cover image Blood and Circuses

Blood and Circuses

Kerry Greenwood. Poisoned Pen Press, $24.95 (208pp) ISBN 978-1-59058-235-0

Australian author Greenwood's light-hearted Phryne Fisher mystery, the sixth chronologically and 11th to be published in the U.S. (after 2006's Murder in the Dark), isn't one of the series high points. Flapper sleuth Fisher goes undercover in a circus after Alan Lee, a former love interest, asks for her help identifying the person or persons behind a series of attacks connected to the circus, which culmi-nate in the murder of company member Mr. Christopher. Fisher and Det. Insp. Jack Robinson must ferret out the information needed to keep Miss Parkes from being hanged as the killer. Fisher's loyal retinue, who served her well in other exploits, play less of a role this time. The writing is less humorous than in some of Greenwood's other Fisher books, and the far-fetched solution may leave fans disappointed.