Phryne Fisher is on vacation...Dead man's Chest (#18) by Kerry Greenwood

Dead Man’s Chest (Phryne Fisher #18) by Kerry Greenwood is a delightful mystery to be solved by our number one lady sleuth of the 1920’s. It is vacation time in Australia 1929 and Phryne Fisher has decided to pack everyone into the Hispano-Suiza and spend some time by the bay at Queenscliff. Upon arriving they are perplexed as to why the housekeepers, the Johnsons, are not there to meet them. Not only are the housekeepers missing, but their furniture and food from the pantry. Although this is disappointing, Phryne handles the situation well and enlists some help as she plans to find out more about the missing Johnsons. Soon, the Johnson’s beloved little dog appears looking bedraggled. Now, Phryne knows for sure something terrible has happened to the Johnsons, so she is on the case.
In Dead Man’s Chest we learn more about the two girls, Jane and Rose. Their individual personalities are brought out more in this story. I love that Dot and Hugh are getting further along in their romance and he comes to visit and lends assistance when things get scary with some young bullies. Also, we meet a possible new addition to Phryne’s family. You will need to read the book to find out how she befriends a serious young man in need of a mentor.
The story is layered with a freakish braid snipper who has put fear into the ladies in the area about keeping their hair safely tucked into a hat or pinned away. Add in a tale of buried pirate treasure and smugglers, a young kitchen maid who wants to be a movie star, and we start to read that Phryne is becoming unraveled with so many interruptions to her family’s peaceful holiday. I felt frustrated for Phryne because her vacation was a series of misfortunate events!