The sweetness at the bottom of the pie
Ratings19
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings19
Average rating3.8
It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath.
For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”
Reviews with the most likes.
Child teaches itself chemistry equations before the age of 10? The precocious child trope induces maximum eye-roll before I've reached the 10th page. Hard pass.
Perfect story and a good and funny main character, I love Flavia and her sense of humour and sarcasm. As it takes place in 1950 on English small town and abbey, it is really good and fun to read, I also appreciate that the story and plot goes also back to the history, something which is often done by Agatha Christie as well. The book on its own would receive 4* from me, but the fifth one goes to Martha Issová for her perfect Czech audiobook version.
Full review over at the SFF Book Review
Who would have thought I would develop such a regard for 11-year-old, pigtailed crime solvers with a passion for chemistry? But Flavia de Luce and her utterly charming and funny voice have captured my heart. I normally don't even read crime fiction and it wasn't the plot or the mystery that kept me going with this book (and, indeed, its successor) but the character of Flavia. Her eccentric family, her small town with all its inhabitants and her sense of humor have all convinced me that these little, light adventures are worth reading. Even when not on holiday.
Stamp collecting thief,
amateur magician thug,
red had it coming.
Featured Series
11 primary books12 released booksFlavia de Luce is a 12-book series with 11 primary works first released in 2009 with contributions by Alan Bradley.
