Kerry Greenwood OAM, the esteemed Australian author renowned for the Phryne Fisher murder mystery series, has passed away at the age of 70. Her partner, David Greagg, announced the news on her official Facebook page, confirming that she had indeed left this world on March 26. To honour her wishes for privacy, he had initially kept her deteriorating health a secret, allowing family and friends time to grieve without public scrutiny.
Greagg shared that Greenwood had recently faced significant health challenges, necessitating her move from home care. He described her as a fiercely private individual who preferred to keep her struggles to herself. Despite her absence, Greagg expressed that her legacy lives on through her books and in the hearts of those who loved her.
While her cause of death remains undisclosed, her publisher, Allen & Unwin, noted that she passed away after a “courageous battle with ill-health.” The publisher praised Greenwood as a talented writer and a passionate advocate for creativity and justice, highlighting her iconic characters, Phryne Fisher and Corinna Chapman, who continue to inspire readers globally.
Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher novels, comprising 22 titles, have achieved widespread acclaim, selling over 1.4 million copies worldwide. In recognition of her contributions to literature, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2020 and received the Sisters in Crime Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. A new novel featuring Phryne Fisher, titled “Murder in the Cathedral,” is scheduled for release later this year.
Her works inspired the successful television adaptation, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries,” which aired for three seasons and later led to a film, “Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears.” In 2020, the series was reimagined in Mandarin as “Miss S,” set in 1930s Shanghai.
Colleagues and admirers have shared heartfelt tributes, including Australian actor Essie Davis, who portrayed Phryne Fisher. Davis expressed her gratitude for having played such a powerful character and offered her condolences to Greagg, acknowledging Greenwood’s impact on many lives.
Producers of the television series, Fiona Eagger and Deb Cox, described Greenwood as both a friend and an inspiration, celebrating her kind nature and the honour of adapting her beloved novels for the screen. Her legacy, they affirmed, will continue to resonate, encouraging others to embody the bravery of her characters.
Greenwood spent most of her life in Footscray, Melbourne, where she not only created literature that captured the imagination but also worked as a locum solicitor at a local Magistrates’ Court. Her departure marks a significant loss in the literary and creative communities, as tributes pour in celebrating both her life and her impactful work.