Cocaine Blues - Review

Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Rating: 4 Stars

Description:  This is the first book in the Phryne Fisher series.  Hard nosed and logical Phryne solves a mystery at a dinner party and is quickly begged to go to Australia to check on a wealthy and influential couple's married daughter who has been ill under mysterious circumstances.  There she is embroiled in a hunt to catch a brutal and illegal abortionist and the primary cocaine distributor.  Along the way interesting side characters are introduced with Dr. Elizabeth MacDonald, Dot the maid looking for revenge, and 2 cabdrivers - Bert and Cec.

Genre: Mystery

My Impression:  I love the 1920s time period but have never been able to find a series that I really enjoyed.  I read some of Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series and while I enjoyed the first one I got tired of everything linking back to World War 1 and the emotional turmoil.  Greenwood's Fisher is much lighter without being silly.  Phyrne is very independent and quick thinking but with just enough commonsense and kindness to keep her from being too prickly.  The mystery was well done if a bit vague.  There is a lot of talking about clothes and fashion which I enjoyed and thought fit with Phryne's character and into the story line but some might find that tedious.  All in all I thought Greenwood presented an interesting character and setting and managed to not make the time period overwrought and silly.  I don't know why it took me so long to discover this one but it definitely won't take me as long to continue with the series!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Yes

Would I Recommend this Book?:  Yes - the Kindle edition is only $.99 right now!