Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Allen & Unwin (2005), 180 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. Mystery. Historical Fiction. HTML: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, now streaming on Netflix, starring Essie Davis as the honourable Phryne Fisher "Greenwood's stories are brief, but she holds her own, writing well-thought-out plots starring the intelligent, sexy, liberated, and wealthy Phryne." �??Library Journal When the 1920s' most glamorous lady detective, the Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher, arranges to go to Ballarat for the week, she eschews the excitement of her red Hispano-Suiza racing car for the sedate safety of the train. The last thing she expects is to have to use her trusty Beretta .32 to save the passengers' lives. As they sleep, they are poisoned with chloroform. Phryne is left to piece together the clues after this restful country sojourn turns into the stuff of nightmares with a young girl who can't remember anything, rumors of white slavery and black magic, and the body of an old woman missing her emerald rings. Then there is the rowing team and the choristers, all deliciously engaging young men. At first they seem like a pleasant diversion...… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member richardderus
"Murder on the Ballarat Train" by Kerry Greenwood is numero tres in the Phryne Fisher series that I started reading Monday. The library in my village had it not, but as I needed to grocery shop in Baldwin, a village or two over, I checked their liberry and lo and behold! They had this and only this
Now, I get the whole terse and concise quiz when writing hard-boiled fiction. But why use it in these books, and to the point of being taciturn? Pages one through five, for example, take place in the first class carriage of the train to a place called Ballarat, filled with people who have been chloroformed for no obvious reason. Why is Phryne, the saviour (oh dear, oh dear, I'm coming all over Aussie) of all and sundry, on the train with Dot, her faithful Watsoness? What does an Aussie train carriage from the 1920s look like, who is on a train that's apparently taking an overnight trip, blah blah blah? None of these questions is addressed, still less answered.
The police in the State of Victoria appear, to a man, to be in thrall to Phryne's pheromonal field, allowing her to see evidence, trample crime scenes, interview witnesses, blah blah blah. The court system of the State of Victoria appears to have the greatest possible respect for the Honourable (oh oh, more misspelling a la Oz!) Phryne because it allows her, without demur or even so much as a meet'n'greet, to take serious legal steps.
Now, shoehorning two mysteries into 151pp is no small feat. Greenwood does this. She is, obviously and welcomely, growing in her craft with each outing. But what the hell does the sheila have against exposition?!? It can be done, and done well, and it can make or break an otherwise incredible story.
Characters from the first two books appear like mushrooms after a rain, and several new and obviously intended to be recurring characters are introduced. This does give the series the charm of feeling like one is involved in the life of the series. It's a trick that works brilliantly for Southern States writers like Charlaine Harris and Joan Hess. One character from the end of the previous book, "Flying Too High", appears again, to my discomfort and mild displeasure. I feel that I should caution parents of girls that some of Greenwood's recurring plotlines will cause you discomfort and should be brought to your attention early on. I do not encourage the very sensitively constructed to read this particular installment of the series.
But I, for reasons I can't yet fathom, want to keep reading these cocktail peanut books, and have in my moistly fumbling fingers books four, five and six of the series. So I guess it would be hypocritical to not recommend "Murder on the Ballarat Train", subject to the parent/sensitive caution given above.
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volume in the series. Apparently the county likes to make reading an entire series into a treasure hunt.Now, I get the whole terse and concise quiz when writing hard-boiled fiction. But why use it in these books, and to the point of being taciturn? Pages one through five, for example, take place in the first class carriage of the train to a place called Ballarat, filled with people who have been chloroformed for no obvious reason. Why is Phryne, the saviour (oh dear, oh dear, I'm coming all over Aussie) of all and sundry, on the train with Dot, her faithful Watsoness? What does an Aussie train carriage from the 1920s look like, who is on a train that's apparently taking an overnight trip, blah blah blah? None of these questions is addressed, still less answered.
The police in the State of Victoria appear, to a man, to be in thrall to Phryne's pheromonal field, allowing her to see evidence, trample crime scenes, interview witnesses, blah blah blah. The court system of the State of Victoria appears to have the greatest possible respect for the Honourable (oh oh, more misspelling a la Oz!) Phryne because it allows her, without demur or even so much as a meet'n'greet, to take serious legal steps.
Now, shoehorning two mysteries into 151pp is no small feat. Greenwood does this. She is, obviously and welcomely, growing in her craft with each outing. But what the hell does the sheila have against exposition?!? It can be done, and done well, and it can make or break an otherwise incredible story.
Characters from the first two books appear like mushrooms after a rain, and several new and obviously intended to be recurring characters are introduced. This does give the series the charm of feeling like one is involved in the life of the series. It's a trick that works brilliantly for Southern States writers like Charlaine Harris and Joan Hess. One character from the end of the previous book, "Flying Too High", appears again, to my discomfort and mild displeasure. I feel that I should caution parents of girls that some of Greenwood's recurring plotlines will cause you discomfort and should be brought to your attention early on. I do not encourage the very sensitively constructed to read this particular installment of the series.
But I, for reasons I can't yet fathom, want to keep reading these cocktail peanut books, and have in my moistly fumbling fingers books four, five and six of the series. So I guess it would be hypocritical to not recommend "Murder on the Ballarat Train", subject to the parent/sensitive caution given above.
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LibraryThing member aoibhealfae
Oh gosh... I accidentally tapped the touchpad and the longish review were all gone. (wish GR have those save thing) Oh well.
1) This book are much better that the tv - not that much different but still different
2) Real issues concerning young girls being sold and raped into prostitution
3)
4) I like Lindsay/Phryne insta-romance in here than snivelling looking Lindsay in the tv
5) Better plots than tv episode
I know its uber unrealistic to expect the 1 hour tv episode to copy the whole books with its rich descriptives phrases and 20s fillers. But I'd wish the production would forsake the Lindsay/Phryne pairing and the tug-of-war between lady detective and Detective-Inspector Jack Robinson. I know, the tv need stronger character progression but I'd wish the tv was more daring concerning with the darker theme in the book.
But on its own, its quite lovely. Alistair were far more interesting than in the tv (probably the acting strength, I don't know), Frankly Lindsay seems clingy. I want to smack him.
1) This book are much better that the tv - not that much different but still different
2) Real issues concerning young girls being sold and raped into prostitution
3)
Show More
Interesting factoid about chloroform4) I like Lindsay/Phryne insta-romance in here than snivelling looking Lindsay in the tv
5) Better plots than tv episode
I know its uber unrealistic to expect the 1 hour tv episode to copy the whole books with its rich descriptives phrases and 20s fillers. But I'd wish the production would forsake the Lindsay/Phryne pairing and the tug-of-war between lady detective and Detective-Inspector Jack Robinson. I know, the tv need stronger character progression but I'd wish the tv was more daring concerning with the darker theme in the book.
But on its own, its quite lovely. Alistair were far more interesting than in the tv (probably the acting strength, I don't know), Frankly Lindsay seems clingy. I want to smack him.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
Easy book to listen to while walking for fitness. Pryne is a flapper, and a woman ahead of her time, living in Australia. Phryne is on a train with her companion and maid Dot when a murder takes place. The victim's daughter hire Phyrne to find the murderer. Meanwhile, an abandoned child at the
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train station leads Phryne to a children for sale scam. Show Less
LibraryThing member CloggieDownunder
Murder on the Ballarat Train is Kerry Greenwood’s third installment in the popular Phryne Fisher series. Ms Greenwood has Phryne dealing with, in her inimitable fashion, matters as diverse as chloroform poisoning, amnesic victims of the child sex trade, kidnapping, mesmerism and murder. Bert and
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Cec make a useful appearance, and Dot and the Butlers play their usual dependable roles. Phryne takes a youthful lover, adopts two young girls and still manages to solve the cases of amnesia, kidnapping and murder before the week is out. Phryne’s train trip may not have been too pleasant, but your journey with her in this novel is guaranteed to be very enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member mrstreme
Murder on the Ballarat Train is part of the Phryne Fisher series - a suave, intelligent flapper/private investigator who solves crimes in 1920's Australia. Phryne is a no-nonsense, forward-thinking woman who isn't afraid to use a gun or her prowess to get to the bottom of a mystery.
In this book,
Meanwhile, a young girl appears at the train station with amnesia, and Phryne takes the girl, Jane, under her wing.When it is discovered that Jane was molested, Phryne undertakes another investigation to determine who hurt the young girl.
Like all good murder mysteries, the plots eventually tie together, and 175 pages later, Phryne catches the bad guys, gets the cute man and adopts two orphans. Murder on the Ballarat Train is a bit of a departure from my usual fare, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. I liked Phryne's style - sort of a racier version of Nancy Drew. If you need a good poolside read, consider checking out this page-turning mystery series.
In this book,
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Phryne is traveling in a first-class train car with her maid, Dot, when she awakens to the smell of chloroform. Someone had used chloroform to sedate the entire passenger car so he/she could murder one of the passengers, a grumpy old woman named Mrs.Williams. Eunice, the woman's daughter and fellow train passenger, hires Phryne to solve the case.Meanwhile, a young girl appears at the train station with amnesia, and Phryne takes the girl, Jane, under her wing.When it is discovered that Jane was molested, Phryne undertakes another investigation to determine who hurt the young girl.
Like all good murder mysteries, the plots eventually tie together, and 175 pages later, Phryne catches the bad guys, gets the cute man and adopts two orphans. Murder on the Ballarat Train is a bit of a departure from my usual fare, but I enjoyed the story nonetheless. I liked Phryne's style - sort of a racier version of Nancy Drew. If you need a good poolside read, consider checking out this page-turning mystery series.
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LibraryThing member harumph
This was an amusing, although sometimes unsettling (in terms of subject matter), read, and I'm looking forward to moving on with the rest of the series.
LibraryThing member lahochstetler
On a trip to Ballarat, Phryne and Dot are nearly killed by a chloroform leak on the train. Evacuation of the train reveals an unaccompanied girl suffering from amnesia. She knows not her name nor why she is on a train. Phryne takes the abandoned girl home and sets about solving the two mysteries.
Like the other books in this series this one is full of wonderful atmosphere. The reader is brought into the world of Australia in the 1920s. Phryne is the New Woman, and her escapades are fast-paced and enjoyable. I always enjoy the books in this series and this one is no exception.
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Like the other books in this series this one is full of wonderful atmosphere. The reader is brought into the world of Australia in the 1920s. Phryne is the New Woman, and her escapades are fast-paced and enjoyable. I always enjoy the books in this series and this one is no exception.
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LibraryThing member SusanMcDonough
So far, all the Phryne books I've read have been fun. Phryne is sure of herself and outrageous for her time, and there are bits and pieces of history that I've never known before.
LibraryThing member MrsLee
Phryne Fisher is sorry she didn't drive, but she does love the train. Not this time though. She barely wakes up in time to save the sleeper train car's passengers from a chloroform overdose. Thus she becomes involved in the case, to the frustration of the villain. This actually encompasses two
My first exposure to Ms. Fisher, I found her to be a bit too much to swallow, and not very likable. She isn't horrible or anything, just a bit hard to swallow, although in the cause of a romping mystery set in the 20's I can take a lot more than Phryne, for instance, a very simple mystery, and an unbelievable villain. I would still read another, just for the fun of the setting.
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mysteries for Phryne, The Vanishing Woman and the Appearing Woman. But don't worry, she'll sort it.My first exposure to Ms. Fisher, I found her to be a bit too much to swallow, and not very likable. She isn't horrible or anything, just a bit hard to swallow, although in the cause of a romping mystery set in the 20's I can take a lot more than Phryne, for instance, a very simple mystery, and an unbelievable villain. I would still read another, just for the fun of the setting.
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LibraryThing member librarian1204
Good fun. As before, I love the Australian setting. The character and the clothes.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This is one where the TV episode follows the book quite closely. Phryne Fisher is on a train going to Ballarat when she is partially wonn by the cloying smell of chloroform. Using her gun she shoots a window and then goes to investigate. Finding several unconscious passengers she also notices that
As the story unfolds Phryne uncovers several plots and enjoys herself as well as puts herself in peril. Deals with some disturbling ideas (child prostitution and slavery) but not too deeply.
Entertaining as always.
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an old obnoxious woman is missing. When the train stops they discover that in fact the woman is dead. They also find a girl with amnesia that Phryne takes under her wing.As the story unfolds Phryne uncovers several plots and enjoys herself as well as puts herself in peril. Deals with some disturbling ideas (child prostitution and slavery) but not too deeply.
Entertaining as always.
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LibraryThing member aoibhealfae
Oh gosh... I accidentally tapped the touchpad and the longish review were all gone. (wish GR have those save thing) Oh well.
1) This book are much better that the tv - not that much different but still different
2) Real issues concerning young girls being sold and raped into prostitution
3)
4) I like Lindsay/Phryne insta-romance in here than snivelling looking Lindsay in the tv
5) Better plots than tv episode
I know its uber unrealistic to expect the 1 hour tv episode to copy the whole books with its rich descriptives phrases and 20s fillers. But I'd wish the production would forsake the Lindsay/Phryne pairing and the tug-of-war between lady detective and Detective-Inspector Jack Robinson. I know, the tv need stronger character progression but I'd wish the tv was more daring concerning with the darker theme in the book.
But on its own, its quite lovely. Alistair were far more interesting than in the tv (probably the acting strength, I don't know), Frankly Lindsay seems clingy. I want to smack him.
1) This book are much better that the tv - not that much different but still different
2) Real issues concerning young girls being sold and raped into prostitution
3)
Show More
Interesting factoid about chloroform4) I like Lindsay/Phryne insta-romance in here than snivelling looking Lindsay in the tv
5) Better plots than tv episode
I know its uber unrealistic to expect the 1 hour tv episode to copy the whole books with its rich descriptives phrases and 20s fillers. But I'd wish the production would forsake the Lindsay/Phryne pairing and the tug-of-war between lady detective and Detective-Inspector Jack Robinson. I know, the tv need stronger character progression but I'd wish the tv was more daring concerning with the darker theme in the book.
But on its own, its quite lovely. Alistair were far more interesting than in the tv (probably the acting strength, I don't know), Frankly Lindsay seems clingy. I want to smack him.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Marycfd
Kerry Greenwood writes a good 'cozy' mystery, whose high points are place and time, characters (reoccurring) and wonderful descriptions of food and drink. The 'mysteries' are not complex, and the psychology is not too deep. Still the dialogue and wonderful descriptions are fun and amusing.
LibraryThing member TadAD
Very short book. I enjoy them for the light reading they are, but they aren't worth the price unless I can find them in second-hand shops.
LibraryThing member Clare_M
There are definitely some bits where I wonder, historically, how the time period would actually match up with the book... but --as a story, the book is very enjoyable. I don't think that Phyrne would be allowed the leeway she has by the men of the time, or the respect. And I definitely think that
But putting all the things that are inconvenient to the story aside, it's terribly fun to read. So, I ignore that other stuff as much as I can.
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as much as she sleeps around she'd be seen as a very loose woman-- (and how dependable were diaphragms in the 20's anyway? I am expecting her to have a nasty surprise any moment!)But putting all the things that are inconvenient to the story aside, it's terribly fun to read. So, I ignore that other stuff as much as I can.
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LibraryThing member annbury
Phryne still delightful, in this third novel of the series. This time, the story is a rougher -- girls are being trafficked, for definitely immoral purposes -- but it doesn't manage to cast much of a shadow on Phyrne's world. You know that she will make it come off right, while dressing to
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perfection, and taking a quick role in the hay with some attractive young man. Or other. I begin to feel guilty about my current abandonment to this series. Too much champagne froth -- Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
Very fun, as always! Similar to the TV episode, although Jane's story is a bit different.
LibraryThing member SashaM
Another great installment of the Phryne Fisher series. Good fun and a great plot :) I look forward to reading more
LibraryThing member amareshjoshi
Truly awful. The heroine is a very wealthy private detective from Australia. She's on a train when a murder occurs, which she then proceeds to solve.
The heroine is completely unrealistic. All the other people in the novel are stock characters with no depth. There's no buildup of tension. Complete
The heroine is completely unrealistic. All the other people in the novel are stock characters with no depth. There's no buildup of tension. Complete
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waste of time. Show Less
LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
Murder on the Ballarat Train by Kerry Greenwood is the third book in her Honourable Phryne Fisher, lady detective. Set in 1920’s Australia, in this outing we find Phryne and her faithful maid, Dot, on the train travelling to visit some relatives when she wakens to the very strong smell of
Phryne brings the injured daughter of the dead woman home with her and promises to find out who killed her. To further complicate the situation, a young girl is found on the train who appears to have lost her memory. Phryne takes her in as well and eventually discovers that this young girl has the identity of the murderer tucked away in her memory.
Even though it was quite short I really enjoyed this particular book. Phryne is sophisticated, intelligent, independent and kind. Her taking in the orphan girl has added another character to the regular cast and shows a caring, nurturing side to the main character. As always fashion plays an important part in the story both in the descriptions of clothes worn and the surrounding decor. An entertaining addition to this series.
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chloroform and discovers that the first class passengers have been drugged. After stopping the train, letting fresh air in to circulate and revive the passengers, it is discovered that one, an elderly lady is missing. She is later found dead back along the tracks. Phryne brings the injured daughter of the dead woman home with her and promises to find out who killed her. To further complicate the situation, a young girl is found on the train who appears to have lost her memory. Phryne takes her in as well and eventually discovers that this young girl has the identity of the murderer tucked away in her memory.
Even though it was quite short I really enjoyed this particular book. Phryne is sophisticated, intelligent, independent and kind. Her taking in the orphan girl has added another character to the regular cast and shows a caring, nurturing side to the main character. As always fashion plays an important part in the story both in the descriptions of clothes worn and the surrounding decor. An entertaining addition to this series.
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LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
I like the PBS Miss Fisher's Murder Mystery series so I wanted to give the books a try. The books are darker, Phryne is less likable, the stories are less appealing, and I'm really tired of reading about everything Miss Fisher wears, even though I enjoy seeing the outfits on the show. Too much
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stilted language, “old dear,” “old thing,” “old man.” In a reversal of my usual opinion, I think the show is much better than the books, and I think I'm done with the book series. Show Less
LibraryThing member ladycato
I am so conflicted as I write reviews of this series because they are such an odd case where the TV series is so much better. That's especially true with Murder on the Ballarat Train. In the book, the action leaves the train quite quickly, and it feels like a third of the book is about Phryne
This volume finishes off the collection I bought, and I don't plan on reading on.
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seducing a college boy. Many of the plot elements remain the same in the episode but are shuffled around a lot, though there's a subplot involving Jane--with Bert and Cec investigating--that was closely reproduced. Details about mesmerism feel unbelievable in both print and film, though the book adds a bit about voodoo that left me saying, "Huh?" However, the characters still shine. I love Bert and Cec, and the Butlers. This volume finishes off the collection I bought, and I don't plan on reading on.
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LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz
Rather than driving her racy red Hispano-Suiza, Phryne and her maid, Dot, are taking the train to Ballarat for a weekend get-away. Expecting a leisurely ride, they find themselves in the middle of a couple of mysterious situations.
Phryne wakes up exceedingly groggy and realizes that the whole car
There is also another passenger, a young girl, who has no memory of her name and no idea of why she is going in the opposite direction of what her ticket indicates. Another mystery for Phryne to solve. Are they related?
Once again there is plenty of action with all the characters contributing to the solution to the mysteries. Each book seems to give you a little more of what and who Phryne is. I am enjoying reading this series and figure I will eventually read the whole shebang!
Phryne wakes up exceedingly groggy and realizes that the whole car
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has been given a dose of chloroform. Breaking the window to release the gas, she checks on others in the car and finds a woman, who is travelling with an overbearing, cranky mother. The strange thing is that the mother is missing from the car! Her battered body is found outside the car, and she is missing her many emerald rings. How did she get there, where did her rings go and who killed her and why?There is also another passenger, a young girl, who has no memory of her name and no idea of why she is going in the opposite direction of what her ticket indicates. Another mystery for Phryne to solve. Are they related?
Once again there is plenty of action with all the characters contributing to the solution to the mysteries. Each book seems to give you a little more of what and who Phryne is. I am enjoying reading this series and figure I will eventually read the whole shebang!
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LibraryThing member diana.hauser
MURDER ON THE BALLARAT TRAIN by Kerry Greenwood is ‘Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Book #3’.
I liked this particular title very much.
We have train journeys which are interrupted with murder, mayhem and thievery.
We have Miss Phryne Fisher at her most independent, courageous self.
We have erotic
We have a glimpse of the society and history of 1920s Australia; specifically Melbourne and its environs.
We have a lot of fun. An excellent read.
I liked this particular title very much.
We have train journeys which are interrupted with murder, mayhem and thievery.
We have Miss Phryne Fisher at her most independent, courageous self.
We have erotic
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dalliances with young students; haute couture; missing children; hypnotists; interesting locations and characters. Dot, Bert, Cec and Mr. & Mrs. Butler all put in helpful appearances.We have a glimpse of the society and history of 1920s Australia; specifically Melbourne and its environs.
We have a lot of fun. An excellent read.
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LibraryThing member regularguy5mb
It's been interesting coming to these books after first experiencing the television series. I always find it fascinating in what has and has not changed from book to screen.
In this case, we see the introduction of Jane and Ruth, both of whom feature in the show, but I see that there is one change
Our two mysteries play out much the same, with the understandable changes from book to show. One interesting change was Lindsay's history, thus eliminating the need for his roommate to steal his alibi for the night of the murder, which he does anyway.
Honestly, I'm loving the books as much as I loved the show. The changes don't bother me here, as they do in some other adaptations.
It turns out my local library (now that I've moved) has the majority of the series, so I'll more than likely be able to read through the rest of the books very soon. I know my reviews are more about the differences between the book and the series episode, but that's how I'm experiencing these stories, so that's my thought process as I write about the books.
In this case, we see the introduction of Jane and Ruth, both of whom feature in the show, but I see that there is one change
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between this original version and the adaptation. Their story origins are the same, yet more sinister with the reveal of what the Great Hypno does to the girls that fall into his clutches (forcing them to pickpocket is much milder by comparison). Also, this introduces us to one character I would have loved to see on the show, but I guess they felt that Doctor Mac was as inclusive as they could be.Our two mysteries play out much the same, with the understandable changes from book to show. One interesting change was Lindsay's history, thus eliminating the need for his roommate to steal his alibi for the night of the murder, which he does anyway.
Honestly, I'm loving the books as much as I loved the show. The changes don't bother me here, as they do in some other adaptations.
It turns out my local library (now that I've moved) has the majority of the series, so I'll more than likely be able to read through the rest of the books very soon. I know my reviews are more about the differences between the book and the series episode, but that's how I'm experiencing these stories, so that's my thought process as I write about the books.
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Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1991-01-01
Physical description
180 p.; 5.13 inches
ISBN
1741145570 / 9781741145571
Local notes
As Phryne travels on a train to Ballarat, the passengers are poisoned with chloroform while they sleep.