Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries: Series 3

A distinctly Agatha Christie vibe is found in Kerry Greenwood's novels featuring Phryne Fisher, a glamorous, tart-tongued society woman in 1920s Melbourne who moonlights as a sharp-witted amateur detective. Boasting stylish period ambience, this solid Australian series continues with Fisher (Essie Davis) solving crimes with agreeable panache, while also enjoying romantic chemistry with Jack Robinson (Nathan Page), the police inspector she invariably outwits. The secondary characters—such as Fisher's assistant Dot (Ashleigh Cummings) and Constable Hugh Collins (Hugo Johnstone-Burt), who have likewise become a couple—are also well-drawn, and the cases remain not only clever but are also set in a variety of intriguing locales (a magic show, an Italian restaurant, a tennis tournament, a scientific observatory). One episode even ventures into Dickensian territory, as Fisher investigates the deaths of several street urchins engaged in petty theft. As usual, Fisher's domestic affairs also receive some attention: Aunt Pru (Miriam Margolyes) unwisely opens her home to a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of hysterical women in one episode, while several others feature Fisher's aristocratic father (Pip Miller), a genial old reprobate with a few secrets in his past. While previous seasons consisted of 13 episodes each, this 2015 third run only has eight (one hopes this isn't a sign that the consistently engaging series is coming to a close). Extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a photo gallery. Recommended. (F. Swietek)