Queen of the Flowers

The circus is in town and St. Kilda is having its first Flower Festival parade, in which Phryne Fisher is to be Queen. The only problem at first is an unstable flower maiden but when malady spreads to include Phryne's own adopted daughter and the mystery deepens to something much more personal and dangerous, QUEEN OF THE FLOWERS really heats up. Libraries strong in mysteries will find it a thrilling addition. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

I admit I'm not caught up on the whole "Phryne" series, but I think this is my favorite so far. There's a load of suspense, yet it seems a little more, um, gentle? than some others. We also get to learn a lot of history on more than one regular character, which is nice. I don't know how else to say it other than "Queen of the Flowers" hit the spot!!

In 1928 the townsfolk of St. Kilda are euphoric as they prepare for the annual Queen of the Flowers gala. Socialite Phryne Fisher is especially looking forward to the festival receiving the honor of being name the Queen of the event. This means spending time buying fancy dresses and dining in top restaurants, a hardship that Phryne will suffer with relish though the elephant may be a bit too much even for a woman who tries anything. However, Phryne's adopted daughter, Ruth vanishes in search of her biological father after learning from her birthmother TB victim Anna Ross at the sanatorium who he is. Phryne has been hired by family friends in Melbourne to search for missing Rose Weston while she also plans to trace her adopted daughter. Her investigation proves stunning and shocking as she uncovers some horrific happenings. As always with this excellent Australian historical mystery series, the characters especially the nonparallel Phryne make for a strong period piece. The investigations are fun to follow as the heroine begins to find horrific occurrences that shake even her. However, it is the heroine and her support cast who bring late 1920s Australia to life that makes QUEEN OF FLOWERS and the rest of the Fischer saga some of the best recurring lighthearted investigative tales. Harriet Klausner