Queen of the Flowers    by Kerry Greenwood Order:  USA  Can Poisoned Pen, 2008 (2008) Hardcover     Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth It's 1928 in St. Kilda, Australia and the community outside Melbourne is looking forward to an upcoming Flower Parade. The Hon. Phryne Fisher has been chosen Queen of the Flowers this year and is anticipating leading her Flower Maidens in the parade, when one of the maidens goes missing - seen on the arm of a questionable and far-too-old-for-her man. Phryne determines to set off an all-out search for the child. In so doing, she learns about the girl's despicable home life and becomes even more determined to find her. At the same time, her adopted daughter Ruth is kidnapped. Phryne, as well as being svelte, a socialite, unabashedly taking a lover, and possessing all the polish that is demanded of an Honorable, is quick on her feet, clever, and like a bulldog when a problem arises. She takes hold and won't let go until everything is peaceful again. This delightful series not only gives the reader a look at the life and times of the late 1920s, it plops one down into the middle of it. Author Kerry Greenwood has created a personality that we would all like to inhabit, even for just a short time. Phryne is a woman ahead of her time and is not afraid to live the life she wishes to. One can't help but admire her and look forward to the next chapter in Phryne's exciting life. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews