If you liked
Books like Murder on a Midsummer Night
by Kerry Greenwood
Kerry Greenwood's Murder on a Midsummer Night is late-series Phryne Fisher at her most confident: 1928 Melbourne, two cases at once, antiques and stolen religious art. If the 1920s historical-mystery atmosphere is what you came for, these five next.
The shortlist
What to read next
Malice at the Palaceby Rhys Bowen
“Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen 2015 review. The ninth Royal Spyness mystery sends Lady Georgiana Rannoch to Kensington Palace to chaperone Princess Marina before her royal wedding.”
Silksby Dick Francis
“Silks by Dick Francis 2008 review. Geoffrey Mason is a barrister who rides as an amateur jockey on weekends, until his only racetrack friend turns up dead.”
Dead Heatby Dick Francis
“Dead Heat by Dick Francis 2007 review. Chef Max Moreton survives a gala poisoning at the Newmarket races and has to figure out who is killing his guests and why.”
Flash Pointby Paul Adam
“Flash Point by Paul Adam 2006 review. A Glasgow journalist investigates the death of a young African violinist competing in the Tchaikovsky Competition and stumbles into a missing-instrument scandal.”
When Rich Men Dieby Harold Adams
“When Rich Men Die by Harold Adams 1987 review. The fifth Carl Wilcox Depression-era mystery sends the alcoholic itinerant artist back to Corden, South Dakota for a banker’s murder.”
FAQ
Common questions about Murder on a Midsummer Night read-alikes
- Are these all 1920s and 1930s historical mysteries?
- Mostly. Malice at the Palace is 1930s royal-aristocrat. Dick Francis is contemporary racing-mystery rather than period, but the procedural patience is the same. Harold Adams is 1930s Depression South Dakota. The connective tissue is the patient social-fabric mystery.
- Which is the closest Phryne Fisher match?
- Malice at the Palace. Rhys Bowen's Lady Georgiana Rannoch is the closest contemporary equivalent to Phryne in tone: aristocratic, witty, period-correct, with the same balance of social satire and fair-play whodunit.
- Do I need to read the rest of Phryne Fisher first?
- No. Greenwood writes the series to be entered at any point. If you want the early ones, start with Cocaine Blues. If you want the series at its best, you are already there.
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