The Green Mill Murder

Kerry Greenwood
Poisoned Pen Press (2007)
ISBN 1590582403
Reviewed by A.J. Cooper for Reader Views (2/07)

Phryne Fisher is an eccentrically wealthy and fun character. She enjoys solving mysteries and doesn't hesitate to leap right in and help her friend Detective Inspector Robinson. The book opens in a dance hall with two couples battling to stay on their feet to win a car. All of a sudden one of the men collapses at the feet of Phryne and the mystery begins and the dance competition is won by one extremely exhausted couple. Phryne was at the dance hall to listen and dance to some good music. Phryne's dance partner Charles is so shocked to find out that the man that has fallen has actually been killed. When Charles sees the blood he flees to the men's room. Charles completely disappears from the dance hall and it looks like he may be involved in the murder.

While Phryne is waiting to give her statement to the inspector, she starts talking to a one of the band members that she finds completely attractive, Tintagel Stone. Phryne agrees to meet Mrs. Freeman to help her find her son Charles. In the process Phryne agrees to search for Charles's older brother Victor who was in a great war and came back not quite the same and then disappeared. Along the way Phryne receives mysterious calls at her home and visits a strange man where she discovers that Charles is not what he seems. She finally convinces Charles to turn himself in to the police and clear himself. Phryne does all of these things while always being dressed in the best society has to offer. She likes to drive fast and has friends in all walks of life. She has romantic liaisons with two men in the book. She discovers Victor's last location and must fly into a remote mountainous area of Australia. The flight is very risky due to the size of her plane and the treacherous mountains.

“The Green Mill Murder” would be enjoyable to anyone who enjoys a mystery. It would appeal to all ages and could be a timeless story. I enjoyed all of the twists and turns and finding out little tidbits about Phryne's personal life. It was a grand adventure that I would recommend to anyone. I would also read other mysteries involving this character. The book is easy to read and fun to try and figure out the end. I was totally surprised at the ending and sorry that there was not more to read. The book was not completely spelled out and left something for the imagination to wander through and figure out.

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