Death in Daylesford
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley November 24, 2020
Author Kerry Greenwood
Distributor: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 9781743310342
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Release Date: November 2020
Website: https://www.allenandunwin.com
FaceBook:
YouTube:
Instagram:
X Formally Twitter:
After a mysterious invitation arrives from a certain Captain Herbert Spencer, whom runs a spa for shell shocked soldiers of the First World War arrives The Hon Fryne Fisher and her trusted assistant Dot, are preparing for a week away in the country regions of Hepburn Springs,. This uninvited invitation intrigues Fryne as she wonders why he has sent such to her. With nothing much happening, she decides it is time she took a holiday and that she and Dot would drive; an idea Dot finds somewhat terrifying.
After settling in at the Mooltan guest house at Hepburn Springs, Fryne spends a pleasant evening with Captain Spencer enjoying excellent food and wine, also learning much about the Spa and the healing powers of the program he has developed. She also accepts an invitation to make use of the spa facilities.
A highland gathering is to be held in neighbouring Daylesford the next day, which Fryne and Dot attend, with some devastating results, results that set the scene for a week of anything but relaxation and a holiday. Secrets large and small seem to surround the town of Daylesford and by association Hepburn Springs and before too long Fryne and Dot find themselves deep in trying to solve what seems to be a series of perfect murders!
Meanwhile back in Melbourne Tinker, Sid and Cec have fished a body of young girl out of the river; a girl who appears to have been murdered, a girl both Jane and Ruth know well from School. Detective Jack Robinson has been seconded to a special project, being replaced with Acting Detective Inspector Fraser, a man not known for his intelligence, a situation Collins finds almost incomprehensible.
The body of the girl and her apparent murder is the first case to cross the hapless Acting Inspectors desk, and it is but a short few hours in time when Collins realises that if the family of Claire are going to have any clarity about what happened to their only child, he and Tinker, along with the girls may have to discover the truth.
Kerry Greenwood has returned the indomitable Fryne Fisher to the pages with yet another well planned series of murders to be solved, with a second string to the story, which while not strong enough to be a stand-alone story, runs a very competent foil to the main series of complex murders.
Perhaps not Kerry Greenwood’s best murder mystery featuring the Honourable Fryne Fisher, Death in Daylesford but one which will certainly entertain with a dose of the beloved Fryne, after a long absence from the pages.