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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I'll finally admit it. I like mysteries. I never got over my love of Nancy Drew. It never was really about the actual crime or the piecing together of clues, it's about the detective, the setting, and the tone of the narrative. The happier the better when dealing with death. So bring on Nancy, Miss Marple, and now I can add Flavia de Luce to the mix.
This book was pretty fun, and although I guessed the murderer, it wasn't until the end of the middle. Flavia was an interesting choice for a narrator. She is very unruly and consciously not very well behaved (riding your bike all over town chasing the newest lead in a crime is probably not a good idea when you are ELEVEN)- which is generally something I can't stand- but she has enough sass that I was willing to let it slide. Sometimes the technical chemistry jargon lost me, but in general, I enjoyed this book.
Great narrator. Didn't get four stars because I figured out the ending! Very interesting character though.
lighthearted
mysterious
Hours after a dead bird with a Penny Black stamp is left on the door step of Buckshaw house, a man breathes his last in the garden. Flavia de Luce, the youngest resident of the house with a flare for the dramatic, couldn't be more thrilled. A chemist at heart, with a particular love of poisons, she is somewhat ignored by her father and sisters. But when her father, who she had heard arguing with the dead man the day he died, is arrested for murder, Flavia must take matter into her own hands. Using her knowledge of chemistry, and her natural street smarts, she hunts for the true killer. But that just may spell disaster for her instead.
Flavia is precocious and a bit outrageous. I pictured her as a combo of Agatha Christie and Eloise. There were so many things I loved about her: the loyalty she has to her household - family and servants alike - even though she would never admit to actually loving her sisters; the way she seeks justice and truth; and her general spunk. She is kind to those around her, but also fairly sassy and sarcastic. The story itself was intriguing but it was Flavia who held my attention.
Flavia is precocious and a bit outrageous. I pictured her as a combo of Agatha Christie and Eloise. There were so many things I loved about her: the loyalty she has to her household - family and servants alike - even though she would never admit to actually loving her sisters; the way she seeks justice and truth; and her general spunk. She is kind to those around her, but also fairly sassy and sarcastic. The story itself was intriguing but it was Flavia who held my attention.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A mystery featuring Flavia de Luce, an improbable eleven-year-old girl, from an improbable family living in 1950s England, who uses her wits and chemistry skills to solve a murder. The mystery was pretty standard, so what makes this unique is the main character—if you can stand her—which I guess I can. It reads just quirky and self aware enough to not put me off. I’ll probably space out reads of the sequels as I continue, though.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute! Funny precocious 11 year-old protagonist. Light reading.