Crime TV: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries

Review by: Kylie Fox

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries may be the new kid on the crime TV block but the lead character, The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, is hardly new to many of us.

The brain child of the most fabulous Kerry Greenwood, the Phryne Fisher mysteries have been in print since 1989 with nineteen titles in the series so far – and seemingly no end in sight to the heroines adventures.

Greenwood herself had plenty of creative control in bringing her books to the small screen – even having the final word on the actress to play Phryne. And boy does it pay off. Essie Davis is wonderful as the witty, strong and oh-so-stylish Miss Fisher.

The characters come to life on the screen, transporting us to 1920’s Melbourne in style. The atmosphere, the attitudes, the sets, and the fashions (what I wouldn’t give to raid that wardrobe department!) are done to perfection.

The first episode, premiered tonight (Friday Feb 24), Cocaine Blues, opened with a bang. Well, perhaps not a bang – but a poisoning! We are privy to a maid running away in some sort of “trouble” and the man of the house collapsing and dying on his bathroom floor.

In true Phryne style, the episode delivers us a multitude of possible culprits and even more possible motives. Phryne can’t help herself but get involved in not one, but two, crimes – possibly connected – and investigates them the only way she knows how. She launches head long into them but all without misplacing a hair on her head.

Naturally the case is solved by the conclusion of the episode but there are two further threads to tantalise us and ensure we tune in in subsequent weeks.

The first, this episode ends with Phryne declaring a toast to her new line of business, much to the chagrin of the local detective inspector. Lady Detective!

The second, is the mystery surrounding Phryne’s own sister – presumed murdered by a man imprisoned for other crimes. Will Phryne get the justice she needs?

If you missed this week’s episode, you missed a treat, but it is available on iView to catch up. But be sure to watch next week, 8:30pm Friday on ABC.


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NEWS FROM SISTERS IN CRIME, AUSTRALIA

Crime lovers, particularly those of us in Melbourne, have some dates to mark on their calendars. Sisters in Crime apologise that there are fewer events throughout the year – but it’s with good reason. SheKilda 2 is coming!!! Featuring the best crime fiction talent from around the country (including, of course, our very own Marianne Delacourt), this is the convention that all lovers of crime MUST attend. October 7 – 9, 2011.

SheKilda Again, marks the 20th Anniversary of Sisters in Crime Australia and will include panels and workshops with all of your favourite Aussie crime authors. And, some very special international guests too:  Margie Orford – South Africa, Vanda Symon – New Zealand and, Shamini Flint from Singapore.

The new website for the event which will include all the exciting news of the event will be launched on Friday May 20 at SinC event, Courting Justice (see below).

8pm FRIDAY MAY 20, 2011: COURTING JUSTICE

Three of Victoria’s top female legal eagles bring experience, verve and humour (and many tales) to a debate about where you go for justice when faced with a legal issue, whether it’s a neighbourhood dispute, settling a will or a (nasty or very nasty) accusation? Who does what and what can (and does) happen?

Interrogating the judges is true crime author and novelist, Robin Bowles.

Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth has served on the Supreme Court of Victoria since 2004 and is a former Rhodes Scholar and Senior Counsel.  She has sat in a broad range of civil and criminal trials and appeals including the recent trial of serial killer, Peter Dupas, for the murder of Mersina Halvagis.

Judge Liz Gaynor was a defence barrister before becoming a judge in the County Court in 2002.  In last year’s ‘Punji hunting’ case, she declared that some boys ”ought to be “put in a dark   cupboard at 16 and brought out again at age 25”. She is a different sort of judge (and frequent debater) in the annual Ned Kelly Crime Writing Awards.

Jelena Popovic, Deputy Chief Magistrate, was appointed to Magistrates’ Court of Victoria in 1989 after ten years in practice as a solicitor. She is passionate about the significant role of the Magistrates’ Court in our community, particularly its role in problem-solving and reducing crime. An advocate of “therapeutic jurisprudence”, she’s interested in how factors like disability, drugs, mental health, homelessness and Aboriginality impact on defendants in the criminal justice system.  She is the Co-ordinating Magistrate of the Koori Court and has court portfolio responsibility for the Criminal Justice Diversion Program.

NOTE: New venue: The Rising Sun Hotel, corner Raglan Street & Eastern Road, South Melbourne (cnr Coventry). Mel 57, H2.Try 112, 55 or St Kilda Road trams. Free on-street parking after 6pm.

Entry is $5 for SinC members, $10 for non-members. Dinner can be purchased from the venue before the event.

Tuesday May 24, 2011: Where (and How and Why) Crime Fiction

Gets It Wrong

(Part of the 2011 Bayside Literary Festival)

True crime author & Brighton resident Vikki Petraitis has rounded up some of the usual (often unusual) suspects to spill the beans. She interrogates a judge, a true crime writer and a novelist on where (and how and why) crime on the page and screen contrasts so wildly with what really happens in real life:

Judge Liz Gaynor was a defence barrister before becoming a judge in the County Court in 2002. She is a different sort of judge in the annual Ned Kelly Crime Writing Awards.  She’s outspoken, funny, fair and very, very smart.

Liz Porter, a Brighton resident journalist Liz Porter is the author of Written On The Skin: An Australian Forensic Casebook (Pan Macmillan), a joint winner of the 2007 Ned Kelly Award for best true crime book. Her latest work, Cold Case Files: Past crimes solved by new forensic science, published by Pan Macmillan in May, features cases from Australia, the UK and the US.  Murder and DNA are recurring themes, but the book also covers mysteries involving art fraud, the mysterious death of an Egyptian mummy and the authorship of Bach’s cello suites.  Info: http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781742610092&Author=Porter,%20Liz

P D (Phillipa Deanne) Martin has written five novels featuring ex-pat FBI criminal profiler Sophie Anderson, all of which have received glowing reviews in Australia and overseas. To date, the series has been published in thirteen countries. She’s also written an ebook. To date, the series has been published in thirteen countries. She’s contributed to a true crime anthology titled Meaner than Fiction.  Info: www.pdmartin.com.au

7.30-9pm, Tuesday May 24 — Brighton Savoy Hotel, 150 The Esplanade, Brighton Cost: $15.Bookings (from early May): www.bayside.vic.gov.au/literaryfestival

PHRYNE FISHER TV SERIES – seeking extras

http://www.everycloudproductions.com.au/news/p/16

Every Cloud Productions:We are excited to announce an opportunity for Phryne fans to get involved in the production.
We are looking for people interested in working as extras on the series, which is set in 1920s Melbourne.
Our casting department is looking for men and women over the age of 18. Of course, the ‘look’ of the 1920s is a world away from 2011, so we would not be able to cast anyone with gel nails, any obvious hair colouring or hair extensions, any visible tattoos or piercings or fake tans. Men would have to be prepared to have their hair cut in the period style.
If you are interested in working as an extra please email gow.martine@abc.net.auwith your full name, age, contact details, measurements (chest, waist, hips, shoe) and two photos of yourself (a head shot and a full body shot).

Become a Facebook friend of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries or see here for any updates and upcoming Phryne news!

CARMEL BIRD SHORT FICTION COMPETITION

http://shortaustralianstories.com.au/submissions/

Spineless Wonders are calling for short fiction submissions, to 3,000 words, open theme. Closing date is 31 July, 2011.

First Prize – $500
Two runners up – $100 each

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