Book review - Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Genre, Published:
Mystery/amateur detective, 2005 (republished)
Synopsis:
The London season is in full fling at the end of the 1920s, but the Honourable Phryne Fisher is rapidly tiring of the tedium of arranging flowers, making polite conversations with retired colonels, and dancing with weak-chinned men. Instead, Phryne decides it might be rather amusing to try her hand at being a lady detective in Melbourne, Australia. Almost immediately from the time she books into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned wives and cocaine smuggling rings being amongst the day-to day-events....
What did I think?
One thing first: A big thank you to Cathy for mentioning these in her blog, I'm indebted!
This is the first of the Phryne (pronounced fry-knee) Fisher novels - there are 15 so far and hopefully more to come. If the others are as good, I'll be collecting all of them. I was not too sure to start with, the style of writing means that events move fast, and initially I found it awkward. One minute Phryne was doing something, the next she was somewhere else. Either I got used to it or it only affected the first few pages, as once I got beyond the first half chapter I was hooked! It's a surprisingly meaty read - 204 pages but it seemed like more. Maybe it's because so much is packed in. It's different too - Phryne is not your average 1920s girl! Lots of action and adventure and lots of beautiful fashion descriptions. And a wonderful insight into what 1920s Australia might have been liked. I really enjoyed it.
Oh, and a last note - the jacket is gorgeous. In fact, all the artworks for this series are lovely. Go here to see!
Would I recommend?
Yes definitely! I thought it was a great read.
Would I read again?
Probably. I'll definitely get the next in the series!
Score?
4 out of 5.