Cocaine Blues (Phryne Fisher 1) – Kerry Greenwood.

Reviewed by: Cecilia Jansink

The Honourable Phryne (pronounced fry-nee) Fisher is certainly not your typical amateur sleuth. Then again the delightful, unflappable and just a tad crazy Aussie born gentry isn’t your typical anything. The 1920’s was a decade known for its decadence, darkness and rule flaunting and even in an era where women started taking the bull by the horns, Phryne firmly makes her mark.

Phryne decides to leave the stuffiness of English society for the excitement of Melbourne, Australia. After all it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective. But not even Phryne expected so much action so quickly. There are backyard abortionists to nab, possible poisonings to prevent and a cocaine ring to dismantle. Hold on to your hat; this is one exotic and erotic adventure.

I had been dying to get my hands on this series after reading Greenwood’s work previously and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. This is a truly delectable new take on the classic detective tale in the traditions of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple but with a strong girl power twist. The 1920’s have never been so racy and addictive.

Greenwood’s style of storytelling is all encompassing and so vividly rich that you are automatically swept away with the action and drama. The pace is fast and flows flawlessly from one twist to the next. The mystery is impeccably woven and the red herrings will continually keep you guessing and wondering just how our Miss Fisher puts it all together so seamlessly.

From the very first time you make Phryne’s acquaintance you will find yourself thoroughly invested in her world, even if you’re not quite sure what to make of her. And the colourful array of characters certainly doesn’t end with our “lady detective”. There’s the delightful Dr MacMillan with her men’s clothes and no- nonsense approach to the male hypocrisy rife at the time.  A wonderful reminder that once women had to fight tooth and nail for the choices we take for granted. Then there are the roguish Bert and Cec, the red ragger taxi drivers who soon become her investigative assistants and prove themselves more than handy in a pinch.  And of course Phryne’s maid and social secretary the delightful Dot, who in true Phryne style came into her employ in the most unusual of circumstances.

If you haven’t entered Phryne’s wonderful world of mayhem yet, you will soon get the chance to make her acquaintance in the “flesh” on the small screen with the T.V adaptation coming to ABC1 sometime this year. But for those of you who don’t want to wait,  discover the magic from the very beginning in “Cocaine Blues”.

Cocaine Blues- Kerry Greenwood

Poisoned Pen Press

ISBN: 9781590583852

175 Pages

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Too Sharp has been slated for a September 2012 release. Thank you for your patience, waiting for it. I promise you, you’ll have fun when you read it!

Will share a cover as soon as I have one!

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Reviewed by Krista Mckeeth

Number one bestselling author Janet Evanovich teams up with award-winning author Dorien Kelly to deliver a sparkling novel of romantic suspense, small-town antics, secretive sabotage, and lots and lots of beer.

Kate Appleton needs a job. Her husband has left her, she’s been fired from her position as a magazine editor, and the only place she wants to go is to her parents’ summer house, The Nutshell, in Keene’s Harbor, Michigan. Kate’s plan is to turn The Nutshell into a Bed and Breakfast. Problem is, she needs cash, and the only job she can land is less than savory.

Matt Culhane wants Kate to spy on his brewery employees. Someone has been sabotaging his company, and Kate is just new enough in town that she can insert herself into Culhane’s business and snoop around for him. If Kate finds the culprit, Matt will pay her a $20,000 bonus. Needless to say, Kate is highly motivated. But several problems present themselves. Kate despises beer. No one seems to trust her. And she is falling hard for her boss. Can these two smoke out a saboteur, save Kate’s family home, and keep a killer from closing in…all while resisting their undeniable attraction to one another? Filled with humor, heart, and loveable characters, Love in a Nutshell is delicious fun.

Published January 3rd 2012 by Macmillan Audio

I have come to learn that Janet has some similarities in most of her stories. A girl, down on her luck, broke and single. With her newest novel Love in a Nutshell she keeps these similar themes as a newly divorced Kate, has moved back to her family home called “The Nutshell” she intends on restoring it and turning it into a bed and breakfast.

Without any money to do repairs and the added frustration that she only has 4 months to restore it and pay current the landlord’s fees, she turns to the local bar owner Matt, for a job. It so happens that Matt is currently trying to figure out who is trying to sabotage his business, so after some determined arguing from Kate, he agrees to higher her with the condition that if she finds out who is behind the incidents that she will get the $20, 000 bonus.

As Kate is trying to make friends at work and figure out who does what around there, Matt and his family and other business dealings are introduced to us as well. We get to see each of their personalities with some humor and take interest in their lives and what they are going through. In my opinion Matt’s character stood out the most in this story. He is a level headed businessman that also has heart and cares for others. He reminded me a lot of Sam Merlot from the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Kate on the other hand seems so involved in everything going on around her, playing detective, dealing with her divorce and money issues that for the majority of the book the real mystery and detective work is really downplayed. When the story really starts rolling and things begin happening is really where all the fun is and Kate gets herself into some funny, sad and dangerous situations.

The audio book is told from both characters (Matt and Kate) perspectives, and I really enjoyed that their personalities came through strongly. However, I’m going to admit I found Matt’s side of the story more interesting.

Kate comes across as being really unsure of what her future holds, but for the next four months, she is going to fight tooth and nail to show that she can accomplish the restoration of The Nutshell. Matt on the other hand, has great family support, is really well off with several businesses and a even though somebody is out to sabotage him, has a lot of good friends.

The relationship builds slowly between the two and when it does, there is really no sex or mature content in the book.  It is a fun, light read with a fantastic climatic and dramatic ending.

Listen to a sample of Love in a Nutshell

Thanks to MacMillan Audio for the sample.

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