WAITING FOR FLAVIA

The tenth Flavia de Luce novel has just been released.  For those of you that have not met Alan Bradley’s twelve-year-old sleuth I would recommend you begin with the first of the series: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.  

There is no better introduction to young Flavia than her own words:

“I’d like to remark at the onset that I’m a girl with better than an average brain.   Just as some people are given the gift of a singular and often quite remarkable talent – such as Violet Cornish’s uncanny ability to break wind to the tune of “Joy to the World” – I myself, in much the same way, have been blessed with powers of logical thinking.  As Violet could easily confirm, it’s something you’re born with, and then improve by much practice.”

This is the beginning of volume ten: The Golden Tresses of the Dead.

I am not into children’s literature, or literature about children; I don’t particularly like children;  but I make the exception with the Flavia de Luce mysteries.  These are a damn good read.

 

I dare you to read the first one and then not continue with the series.

the Ol’Buzzard

A GREAT READ FOR A STORMY WINTER DAY

If you like cozy mysteries in the manner of Miss Marple and Herqule Poirot then you would enjoy this series written by Alan Bradley.  

Flavia de Luce is an eleven-year-old brilliant and adorable savant, obsessed with the chemistry and poisons.   She lives with her father and two sisters in a run-down mansion in rural England. 

As an eleven-year-old child Flavia can meld into the background of a ghastly murder scene, committed in an English village, and her quick mind can often make connections before the local authorities. 

Death, corpses, mayhem – nothing disturbs this inquisitive young sleuth, who is as comfortable inspecting a dead body as a woman is selecting undergarments at a department store.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is the first book of the series, and the tenth book, The Golden Tresses of the Dead has just been released.

As a rule, I do not like books and movies about children’s adventures; but Flavia de Luce is my exception. 

the Ol’Buzzard

SO MANY BOOKS SO LITTLE TIME

I am never without a book to read.  I am an eclectic reader.  From cozy Ms Marple mysteries to the Icelandic legends of Sigurd and Gudrun; from the Cat Who mysteries to The Elegant Universe; The Three Pillars of Zen to manuals for Dummies.  

The new book I have picked up is a cozy read – light – a quick read – a pleasant read for a rainy day.  

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley, is the story of an eleven year old female Chemistry prodigy who is obsessed with poisons and prisoners.   The stories take place in the 1950’s in rural England.  Flavia de Luce has the keen perceptions of Sherlock Holmes; and being eleven years old she can move through the adult world practically unnoticed.   She comes from a totally dysfunctional home with an eccentric father and two older sisters that attempt to make her life a misery.  Brilliant beyond her age, Flavia is able to solve mysteries that the local constabulary find baffling. 

A mixture of Tom Sawyer and Nancy Drew with a splash of Ms Marple and Sherlock Holmes; Flavia becomes a lovable, rascally heroine that will make you want to read the rest of the series. 

If you are looking from a respite from the government foolishness you could do worse that spend an afternoon with Flavia de Luce.

the Ol’Buzzard