Urn Burial
A wholly enjoyable murder mystery, written as a deliberate pastiche in the classic "golden age" style, whilst simulataneously subverting the rules (for instance, there is certainly a Chinaman involved in the story. Two, in fact.)I sometimes find it difficult to like Phryne Fisher in these novels, and so it was in this book, particularly in the way she flaunts her short affair with Gerald in front of Lin, her chinese lover and her guest at the house in which they are staying.
It's a small thing, and an important piece of characterisation for the character, which is in keeping with how she has been written throughout the series. It's also good to see a strong, female lead character who isn't at all ashamed of acting like many of her male counterparts - and at the very least, less deviously than most of them.
However hard it can be to like her sometimes, it's never difficult to admire her. She bursts into full life in every story and this is no exception - even her enjoyment at playing at Poirot in the ending is obvious and fitting.
In golden age fashion, every major player has a secret in this story, and though not all of them are surprising by the time they are revealed, there are enough sudden twists and surprise reveals to make it a delight to read.
