One Bear's Opinion -- Book Review

Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood

Blood and Circuses is the sixth book in Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series.  I was introduced to this series by one of my housemates and I am so glad I was.  It's a fun series full of great, friendly characters and interesting situational plots.  It's also a great help for me because the series takes place in and around Melbourne and it's been helpful fitting the different areas of the city together for me; and since many of the landmarks are still where they were it's a big help.

There were two plots that seemed disconnected at first glance, but since most authors don't put trivial details in the books, I knew the two plots had to be connected in some way.  I was on the trail of the wrong murderer for most of the book, but I had the overall villain pegged from his introduction.

As this is the sixth book in the series, I a familiar with most of the recurring characters, and I missed them in this adventure.  Sometimes it's nice for new characters to come into the series, but I hope that the series does not fall into the trap of introducing main character's long-time friends only to never see them again.  It's frustrating to meet and get involved in characters only for them never to be mentioned again.  I am sure at some point, the series will have to go the way of all mysteries series and either start killing off beloved characters or introducing new ones only to be the victims/murderers.  It's a hazard of reading a mystery series, I suppose.

Like the previous Phryne Fisher adventures, this is an easy read, and definitely worth the time spent.  The best series are a collection of stand alone books that flow together as visits with old friends and the Phryne Fisher series is shaping up to be that kind of series.  I do not know how it will go when I get to the twentieth book in the series, but I am looking forward to finding out.

*** Special note:

It may be difficult to find this series in the US.  I know I have never seen it on bookstore shelves.  I know the series is available for Kindle, so if you have an e-book device you may have better luck than readers of old-fashioned paper books.  But even if you have to search for it, it is well worth the time and effort.  There are so many great authors who never make it to the shelves in American bookstores.

One Bear's Opinion:  Four Cups of Cocoa with Marshmallows and Ginger Biscuits

Happy Reading Everyone,

Oliver