Dickens & Rumi

book

Murder and Mendelssohn

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Kerry Greenwood · 2019

Is Murder and Mendelssohn appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for Murder and Mendelssohn by Kerry Greenwood. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Romance, Sexual content & nudity; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

Book 20 · Phryne FisherSource checked

Where to get it

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Romance 3/5 · Sexual content & nudity 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Good role models 4/5
Series positionBook 20 · Phryne Fisher
Recommendation3.5/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
18Scored categories
18Evidence notes
1Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 6, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

Review depth18 scored categories18 evidence notes
Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Romance3/5
  • Sexual content & nudity3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

  1. Book 5 · The Green Mill Murder
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 7 · Ruddy Gore
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 8 · Urn Burial (A Phryne Fisher Mystery)
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Frightening scenes2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Products & advertising1/5Religious themes1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 19 · Unnatural Habits
    Alcohol or drugs3/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Religious themes3/5Romance3/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Strong language2/5
    Gets more intense
  5. Book 20 · Murder and Mendelssohn
    Death of a character3/5Romance3/5Sexual content & nudity3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Frightening scenes2/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Religious themes2/5Strong language2/5Products & advertising1/5
    Gets gentler

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Murder is central to the mystery and is discussed and investigated, but available evidence does not indicate extensive on-page deaths or prolonged grief.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional descriptions of bodies or crime scenes, consistent with the mystery genre.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Some mild to moderate period-appropriate language and expletives.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

The series occasionally touches on diverse identities within its 1920s setting.

Religious themes2/5
Why this rating?

The choral and church setting involves religious organizations as part of the narrative backdrop.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Romantic subplots are present, typical of the series, with consensual adult interactions.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

The investigation and threat of a killer create suspense, but the story is a period mystery rather than horror and is not chiefly frightening.

Sexual content & nudity3/5
Why this rating?

Includes adult themes and implied sexual situations, though generally discreet.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Social drinking and smoking are depicted, consistent with 1920s historical accuracy.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Features murder investigations with descriptions of crime scenes and threats, but not gratuitous.

Checked and not flagged

No concern recorded in these categories

These categories were explicitly scored 0/5 in the published review. This is not a guarantee that every edition or reader experience is identical.

Products & advertising · 0/5

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist regularly faces danger to ensure justice is served.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Encourages analytical thinking and problem-solving through the mystery format.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Explores various social strata of the 1920s, including class and occasional minority perspectives.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Provides some historical context regarding 1920s Australia and social history.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

The lead shows genuine care for the vulnerable characters she helps.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Promotes themes of justice, independence, and challenging social status quos.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Phryne Fisher is a highly capable, independent, and intellectually curious protagonist.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in Murder and Mendelssohn would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Murder and Mendelssohn, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.