Just Murdered: A Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mystery

This breezy series launch from Kovacic (the Alex Clayton art mysteries), based on Australian TV’s Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, introduces plucky Peregrine Fisher. It’s 1964, and Peregrine is living a peripatetic life, drifting from job to job, when she receives a letter summoning her to the Adventuresses’ Club of the Antipodes in Melbourne. Her aunt Phryne Fisher, a member of the club, has disappeared in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, leaving her estate in Peregrine’s care. Besides her aunt’s house, car, and extravagant wardrobe, Peregrine also has inherited her investigative skills. Peregrine’s first case concerns the death of runway model Barbie Jones, whose body was revealed to the crème de la crème of Melbourne society, sprawled on top of a giant wedding cake during the finale of a fashion show. Overbearing and underhanded Chief Inspector Sparrow of the Melbourne Police wants the case closed quickly to spare any influential citizens from scrutiny. Fortunately, Peregrine has no such compunctions. A sprightly pace, amusing characters, and a vividly rendered Melbourne bode well for the sequel. Fans of Kerry Greenwood’s Phyrne Fisher series will want to check out this one. (Jan.)