Next Book in the Series Browse A–Z
This site contains affiliate links. The creator of this site may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Phryne Fisher

by Kerry Greenwood

23 books Started 1989 Latest 2025
Publication Reading Order

The Phryne Fisher is a Historical Fiction / Crime Fiction series by Kerry Greenwood, made up of 23 books published between 1989 and 2025. It begins with Cocaine Blues / Death by Misadventure / Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates (1989), and is best read in publication order. The most recent entry is Murder in the Cathedral (2025), spanning 36 years of storytelling.

23books
36years active
5decades
~1.6yrs between books
2025latest release
# Title Year Buy
1980s
1 Cocaine Blues / Death by Misadventure / Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates 1989 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
1990s
2 Flying Too High 1990 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
3 Murder on the Ballarat Train 1991 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
4 Death at Victoria Dock 1992 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
5 The Green Mill Murder 1993 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
6 Blood and Circuses 1994 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
7 Ruddy Gore 1995 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
8 Urn Burial 1996 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
9 Raisins and Almonds 1997 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
10 Death Before Wicket 1999 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2000s
11 Away with the Fairies 2001 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
12 Murder in Montparnasse 2002 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
13 The Castlemaine Murders 2003 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
14 Queen of the Flowers 2004 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
15 Death by Water 2005 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
16 Murder in the Dark 2006 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
17 Murder on a Midsummer Night 2008 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2010s
18 Dead Man's Chest 2010 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
19 Unnatural Habits 2012 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
20 Murder and Mendelssohn 2013 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
2020s
21 Death in Daylesford 2020 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
22 Murder in Williamstown 2022 Buy from Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia
23 Murder in the CathedralLatest 2025 Search on Amazon U.S / Intl. Buy from Amazon Australia

Phryne Fisher series: frequently asked questions

What order should I read the Phryne Fisher series?

Start with Cocaine Blues / Death by Misadventure / Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates (1989), the first book in the Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood. Follow the books in publication order for the best reading experience.

How many books are in the Phryne Fisher series?

There are 23 books in the Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood, published between 1989 and 2025.

What is the first book in the Phryne Fisher series?

The first book in the Phryne Fisher series is Cocaine Blues / Death by Misadventure / Miss Phryne Fisher Investigates, published in 1989 by Kerry Greenwood.

What is the latest book in the Phryne Fisher series?

The most recent book in the Phryne Fisher series is Murder in the Cathedral (2025) by Kerry Greenwood.

More books by Kerry Greenwood View all series and reading orders →
More series by Kerry Greenwood
Corinna Chapman 7 books Chronological Three Days 4 books
Similar Historical Fiction series
Fortunes of Texas Beverly Barton · 17 books Hawkenlye Mysteries Alys Clare · 17 books Chronological Charles Lenox Mysteries Charles Finch · 17 books Owen Archer Candace Robb · 16 books Year Of Weddings Denise Hunter · 16 books Merrily Watkins Phil Rickman · 16 books
Featured in
Kerry Greenwood Reading Order: Phryne Fisher and Corinna Chapman →
About Kerry Greenwood

Kerry Greenwood is an Australian author best known for her Phryne Fisher mystery series. Born in 1954 in Melbourne, she began writing after teaching English and working as an advocate for refugee children. Greenwood's breakthrough came with the publication of "Cocaine Blues" in 1989, introducing the glamorous and resourceful detective Phryne Fisher. The series gained immense popularity, with over 20 novels featuring the independent protagonist. Greenwood has received numerous awards, including the Ned Kelly Award for Best Crime Fiction (2002, 2014) and the Davitt Award (2006). Her work has been praised for its engaging characters, historical setting, and witty dialogue. The Phryne Fisher series has been adapted into a successful television series, further solidifying Greenwood's critical and commercial success as a crime fiction author.

View all Kerry Greenwood series →

About the Phryne Fisher series

Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher mysteries are glamorous, witty, feminist crime capers set in 1920s Melbourne. The Honourable Phryne Fisher is a wealthy, fearless, thoroughly modern lady detective — pistol in her handbag, lovers at her whim — who solves crimes with style and a complete disregard for convention.

The series is pure pleasure: jazz-age fashion, fast cars, social justice, and Phryne's refusal to be anything but exactly herself. Beneath the sparkle, Greenwood weaves in real period detail and sympathy for the era's downtrodden.

The mysteries stand alone, so you can dip in anywhere, though "Cocaine Blues" is the natural starting point that introduces Phryne and her found family.