The Lady with the Gun Asks the Questions by Kerry Greenwood

In these uncertain, pandemic, times when it can be hard for even the most focussed fiction reader to concentrate, this book of 17 short stories fits the bill entirely. Whilst each story features (of course) the wondrous Phryne Fisher, her household inhabitants, Detective Jack Robinson and PC Hugh Collins make appearances as wonts need.

The author, with honesty, confirms that 13 of the stories first made their appearance in 2007’s A Question of Death and this is true but if you, like me, absorbed and enjoyed that collection of short stories, well that was 14 years and many adult beverages ago. This current edition is slickly plotted, polished, dripping with wry humour as only the Hon Miss Fisher can summon and with a happy ending to each.

Set in Melbourne of the late 1920s each story’s physical background is genuine, from the working girls’ haunts of South Melbourne to certain back streets of the city and their hard-on-the-feet bluestone paving. The historical research of Miss Fisher’s world is always spot on, and greatly appreciated especially by readers born and/or raised in Melbourne.

As always, thoroughly enjoyed.

Reviewed by Belinda Coombs
Mystery and Crime Reading Group