The Green Mill Murder

 The Green Mill Murder (1993) by Kerry Greenwood

All Phryne Fisher wants is to enjoy an evening of jazz and dancing in the company of a presentable partner--which Charles Freeman is, even though he's not the most spectacular of partners (and has an overbearing mother in the background, to boot). The evening is going well--the music at the Green Mill, Melbourne's premier dance hall, has been excellent, she's been suitably admired in her beautiful lobelia-colored dress, and there's been plenty of people-watching to do during the dance competition that has entered its 48th hour. Everything's good...until one of the men in the last two competition couples falls at her feet, dead from a stab to the heart. 

Phryne's favorite policeman, Detective Inspector Jack Robinson, is called in to investigate, but the case is going to be a tricky one. The place is immediately searched and there is no weapon to be found. It seems that no one near enough to the dead man could have stabbed him...and even if they could have, what did they do with the long, thin knife? Meanwhile, Phryne's escort has taken a powder and even though she doesn't believe Charles had the nerve or the gumption to murder anyone, she knows he must be found. Especially when his mother hires Phryne to find her son...well, actually not just one son but two. 

It seems that Charles' elder brother Victor (whom Mrs. Freeman has long said died in the war) really came home. He was "damaged" from shell-shock and disappeared into the wilderness of the mountain country. Mr. Freeman has recently died and Victor must be found to clear up matters of inheritance. Phryne is shocked to realize that Mrs. Freeman would rather that "Vic" be found to have died--because then everything would come to her and Charles. But Phryne can't resist a mystery and sets off to find both men. 

The trail leads through the smoky jazz clubs, into the arms of a muscular banjo player, and up into the air as she makes a quick plane jump to the mountain country. It all ends with danger on the edge of the mountain (and Phryne's triumph with the aid of a potato-hungry wombat) and the unmasking of the culprit back at the jazz club where it all began.

This entry into the Phryne Fisher adventures starts with a bang (well a cornet solo, anyway) and a murder right off the bat. It's a quite normal romp through Miss Fisher's Australia, moves at high speed, and has adventures & romance galore. I love the Phryne series, but while this one is a perfectly fine addition to her cases it doesn't rank with the best. There is basically one clue to the murder--which, if you miss it the first time, is repeated several times--I guess to make up for the fact that there aren't any others. The culprit is obvious and I didn't feel like Phryne did near as much detecting as in other mysteries. 

But it is still fun to follow her around through Melbourne and the Australian countryside. I enjoy the descriptions of her fabulous wardrobe and the beautiful scenery on the mountainside. It made for a very pleasant, quick read. ★★★ and 1/4.

First line: It was eleven by the Green Mill's clock when the cornet player went into a muted reprise in "Bye Bye Blackbird," and one of the marathon dancers plunged heavily and finally to the floor at Phryne Fisher's feet.

Last line: Phryne let go the breath she had been holding and started to laugh/
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Deaths = 3 (one stabbed; one natural; one hit on head)