Elizabeth

Fun with Phryne

Revisado: 01-14-13

What did you love best about A Question of Death?

Loved the stories. I hadn't read any Phryne Fisher short stories before, though I've read all the novels. Thoroughly enjoyed them and especially loved the interview with Kerry Greenwood at the beginning in which she gives her MO for writing her fabulous books.

What did you like best about this story?

That there were several stories to enjoy, all new material to me.

What about Stephanie Daniel’s performance did you like?

I always love her performances with her plummy narrative voice and her skill at the different voices and accents.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Phryne Rides Again and Again and Again...

Any additional comments?

I'd love a similar collection of Corinna Chapman, Kerry Greenwood's lovable modern baker character.

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Phryne Foils White Slavers!

Revisado: 12-19-12

Would you listen to Unnatural Habits again? Why?

Yes. I love the Phryne Fisher series and would listen to all of them again. They take you to another world where everything comes out okay in the end.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Hmmm, I like all of them. I think I especially like Bert and Cess, the old army buddies who are also commies. They're very down-to-earth and devil-may-care at the same time.

What does Stephanie Daniel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Oh, her beautiful accent! She makes Phryne sound like the real lady she is.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Phryne giving the story to the bitter male reporter. I liked that bit.

Any additional comments?

Waiting eagerly for the next one.

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Urn Burial

Revisado: 05-22-12

Would you consider the audio edition of Urn Burial to be better than the print version?

I didn't read it in print so I don't know.

What other book might you compare Urn Burial to and why?

none.

Have you listened to any of Stephanie Daniel’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and her performance is excellent as usual. She seems to be many people in the same story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was all good.

Any additional comments?

no

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More Judge Dee Please!

Revisado: 04-30-12

If you could sum up Celebrated Cases of Judge Dee (Dee Goong An) in three words, what would they be?

Cross-Cultural, Complicated, Clever-- add Chinese!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The judge switched from case to case and they all seemed unrelated and insoluble, but in the end, although the crimes occurred over great distances at times, they seemed to all fit together into an intricate pattern. And the Chinese practically invented paranormal mysteries! They are full of dreams and ghosts and visions of the afterlife. The most wonderful thing about these books though is not just that the stories are great mysteries, the atmosphere is evoked so well and the characters so memorable, but that it is based on a real historical person and the real ancient Chinese entertainment form of detective stories. The explanation of how these stories are converted to suit Western tastes is fascinating. I read these books in paper before taking a Chinese History class and found that the information on ancient Chinese culture contained in the stories was great preparation for the class.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

I liked the old guard who showed Judge Dee and his other officers to Turnip Pass.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I found it very moving that the rule at the time--which Judge Dee was prepared to follow--was that if a prisoner was tortured and turned out to be innocent, the judge and his officers were to be executed in the prisoner's place. I imagine corruption of justice occurred anyway among lesser officials but if you followed the rules, you would be very careful. I wish today's justice were as scrupulous.

Any additional comments?

I want more Judge Dee audio books on audio please. Their cross cultural background and atmosphere is even better than the stories themselves and is the sort of thing that narration immerses you in even more completely than the written word.

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Away with the Fairies is Magical!

Revisado: 02-06-12

Where does Away with the Fairies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's right up there with all of the other wonderful Phryne Fisher books I've listened to as audio books.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Oh, my yes! The suspense was in every scene and the characters are so likable (the good ones) that you very much care what becomes of them.

What about Stephanie Daniel’s performance did you like?

She's a terrific actress and when she's reading a man's part, I forget she's a woman, and she does all of the accents to a T.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Oh, gosh, too many parts! I'd have to give the plot away if I named them all!

Any additional comments?

I'd recommend this series to any fan of cross-cultural historical mysteries, Agatha Christie, Tommy and Tuppence and you also learn a lot about Australia and its history in the course of the story.

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