From the Bookshelf of Reading the Detectives…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
*
Starting/joining in with buddy reads
By Judy · 1342 posts · 372 views
By Judy · 1342 posts · 372 views
last updated 1 hour, 6 min ago
*
White Nights by Ann Cleeves (Shetland #2) (August/Sept 25)
By Susan · 29 posts · 12 views
By Susan · 29 posts · 12 views
last updated Sep 04, 2025 12:17PM
showing 4 of 4 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread
By Judy · 4475 posts · 483 views
last updated May 21, 2019 12:15PM
What mysteries are you reading at the moment? Old thread, 2019-2020
By Judy · 1516 posts · 212 views
By Judy · 1516 posts · 212 views
last updated Oct 02, 2020 11:38PM
What mysteries are you reading at the moment? (2021)
By Judy · 1557 posts · 236 views
By Judy · 1557 posts · 236 views
last updated Dec 16, 2022 05:33PM
What Members Thought
I have to say, Alan Bradley's ability to evoke a time and place is simply amazing. Whether I enjoyed the mystery or not I would probably read this series just for the opportunity to escape to these small towns in 1950s England.
IF you adored the SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE I hardly think you need me to urge you on to read Flavia #2. However, if you are like me and somewhat on the line as to whether to continue, let me give you a little nudge to go ahead and pick this book up too. First, th ...more
IF you adored the SWEETNESS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PIE I hardly think you need me to urge you on to read Flavia #2. However, if you are like me and somewhat on the line as to whether to continue, let me give you a little nudge to go ahead and pick this book up too. First, th ...more
10/2020 - I enjoyed rereading this, I devoured the series as the books came out years ago, and didn’t remember a lot about first meeting these wonderful characters who have become old friends!
In this outing, Flavia meets a famous BBC puppeteer and his assistant, stranded with van trouble near Bishop’s Lacey. The vicar asks them to put on a show while waiting for repairs to be done, and Flavia is drafted as willing dogsbody; there’s also a visit from wacky Aunt Felicity (our first look at her), a ...more
In this outing, Flavia meets a famous BBC puppeteer and his assistant, stranded with van trouble near Bishop’s Lacey. The vicar asks them to put on a show while waiting for repairs to be done, and Flavia is drafted as willing dogsbody; there’s also a visit from wacky Aunt Felicity (our first look at her), a ...more
Not as good as the first, but a good enough mystery.
Another mystery featuring precocious 11-year-old Flavia de Luce. This time there are two mysterious to solve, the death of a child that took place six years earlier, and then a dramatic murder at a puppet show. Are the two crimes linked?
As with the earlier story, this is an enjoyable mystery, with some amusing characters. However, I personally find the character of Flavia de Luce somewhat unconvincing, she seems so very unlike an 11-year-old, even an exceptionally gifted one, to me. I would pref ...more
As with the earlier story, this is an enjoyable mystery, with some amusing characters. However, I personally find the character of Flavia de Luce somewhat unconvincing, she seems so very unlike an 11-year-old, even an exceptionally gifted one, to me. I would pref ...more
A quote from the Globle and Mail on the front cover of my edition of The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag describes the book perfectly as a combination of Agatha Christie and Lemony Snicket. This is about as good of a summary of the tone and style of Alan Bradley has you may ever get.
The mystery in this one is a slow burn with a meandering protagonist that pieces the facts together, despite her immense youth. Flavia's intelligence is well beyond her years and her cleverness in conversation i ...more
The mystery in this one is a slow burn with a meandering protagonist that pieces the facts together, despite her immense youth. Flavia's intelligence is well beyond her years and her cleverness in conversation i ...more
Flavia is an excellent character for a number of reasons. The key reason, to my mind, is her curiosity and initiative. I cannot help loving her busyness.
The setting of these novels keeps the plot contained. It is well-written so that the reader feels quite ready to hop out across the fields and woods with Flavia. Even though the story was rather convoluted by the end, the characters and setting are charming and redeem any technical flaws.
Recommended for all readers.
The setting of these novels keeps the plot contained. It is well-written so that the reader feels quite ready to hop out across the fields and woods with Flavia. Even though the story was rather convoluted by the end, the characters and setting are charming and redeem any technical flaws.
Recommended for all readers.
Flavia de Luce is such an original character! I am really enjoying this series. I thought the first book was great, so it was hard for this book to live up to my expectations. I would recommend this series to everyone, a good choice for teens as well.
Just as good as the first. Flavia is a great character, and her adventures are so much fun to read about.
Oh how I loved, loved, loved this one!!!
Even better than The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie! The novelty of having an 11-year-old poison-expert as a heroine has slightly worn off, but I actually preferred the plotting of this 2nd novel. The flavor was reminiscent of one of those delectable village soaps that Jane Marple was forever observing.
...more
Another great Flavia de Luce mystery!
i am all about flavia.
Jun 11, 2011
Marianne
marked it as to-read
Loved it!
Sep 08, 2016
Elena
added it
