As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust (Flavia de Luce, #7) in 2015 Snagged @ The Library Challenge

Aug 08, 2015 Angel Parrish rated it really liked it

Shelves: snagged-library

Saved $11 because I Snagged @ the Library

On a lark, I decided to pick up the first book that caught my eye in the library's New Arrivals section. It was this book. I had no idea I was picking up #7 of a series--I normally like to start with book #1. I also had no idea that within the first few paragraphs I would be thoroughly enchanted.

Although this book is new, it has a decidedly classic feel. It is set in the 1950s and feels as though that's when it was written. Even the size of the hardback a Saved $11 because I Snagged @ the Library

On a lark, I decided to pick up the first book that caught my eye in the library's New Arrivals section. It was this book. I had no idea I was picking up #7 of a series--I normally like to start with book #1. I also had no idea that within the first few paragraphs I would be thoroughly enchanted.

Although this book is new, it has a decidedly classic feel. It is set in the 1950s and feels as though that's when it was written. Even the size of the hardback and the choice of font reflect a vintage vibe. And yet, it isn't dated and dilapidated. Instead, like any good yarn, we feel we have stepped into a bygone era and become part of the story.

The writing is sharp and witty. The characters are extremely interesting and memorable. The mystery is filled with plenty of twists and turns and more than enough subplots to keep us curious and guessing until the very end. And that heroine, Flavia de Luce, is Nancy Drew and Anne Shirley rolled together, with a whole bunch of extra attitude and flair thrown in. She is a delight, and you will enjoy her 12-year-old chemistry prodigy perspective (although as a parent you might occasionally want to smack her).

The book is CLEAN. By my count, there was one curse word, no inappropriate discussions or scenes, no sexual or lewd conduct. (Flavia is, after all, only 12.) Even though the heroine is a child, this is intended to be a book for adults or advanced readers, as the vocabulary and style are very sophisticated. Parents and teachers will find it educational as there is a great opportunity for expansion of vocabulary and interest in science--particularly chemistry. And yet, because it is a slightly macabre murder mystery with much discussion of poisons, manner of death, corpses, etc, parents will want to take care when deciding whether or not their child is ready for Flavia's adventures.

Honestly, this book was a delightful discovery. I can't believe there were 7 of these books published before they crossed my radar. I will be going back to book #1 and starting at the beginning of Flavia's adventures. I have a feeling I'm about to be a die-hard fan. ...more

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Nov 12, 2014 Elsi rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks, mystery, read-in-2014, forreview

My Thoughts

So, what is As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust all about? Flavia has been bundled off to boarding school in Canada—the very same school that her mother had attended as a girl. In her usual style, Flavia pretty much does her own thing rather than falling in line with the schedule of school and dormitory life. Of course there's a murder and Flavia is leading the charge to identify the dead woman and determine how she died. Along the way, it is revealed that a number of students have mys

My Thoughts

So, what is As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust all about? Flavia has been bundled off to boarding school in Canada—the very same school that her mother had attended as a girl. In her usual style, Flavia pretty much does her own thing rather than falling in line with the schedule of school and dormitory life. Of course there's a murder and Flavia is leading the charge to identify the dead woman and determine how she died. Along the way, it is revealed that a number of students have mysteriously disappeared from the school. There is also a secret society (or two?) operating in the boarding school. More mysteries for Flavia to solve.

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust contains the usual Flavia quirks: her passion for chemistry, obsession with the processes of decay and decomposition, and application of scientific method to problems of any type. Those who have been reading the entire series will enjoy seeing Flavia mature through her new experiences. Readers will also miss the setting of Buckshaw, the village of Bishop's Lacey, and the inhabitants of both.

I said that I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I did. But I found myself feeling dissatisfied—particularly in the second half of the book. For example, Flavia is very lonely and perks up a little bit when she finally gets a letter from Dogger, six weeks after leaving home. But, nowhere does the author tell us that she is sending off letter after letter to her family. No. Instead, Flavia says, “After queuing day after day at the wicket, and being turned away each time letterless, I had simply given up waiting,” concluding “...no one on this particular planet gave a rat’s whisker for Flavia de Luce.”

Fortunately, her loyal readers do care, and care deeply for Flavia. I'm hoping that this book is the launching pad for further episodes of Flavia's story.

I kept wavering between 4 and 5 stars for As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust. I'm a real fan of Flavia de Luce, the young protagonist in Alan Bradley's series of mystery novels. The prior book was released in January 2014, and I checked it out of the library the day it arrived. In fact, I put myself on the reserve list before the library had even received their copy. I flew through that book, reading The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches in only two days.

Browsing through NetGalley, I was excited to see that a new volume in Flavia's story was due in January 2015. You can imagine how thrilled I was when my request to receive a review copy of As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust was approved. Due to business and family commitments (“life” ?) it actually took me four days to read this book and I enjoyed every minute of it. As I have time to think about it, however, I don't think this was the very best of the series, so let's settle for 4 stars.

...more

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