The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, #1) in Special chat with Charles Todd, Alan Bradley, and Tasha Alexander

Sep 28, 2009 Tami Traylor rated it it was amazing

This was a delightful mystery.

I was immediately taken with the impish protagonist, Flavia De Luce. An 11 year old, with a penchant for organic chemistry, namely the concoction of poison, her youthful wit and swift deductive reasoning makes her feel like a combination of Trixie Belden and Sherlock Holmes. And still, that doesn't do this savvy, forceful character justice. She's in a class by herself.

I felt like I was there when she found the body in the cucumber patch. I rode with her on "Gladys" ...more

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Jan 26, 2010 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-in-10

This book is hilarious. But does anyone know who the intended audience is? The book is about an 11 year old girl, but written by a man (who probably isn't 11).

It doesn't really seem like a YA novel.

But it's really, REALLY funny.

More to come!

Okay, to do something like a review, this was an excellent book.

It had everything: humor, family, history, boys school, police, and royalty.

I can't wait to read Flavia's next adventure! ...more

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Jun 20, 2010 Sherry rated it really liked it

In general, most mysteries suffer from one of two defects; either they are too focused on the mystery/plot that the characters are two dimensional or they are too convoluted with characters, subplots, and red herrings that they are ponderous and horribly unpleasant to read. I am happy to report that The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie did not suffer from either of these afflictions!

Flavia de Luce is the heroine you love to cheer for. Her 11 year-old mind and attitude is all can-do. Not for on ...more

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Sep 15, 2009 Ben rated it really liked it

A lush setting, colorful cast, and riveting pace make this page-turner one of the most engaging Whodunnits yet written. This intriguing tale of deception and malice – brought to life by a classic selection of characters – lies somewhere between The Secret History (Donna Tartt) and The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett).

This book has it all: The 11-year-old brainiac, the smarmy inspector, tense sneaks through various cellars, libraries and mansions, secret hiding places, a rickety cheese tr ...more

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Jul 28, 2009 Edwin Arnaudin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Been meaning to read this one for a while, and finally got to it when my library bought the audio version. Jayne Entwistle's cheerful narration adds a depth to Alan Bradley's story that the text alone may not have been able to produce. She impressively captures the mischievousness and innocence of amateur chemist/sleuth/pre-teen Flavia de Luce while channeling Bradley's intriguing small-town British writing.

Throughout the production, I wavered between thinking the story was so-so or brilliant, a ...more

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Jul 06, 2009 Helen rated it it was ok

Shelves: family-life, mystery, relationships

I finally gave up reading this. At some point I felt that I was just wasting my time.

I am not sure whether this was a book written about children for adults or a book written about an adult mystery for children. Maybe someone can clarify this for me.

The story seemed weak to me and I never got a grasp on why it would be enthralling to know why this person was murdered. I got tired of the mean-spirited children and their whiny father who doesn't come across as much of an authority figure. And mos ...more

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Mar 23, 2010 Helen rated it it was amazing

This is a delightful story ..that all will enjoy. Flavia is just the most endearing heroine to come along in a very long time. Hats off to Alan Bradley for a very very good time. That resulted in staying up way to late on a work night.. but the enjoyment is more than worth it!

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Apr 09, 2009 A rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult, adult, mystery, series, funny, science, award-winners, historical, arc

Anglophiles, poets, chemists, and philatelists alike will find something to love in this cheeky whodunit. Eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce takes the cake, er, pie? as the precocious heroine and chief poisoner of this tale.

Oh yeah, you armchair sleuths may enjoy this as well.

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Oct 23, 2009 Melanie rated it it was amazing

A cleverly written mystery of a curious 11 year old sleuth. Such a fun read!

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May 14, 2009 Annamaria rated it it was amazing

This book is the reason I will never own a Kindle or any other electronic reading device. Not only is the read cozy but the book itself is cozy. The story is told by an 11 year old girl who is Sherlock Holmes in the making. It combines a good Agatha Christie with a Dorothy Sayre. An 11 year old who states: "My idea of heaven is where the library is open 24 hours a day, eight days a week", is a heroine to watch, ...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Emma rated it it was amazing

I wish I was as awesome as Flavia when I was 11 years old.

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May 16, 2009 Melyssa rated it really liked it

Really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series. The main character was unique and very well drawn by the author. Set in England which always gets extra credit from me. Fun summer read!

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