'Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries' Review - A Worthy Successor (2024)

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

'Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries' Review - A Worthy Successor (2)

“Hello, Gorgeous.”

ROMANCE RATING

'Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries' Review - A Worthy Successor (3)

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My

feelingswillnot be repressed. You must allow me

totellyou how ardently I admire and love you.”

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'Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries' Review - A Worthy Successor (5)
'Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries' Review - A Worthy Successor (2024)

FAQs

Why did Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries get Cancelled? ›

When Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries was canceled by Australia's ABC in 2015, it came at an ironic time. The series was not doing enough numbers in its home country of Australia to justify more episodes. (ABC had already attempted to cancel it once before after Season 2 but relented.)

Is there a 3rd season of MS Fisher's Modern Mysteries? ›

The show's three seasons (there's also a spin-off called Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries) depicts a variety of, shall we say, not ideal ways of exiting the mortal coil – from shootings and stabbings to poisonings, hangings and even beheadings.

Who killed Janey Miss Fisher? ›

Miss Fisher gets a letter from Murdoch Foyle, the man who killed her sister, now in prison, promising to tell Phryne what happened to Janey if Phryne gets him out of jail.

Does Miss Fisher end up with Jack? ›

By the end of Crypt of Tears, Jack has seemingly forgiven Phryne for leaving him behind in Melbourne. The film ends with them riding off together on camel-back, poised for another adventure, as equals. “We know what happens at the end of the movie is progress for them,” says Cox.

What happened to Miss Fisher's sister Jane? ›

In the first series, a running theme is the kidnapping and death of Phryne's younger sister Janey when they were children watching a circus, a crime that still haunts Phryne, who feels she should have done more to protect her sister.

Who is Miss Fisher in real life? ›

Esther "Essie" Davis is an Australian actress and singer, best known for her roles as Phryne Fisher in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and its film adaptation, Miss Fisher & the Crypt of Tears, and as Amelia Vanek in The Babadook.

Where can I watch season 3 of Miss Fisher's Modern Mysteries? ›

Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries - watch online: streaming, buy or rent. Currently you are able to watch "Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries" streaming on Acorn TV, AcornTV Amazon Channel, Spectrum On Demand, Acorn TV Apple TV or buy it as download on Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies.

Is there a movie about Miss Fisher's Modern Mysteries? ›

Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears is a 2020 Australian mystery adventure film directed by Tony Tilse and starring Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher. It is based on the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries television series and the series of Phryne Fisher novels written by Kerry Greenwood.

Do Dot and Hugh get married? ›

Dot has an eye for detail and is very skilled at baking, sewing, and cooking (though not typing). She is currently married to Constable Hugh Collins and they are expecting their first child.

How old is Miss Fisher supposed to be? ›

Phryne is a wealthy aristocrat who lives in St. Kilda, Melbourne, in 1928. She is a 28-year-old (born December 21, 1899) detective who, with the assistance of her maid Dot (also described as her "assistant" or "companion"), and Bert and Cec (who are wharfies, taxi-drivers and red raggers), solves all manner of crimes.

Where did Miss Fisher get her money? ›

In the series, the viewer is expected to accept that Phryne's vast wealth comes from her inherited money alone. In the books, she has another source of income that's never explained.

What year does Miss Fisher's Modern Mysteries take place? ›

Set in Melbourne in the mid-1960s, Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries revolves around the personal and professional life of Peregrine Fisher, daughter of Phryne's half sister Annabelle (a result of an affair that Phryne's father had), who inherits a fortune when the famous aunt she never knew goes missing over the ...

Why did HUGH leave Miss Fisher season 3 finale? ›

There's a haphazard attempt at explanation - Hugh wants a promotion he doesn't get, so of course he throws a totally irresponsible hissy fit and runs away - but mostly, Hugh just doesn't show up one week and other characters refer to him having "gone fishing." Well, uh, okay. That makes sense.

Who ends up with Jack Bass? ›

Jack Bass and Georgina have also become a couple. The final scene shows the new generation of high school kids on the Upper East Side, mirroring the elite and the exclusion. The show ends as a new Gossip Girl is teased as "there will always be someone on the outside wanting to get in."

Is Jack in the phryne fisher books? ›

John "Jack" Robinson is one of the main characters of the two books as well as the television series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Is Miss Fisher: Murder Mysteries coming back? ›

(There was also a big-screen movie, Miss Fisher & The Crypt of Tears, but that's not coming to PBS, at least not yet.) PBS will debut there three seasons in a row, starting with Season 1 in April, with Season 2 following in May, and then Season 3 in June 2024.

What is the name of the spin-off to Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries? ›

Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries. In this spin-off to the wildly popular Australian mystery series, Phryne Fisher's long-lost niece, Peregrine (Geraldine Hakewill, Wanted), decides to follow in her stylish footsteps as a lady detective for a new era.

Why did HUGH leave Miss Fisher season 3? ›

There's a haphazard attempt at explanation - Hugh wants a promotion he doesn't get, so of course he throws a totally irresponsible hissy fit and runs away - but mostly, Hugh just doesn't show up one week and other characters refer to him having "gone fishing." Well, uh, okay. That makes sense.

Why was Miss Fisher removed from Netflix? ›

Why is Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries leaving Netflix? Simply, Netflix is not renewing or ABC is not renewing the license for Netflix to stream the title.

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