'I must say Jack I have been in some awful company before
- I have dined with torturers & Apaches & strict Plymouth Brethren & politicians
- but I never met such vile company as those people. Each in his or her own way they were frightful.' Melbourne 1929. The year starts off for glamorous private investigator Phryne Fisher with a rather trying heat wave & more mysteries than you could prod a parasol at. Simultaneously investigating the apparent suicide death of a man on St Kilda beach & trying to find a lost illegitimate child who could be heir to a wealthy old woman's fortune Phryne needs all her wits about her particularly when she has to tangle with a group of thoroughly unpleasant Bright Young Things. But Phryne Fisher is a force of nature & takes in her elegant stride what might make others quail including terrifying seances ghosts Kif smokers the threat of human sacrifices dubious spirit guides & maps to buried pirate treasure...