I’m actually sad writing this post, because it’s the last time I’ll have a new book by Kerry Greenwood to write about, but I wanted to send Phryne and her off in style, so this Saturday I’m here with a bonus review to mark the release of the final book in the series in the UK, a few months after it came out in Australia and just a couple of weeks short of a year after she died.
In Murder in the Cathedral, Phryne is in Bendigo (famous to Brits as a place where people moved to from Ramsey Street*) where her old friend Lionel is about to be installed as bishop. But when a murder occurs actually during the ceremony, she finds herself called upon to investigate. Because how could she not. The murder victim seems to have had a knack for alienating people and so there are no shortage of suspects. There are also a lot of returning characters from across the series who pop up to help, even though Phryne is away from her home patch.
I’ve read this twice now and although I don’t think it will be my favourite book in the series, but if there has to be an ending, it’s feels like a nice note to stop at. It’s not a “series finale” “tie up all the loose ends” sort of book but there are plenty of call backs to previous adventures and it will leave you with the sense that Phryne and the gang are still out there in the world solving mysteries and living their lives.
Thank you Kerry Greenwood for all the hours of happy reading – and listening – to the adventures of Phryne and also Corinna Chapman.
*that’s a vintage Neighbours reference, you’re welcome, Drew didn’t deserve to die, Toadie’s ponytail was an abomination.
Verity Reads Books (lots of them) 