Murder in Montparnasse

By: Kerry Greenwood

Narrated by: Stephanie Daniel

Seven Australian soldiers, carousing in Paris in 1918, unknowingly witness a murder and their presence has devastating consequences. Ten years later, two are dead, under very suspicious circumstances.

Phryne's wharfie mates, Bert and Cec, appeal to her for help. They were part of this group of soldiers in 1918 and they fear for their lives and for those of the other three men. It's only as Phryne delves into the investigation that she, too, remembers being in Montparnasse on that very same day.

While Phryne is occupied with memories of Montparnasse past and the race to outpace the murderer, she finds troubles of a different kind at home. Her lover, Lin Chung, is about to be married. And the effect this is having on her own usually peaceful household is disastrous.

©2002 Kerry Greenwood (P)2002 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"Brimming with glamour, high life, and a hint of debauchery, Greenwood's series delivers a literary glass of champagne, lifting readers' spirits while tickling their fancies." (Booklist)

"Lady Phryne Fisher is a force of nature, unconventionally erotic and unequivocally nontraditional. Her household is controlled chaos, filled with her two adopted daughters, loyal staff, faithful sidekicks, and her remarkable Chinese lover. It is 1928. Ten years earlier, seven Australian soldiers witnessed a murder. Now two of them are dead, and the others are nervous. Phryne agrees to investigate the suspicious deaths, but examining that time period triggers painful personal memories of Paris in 1918, when she was an ambulance driver and artist's model. Narrator Stephanie Daniel does everything right. Her men range from louts to lovers. Her women are earthy, delicate as porcelain, or hard as steel. Kerry Greenwood's sparkling mystery series is original, funny, and superbly entertaining, and Daniel's treatment of some never-to-be-forgotten characters is spot-on." (AudioFile Magazine)

Awesome elegant story

This is engaging and interesting...the historical and social issues are presented so well . If you loved Sherlock...you will adore Miss Friday.

C'est tres bon

I loved every minute of it. One is not often able to read books set in 1920's Australia. The details of a city I know well as a modern 21 century city were delightful and accurate, the characters were wonderfully crafted and just as I would have imagined them to be in the 1920's.
Relaxing, fun, engaging ..... just made you smile and feel warm inside. Wonderful narrator who turned what could have been a very bland read into something well worth listening to. Congratulations - a job very well done.

Another brilliant Phryne Fisher mystery

Wonderful! We learn so much about our heroine. Well paced plot, hilarious social insights and a journey into Phryne's origin story in Paris, post WWI. Thoroughly enjoyed. Stephanie Daniels, as always, is perfect.

My Favorite Miss Fisher Book so far!

Stunningly well read! This book was amazing and I truly felt part of the story, visualizing the streets of Pairs, the cafes of Melbourne and all of the fabulous cars and clothes. A must read

Superb writing, flawless performance

Kerry Greenwood delivers again! I enjoyed the intimate and educational glimpses into world war one Paris, they were thoughtful, poignant, beautiful, and heart wrenching. I enjoyed imagining what kind of research was necessary to bring all of that so vibrantly to life. And Miss Stephanie Daniel‘s performance enriched every nuanced phrase.

Ps. I learn new vocabulary with almost every book, and I can’t tell you how satisfying that is to my English major’s soul!

War, Murder, and Social Comedy

Bert and Cec along with five other Australian soldiers are drinking and having a good time in Paris in 1918 when the seven witnessed a murder. Now a decade later, Bert, Cec and one of the other five Johnnys are concerned that someone is killing them off one at a time. At the inquest, two died allegedly accidentally when Maccie drowned in an irrigation ditch and Conger's van fell on him while he was fixing it. The three mates think otherwise as counter evidence disputes the official findings.
The men discuss their belief with Phryne Fisher, renowned for her investigative skills. Phryne's inquiries into the seven and a seemingly unrelated case involving a missing fiancée that somehow goes back to 1918 in the Montparnasse section of Paris too also links back to her own past in the same locale at the same time. Regardless of her memories, a murderer is on the loose and must be stopped before anyone else dies.
MURDER IN MONTPARNASSE is an exciting historical mystery that brings to life the late 1920s and a perspective from that point back to the end of World War One in Paris. The story line engages the audience due to the star as she plunges deep into the investigation while memories of her own waif lifestyle in 1918 Paris flash through her mind and her personal woes spin somewhat out of control. The support cast either enhances the who-done-it or brings insight into what makes Phryne tick. Phryne has starred in other adventures so that anyone who reads this delightful tale will seek other works starring a wonderful protagonist.

Good

Another winding journey to find the truth and what a journey. Things are changing but all seems in control. Great narrative as usual

One of the best!

This (#12) is one of the best of the Phryne Fisher mysteries, not that it is a great mystery, but because it gives so much insight into Phryne and her background. She was an ambulance driver in WWI from the age of 17, and when the war ended in 1918, she settled for a time in Paris and became an artists' model.

Lovely story, great background, and important in understanding how Phryne became the strong person that she is. Very much recommended.

Stephanie Daniel does her usual excellent job with voices and accents.

What Fun !!

I love these mysteries. They're funny, mysterious, entertaining and and a little tongue in cheek. I do alot of long drives and these are perfect.

Superb story with mysteries and puzzles within

Loved this addition to the Phryne Fisher mystery series. The stories are very well-written, suspenseful and with mysteries and puzzles within each other like Russian matrushka dolls. This one also looks back to Phryne’s years in Paris after World War One and the 1918 flu epidemic. Listening to this in Summer 2020 is somehow apropos as we face another pandemic. But all mysteries and puzzles end with happiness and justice delivered. A great read!