It’s rare for a television series to become a global phenomenon. But that is exactly what happened with the Australian historical mystery series, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. In fact, it’s so popular the fans recently crowd-funded a new film after the series ended. The show’s success has also led to the production of a follow-up series, Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries; a worthy and fun spin-off full of style, romance, and yes, murder.
ABOUT MS. FISHER’S MODERN MYSTERIES
The new Ms. Fisher series is set several decades later in the 1960s. It features Phryne Fisher’s niece Peregrine, who inherits the Fisher fortune when the aunt she never knew goes missing. Ms. Fisher also inherits the same curiosity and knack for solving mysteries.
RELATED: TV Review: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries Season One
After a string of failed jobs and relationships, Peregrine finally finds her calling. She picks up where her aunt left off; as a private detective. She is assisted in her new endeavor by the members of The Adventuresses’ Club, of which her aunt was a founding member.
Like her aunt, she also forms a tenuous working relationship with a police detective. Though Detective James Steed doesn’t initially appreciate Peregrine’s interference in his cases, he slowly learns to value her innate talent.
LIVING UP TO EXPECTATIONS
As beloved as Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries series is, I was both excited and hesitant about watching its’ successor Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries. Would it live up to the hype of the original or be a poor imitation? Fortunately, my fears were proved wrong as I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures of Peregrine and crew.
While comparisons between the two shows are inevitable, I appreciate how the new honors the old while also forging its’ own identity. Though Phryne is gone, her legacy is by no means forgotten. The Adventuresses’ Club is the fulfillment of Phryne’s independent views and daring personal interests. The other members of the club honor Phryne’s memory by taking Peregrine under their wing. And though Peregrine shares some characteristics with her aunt, as well as a certain golden pistol, she is very much her own woman.
ENDEARING CHARACTERS
Speaking of Peregrine, she is an absolute delight. Just like her aunt, her past has taught her some unique skills which she uses in the course of her investigations. Her youth, however, makes her character feel more energetic, humorous and definitely a bit more open and vulnerable than her predecessor.
Peregrine is confident though a little less self-assured and much less man-crazy. She’s an independent woman, but not to the point where she denies the help of others in solving her cases.
For that matter, the same can be said of Detective James Sneed, who is adorable. Unlike in the original series, this detective is not the head of the investigative unit. Unfortunately, he must answer to a boss who may or may not be corrupt. This makes his position interesting as this strait-laced cop must hide his collaborations with Peregrine.
What he doesn’t hide well, however, is his admiration and attraction for his female counterpart. James is much less reserved than Jack Robinson. Despite his job, there is an innocence and sweetness about him I really like.
RELATED: Romantic Moment of the Week: Jack and Miss Fisher
The members of the Adventuresses Club only add to the fun in Ms. Fisher’s Modern Mysteries. They each have unique skills contributing to the solving of each mystery. Their unique personalities also provide interesting contrasts to Peregrine and Detective Sneed.
There is former spy and head of the club, Birdie Birnside, her socially awkward, inventor brother Samuel, and brilliant scientist Violetta Fellini who is more than she appears. None of their characters get short-shrift. Samuel, in particular, adds much to the show, as his inventions often act like James Bond type spying gadgets helping Peregrine remain covert in her operations.
With Ms. Fisher’s Modern Mysteries being set in the 1960s, the show has a lot of fun with the settings and costumes and even the cars. One of the mysteries even involves a retro sixties topic involving a secret military facility and potential alien abduction.
Still, at times the series feels a bit too contemporary. Occasionally, you might see a current looking city skyline or costumes and hairstyles that don’t quite fit in with the fashion trends of that decade.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries was a happy surprise since I loved it just as much as Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I only wish there were more than four episodes in this first season. While the first episode is a bit of a slow start, it met then exceeded my expectations. Fans of Phryne Fisher should be pleased to see her legacy continue with the charming Peregrine Fisher.
Content Note: I did not notice any language or sex scenes, although the mysteries do revolve around adult issues.
Where to Watch: Currently available on Acorn TV and well worth the monthly subscription fee.
Have you watched Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries? What are your thoughts on the spinoff? Let me know in the comments.
Featured image: Photo Courtesy of Acorn TV
OVERALL RATING
“Hello, Gorgeous.”
ROMANCE RATING
“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My
feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me
to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
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While I have yet to watch this follow-up to the sublime Miss Fisher, I have to know before I do; are the whisperings that I’ve come across about Samuel and Violetta potentially falling in love true?
There’s is definitely a mutual attraction between the two but whether that develops into more , I’ll leave you to discover. You may recognize the actress who plays Violeta as she also appeared in an episode of the original Miss Fisher.
Ooohhh, sounds promising!! So long as there are at least a few scenes that make it clear rooting for a romance to develop is a realistic hope, I’m happy, haha! And thanks for the tip about the actress playing Violetta; it’s Concetta that she played as well, the Italian woman who proposes to Jack!
I’m loving the show as well but I’d like to ask you, don’t you wish they brought more of the original show into it? Like a descendant of Dot and Hugh, or Jane herself. I seriously hope Phryne is not actually dead and pops up to meet Peregrine.
I understand they want this show to be its own thing but it’s just painful that we don’t even hear what happened to any of them. It’s like Phryne had all new friends before disappearing.
Yes, I totally agree. I would love to see an older Dot and Hugh or discover what happened with Phryne and Jack. I would hope they stayed together!
I have only seen episode one of Ms. Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries. The part that has me intrigued is when the possibly corrupt Chief Detective (or whatever his title is) is caught in Ms. Fisher’s house, pinching one of Phryne’s case notebooks. Do we ever learn why he stole that particular notebook and is it ever seen again? Does Peregrine get it back?