This was actually the second Phryne Fisher mystery I read, and I loved it. I'm pretty sure that this book was actually the basis of one of the episodes of the show that I've seen which was pretty cool.
This book follows Phryne as she prepares for the Queen of the Flowers parade. Her adopted daughters are behaving a little strangely and the circus is in town. This mystery comes with handmaidens, an old fiddler/lover from her past and an old friend who has three elephants. It's a menagerie of strange and interesting and it'll take some turns down memory lane before it's all sorted out. The fashion, the lifestyle, the old time 20's feel is there in spades. It's got that mix of high society and low down crime all wrapped into one great book.
The biggest thing I love about these books is that they feel exactly like I'm watching the t.v. show. Every time I have to put the book down to go do something else, and I come back, it feels like I had just hit pause on the show and now I'm back.
Recommendation: Each and every time I write about these books, I urge you to read them or at least watch the show. It's just a great series that is really just a treat for your mystery loving mind.