From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1)

Alan Bradley

Start date: June 1, 2020

Finish date: June 30, 2020

Discussion: Group reads

Why we're reading this: The first in this popular series won the poll for our June group read.
[close] The first in this popular series won the poll for our June group read.

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Group reads

* November 2025 group read - Winner!
By Judy · 20 posts · 31 views

last updated Sep 17, 2025 08:43AM

* Sept 25: Lonesome Road (#3 Miss Silver Mysteries) by Patricia Wentworth
By Susan · 16 posts · 16 views

last updated Sep 19, 2025 01:03PM

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What Members Thought

May 22, 2020 Susan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read this novel when it first came out and recall really enjoying it, so have no idea why I never continued with the series. Too many series on the go? Too many books to read? Whatever the reason, I delighted in this first novel and will definitely continue with the series this time round.

This is set in 1950, where eleven year old, Flavia de Luce, lives with her father and sisters, Ophelia, seventeen and Daphne, thirteen. Her father is a distant presence, who collects stamps and lives mostly I read this novel when it first came out and recall really enjoying it, so have no idea why I never continued with the series. Too many series on the go? Too many books to read? Whatever the reason, I delighted in this first novel and will definitely continue with the series this time round.

This is set in 1950, where eleven year old, Flavia de Luce, lives with her father and sisters, Ophelia, seventeen and Daphne, thirteen. Her father is a distant presence, who collects stamps and lives mostly in his study. Flavia's mother, Harriet, disappeared while mountaineering in Tibet and now the family live in genteel poverty; albeit in their ancestral family home of Buckshaw - complete with folly, island, gardens and garaged Rolls Royce. They have a cook and an old family retainer, 'Dogger,' who suffered trauma as a prisoner of war and who is the closest adult presence in Flavia's life. Flavia herself, left much to her own devices, enjoys chemistry and plotting revenge upon her sisters.

However, life changes when Flavia overhears an argument between her father and a stranger, in his study. That morning, she finds the stranger dead, in their cucumber frame, and eagerly begins to investigate the murder. This has more than just a sense of curiosity, when Flavia's father is suspected of the murder by the long-suffering, Inspector Hewitt.

Normally, I must admit that I dislike books which have children as central characters. However, the author has really taken a child and, as so often in novels, has made her so precocious that, in reality, she is almost an adult, but has a rather unique perspective. The whole mystery is charming and wonderfully written, as Flavia uncovers the crime, which involves delving into her father's past. As she visits old schoolmasters, and old schools, as well as questioning villagers and getting into a great deal of trouble, she has, not only, a more adult perspective, but a great deal more freedom than children these days. It reminded me somewhat of a more adult Enid Blyton novel - and I mean that as a great tribute, as I am largely a reader through devouring Blyton's books as a child. Great fun, well written, with interesting characters. ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore rated it it was amazing

I’d been looking forward to reading this for a bit but was also sceptical from the reviews that I’d read as to how I’d like Flavia. Well, I needn’t have wondered for I took to her right from the start—I loved her ‘voice’ and her spunk though I must confess I didn’t much of the time picture her as an eleven-year old. I also loved all the chemistry and the books/literary references (in one of those weird coincidences, it mentioned Jane of Lantern Hill which I’d just been thinking about rereading). ...more

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Jun 12, 2020 Lesley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2020, mystery, readforkimberly

Set in Britain in the 1950s with an 11 year old, somewhat unique girl as the principal character, this entertaining read captures from the opening chapter. Excellent story told with great descriptive writing capturing the sounds and smells of the British countryside. Not a children’s story, but a story featuring a child who has a quick mind, interest in science, and adventurous nature. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 13, 2017 Serena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fav-heroines, favorite-keepers, heart-melting, historical

i kept chuckling throughout. So delightful. With a few moments that almost made me tear up. The excellent narration by Jayne Entwistle added much to my pleasant experience.

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