Kerry Greenwood OAM, the Australian author behind the popular Phryne Fisher murder mystery, has passed away at age 70.
The celebratedfemale writer, lawyer and playwright died on March 26, her partner David Greagg confirmed in a post to her official Facebook page.
“Apparently rumours have been flying about that Kerry has left this earth. I am afraid this is absolutely the case,” Greagg wrote this morning.
“The funeral was yesterday, and she was given a suitably royal send-off.”
Greagg said he kept Greenwood’s death a “secret” to allow her loved ones to grieve in private.
“Her condition had deteriorated to the point where I could not keep her at home any longer,” Greagg wrote.
“Kerry was an extremely private person and had no wish to share her pain with anyone.
“Yes, she has gone. But she lives on in her books, and in our hearts.”
Her cause of death has not been made public, but Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries publisher Allen & Unwin said she passed away after a “courageous battle with ill-health”.
“Kerry was a gifted writer, a generous spirit and a fierce advocate for creativity, joy and justice,” the publisher wrote in a post to Facebook.
“She brought us the iconic Phryne Fisher and Corinna Chapman – two unforgettable heroines who continue to inspire readers around the world.
The crime writer is best known for her 22 Phryne Fisher novels, which have sold more than 1.4 million copies worldwide.
In 2020, she was decorated with the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to literature as a writer.
Greenwood was also the recipient of several industry awards, including the Sisters in Crime Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.
Allen & Unwin announced a new Phryne Fisher novel, called Murder in the Cathedral will be published later this year.
In 2012, the book series centering on a fierce 1920s female detective, was adopted into a highly popular tv series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
The show was then adapted into a stand-alone action-adventure feature film titled Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears.
In 2020, the concept was converted into a Mandarin language series set in Shanghai in the 1930s, called Miss S.
Australian actor Essie Davis, who played the lead role in the three-season ABC program, paid tribute to the author in a post to Instagram.
“Our Darling Kerry. What a gift. My heartfelt condolences to dear David,” Davis wrote.
“Kerry gifted us one of the most powerful and positive and inspiring heroines in Phryne Fisher.
“She has rescued and empowered so many people.
“I’m so grateful Kerry chose me to embody her. What a blessing.”
Tributes from across the arts world continue to flow for the celebrated creative.
Producers of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, , Fiona Eagger an Deb Cox, farewelled the “magnificent” writer in a touching statement.
“She was our friend, inspiration, and the kindest and most supportive human we have worked with,” the pair wrote.
“We will miss her terribly and are forever grateful to have been trusted with her wonderful novels and to have had the honour of bringing the brilliant world she created to the screen.
“Her legacy will live on – we need to be brave like Phryne and in Kerry’s words – “go fly my pretty’s”.
“May your spirit soar, rest in peace Kerry Greenwood, forever in our hearts.”
Greenwood grew up in Footscray in Melbourne’s inner-west and lived there for most of her life.
In addition to her career as an author, she worked as a locum solicitor at a local Magistrates’ Court near her home.
