Following the busy times Phryne’s been experiencing lately, she finally takes a vacation at a seaside town, along with daughters Jane and Ruth, and companion Dot. Expecting a soothing time all around, she’s immediately disenchanted - the couple supposed to “do” for the family have disappeared, along with all their furniture and most of the food in the house! And that’s only the beginning of difficulties Phryne will encounter in Queenscliff - there are smugglers, adolescent dolts, a nasty old woman who sees everything, Surrealists, and perhaps hidden pirate treasure too…. I enjoyed this outing of Miss Fisher’s much more than the televised version, which had far more violence than in the book. I also enjoyed the guest-starring characters, the new addition to her household and, perhaps most of all, the quite absurd Surrealists, who were clearly having a splendid time of it! Although with respect to the nasty old woman, why was her only heir a mistreated niece when she’s living in her own daughter’s home? That discrepancy puzzled me; still, recommended. ( )

Phryne and family are off to Queenscliff for a holiday by the sea. No murders, no mystery, just sun, salt air and relaxation for all. She has rented a house, with a couple who are housekeeper and butler, for a few weeks. Upon arrival, they find an empty house and the couple are missing! No letter or not where the couple have gone and the couple’s furniture is missing along with all the food and kitchenware. Is it kidnapping, burglary, murder or? So much for a peaceful getaway.

The group pulls together and manages to make their domestic scene pretty normal. Making friends with some of the locals, they find help there. Domestic harmony is established.

Then there is the matter of the phantom pigtail snipper who goes around cutting off girls’ long braded pigtails. (A common hairstyle of young girls in the 1920s) Who is terrorizing the girls and why?

A film crew is in town shooting a movie about pirates and a fair maiden. The town is fascinated to watch, and a number of locals are hired to work as extras. But trouble erupts there and another mystery is born.

Needless to say, this was not the relaxing getaway that Phryne had in mind… ( )

The last couple of books in the series didn't really grab me, but taking the household on a seaside vacation was a great idea. The mystery was interesting and the new characters were well fleshed out. I especially liked the neighbors. There's a nice chunk of Ruth running her own kitchen in this book, and we get to learn a little along with her. ( )

There is just something reassuring about the Phryne Fisher series. I love the books that I have read. The pacing is steady and comforting. The mystery is always a large part of the story, but it is the lifestyle descriptions are really fascinating. Phryne is intelligent, independent, caring, tough, glamorous, and awake to the benefits of living life to the fullest.

This time Phryne is on vacation, and walks right into a missing persons case. Dot, Hugh, Ruth, Jane, as well as some new faces, make for a great story. An episode of the Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries Series was loosely based on Dead Man's Chest. It was different enough that it still surprised.

*eARC Netgalley* ( )

Synopsis: After the excitement of recent events, Phryne decides that the entire family needs a rest by the seaside. They go on holiday expecting to be met by two retainers of the house, but no one is there. Where did these people go, where is their furniture, and why did they leave their beloved dog behind. Phryne et al take on this mystery, deal with odd folks, hunt for treasure, and adopt another person into their household.
Review: This is another really good story. The addition of Tinker is a good one. ( )