At first sight, the title of this crime novel suggests a book that dwells on the wickedness of drug taking. However, while the book is about capturing a major drug baron, its style, its pace and the unavoidably captivating character of the main character, the Honourable Phryne Fisher and her acute sense of style and adventure make the book more of an exciting detective novel than a tale about drugs. Another endearing quality of the book is that the necessary violence is ever-present but does not quite touch the soul of the reader, making the book highly entertaining.
For me, the most interesting part was the setting: Melbourne, Australia some years before I studied for my music degree at the university in that city. Many of the familiar names and attitudes of the characters brought back memories of my time in Melbourne and tiny details caught my imagination exquisitely.
This is a great read for anyone looking for something that lifts you right out of your environment and sweeps you into a fascinating world of privilege eccentricity and intrigue.
Tags: Allen and Unwin, Cocaine Blues, detective, detective fiction, drug baron, Kerry Greenwood, Melbourne, Melbourne Australia
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