Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Murder on the Ballarat Train (2012– ) Online

Phryne and her maid Dot are taking a trip to Ballarat. While on the train, Phryne finds and revives a young woman, Eunice Henderson, who has been chloroformed. Eunice's mother, the obnoxious Mrs. Henderson, is missing from the train. Also missing are some valuable jewels. Although the local cop finds Phryne annoying (but not nearly as annoying as she must find his "this is not a matter for you to worry your pretty little head about" remark), it is Phryne who leads to the discovery of the body of the murdered Mrs. Henderson. Eunice hires Phryne to investigate her mother's murder. A runaway girl is soon found with the jewels and Phryne takes her under her wing and gradually learns the girl's story. Phryne takes the girl, Jane, and Eunice to her newly acquired house in Melbourne. We're introduced to a new series character in the butler with the somewhat unfortunate but appropriate surname of Butler. To Bert and Cec's great amusement, Mr. Butler comments to them how "It will be nice to work for a respectable lady who appreciates the quiet life." Phryne's investigation takes her to the Melbourne University Boating Club where Eunice's fiancé, Alastair, and cousin, Lindsay, are rowers. Meanwhile, Bert and Cec visit the dinghy boardinghouse where Jane had been staying and find the disreputable Mrs. Gay and hypnotist Mr. Merton - and other downtrodden orphan girls. Phryne's and Detective Inspector Jack Robinson's relationship becomes more cordial than it had been. This is a classic murder mystery and the period production values are great. I'm warming up to the Phryne character who although a bit of a hedonist, is engaging and witty and kind hearted. I also like the small touches in the show such as the one showing Phryne reading 'Lady Chatterly's Lover.'

In Murder on the Ballarat Train, Miss Fisher must unravel the mystery behind the murder of a crotchety old woman named Mrs Henderson and the little orphaned girl named Jane who is in possession of Mrs Henderson's valuable jewelry. The case will take Miss Fisher from an upscale university rowing team to a rundown boarding house where lost little girls do the bidding for a crook and hypnotist named Mr Merton.

Now that's more like it. Even though I enjoyed the first episode, Murder on the Ballarat Train is closer to what I'm hoping to find in the series. Once again, the mystery isn't overly difficult to solve, but the process is what matters. The entertainment comes from watching Miss Fisher gather her information and clues in the face of police opposition. Whether it's rescuing a fellow passenger from a chloroform attack or leading the police on a search for missing woman in the middle of the night or making eyes with a young rower who has information she wants, watching Miss Fisher go about her investigation is the part I enjoy. Essie Davis is amazing. I think I could watch her do just about anything and be entertained – she just as that something about her. The regular supporting cast is strong. After two episodes, I'm especially impressed with the wide-eyed, innocent maid Dot, played by Ashleigh Cummings. She makes for a good contrast to Miss Fisher.