In case you haven’t guessed, I’m a HUGE fan of cozy mysteries. I read about cozies, I watch cozies on television and I write cozies. So, I’m always on the lookout for new cozy mysteries. One of the series I watch is Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. This series is based on the novels written Kerry Greenwood and have been adapted for television by Deb Cox and Fiona Eagger.
The protagonist of the series is Phryne Fisher, a 1920’s private detective living in Melbourne, Australia. Phryne (pronounced Fry-knee) is independent, fearless and unconventional. She is witty, charming and clever; all great traits which help her solve countless mysteries.
I will admit I came across Greenwood’s books a bit backwards. Normally, I read a book and then see the movie. However, my first introduction to Miss Fisher has been through the television drama which has been played on PBS for several years now. Actress, Essie Davis does a fantastic job portraying the carefree and trendsetting Phryne Fisher so I hunted down the books.
If I have a criticism of the series, it is the same one that haunts a lot of cozy mysteries. Why would an amateur risk life and limb to solve a murder? The fact that Phyrne is a private detective should solve that problem. Unfortunately, it doesn’t; at least not always. A private detective should be hired by someone to solve a murder, find a missing person, or discover what mysterious deeds are going on that are threatening them in some way. Most of the time that’s what happens in this series. Phryne is hired by her wealthy friends to solve a mystery without involving the police. Or, she is contacted by the poor and downtrodden who feel they will not get a fair shake from the police. Sometimes however, she just arrives on the scene and wiggles in on Detective Inspector Jack Robinson’s cases with no client in sight. Similar to an ambulance chasing lawyer, Phryne shows up at a murder scene and begins investigating. Drumming up business? Maybe but it isn’t always explained (at least not in the television series). There is also a great deal of sexual tension between Jack Robinson and Phryne which might explain why she continues to show up at his murder investigations. In the episode I watched recently, Phryne’s assistant, Dorothy “Dot” Williams and her fiance, Constable Hugh Campbell, were meeting with her priest about their upcoming nuptials when a man enters and asked for the priest to come because his mother has been murdered. Before the constable can call the station, Dot calls Miss Fisher who arrives at the same time as the Detective Inspector.
Despite that one criticism, I enjoy the series. Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries pushes the envelope by portraying a beautiful, young, sexually free female private detective who is fearless and open minded. Phryne Fisher deals with issues of race, class, social injustice, homosexuality, women’s rights, and religious dogma with flair and style; without forgetting the purpose, solving the mystery. The series is well acted and cinematically beautiful. The costumes are lovely and Phryne is an interesting protagonist with depth and guts. Whatever comes her way, Phryne Fisher is up to the task and worth a look.