Murder in Williamstown (Phryne Fisher Mystery, #21)

by Kerry Greenwood

[Ace]

Review originally published at: https://www.acetaylor.id.au/book-review-murder-in-williamstown/

You would think that in a series as large of the Phryne Fisher novels are - Murder in Williamstown is book 22 - that the stories might start to get repetitive and boring, but it isn't the case with this series. Phryne Fisher, once again returns to the socialite world of Melbourne, this time as the Chinese find themselves embroiled in a cultural mystery involving secrets, murders and the never-ending racism they face in 1929, Melbourne.

Joined once again by Jane, Ruth and Tinker who set out on their own adventures, Phryne is otherwise joined mostly by a cast of other characters with DI Jack Robinson, Lin Chung making small appearances throughout the novel. While Robinson usually (grudgingly though) welcome Phryne's involvement in the crime, at this point in time he makes her swear not to become involved as the Chinese are best left to deal with it themselves. That isn't to say they were lacking in the story. With them, her children, Dot, Cec, Burt, as well as Mr and Mrs Butler returning to the cast of the book it very much felt like we never left them.

She tries to at least. Throwing herself into the social scene of the 1920s, Phryne is a famous, rich Flapper and Socialite who enjoys marching to the beat of her own drum not caring what others think of her. Despite trying to stay away from the mystery she still manages to become involved and solve the mystery in her own way.

This is the second book where we find her three adoptive children involved in their own mystery, and it was something I greatly enjoyed. Watching Ruth, Jane and Tinker come into their own as both characters and amateur sleuths was exciting to see.

Once again, Kerry Greenwood has delivered a fascinating book both in terms of the characters but also cultural world-building. It shows that she does a lot of research into what she is writing about, both the events, the character's culture and the global world, with this book including scattered references to a possible economic collapse, which will, as we know turn out to be the Great Depression. I truly cannot wait to see what she comes out with next. There's still so much of Melbourne of the 1920s that she has yet to explore.