Miss Fisher's murder mysteries

[Ava6]

This TV show is an absolute feminist delight (and the book series it's adapted from). There's also a very good (and fun) podcast analysis of it on . Watch it, support it, help fund the upcoming movies (on Kickstarter). We desperately need more female-centric entertainment like this - it's been helping me keep my sanity lately.

The books are much better, by a country mile. Phryne has a Chinese lover in the books, Lin Chung, as well as a number of her beautiful young men. The sex is quite vividly described, not for the young.
I also like her Corinna Chapman books. Corinna lives in Melbourne in a beautiful 30s apartment block, owns her own Bakery and becomes embroiled in adventures, acquiring a lover on the way. Once again there is a fascinating assortment of characters. Lord knows we need to escape into another world right now. I could live in that apartment and eat Corinna's baking.

thank you for the recommendation regarding the books - i'll check them out

it is pure escapism, and at the moment that's definitely what I need. and yes, I do watch it with my DS's and feel it;s great for them to see such a strong female character (although I was quite pleased that they weren't around for the episode with the mains powered vibrator! I didn't quite feel up to explaining masturbation to my 5 year old).

Thanks for the heads-up. I shall give this a look.

The books ARE better. I love the show though, the sets and clothes are gorgeous and Essie Davis is absolutely beautiful as Phryne. Avoid the spinoff though (Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries, set in the 60s) It's pretty awful!

If the books are even better I feel I’m in for a serious treat

Thanks for the tip off, I shall give it a watch

Oh this is fab! I’m home poorly and started watching thanks to this thread.

It’s a bloody brilliant series. Can’t wait to read the boos.

Is it better to read the books first if you're going to do both, or doesn't it matter?

I tried the first ep ages ago but I thought the acting was bad so didn't watch anymore. Might try and get past the first 4 eps then.

I really like Murdoch Mysteries which is based around a man but also has a great female doc side kick/love interest called Julia.

I love how Phryne’s starting point is always to be kind to women and to support them

I also love the dynamic between her and Jack (obvs). I found it quite puzzling until I thought of it as the traditional monogamous woman/non-monogamous man dynamic, where she holds back to avoid getting hurt

Shameless place mark.

A while ago someone kindly linked a Guardian article listing some the best female crime writers and I've been steadily working through the list on Audible. Its been really enjoyable - my thanks to that poster.

www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/16/50-great-thrillers-by-women-agatha-christie-gillian-flynn-val-mcdermid

Canadian tv has some excellent feminist style tv shows.

Many thanks for the books link, Ali !

Just looked up the name Phryne. It's from the Greek for toad. How unkind.

Phryne is named after a famous courtesan. Her name was supposed to be Psyche, but her father was drunk when he registered her name.
One thing that annoys me in the show is the romantic relationship between Phryne and Jack, in the books they're just friends.

The courtesan thing I can see, the toad I cannot.

I think a weakness in the whole thing is how unattractive all the men are.

Thanks for starting this thread op. I've now got past episode 4 and I'm totally addicted. It's actually really really good and I love Phryne being so capable and amazing. So refreshing.

Phryne has a Chinese lover in the books, Lin Chung

She does in the series too, for one episode at least. That's where I'm up to, so I've not RTFT in case of accidental spoilers.

DH has put it into the same 'light' murder mystery category as death in paradise and midsummer murders; at this early stage, I'm finding there's more to it, partly because of the strong female leads but also the time and place - aftershocks of WWI, for instance.

Yes, it’s really interesting to realise that all the men over 30 and a good proportion of the women will probably be suffering from PTSD