[Phryne Fisher 06] • Blood and Circuses

The honourable Miss Phryne Fisher is feeling dull. But is she bored enough to leave her identity, her home and family behind and join the circus? There have been strange things happening at Farrell's Circus and Wild Beast Show. And when Phryne is asked by her friends Samson the Strong Man, Alan the carousel operator and Doreen the Snake Woman to help them, curiosity gets the better of her.

Peeling off her wealth and privilege, Phryne takes a job as a trick horse-rider, wearing hand-me-downs and assuming a new name. Someone seems determined to see the circus fail and Phryne must find out who that might be and why they want it badly enough to resort to poison, assault and murder.

Diving into the dangerous underworld of 1920s Melbourne and the wild, eccentric life under the big top, Phryne proves her courage yet again, aided only by her quick intelligence, an oddly attractive clown, and a stout and helpful bear.