Flying Too High (Phryne Fisher Mystery, #2)

by Kerry Greenwood

Phryne Fisher is a likeable, charming and vibrant individual. She's kind and generous to those she meets, smart and logical when faced with problems or obstacles and adventurous in her dislike of boredom. She is brave and tenacious and brutal when faced with injustice.

A few deaths of distant relatives were all that stood between her life of poverty and her ascent into luxury at the age of 12 and she never takes her wealth and social standing for granted. The result of which is a kind and generous soul who is always willing to speak up for the victims, the downtrodden or the underdogs and one who relishes fine food, fine clothes and the myriad of pursuits open to her. Her open mindedness leads to an unique and vibrant cast pulled from all walks of life.

Being an Aussie and a proud Melbournian - the Melbourne setting was a highlight. Recognising the street names and places was fun. And Melbournians will understand the delight in recognising how strange our weather is to outsiders.

As far as the genre goes, I don't know if I'd really say it was crime or historical. I mean it is a historical period but it felt kind of modern. The crime was good but it was interspersed with character relationships. There was romance but none of it was meaningful or relevant. It was too lowbrow to be literary and too much reality to be chick lit. It's an odd mix that was an enjoyable read but likely not for everyone.

It's also fairly different from the tv show (and she's a lot younger in the books) but the main elements are present - like Phryne's love of clothes, her humour, confidence and loveable charming personality.

Character wise, I love them all! Phryne, Dot, Dr Elizabeth MacMillan, WPC Jones, Inspector Robinson, Bert and Cec, Mr and Mrs. Butler, they were all fantastic and had me giggling throughout. And I adore the way women are portrayed in this series. I love that all the female characters are strong willed and fierce and able to look after themselves - even when it doesn't always seem like it. I also really like how the cops aren't written as useless or inept - but rather unable to significantly help without someone willing to speak up and testify.

The second book was fantastic. I loved her new residence 221B The Esplanade, St Kilda and that she bought the house for the address, rather than coincidence . Mr and Mrs Butler were great additions to the team. I loved that Dot was debating how to bring up Phryne's sex life and then decided to just give it up as a Phryne problem. Poor Dot had enough to worry about with Phryne's flying stunts and her speedster driving ways.

The crimes were interesting and I enjoyed following the threads to the ending. I loved how Phryne managed the McNaughton's - the mother, her son Bill and his sister Amelia and her partner Paolo. Poor Bill got bossed around by everyone. I loved Phryne's convoluted plan to catch the abductors with the fluro paint and her clinging to the back of their car in order to create a trail for the plane to find and then signal the car following. It was amusing when Phryne realised she could've just made the bladder drip paint without her being present. But it was full of intrigue and was an interesting way to go about it. I love how badass Phryne is too. I loved the bit when she shoots the guy through the wrist. It was hilarious. The only thing funnier was Candida told her kidnappers off for not planning very well. And wasn't she a tough little thing. She might not have fully understood what was going on but she certainly was smart enough to be manipulating the situation and planning to find a way out. And I couldn't stop laughing reading that Phryne sent out for brown paper and delivered Sidney (the child molester) wrapped up with a note that said “For Detective-inspector Jack Robinson, Russell Street, Melbourne. A present from Phryne Fisher.” Greenwood, Kerry. Flying Too High (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries) (p. 135). Sourcebooks. Kindle Edition. Pure gold.

Overall I really enjoyed this. 4 stars.