Blood and Circuses

In this installment of the Phryne Fisher series, the wealthy and independent detective Phryne Fisher finds herself bored with her usual life in Sydney. When a travelling circus arrives, she is drawn in by the promise of adventure and the curiosity sparked by strange occurrences among the performers. Disguising herself as a trick horse rider and shedding her usual trappings of privilege, Phryne infiltrates the circus to investigate a series of sabotages and accidents that threaten to destroy the show.

The narrative blends the conventions of the whodunit with the vibrant, chaotic atmosphere of the circus. Phryne’s investigation leads her through a world of strongmen, snake charmers, and tightrope walkers, where she must navigate both the physical dangers of the ring and the interpersonal tensions of the troupe. As the stakes escalate from pranks to poison and murder, Phryne uses her sharp wit and observational skills to uncover the truth behind the chaos, ultimately restoring order to the travelling show.

Description adapted from Open Library ↗.