Review: Urn Burial

The assemblage here of eccentric and wonderful characters consists of a large and amusing cast of characters including the host, a publisher, Phryne's Chinese lover, a military brute and his abused wife, a female novelist, two slim young men, one blond, one dark- haired, a poet and assorted others. Then there is the staff, also large. All in all, twenty-eight characters. One needs only to open the book to the staff and cast list to get a strong sense of Ms. Greenwood's style and the way in which her deft handling of the cast will seriously enhance this novel.

Here's another outstanding mystery from a fine Australian author. Phryne Fisher is invited to an old friend's country estate to help him discover who is sending him death threats. She arrives at a truly ugly edifice in heavy fog, gunshots and an hysterical maid who has just been assaulted but refuses to name her attacker. Things can only get worse.

Almost immediately Miss Fisher runs afoul of the Victorian sensibilities of some of the guests. They are initially unsettled by the appearance of the titled Fisher woman with her lover, and then discover he is Chinese. There is still more discombobulation because Mr. Lin Chung is clearly better educated than several of the Caucasian Aussies present in the house. He has better manners, as well. But that's only the beginning. Why has the parlor maid, obviously under some continued threat of attack become so reticent? And then, of course, she's murdered and her body spirited away. Mystery piles on mystery and Phryne Fisher, with her maid Dot, is hard pressed to cope.

Of course things do get sorted out in the end. Author Greenwood is to be admired for craftily and sturdily taking on several questionable attitudes of the general populace, which can not be revealed here let the story be spoilt. But it should be noted that frankness coupled with a gentility of style and language are some of the attributes that have made Ms. Greenwood's novels so worthy and enjoyable. Her ability to craft compelling characters, to keep them separated and engaged, while the main story moves on apace, is wonderful to behold. Greenwood has a righteous sense of morality and it is much in evidence in this novel, one of her stronger efforts. The title of the novel, however, could have been more in keeping with the book itself.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carl Brookins - RAM

Book Review: Urn Burial