss Parkes (formerly of the circus) in their shared jail cell. Miss Parkes had been in a deep depression, not knowing whether or not you killed someone will do that to you, when Elsie gets sick and Miss Parkes takes care of her for several hours Miss Parkes seems to realize that there are people who need/care for her and she comes around. We all need to be needed.
This book is for anyone who enjoys a nice mystery. It's just the right length (208 pages) for a weekend spent indoors or at the beach. There are one or two semi-racy scenes and some mild violence so I wouldn't recommend this for anyone under 13. I'm already planning on loaning this book to my mother for her to enjoy.
I hope that you pick up âBlood and Circusesâ by Kerry Greenwood and enjoy it as much as I did.
5 stars
âBlood and Circusesâ is set in 1920's Australia. Phryne (pronounced Fry-knee) is asked by some âcarnie' friends of hers to help solve some suspicious happenings at Farrell's Circus and Wild Beast Show (the circus that their carnival trails). The final incident that pushes these friends to ask Phryne for her help is when one of the carnival âfreaks' is murdered in his boardinghouse.
Phryne is a terrific character. She's witty, down to earth; unlike some of the other characters in the book. Lizard Elsie is a crack up! There are 20's era gangsters, a strongman, trick riders, a magician, acrobats, clowns, so many fabulous people to meet in the circus and the carnival.
Kerry Greenwood's writing is wonderful. I was transported to 1920's Australia through her words. It really remind me of the feeling I get while reading an Agatha Christie, but being that the crime solver is a woman, it brought Miss Jane Marple to mind more so than Hercule Poirot. âPhryne looked around her dining room, which hung with pale damask. ⦠On the wall, opposite the big windows which opened onto her pocket-handkerchief sized front garden, hung seven oil sketched of dancing acrobats. ⦠Usually they refreshed her spirit. Today they looked as animated as dolls.
One of my very favorite scenes is about ¾ of the way the way through âBlood and Circusesâ. It is a scene between Lizard Elsie and Miss Parkes (formerly of the circus) in their shared jail cell. Miss Parkes had been in a deep depression, not knowing whether or not you killed someone will do that to you, when Elsie gets sick and Miss Parkes takes care of her for several hours Miss Parkes seems to realize that there are people who need/care for her and she comes around. We all need to be needed.
This book is for anyone who enjoys a nice mystery. It's just the right length (208 pages) for a weekend spent indoors or at the beach. There are one or two semi-racy scenes and some mild violence so I wouldn't recommend this for anyone under 13. I'm already planning on loaning this book to my mother for her to enjoy.
I hope that you pick up âBlood and Circusesâ by Kerry Greenwood and enjoy it as much as I did.
Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood is the sixth book in the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Phryne Fisher is home alone on a Sunday, and she is bored. Then the doorbell rings and she finds Samson, Alan Lee and their friends on her doorstep. They need Phryne's assistance with problems that are plaguing Farrell's Circus and Wild Beast Show. If the person behind these nasty incidents is not found, the circus may go under. Phryne agrees to go undercover as a trick rider if she can learn the routine in the next week. Meanwhile, Constable Tommy Harris responded to a call at Mrs. Witherspoon's boarding house on Brunswick Street. Mr. Christopher was found dead inside his room. Miss Amelia Parkes is arrested for his murder, but Tommy does not believe Miss Parkes committed the crime. Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is of a similar mind, but they need proof. Phryne with the help of her companion, Dot gets ready to join the circus as Fern Williams. Phryne needs clothes that are more aligned with her new station as a performer (no silks or satins for Fern). Phryne learns how to do tricks on a horse and is soon ready to set off with the others for Farrell's next performance. Tommy is out at night trying to get intel and quickly lands in hot water. Thankfully, Lizard Elsie comes to his rescue, patches him up and returns him to his police superiors. It turns out that the problems besetting the circus and the murder of Mr. Christopher are tied together. Jack quickly sets out for Farrell's latest location and hopes that he is not too late to save Phryne. See if Phryne makes it back home to Dot, Mr. & Mrs. Butler, and her extended family in Blood and Circuses.
Blood and Circuses is nicely written, but it is different from the prior books in the series. Phryne is not quite herself in this edition. I missed Phryne's engaging personality. She seemed more subdued and contemplative. I was, though, happy to see more of Jack in this novel. What I enjoy most is the interactions between Phryne and Jack. They are always fun and witty together. When you first start reading the story, there are two different storylines. They are eventually tied together and it all makes sense. It can be a little confusing in the beginning especially with the introduction of the two gang factions (Roy Boys and the Brunnies). The pace is sluggish as well (which always makes a book feel longer than it is). Figuring out the identity of the killer is not rocket science. I wish it had been more complicated (like the storylines). If you have watched the show that relates to this book, you will find it different in many regards (there are similarities). In a way, I preferred the show (I found it more entertaining). There is extreme violence and intimate relations included in Blood and Circuses. Phryne finds herself with two lovers in this book. I give Blood and Circuses 3.5 out of 5 stars. There is circus lingo that I found difficult to interpret. I did find the second half of the book more entertaining the first part (as the separate storyline tie together and there are fewer people to keep track of). While I did not find Blood and Circuses as enjoyable as the first five stories in the stories, I will definitely keep reading the series.
Blood and Circuses is nicely written, but it is different from the prior books in the series. Phryne is not quite herself in this edition. I missed Phryne's engaging personality. She seemed more subdued and contemplative. I was, though, happy to see more of Jack in this novel. What I enjoy most is the interactions between Phryne and Jack. They are always fun and witty together. When you first start reading the story, there are two different storylines. They are eventually tied together and it all makes sense. It can be a little confusing in the beginning especially with the introduction of the two gang factions (Roy Boys and the Brunnies). The pace is sluggish as well (which always makes a book feel longer than it is). Figuring out the identity of the killer is not rocket science. I wish it had been more complicated (like the storylines). If you have watched the show that relates to this book, you will find it different in many regards (there are similarities). In a way, I preferred the show (I found it more entertaining). There is extreme violence and intimate relations included in Blood and Circuses. Phryne finds herself with two lovers in this book. I give Blood and Circuses 3.5 out of 5 stars. There is circus lingo that I found difficult to interpret. I did find the second half of the book more entertaining the first part (as the separate storyline tie together and there are fewer people to keep track of). While I did not find Blood and Circuses as enjoyable as the first five stories in the stories, I will definitely keep reading the series.
Jody M. (jodymcgrath) -
Phryne is bored with all her riches and comforts so she jumps at the chance to go help an old friend at the circus. She goes undercover as a trick rider named Fern. Amazingly, this time she is all on her own. Phryne doesn't take any of her normal entourage with her and she goes mad trying to cope without them. She also learns how mean people are when you are not so rich and powerful. This confused me a lot. Phryne grew up poor. I know her life has been different for quite awhile, but we are always made to believe she enjoys the coarser things in life also. That she is an independent woman who can take care of herself. Here, she just floundered like a fish out of water.
Of course there was sex (clown sex be forewarned), violence, mystery and mayhem. The mystery fell a little short for me, but it wasn't bad. I just couldn't get over the horrible Phryne Fisher.
*I received a copy of this book and gave an honest review*
Of course there was sex (clown sex be forewarned), violence, mystery and mayhem. The mystery fell a little short for me, but it wasn't bad. I just couldn't get over the horrible Phryne Fisher.
*I received a copy of this book and gave an honest review*
