Cirrus@Austlit

'The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher disembarks the Orient at Victoria Dock, returning to Melbourne after years abroad. Almost as soon as she checks into the Windsor Hotel, Phryne is embroiled in mystery: poisoned husbands, cocaine smuggling rings and illegal abortionists — not to mention erotic encounters with a handsome Russian dancer. Her adventure reaches its steamy end in the Turkish Bath Palace off Little Lonsdale Street.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'The glamorous Phryne Fisher, accompanied by her maid Dot, decides to travel to the country by train to collect her new Hispano-Suiza motor car.

'The charm of rail travel soon evaporates though, when Phryne unexpectedly has to use her trusty pearl-handled pistol to save a young woman's life and solve the disappearance of her fellow passenger's mother.

'When her train trip is derailed by a gruesome murder, Phryne speeds home in her Hispano-Suiza to her new abode in St Kilda where she works through the clues until she discovers her unassuming murderer.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'Phryne, gorgeous in her sparkling evening gown, had thought she would dance the night away at the hottest dancehall in town, the Green Mill. That was before death spoiled the evening.

'In jazz-mad 1920s Melbourne, Phryne finds there are hidden perils lurking in the smoky shadows — like a mystery man from her past — and it takes all her ingenuity, and her rusty flying skills, to unravel the trail of blackmail and murder.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013).

'A young man with a blue tattoo lies cradled in Phryne's arms. Sadly, it's not another scene of glorious seduction. This time it's murder.

'Outraged by this brutal slaughter, Phryne promises to find out who is responsible. But Phryne doesn't yet know how deeply into the mire she'll have to go — bank robbery, anarchists, and the kidnap of her beloved maid Dot. Her investigations lead her into the arms of the delicious yet dangerous anarchist, Peter the Painter.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

Note: The character 'Peter the Painter' is based on a 'real' Latvian anarchist (a historical figure whose identity is disputed and whose actual existence is sometimes questioned). Also known as Peter Piaktow, Peter the Painter was said to have been involved in the Siege of Sidney Street (also called the Battle of Stepney) in London's East End in 1911.

'When a young man is found dead in a bookshop at the Eastern Market, Phryne Fisher is plunged into the diverse worlds of Jewish politics, alchemy and poison.

'She works her way through the mystery with help from the old faithfuls — Bert, Cec, Dot, Dr Mac and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson. Ultimately, though, it's her stealth and wit that solve the crime — and all for the price of a song...'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'During a night out to see a gala performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore, Phryne Fisher meets the gorgeous Lin Chung who has rescued the theatre's leading man from some thugs in a dark alley in Chinatown.

'The evening continues on unexpectedly with a bizarre death onstage. What links can Phryne find between the Chinese community of Little Bourke St, the illicit opium trade and the actors treading the boards of His Majesty's Theatre? Phryne must solve an old murder, find a new murderer, and banish the theatre's ghost who seems likely to kill again.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'As a young woman in Paris after the war, Phryne posed for the famous artist Pierre Sarcelle. Now, ten years later, Sarcelle's widow arrives in Melbourne asking for her late husband's paintings.

'When the widow suddenly disappears, Phryne discovers the connection between Mme Sarcelle and the death of an Australian war veteran who witnessed the 'accidental' death of Sarcelle at Montparnasse train station.

'As Phryne delves into this investigation, she remembers her own days in Paris and her first love. The two worlds collide as Phryne tracks down the murderer — but Jack is the man who gives her the courage to confront her past.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'Phryne enters the publishing world when she investigates the puzzling death of a magazine columnist and author of fairy stories. To get to the truth, she must unearth the deceptions and rampant rivalries of the magazine's thoroughly modern working women — and dig into the past of their token male employee. Meanwhile, Phryne rekindles her affair with the sensuous Lin Chung — whose arranged marriage has stalled in a mire of family politics and intrigue.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'The Honourable Miss Phryne Fisher has been chosen to refine a group of delinquent flower maidens for the annual flower parade. When the body of one of her charges washes up on the beach, though, she begins to question the worth of table manners and dancing lessons. In the midst of her investigation, Jane's mother unexpectedly resurfaces and Phryne has to face her fears about losing her ward.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'Phryne investigates the death of a young female worker in a factory "accident" and soon learns that the woman's death might not be the misadventure the police think it is. Faced with a wall of secrecy and lies, Phryne sends her trusty maid, Dot, undercover into the factory to investigate. When a second suspicious death occurs, Phryne fights desperately to save one of her closest friends from the gallows.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'The circus is in town and when one of the sideshow acts is murdered, Phryne poses as a magician's assistant to investigate.

'The heady atmosphere of the carnival takes Phryne on a bittersweet trip down memory lane — to the days when she and her sister, Janey, would sneak into the big top, until one night Janey disappeared.

'Her pain is reignited when she discovers that Murdoch Foyle — the man accused of murdering her sister — was the mastermind behind an elaborate prison escape plan. Any chance of discovering the truth about her sister's fate is dashed though, when she learns that Foyle has died and been cremated.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'Phryne's cousins and Aunt Prudence's entire household come under suspicion when a young girl is found drowned in her aunt's fountain on the eve of a lavish fancy dress party.

'Phryne and her aunt work together to investigate — until Phryne begins to doubt her own detecting skills. Was Murdoch Foyle really the man responsible for her sister's death or was it someone much closer to Phryne — someone who was also there the day Janey disappeared from the circus all those years ago.

When Foyle finally shows his hand, Phryne recovers her confidence — only to have it replaced by terror when she fears Foyle now has Jane in his sights.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'Murdoch Foyle is at large and has been connected with the mysterious death of Albert Monkton, antique dealer. In investigating the murder, Phryne discovers Murdoch Foyle's involvement in a bizarre reincarnation cult, inspired by Ancient Egypt.

'Phryne's hunt for the madman leads her on a disturbing trail of death and despair before she realises her own significance in Foyle's grand plan. Can she overcome her nemesis and finally solve the mystery regarding the fate of her sister, Janey, or will her own death be the price she has to pay to discover the truth.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 24/5/2013)

'When Jack's ex-father-in-law, Deputy Commissioner George Sanderson, is implicated in the brutal murder of a prostitute, Jack is determined to clear his name. Despite strict instructions from Jack not to meddle in his case, Phryne decides to perfect her 'fan dance' in order to go undercover at the gentleman's club of the notorious Madam Lyon.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'Phryne plays host to ghostly soldiers and exotic spiritualists. Aunt Prudence is swept up in the new spiritualist fad and enlists the famed Mrs Bolkonsky to contact her dead godson, Lieutenant-Colonel Roland Claremont. The séance leaves Phryne certain there is something amiss — but it has nothing to do with the psychic realm.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'Phryne heads off for a quiet holiday at the seaside holiday town of Queenscliff, confident she will not be disturbed by an investigation. However, buried treasure and pirate legends bubble to the surface in the seaside holiday town. When Aunt Prudence insists Phryne help an old school chum whose holiday mansion has been burgled, Phryne and Jack discover the summer paradise is not so perfect — and Phryne finds herself at the pointy end of a Spanish dagger.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'The gaiety of St Kilda's famous Esplanade is marred by the violence of gang warfare and the police who struggle to control it. When a gang leader is found dead outside a travelling boxing tent, Phryne's investigation leads her into the dangerous but thrilling world of fight rigging and tribal payback.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'When Phryne arrives for a fitting at the Fleuri sisters' exclusive fashion salon at the 'Paris end' of Collins Street, she unexpectedly finds herself amidst a crime scene. The salon's benefactor has been found impaled on her own hairpiece in the sumptuous powder room, and everyone present is a suspect!'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'Inspired by a Kerry Greenwood short story and set amidst the passion and fanaticism of 1929 Australian Rules football. When Phryne is duped into investigating the coach's missing 'lucky cap', she discovers a gruesome murder instead. The local team captain is found hanging by a rival team's scarf and it seems at first a clear-cut case of murderous sabotage.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'In the fast-moving world of an all-women's motorcar garage, Phryne's mechanic Ailsa is preparing for an annual rally put on by the Victorian Automobile Association. Everything changes when Gerty, the driver for the ladies' team, is found dead in her roadster. The crash deals a solid blow to the case for women drivers and has Phryne up in arms struggling to convince Jack that her friend's death was no accident.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'When the fresh corpse of Professor Katz turns up in place of a cadaver in Dr Mac's anatomy lecture she demands that Phryne and Jack, now estranged, work together in her interest. As the pair step around each other to investigate the murder — and the disappearance of a valuable manuscript — a web of college pranking, politics, and eugenics theory looks set to unravel.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'Hollywood has a stranglehold on the Australian industry and with 'talkies' on the way, the exotic 'Bride of Babylon' production is in serious jeopardy. With one of Phryne's oldest friends producing the movie, she has no choice but to get involved when the lead actor is murdered on set. She steps in to solve the crime and save the production — juggling the roles of principal investor and private investigator. The show must go on, and when the director is also killed, Phryne takes the reins.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'When Phryne arrives at an idyllic vineyard in the countryside to investigate a suspicious death in the past, she lands in the middle of an annual Wine Festival and the recent murder of her own 'client'. Hostile townsfolk do everything they can to drive her out of town, and Hugh prepares for a perfect proposal.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'There's a new wireless in the Fisher household — but there's murder on the airwaves when Dot's new favourite show is interrupted by an on air panic. The radio station's bookkeeper and budding announcer is found choked to death but when Phryne gets involved, she finds Jack already undercover as the newsreader. Dot suffers the realisation that she doesn't want to relinquish working for Miss Fisher when she marries.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'The gothic world of the Magdalene Laundries — a halfway house for pregnant and wayward girls, run by Catholic nuns — sets the scene for the tragic death of an escaping teenager. As Phryne becomes more suspicious of the goings-on behind the convent walls, she and Jack realise the threads of this crime lead higher up and closer to home than they ever suspected.'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)

'Phryne, Dot and Dr. Mac happily accompany Aunt Prudence to a picturesque chalet to celebrate a white Christmas in July. The party arrives to find one of the residents dead — electrocuted while hanging festive lights. No more suspicious than the usual Miss Fisher investigation, until the body count starts to rapidly rise.

'Heavy snowfalls and harsh weather trap them all with a murderer in their midst — and any one of them the next victim. It's a race against time for Phryne and Jack to hunt down the culprit — and restore enough Christmas joy to take full advantage should they find themselves standing under that bunch of mistletoe!'

Source: Australian Television Information Archive. (Sighted: 26/2/2014)