November Newsletter
Author Spotlight:
Kerry Greenwood
Born in Footscray, Melbourne in 1954, Kerry was a prominent figure in women’s crime fiction and a founding member of Sisters in Crime Australia, as well as a prolific YA and children’s author. She published over 60 works and was most known for her Phryne Fisher detective series set in Melbourne in the 1920s. Over 700,000 copies of Kerry’s books have been sold across Australia and New Zealand, with overseas sales sitting at around 700,000 copies.
Kerry enrolled in Bachelor of Arts (English) and Bachelor of Laws degrees at the University of Melbourne in 1972 – one of nine female law students in a cohort of 200 and graduated in 1979. In 1982 she was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria as a barrister and solicitor and she worked as a defence counsel for Victoria Legal Aid for over 20 years, offering free advice and legal representation to those in need. In June 2010, Kerry retired from Victoria Legal Aid to focus on writing.
Though she began writing at the age of 16, Kerry wasn’t published until 1989, when her novel, Cocaine Blues, was released. The novel was the first of the Phryne Fisher series, which now amounts to 22 novels, an omnibus and two short story collections. Murder in the Cathedral, the latest novel in the series, out 4th November.
In the Crimereads article, Kerry shared the motivation behind her choice of writing in the fictional crime genre when she lived a life working directly with true crime, saying, “One of the main reasons I write what some people call escapist fiction is that I know only too well how horrible real life can be. I don’t think people should want to wallow in second-hand grime.”
Kerry was also known for the Corinna Chapman series, which spanned 7 books, the Delphic Women series of 3 books, and the Stormbringer trilogy. Some of her other work includes Out of the Black Land, the cookbook and detective story parody Recipes for Crime (co-authored with Dr. Jenny Pausacker), YA historical fiction A Different Sort of Real: The Diary of Charlotte McKenzie, Melbourne 1918-1919 (an Honour Book in the Children’s Book Council Awards in 2002) and children’s books Evan’s Gallipoli. She also wrote several short stories and plays, including The Troubadours with Stephen D’Arcy.
The Phryne Fisher series was optioned for adaptation by Every Cloud Productions, leading to the creation of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, which aired from 2012-15, spin-off Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, which aired from 2019-21, and a film, Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears, which was released in 2020.
Kerry was awarded the Ned Kelly Lifetime Achievement Award 2003, the inaugural Sisters in Crime Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020. A mentor to emerging women crime writers, she sponsored the Malice Domestic Award for the best domestic crime short story from 2020.
Greenwood passed away on 26 March 2025, at the age of 70.
Available November 4
Murder in the Cathedral by Kerry Greenwood
The indefatigable Miss Phryne Fisher returns to solve what may be her most puzzling murder.
When Phryne Fisher is invited to Bendigo to witness the investiture of her old friend Lionel, who is being made a Bishop, her expectations of the solemn and dignified ceremony do not include a murder.
Phryne is soon working with perspicacious local Constable Watson and eagle-eyed Inspector Mick Kelly to identify the perpetrator. It becomes quickly apparent the murder victim had been an overzealous deacon with a nose for trouble. Nobody seems very inclined to mourn his passing.
Applying her quick wits and magnetic charm, Phryne and her expanding team of sleuths discover murky layers of church politics, social scandals and business scams and blackmail. Soon, various suspects begin to form a long list, all with excellent motives for killing the deacon. Could the murderer be his own wife? A visiting dignitary? The mysterious organist? The angelic Brookes? The unemployed teacher? And why is the Bishop’s Court being burgled?
Meanwhile the clock is ticking … Will Phryne be able to bring to light the proof she needs before the killer strikes again or disappears completely?
Reviewed by Jemma
The much loved Miss Phryne Fisher returns for one last mystery and is fabulous as always with her golden hand gun and fancy frocks. I had a great time solving this cosy crime case with these characters again. And it doesn’t read like the last in a series, but I liked that it ended like all the others, otherwise I would have been all teary that it was the last one. Vale Kerry Greenwood.
Books of the Month
FICTION
Reviewed by Kate
This felt like a slightly new direction for Kate Mildenhall, whose most recent offerings have tended to speculative fiction, but it’s one I enjoyed a lot. The story brings together a cast of family and friends, who have pooled their resources to purchase a large idyllic property in the Victorian highlands. They each have their own slightly divergent plans for the land, but a shared vision of enjoying it with their families. Set across a single long weekend, plans quickly unravel as secrets are revealed and events very quickly get out of control. This is a pacey, crazy ride full of highly unlikeable characters, who you will love to hate and enjoy see getting their just deserts! Absolutely loved how she wraps it up at the end. Described as White Lotus meets The Slap, this is a good one for fans of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth.
The Hiding Place by Kate Mildenhall
When Lou sees an ad for a long-abandoned mining town up for sale, it doesn’t take her long to convince her sister and their oldest friends to go in on the idyllic property buried in the bush – a place where the four families can hide away on weekends, get back to nature and unstick the kids from their screens.
But things start to go wrong before they even arrive for their first camping trip – a rogue deer sends a trailer off the road, a neighbour complains about the fence line and squatters have set up camp down by the river. Soon none of that will matter, though, because by the end of the first night someone will be dead.
At first it seems that hiding a body is easier than keeping other sorts of secrets: a lost job, an illegal crop, an outrageous affair, a little embezzlement. But what’s buried has a way of coming to the surface, and even in the bush, it’s hard to remain unseen.
NON FICTION
Reviewed by Tenniell
Rivers Flow celebrates the music of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. A compelling read for music fans and anyone fascinated by the ways in which art can process trauma, bridge generations, and ignite hope. From the opening pages, it’s clear this was a labour of love. The stories, poems, and reflections ripple with the same warmth and truth-telling that defined Roach and Hunter’s music.
Rivers Flow: Reflections on the songs of Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter by Multiple Authors & Curated by Kim Scott
Rivers Flow honours the profound musical and cultural legacy of Archie Roach – a Gunditjmara, Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung and Bundjalung man – and Ruby Hunter – a Ngarrindjeri, Kokatha and Pitjantjatjara woman.
Curated and introduced by two-time Miles Franklin winner, and Noongar man, Kim Scott, this special volume brings together 23 First Nations writers from across Australia to share stories, personal reflections, and poems that resonate with the legacy of these beloved artists. Among our contributors are powerful voices like Gina Williams (Balladong Noongar and Gitja), Claire G. Coleman (Noongar), Jeanine Leane (Wiradjuri), Anita Heiss (Wiradyuri) and Bruce Pascoe (Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian), alongside many other remarkable writers.
With the support and blessing of Amos and Eban Roach, sons of Archie and Ruby, this anthology stands as a tribute to the strength, artistry and enduring spirit of two of Australia’s most cherished artists and cultural leaders.
KIDS & YA
Reviewed by Tenniell
A super cute insight into the life of a very complex Quokka. I am Not Happy is a fun look at the “Happiest animal on Earth” and how misrepresented their permanent smile really is.
I Am Not Happy by Caroline Perry
Meet Quokka!
You might know him as the Happiest Animal on Earth. But although Quokka has puffy cheeks, bright eyes, and a beaming grin, he is definitely not happy. At least not all of the time.
Looks can be deceiving, so join Quokka at Rottnest Island and allow him to clear up the biggest marsupial misunderstanding.
November New Release Highlights
Fiction
Non-Fiction
Kids & YA
Staff Spotlight:
Jemma
- Favourite place to read a book? – Next to a sunny window. Ideally pinned by a cat.
- Which book character would you prefer to be trapped in an elevator with? – Pippin from Lord of the Rings because there’s a good chance he’d have snacks with him, and I think we’d pass the time having a silly old time!
- Hardback, paperback, eBook or audiobook? – All books spark joy, but for me… Hardback if it gets published first, and is a series I love. Paperbacks 90% of the time, Audiobooks when the to do list is too long to justify sitting down with a book, and eBooks if I have to!
- The last book you loved? – The Emily Wilde trilogy by Heather Fawcett
- Which book character do you think you’d be best friends with? – I would hope a majority of Jane Austen heroines. We could talk books and go to dances together, take walks in the countryside and shop for ribbons (I do a few of these with my real life besties).
- Greatest book of all time? – Big Question. I feel like a broken record but Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. She is a wonderful human and this story makes my little bookish soul happy.
- One fun fact about you? – I make tiny book jewellery!
Gifts of the Month:
Getting Lost – Card games for adventuring with family & friends.
Pigeon Posted – redesigning hand-written letters for the 21st century.
Events:
Join us at Book Club with a Classic Cosy Christmas Crime book this November!
Other Services:
