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mads55's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hannahws's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
plax1612's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book, though the jumps in character POV were distracting at first. However, it does give a great portrait of what circuses were like at that time in Australia, and I love the way Phryne gets to challenge herself. Overall, a good read, though not the best in the series.
twiggysc1973's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved the inside look to how Circuses were ran in Australia. Another great Phryne book.
willowvine's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 Again not a bad read, but heavily on the melodramatic side and at times quite a bit silly. Colourful side characters with some depth go hand in hand with two-dimensional villains. Kudos for having some intersex representation in a Nineties novel, even if it is a little awkward at times. The circus setting was my least favourite so far (and possibly the least realistic too), even if Phryne does have more difficulties than usual. I think I'll leave the series for a while. The short length doesn't really do these any favours.
veronica_strachan's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a different adventure for Phryne in this volume. Charging in full of confidence and privilege doesn't fit her case and she finds herself in all sorts of trouble.
Another good story, highlighting plenty of the unsavoury characters and attitudes of late 1920s Melbourne, and illuminating some of the history.
Another good story, highlighting plenty of the unsavoury characters and attitudes of late 1920s Melbourne, and illuminating some of the history.
aislinn_mac2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jazzylemon's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a rollicking romp! It starts with a murder of a circus performer that is a direct homage to Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Ubervilles. Phryne decides to solve the case and investigate shady goings on at the circus, whilst adding bareback riding to her list of extraordinary skills and achievements.
rhodaj's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75