Raisins and Almonds (Phryne Fischer #9) by Kerry Greenwood

Raisins and Almonds (Phryne Fischer #9)
by Kerry Greenwood



Phryne Fisher loves dancing, especially with gorgeous young Simon Abrahams. But Phrynes contentment at the Jewish Young Peoples Society Dance is cut short when Simons father asks her to investigate the strange death of a devout young student in Miss Sylvia Lees bookshop located in the Eastern Market.

My Review:

In Kerry Greenwood's ninth Phryne Fischer mystery, we delve deep into the world of Jewish traditions, Zionism, and Jewish mysticism. As seen in Ms. Greenwood's previous stories, Ms. Fischer is quite the murder and mystery solving lady. Think Miss Marple - just much younger, sexier, bolder, flirtatious, gun carrying and willing to take matters into her own hands (including dangerous stunts and breaking and entering)... Ok. Don't think Miss Marple!

This book starts of as most mystery books do with the murder/mystery and our heroine must start looking for clues in a community which is not very trusting of outsiders (non-Jews). The author gives the reader an extensive, and to my knowledge correct, description of Zionism and Jewish mysticism including the Kabbalah. This background information might not appeal to every reader, as it is much more than is needed for the storytelling of this book. But then again, we read books to learn new things as well, don't we?
At times, the descriptions do seem a bit superfluous, but at the same time, the authors use of heavy description can have the effect of immersing the reader into the story and being able to 'see' and 'taste' the surroundings and world better.

Miss Greenwood's character building is well done and at times I feel that she leaves no stone unturned. In this installment, we have some of Miss Fischer's regular crew show up again. The dialogue is fun and witty at times (something we naturally expect of Miss Fischer!).

Raisins and Almonds is a quick-paced (except for the above mentioned Jewish elements), fun read that should appeal to Miss Fischer fans and also to fans of the mystery genre. Well researched elements of Zionism, mysticism and the Jewish community make this book not only an exciting murder mystery, but also a learning experience in Jewish culture. I definitely recommend this book to readers of the genre!