Title:	Murder in Montparnasse
	Author:	Kerry Greenwood
	Published:	March 1, 2006, Poisoned Pen Press
	No. of Pages:	257
	Cover Price:	$14.95 Paperback, $5.38 Kindle

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Phryne Fisher is an intriguing, colorful character, and is the protagonist of a long-running series by Kerry Greenwood. Murder in Montparnasse is the twelfth installment of the series (so far there are 20). The novel is set in 1920s Australia, with flashbacks to earlier times in Paris. Phryne is approached by some of her mates from the wharf; they were soldiers in 1918 in Paris, and with five other friends, inadvertently witnessed a murder during a night of drunken partying. Two of the friends have since died under suspicious circumstances, and her friends, Bert and Cec are worried that they are also being targeted. As a favor to her friends, Phryne gets involved in the investigation, and a fascinating story unfolds as she tries to get to the truth of the matter.

There is plenty of suspense that builds throughout the novel, and the author definitely captures the ambience of both Australia and Paris during that time, making the novel charming as well as suspenseful. Greenwood skillfully builds the story, and has inserted believable characters into believable (and factual) historical scenarios. Phryne is likeable, albeit loosely moraled, and will give readers another look at the1920 mores which are different from common stereotypes.

Readers who gravitate toward historical fiction will surely enjoy Phryne Fisher and Murder in Montparnasse. She is unique, and will motivate readers to pick up the remaining novels in the series. While not a cozy, the book has no graphic sex, language, or violence, (although there is sexual innuendo), so it is suitable for most ages.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.