Murder in the Dark by Kerry Greenwood

Greenwood's book is a good companion to the last one I read by Carola Dunn because both are set in the pre-World War II era-- Dunn's in England and Greenwood's in the Melbourne, Australia area. Both use quaint phrases and situations that were unique to that era and those localities. I appreciate the degree of research that went into both books in order to come up with realistic dialogue and situations for these novels. It makes them fun to read, if a little obtuse at time in terms of understanding all the dialogue.

The theme of "Murder in the Dark" is an elaborate, private Last Best Party of 1928 held over four days and nights at the mansion of a rich Australian brother and sister. The games that are played, the costumes and themes for each evening's dinner and entertainment, the music provided by a famous Billie Holiday-like jazz singer, all contribute to the fabric of the story and carry through from chapter to chapter building interest along the way.

The mystery revolves around trying to catch a "Joker" character who has threatened to kill the host and has also kidnapped the adopted son and daughter of the host and hostess. Finding the kids becomes the first priority while following a set of clues each day to get closer and closer to figuring out when and where the Joker will strike. He has also threatened the heroine, Phryne Fisher, a socialite sleuth, who is retained by the host to foil the Joker before it is too late.

The book does contain considerable episodes of drug use and sex, and the author explains that this is historically accurate activity. In the 1920s in Australia recreational drug use was not illegal, and was very common among certain elements of society.

I'd recommend this book for those who like historical mysteries from the 1920s era, and enjoy Australia as a setting.

Liz Nichols