Murder and Mendelssohn

A Phryne Fisher Mystery

By: Kerry Greenwood

Narrated by: Stephanie Daniel

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

An orchestral conductor has been found dead and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson needs the delightfully incisive and sophisticated Miss Fisher's assistance. Hugh Tregennis has been murdered in a most flamboyant mode by a killer with a point to prove. But how many killers is Phryne really stalking?

At the same time, the dark curls and disdainful air of mathematician and code-breaker Rupert Sheffield are taking Melbourne by storm. They've certainly taken the heart of Phryne's old friend from the trenches of WWI, John Wilson. Phryne recognises Sheffield as a man who attracts danger and is determined to protect John from harm. While Mendelssohn's 'Elijah,' memories of the Great War, and the science of deduction ring in her head, Phryne's past must also play its part as MI6 become involved in the tangled web of murders.

©2013 Copyright © Kerry Greenwood 2013. (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd, 2013

Critic reviews

"Greenwood's strength lies in her ability to create characters that are wholly satisfying: the bad guys are bad, and the good guys are great." ( Vogue)

great story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I love this character and her collection of friends and relatives. The stories are always interesting and intricate.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder and Mendelssohn?

I like how Phryne puts herself in harms way, she is a pip!

Starchy mystery accompanies KG's take on Sherlock

I didn't know it was possible for one person to feel so polarised about something. But I am!

Usually it requires two individuals of opposite opinions to polarise a subject, but somehow, after a couple of hours consideration I've decided I have very dichotomous views about this book. I loved some aspects and really quite disliked others. If I'm brutally honest, if this were a first book in a series, rather than the 20th (and therefore at a stage where I already have a deep connection with the characters) I'm not 100% certain I would have continued the series. I think this book is not a good introduction to Phryne for non-fans, and deviates a little from the perfected formula enough to perturb her loyal fans. It certainly won't make me throw down my Phryne Fisher Fan Club membership card in disgust, but it didn't make me feel like I needed to press "Play Again" as almost every other Phryne novel did.

On the one hand I loved the return of Phryne, as I knew I would. And Phryne was as she ever was; fun and sassy, and meddlesome in her very enjoyable way, and Stephanie Daniel's narration was stellar as always. I also enjoyed the Sherlock-ian story line. By its very nature, a Sherlock theme is not original, but Kerry does a wonderful job of portraying a Sherlock as SHE imagines him (fans of the BBCs Sherlock will have no trouble imagining BC in the role of Rupert). And I think her style of book really has been begging for the opportunity to take a dig at the Sherlock method, so I enjoyed this aspect of the novel immensely. I also thought that the back story of the things Phryne got up to during the war were great, if a little "out of the blue".

Regarding the the bits I did not enjoy (as much): I, like many other readers, was disappointed with the increase in the detailed sex scenes, scenes that I only appreciate listening to when they add to the context of the story. As many of the scenes were filler, (likewise the increase in Phryne's inner dialogue regarding handsome men she'd like to "tumble") I found these scenes to detract from the story rather than add to it. Don't get me wrong - Kerry manages to sound more tasteful than any other author I've read who includes these sorts of scenes, but even done tastefully it didn't interest me. All that said - one presumes that she is under pressure from publishers to include/increase this sort of content as there has a been a HUGE surge in adult content books in the last 2 years, and I suppose the publishers must feel that these sorts of scenes have become necessary to maintain sales, because Kerry has never furnished her novels with such a quantity of "romance" before. In reality, accumulated they account for less than 30 minutes of an 11.5 hour story, so not really voluminous, just more than necessary.

The mystery... well, the mystery was much more the sideline story here than the driving plot line. After I got over waiting for a cracker mystery to unfold, and simply sat back to enjoy the character/Sherlock story line, I enjoyed the book a lot more. In this case, the mystery is just like starch, or emulsifiers in chocolate - necessary to bind the story as a whole and bulk it up a bit, but not really important to your enjoyment of the book. If you go in with low mystery expectations, and simply aim to enjoy the characters you'll feel less disappointed with this book.

On a final note, in a previous review for Unnatural Habits I mentioned that I thought Kerry had done a fantastic job of maintaining the character of Phryne, and she still portrayed a wonderful Phryne in this novel (if more sexy) - for me I felt that this book demonstrated a character change in another key character, and one wonders if a little of the TV show portrayal of said character has rubbed off on Kerry and altered her representation of them? After all, she writes for the TV show as well, so such a change would be understandable. I won't say any more to bias you, listen and see for yourself. After all, it is still a Phryne novel, still an enjoyable listen, and I still recommend it, despite the negative aspects commented here.

Stellar

Beautifully written, imagined and read. Miss Fisher would truly be the best kind of girlfriend to have. She's smart. She knows what she wants. She gets the love and affection she desires. She's brilliantly fashionable. All the things you want in a good Girl Friend. I love these stories!

Adore Phryne!

Phryne and her regular cast of characters are wonderfully drawn, and it is always a delight to see each of them pop up and contribute their own unique traits, skills and personalities to her stories.

The setting of time and place is fun, and I especially appreciate the fact that it affords Ms. Greenwood ample opportunity to address social issues of the day... many of which remain as relevant as ever today!

This story was rich with layers, more complex... with competing plots... and more characters to keep track of than usual. I especially enjoyed the introduction and development of some key characters specific to this story and found the conclusion of the various threads very satisfying.

If you, as I, are not very familiar with the choral works it can be a little overwhelming and even tedious at times. While I generally find Ms. Daniels narration to be quite good at capturing the host of characters, I found her reading of the lyrics and singing rather grating at times. However, an admirable job overall, and a credit well spent!

very riveting story

I always find that I learn a lot about our Australian past and what the solders and medical teams had to put up with during the war times.

Another delightful book by Ms. Greenwood!

I continue to enjoy each of Kerry Greenwood's books. They are so much fun and the narrator is spot on with all accents, French dialogues, German phrases & SINGING too. I felt the 1920s come to life with a wonderful touch of Mendelssohn. A mystery to Enjoy!

Goodbye Phryne & Sherlock, funny to see you here

I've been a fan of Phryne for a long time, but I don't feel like continuing with the series. This book has been rather disappointing.

Yes, there is a mystery. And when both Phryne and Rupert admit they cannot solve it, I do not find it surprising at all. Because nobody is even trying to solve it. Instead the whole novel seems to centered on Phryne's efforts to bring together the mathematician Rupert Sheffield, who goes around lecturing on the art of deduction, and John Wilson, an ex-army doctor. I did not need to wait for the afterword to figure out that I am reading fanfiction. It is undoubtedly a very good example of a particular genre. Unfortunately, I am not a huge fan of that genre or that pairing. Having it feature so prominently in the book annoyed me not just as a fan of Phryne but as a fan of Sherlock too.

The rest of the book seems to be mostly about Phryne's other conquests told to the accompaniment of bawdy songs and orgies. The other familiar characters - Dot, Hugh, Jack Robinson barely register. The last one only appears in the Lestrade fashion to demonstrate his full incompetence and to have everything explained to him.

not one but two!

An excellent read. I sadly guessed the murderer after his first maligning comment. I must be listening to too many of these. Miss Fisher assists an old friend pining reach and be accepted by the one he loves. I'm truly here for the love curve balls.I will go as far to add the word, inclusion, hopefully that doesn't turn off die hard listeners.

Not Greenwood's Best Work

Would you try another book from Kerry Greenwood and/or Stephanie Daniel?

Yes, I'm normally a huge fan.

If you’ve listened to books by Kerry Greenwood before, how does this one compare?

Unfortunately I have to agree with many of the other criticisms of this story. The basic plot was good, but too long and drawn out. The frequent and gratuitous sexual scenes were very distracting. I felt that this novel was as much about promoting the gay lifestyle as it was solving a murder. For Phryne to sleep with a bi sexual man, even an old dear friend, did not add to the story. I much prefer Phyne's respectful tolerance of lifestyles different from her own, rather than looking like she's pushing an agenda. Her respectful tolerance trait is common in her other novels.

What three words best describe Stephanie Daniel’s voice?

very talented narrator, not a sololist

Did Murder and Mendelssohn inspire you to do anything?

I almost never write negative reviews, I just keep my opinions to myself. But being that the Phryne Fisher Murder series is my all time favorite series, I felt the need to speak up.

Any additional comments?

I'd like to see Ms Greenwood refocus on plot development and leave frequent sexual scenes to the romance writers. In the tv series, the way the sexual tension is developed and romantic scenes portrayed is very tasteful and appealing to me. If singing is required, dub in talented soloists.

Entertaining

Always a fun ride with Miss Fischer and the gang. Her sexy charm and pushiness never fail to make make me laugh and gasp out loud. Thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook.