Hailed as “a combination of Eloise and Sherlock Holmes” by The Boston Globe, Flavia de Luce returns in a much anticipated new Christmas mystery from award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Alan Bradley.
In spite of being ejected from Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy in Canada, twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce is excited to be sailing home to England. But instead of a joyous homecoming, she is greeted on the docks with unfortunate news: Her father has fallen ill, and a hospital visit will have to wait while he rests. But with Flavia’s blasted sisters and insufferable cousin underfoot, Buckshaw now seems both too empty—and not empty enough. Only too eager to run an errand for the vicar’s wife, Flavia hops on her trusty bicycle, Gladys, to deliver a message to a reclusive wood-carver. Finding the front door ajar, Flavia enters and stumbles upon the poor man’s body hanging upside down on the back of his bedroom door. The only living creature in the house is a feline that shows little interest in the disturbing scene. Curiosity may not kill this cat, but Flavia is energized at the prospect of a new investigation. It’s amazing what the discovery of a corpse can do for one’s spirits. But what awaits Flavia will shake her to the very core.
Acclaim for Alan Bradley’s beloved Flavia de Luce novels, winners of the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award, Barry Award, Agatha Award, Macavity Award, Dilys Award, and Arthur Ellis Award
“If ever there were a sleuth who’s bold, brilliant, and, yes, adorable, it’s Flavia de Luce.”—USA Today
“[Flavia] is as addictive as dark chocolate.”—Daily Mail
“Flavia de Luce is still the world’s greatest adolescent British chemist/busybody/sleuth.”—The Seattle Times
She’s HOME again!!!! Whether or not you enjoy this latest installment of the Flavia de Luce novels is going to depend on whether you read them for the plotted mystery in each book or if you read them simply for the enjoyment of Flavia herself. If you read them looking for sophisticated mystery plots, you’ll likely be disappointed. But if you’re like me and fall into the latter category, you’ll love this new installment.
Flavia Rides Again. The Top Ten Things That Are Great About THRICE THE BRINDLED CAT HATH MEW’D. I have been accused of revealing too much when I review one of Alan Bradley’s books, because he packs so much into the first ten pages that someone reading the review would assume the reviewer had just given away every precious detail. My warning is this: nothing I say as part of the synopsis comes from anything past page 30. If you read that as a spoiler alert, so be it.
Flavia returns! When we last saw Flavia (As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust), she was at a boarding school in Canada. I didn’t think Flavia fit in Canada any better than she did and was pleased at her decision at the end of that book to return home to Bishop’s Lacey in the England of the 1950s. The big question was, though, whether she (and the series) would regain her old form. The answer is a resounding Yes!