Friday, January 11, 2013

Unnatural Habits by Kerry Greenwood



Three young girls, all pregnant and in a home for unwed mothers, walked out of the home and are missing.  Polly is a young, brave, upcoming reporter who wants to write more than women's articles.  She's searching for the girls.  Then she goes missing...

Poisoned Pen Press and Net Galley allowed me to download an ebook of this story for review (thank you).  It has been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

This story is set in 1929 and the detective is female.  A pretty female to be exact.  She has a Chinese lover, minions she's "adopted" to run her errands, and the ability of a chameleon to be whomever she wishes to act like to infiltrate places and people.  I like the Phryne Fisher character.  She's flamboyant, has a strong personality, and takes things into her own hands.  She's not afraid to visit a men's club that only allows gay men in the door.  She also has good contacts.  Having a cop friend and some hooligans who will help bad men have accidents is quite handy for her.

In 1929 women's rights weren't commonly recognized.  Any man could do whatever they wanted.  Phryne is determined to change that.  She manages to twist her way up and down the alleys of life in Melbourne working both sides of the law and comes up with a solution that improves her community.  

This was a good read.  Ms. Greenwood's words flow well and the crime is still existent in our present day.  As you read the book you'll wonder why things aren't that much better nowadays.

Happy reading.   

1 comment:

Jeff Rivera said...

This book, like all in the series, can be read without reading previous books. The author does an excellent job of bringing new readers up to date without any repetition.I also enjoyed the insight into Melbourne's queer history, afforded by the role of the Blue Cat Club in the narrative.
Phryne continues indomitable and this book was the same light entertainment as its predecessors.

Nonna Marie and the Case of the Lost Treasure by Lorenzo Carcaterra

As Nonna Maria's longtime friend and sometimes colleague, Captain Murino of the Ischian caribineri never wanted to see harm brought to t...