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Ruddy Gore
Ruddy Gore
Ruddy Gore
Ebook259 pages2 hours

Ruddy Gore

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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From the author of the bestselling Phryne Fisher Series comes Ruddy Gore, the next historical mystery featuring the unstoppable, elegant amateur sleuth. Can Miss Fisher use her theater ties to take care of a phantasm haunting a Gilbert and Sullivan show?

"The appeal of this story is the glimpse it provides into the 1920s theater world and the opportunity it affords to observe Phryne and Lin Chung's romance from its inception."—Booklist

  • Perfect for Fans of Rhys Bowen and Jacqueline Winspear
  • Inspired the Netflix show Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries
  • Movie Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears Currently Streaming on Acorn TV
  • One of the top-selling, best murder mystery books of 2018

Running late to the Hinkler gala performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore, Phryne Fisher meets some thugs in a dark alley and handles them convincingly before they can ruin her silver dress. Phryne then finds that she has rescued the handsome Lin Chung and his grandmother and is briefly mistaken for a deity.

Denying divinity but accepting cognac, she later continues safely to the theatre. But it seems the lead is dressed for death, as the performance is interrupted by a most bizarre death onstage. What links can Phryne possibly find between the ridiculously entertaining plot of Ruddigore, the Chinese community of Little Bourke Street, and the actors treading the boards of His Majesty's Theatre?

Drawn backstage and onstage, Phryne must solve an old murder, find a new murderer and of course, banish the theatre's ghost—who seems likely to kill again.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 4, 2017
ISBN9781464207655
Ruddy Gore
Author

Kerry Greenwood

Kerry Greenwood was born in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray and after wandering far and wide, she returned to live there. She has degrees in English and Law from Melbourne University and was admitted to the legal profession on the 1st April 1982, a day which she finds both soothing and significant. Kerry has written three series, a number of plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D’Arcy, is an award-winning children’s writer and has edited and contributed to several anthologies. The Phryne Fisher series (pronounced Fry-knee, to rhyme with briny) began in 1989 with Cocaine Blues which was a great success. Kerry has written twenty books in this series with no sign yet of Miss Fisher hanging up her pearl-handled pistol. Kerry says that as long as people want to read them, she can keep writing them. In 2003 Kerry won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Australian Association.

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Reviews for Ruddy Gore

Rating: 3.643192488262911 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Phryne Fisher is a likeable, charming and vibrant individual. She's kind and generous to those she meets, smart and logical when faced with problems or obstacles and adventurous in her dislike of boredom. She is brave and tenacious and brutal when faced with injustice. A few deaths of distant relatives were all that stood between her life of poverty and her ascent into luxury at the age of 12 and she never takes her wealth and social standing for granted. The result of which is a kind and generous soul who is always willing to speak up for the victims, the downtrodden or the underdogs and one who relishes fine food, fine clothes and the myriad of pursuits open to her. Her open mindedness leads to an unique and vibrant cast pulled from all walks of life. Being an Aussie and a proud Melbournian - the Melbourne setting was a highlight. Recognising the street names and places was fun. And Melbournians will understand the delight in recognising how strange our weather is to outsiders. As far as the genre goes, I don't know if I'd really say it was crime or historical. I mean it is a historical period but it felt kind of modern. The crime was good but it was interspersed with character relationships. There was romance but none of it was meaningful or relevant. It was too lowbrow to be literary and too much reality to be chick lit. It's an odd mix that was an enjoyable read but likely not for everyone. It's also fairly different from the tv show (and she's a lot younger in the books) but the main elements are present - like Phryne's love of clothes, her humour, confidence and loveable charming personality. Character wise, I love them all! Phryne, Dot, Dr Elizabeth MacMillan, WPC Jones, Inspector Robinson, Bert and Cec, Mr and Mrs. Butler, they were all fantastic and had me giggling throughout. And I adore the way women are portrayed in this series. I love that all the female characters are strong willed and fierce and able to look after themselves - even when it doesn't always seem like it. I also really like how the cops aren't written as useless or inept - but rather unable to significantly help without someone willing to speak up and testify. This was interesting. I liked the theatre setting and having been to Her Majesty's it was easy to imagine. The characters were dramatic and the plot twisted around. I didn't like the hint of supernatural elements in it - I prefer to keep my crime and fantasy separate and in my crime have the supernatural be firmly shot down if it appears. I was also disappointed, once again, not to see much of Dot, Bert, Cec or the Butlers. Hopefully the next book will rectify that. 3 stars.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    "Ruddy Gore" by Kerry Greenwood is the seventh book in the Phryne Fisher mystery series. During what should have been a gala performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore, two cast members are poisoned. Phryne must delve deep into the theatre scene and Melbourne's China Town to find the solution to the mystery of the poisonous attacks and mysterious theatre ghosts. Good fun as always.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    This is not my favorite book of the series so far. Phryne investigates two murders that occur during a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore. Much of the play was explained in the story and made the plot felt overly complicated.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A new character is introduced to the world of Phryne Fisher - Lin Chung. On her way to the theatre with her friend Bunji, they run into thugs in a dark alley. The two ladies (Bunji is an independent woman) disburse the thugs and help Lin Chung and his grandmother get to safety.Later, while at the theatre, one of the lead actor collapses at the end of the first act of a Gilbert and Sullivan musical. Phryne is called backstage by the theatre troupe owner, Bernard Tarrant (an old friend), to solve the mysterious death. Things are further complicated at the end of the second act when the understudy collapses!Along with solving the cause of the collapses, Phryne is also told of a ghost who is supposedly haunting the theatre. It is thought to be the original actress who had the lead in the play when it was first produced. Various cast members claim they have seen it.The cast of characters is large and the secrets that they each have seems to be many! At times I wasn't sure who was who and had to back track.While Phryne is dealing with the theatre crowd, she is also learning about the world of the Chinese through her new acquaintance Lin Chung. I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. I am looking forward to the next adventure of Phryne Fisher, detective!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One of my favorites in this series
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ruddy Gore by Kerry Greenwood is the seventh book in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Phyrne Fisher is attending a gala performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Ruddigore at His Majesty’s Theater. Along the way, Phryne and her aviator friend, Bunji Ross encounter some trouble and must rescue an elderly Chinese woman and her grandson, Lin Chung (good thing Phryne is handy with an axe). Phryne is enjoying the performance until Walter Copland, playing Sir Ruthven, collapses on the stage. The theater’s manager and an old friend of Phryne’s, Sir Bernard Tarrant requests Phryne’s assistance, but the performance must go on first. Robert Craven takes over the part of Sir Ruthven and, near the end of the play, it is obvious that something is wrong with the man. It turns out that both men were poisoned. The production has been plagued with problems and some believe there is a ghost in the theater. Sir Bernard hires Phryne to investigate. When Walter Copland does not last the night, Detective Inspector Jack Robinson is out to find his killer. Jack is glad to have Phryne involved with this case (he dislikes theaters). But the person responsible is not done tormenting the production. Can Phryne and Jack find the culprit before there is another fatality? And Phryne has not seen the last of the fetching Lin Chung.Ruddy Gore is an entertaining novel. It is always delightful to revisit the vivacious Phryne Fisher. The story starts out a little slow while Phryne is enjoying Ruddigore, but the pace picks up after the performance. The book has an overabundance of characters. Readers are introduced to the cast of the play and the people who work behind the scenes at the theater. I do wish there had not been so many characters to weed through and that some of the core characters had been included in Ruddy Gore (Bert, Cec, Dot, Ruth, Jane, the Butlers). In addition, I missed Phryne’s over-the-top personality. She was more subdued in this novel. Lin Chung is a nice addition to the series, and I am sure we will see him again in the future. I give Ruddy Gore 3.5 out of 5 stars. I found the mysteries (there is a thirty-year-old one too) entertaining, but they can be solved (if you pay close attention). It was interesting to see the differences between the book and the show by the same name. Personally, I was more a fan of the show. It had more focus. If you are not a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan, I do not recommend Ruddy Gore. Information about the play and characters are discussed in length. While reading Ruddy Gore, you need to remember that the book is set in 1928. People’s views towards Chinese were very different than they are today. If you are a fan of Miss Fisher and her antics, you will enjoy this seventh installment in the series. Those who have not read the earlier books in the series may not enjoy Ruddy Gore.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    On her way to the theatre for a night of Gilbert and Sullivan, Phryne Fisher manages to foil an attack on a Chinese woman and her son. But that is not the only mystery she will encounter at the theatre. The play, Ruddy Gore, has been plagued by the ghost of an actress who had died mysteriously after starring in the play several decades previously. But when two leading actors of this modern revival are poisoned causing the death of one, Phryne is asked to investigate. Problem is, it seems like almost everyone involved in the production has a motive and then one more death makes it clear that her interference isn’t welcomed.Ruddy Gore by author Kerry Greenwood is the seventh in her Phryne Fisher series of cosy mysteries and it is as just as convoluted as any Gilbert and Sullivan play, something that even Phryne points out herself:Dot, I have the strangest feeling that I’m caught up in a Gilbert and Sullivan plotBut like Gilbert and Sullivan, although the story demands a very hefty suspension of disbelief, that does not mean it isn’t great fun to read and most of what makes this series incredibly addicting is Phyrne herself. Private detective isn’t exactly a typical job for a woman in 1920s Melbourne Australia but then Phryne Fisher isn’t your typical 1920s woman. There’s no way normal early20th c. gender restraints are going to keep her down whether it’s regarding sex, marriage, or mystery. This is the perfect read for that time when you just want a nice enjoyable undemanding hour or two to destress from real life.Thanks to Edelweiss and Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another fun episode in the Phryne Fisher series. A day in the life of Phryne means getting involved in a street brawl and a murder. I loved the theater backdrop in this one. It allowed for a lot of new and interesting characters to be introduced. The ending wasn't quite what I expected, but it worked well for me. As much as I enjoyed the storyline, I missed the involvement of my two favorites--Bert and Cec.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Phryne adds another bright young man to her harem, this one is Chinese, she meets him while rescuing him and his grandmother from thugs while on her way to see a version of Ruddigore by Gilbert and Sullivan, where she has to assure her friend Bunji Ross that it will be fun. And it is, to start with, until actors start falling ill and she's drawn into the investigation, finding many different threads of story and messy lives that keep her on her toes, while she also enjoys the company of Lin Chung.I love Phryne, particularly the TV series and I can see how Greenwood uses the tropes of the inter-war era to great result here. The mystery is in fact mysteries and they interlink in interesting ways.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    One of the books on the 2016 Reading Challenge list was a 'book that’s guaranteed to bring you joy'. I'm always a bit skeptical about books that are labeled as such by reviewers, so I decided to see what serendipity would provide. In general, Kerry Greenwood's sleuth, Phryne Fisher, is amusing and the endings are positive so it was a good bet that I'd enjoy one of her mysteries.Synopsis: On their way to a Gilbert and Sullivan musical, Phryne and her friend, Bunji, see an elderly Chinese woman being attacked. They rush to help her and find themselves enmeshed in a squabble caused by the conflict between duty and love. During the musical, Phryne notices that one of the actors is playing a fainting scene a little too well. The manager of the troupe calls on her detecting talents to find out who is poisoning his cast and to determine if there really is a ghost haunting the playhouse.Review: Well written, and with a wicked sense of humor, this story transforms from straight detective fiction into a Gilbert and Sullivan style tale. The dialog is interesting, as are the characters. The treatment of minorities, particularly those successful in business, is one of the themes as is romantic relationships between ethnicity. The ending made me smile.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Miss Fisher, and Gilbert and Sullivan! What a great combination!Phryne's night at the operetta gets complicated- both by a mysterious attempted abduction in which she intervenes before the show, and by the mysterious collapses of 2 of the leading men in G&S's "Ruddigore". She looks into the first out of curiosity- especially since it seems she's being watched as a result- and the theater producer asks her to look into the second, even before one of the victims dies.Most of the series regulars have only brief moments in this one, but that's made up for by all the characters involved with the theater. As always, Greenwood does a superb job of bringing even very minor characters alive and making them distinct individuals. I am especially impressed with the way several of the actors were, in real life, at least as petty and venal as the characters they portrayed. (For all the pretty music and clever lyrics, Gilbert in particular had a very cynical view of human nature.) I especially liked some of the G&S trivia included... and I would love to see a production of "Ruddigore"!While most of the book depicts the theater mysteries and complications, there's also a fascinating look at a Chinese community and some of the struggles they had after moving to Australia.Very recommended for fans! And this one could probably be a place to start if you don't want to start from the beginning; it's not based as much on past events as several of the others.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This one is all based around a Gilbert & Sullivan opera company, which was fun. Reminds me of college.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is the 7th book in Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher (pronounced FRY-nee Fisher) mystery series. It is the first one that I have read.The books are set in Australia during the 1920s. Phryne Fisher is a private investigator who gets involved in a case when the lead of the operetta she is attending collapses. Soon after, during the same show, the stand-in for the character Sir Ruthven also falls ill. When one of the Sir Ruthvens dies as a result and when a stage “accident” kills another company member, Phryne and the investigating police know that there is definitely a criminal that needs to be stopped.The mystery is set in the playhouse of the Melbourne Gilbert and Sullivan company. The show they are putting up is Ruddigore, and Kerry Greenwood manages to work lines and events from the operetta into the plot of her book. Since all the suspects and witnesses are among the actors, dressers, and stagehands, most interactions are necessarily very dramatic and emotional. Not knowing much about that world, I can’t speak of its accurate portrayal, but it was entertaining. It was also interesting to be able to explore the relationships between the dressers and their actors, a topic which I never really thought about. The fact that she could work in clever references to Gilbert and Sullivan and Ruddigore throughout the book was just an added bonus. But overall, the best part was the character Phryne Fisher. She is an unflappable woman with a good sense of humor, but she is also very much a lady. The mystery was light—not much suspense and no gore as the title might lead you to believe. But it was a good amusement, and sometimes that is exactly what I am looking for in a book.

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Ruddy Gore - Kerry Greenwood

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