Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (TV Series) Murder on the Ballarat Train (2012) User Reviews

A very good episode

[Paularoc · 8/10 · 27 April 2013]

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.'

Another fine mystery.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 18 August 2020]

Murder on the Ballarat Express, as Phryne helps the Police solve the murder of a loathsome woman, and apparent assault on her daughter who is bound and unconscious.

This truly was an enjoyable mystery, I am reminded so much of Father Brown, a Detective with the ability to go where they want and ask what they can, both a help and hindrance to the Police.

Davie continues to dazzle, I absolutely adore her character. It's a lovely production, well acted, with great sets and costumes.nnice characters and a clever solution.

Another little member joins the family, this time young Jane, who's next.

Very entertaining

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 5 April 2017]

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.

Wonderful

[Vikkiemail · 10/10 · 9 June 2019]

Love this series! She is very modern lady, and sleeps with anything that has pants on...almost. So, she is very naughty, but a tender loving person that wants to make sure all the wrongs in the world, get put right. Dot the maid, is a proper Catholic who is sure anything electric will end the world and kill everyone. All the characters are perfect, they stand behind her every move. In this episode Phryne saves an orphan girl, while solving a murder...oh and sleeps with only 1 man in this one. Lol Love the comedy plus the different routes the show takes us, with each character and their stories.