Diverting but disappointing

The book felt sluggish. There were odd errors: like Ember becoming a female young kitten, and Dot being so censorious about Phryne's affairs, and Phryne being so disapproving of Dot's fashion choices. Some of the conversation and terminology didn't seem appropriate to the time period- like when Peggy says, "Sweet!" in celebration of getting help- this is a much more modern exclamation.

This feels almost like it was partly written as an earlier book in the series, before Dot really became comfortable with her position and became the confident young woman she currently is. Also, Greenwood missed the chance with the wombat to have Phryne reflect on the wombat that had saved her life in a previous novel. This really does feel like a partly developed novel that had the secondary mystery with the girls, Tinker, and Collins shoehorned in to fill it out.

Despite all that, it was diverting and a fun read.