Murder in Williamstown by Kerry Greenwood - Book Review

Series: Phryne Fisher #22 (Standalone)

Publication Date: 07th Nov 2023

Genre: Historical Cozy Mystery, Australia 

3.7 Stars 

One Liner: Entertaining 

Miss Phryne Fisher is back in action, handling multiple cases. Who is sending her threats? Who is the dead man found in Williamstown? What about the accounts in the Blind Institute? The first case is being handled by Tinker while Jane and Ruth (all three are her adopted kids) are dealing with the accounts. 

However, when Phryne attends the famous parties hosted by the mysterious Hong, there’s another tragedy to solve. As if things aren’t bad enough, Lin Chung, her paramour, seems to be at risk. Are the issues connected or independent? Can Phryne solve them before her life is in danger? 

The story comes in the third-person POV of different characters. 

My Thoughts: 

I saw Phyrne Fisher on Netflix before researching the series a couple of years ago. Then I read a collection of short stories (The Lady with the Gun Asks Questions) where I found out about the differences in both worlds. However, Phryne is the same – feisty, independent, fun-loving, quirky, and always ready to solve a crime. 

This is my first entry into the book series, even if it doesn’t feel that way. The book works as a standalone, but you will enjoy it more if you know a bit about our MC and her adopted family. 

The blurb gives you an idea about the multiple tracks. The actual case doesn’t even start until after 25%. The book takes quite a while to set the stage and provide the necessary information for the mysteries to develop. It worked for me since I could use that space to reacquaint myself with the characters. Series readers might find that this slows the pacing as nothing happens (yet something happens). 

There are some lighthearted moments and the trademark Phryne humor, though somehow, the character doesn’t seem fully there in the plot. Hard to explain. It’s as if the MC is not invested in the story but goes along for the sake of it. 

The mysteries are decent. Jane and Ruth (with Phryne’s help) solve the case at the Blind Institute while Tinker does his share of work on another mystery (which isn’t fully developed). 

The main mystery about the murder in Williamstown has enough to keep the reader guessing. The resolution may seem a bit unsatisfactory to some, but it makes sense in the context. 

The book does make use of the setting and the historical context well. The author’s notes at the end and bibliography provide more information about this. 

I like the details about Phryne’s dresses (her fashion choice is a treat to read). Scents and food are also found in a healthy portion. The book concludes with a party and some happy announcements, providing a satisfactory ending. 

To summarize, Murder in Williamstown is a steady-paced entertainer (I didn’t find this slow) with multiple mysteries and several characters. I can’t help but visualize the TV show when reading the book. Too bad that Jack doesn’t get much space in this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, for the eARC. 

#NetGalley #MurderinWilliamstown