The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (Flavia de Luce, #2)

by Alan Bradley

“There’s a lot to be said for being alone. But you and I know, don’t we, Flavia, that being alone and being lonely are not at all the same thing?”

Vaporized by the sun! Wasn’t that what the universe had in store for all of us?

“To carry on the glorious name of de Luce,” she said. “Wherever it may lead you.” This was an interesting thought; it had never occurred to me that one’s name could be a compass.

Inspiration from outside one’s self is like the heat in an oven. It makes passable Bath buns. But inspiration from within is like a volcano: It changes the face of the world.”