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bhnmt61's review against another edition
3.0
I've heard half a dozen readers say recently that they adore this series. I read the first one years ago, and while I enjoyed it, it didn't draw me in well enough to bother with reading any of the others. But I thought maybe I should try them again, so I picked up this one because it was the next one in the series that was available at our library. I got the audiobook version.
With the addition of the terrific narrator (Jayne Entwistle), I finally understood the love that other readers have for these books. I somehow hadn't been able to hear Flavia's voice in my head, but Entwistle nails it. In this installment, Flavia has her fortune told by a gypsy at a fair. When Flavia accidentally burns down the woman's tent, she ends up offering the woman a place to park her caravan for a few days. The next morning, Flavia finds her nearly beaten to death. Later, a dead body appears nearby. I thought this book took a long time to get started-- a thing happened, and then another thing happened, and then Flavia was off on several "fact finding missions" that didn't always make much sense-- but about halfway through, it started to come together and I enjoyed the second half very much. Audio version highly recommended.
With the addition of the terrific narrator (Jayne Entwistle), I finally understood the love that other readers have for these books. I somehow hadn't been able to hear Flavia's voice in my head, but Entwistle nails it. In this installment, Flavia has her fortune told by a gypsy at a fair. When Flavia accidentally burns down the woman's tent, she ends up offering the woman a place to park her caravan for a few days. The next morning, Flavia finds her nearly beaten to death. Later, a dead body appears nearby. I thought this book took a long time to get started-- a thing happened, and then another thing happened, and then Flavia was off on several "fact finding missions" that didn't always make much sense-- but about halfway through, it started to come together and I enjoyed the second half very much. Audio version highly recommended.
bibliophile80's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, great heroine. Can't wait to go back to the beginning of the series.
byp's review against another edition
4.0
I like this series more and more. Mysteries aren't always my thing, but wit and characters set the Flavia DeLuce books apart.
gemmu's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
Kirja on kolmas sarjassa, ja tässä vaiheessa tietyt hahmojen piirteet ja motiivit alkavat tuntua liian toistuvilta - etenkin sisarustenväliset suhteet ja Flavian käytös poliiseja kohtaan. Kaipaisin jo jotain kehitystä hahmoissa.
Muuten mysteeri oli jälleen mielenkiintoinen ja eteni mukavaa vauhtia. Joitain samankaltaisuuksia saattoi huomata edellisen kirjan juoneen verrattuna. Ehkä pitää jatkossa odottaa pidempään ennen kuin seuraavan kirjan lukee.
Muuten mysteeri oli jälleen mielenkiintoinen ja eteni mukavaa vauhtia. Joitain samankaltaisuuksia saattoi huomata edellisen kirjan juoneen verrattuna. Ehkä pitää jatkossa odottaa pidempään ennen kuin seuraavan kirjan lukee.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Book on CD performed by Jayne Entwistle
4****
The third installment in this series starring a precocious 11-year-old chemistry wizard finds our heroine, Flavia de Luce, caught up with an old gypsy woman and her granddaughter.
I really enjoy this series, and this one is quite good. Bradley puts far less emphasis on Flavia’s chemistry wizardry, and relies more on her indomitable spirit, her curiosity, grace under pressure, quick thinking, and ability to lie through her teeth. Yes, her sisters continue to harangue her (an element of the series that I don’t like), but this is far less prevalent than in earlier books. Yes, her father remains aloof and worried about finances, but he also clearly understands his child and takes one measure at the end that demonstrates how much he cares about her.
Jayne Entwistle is simply brilliant performing this series on audio. Her talent as a voice artist gives the listener a believable 11-year-old Flavia, as well as myriad adults who attempt to dissuade her from sleuthing. Her pacing is fast enough to convey the sense of urgency and suspense, but not so fast as to affect the listener’s understanding. Her performance raises the rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.
4****
The third installment in this series starring a precocious 11-year-old chemistry wizard finds our heroine, Flavia de Luce, caught up with an old gypsy woman and her granddaughter.
I really enjoy this series, and this one is quite good. Bradley puts far less emphasis on Flavia’s chemistry wizardry, and relies more on her indomitable spirit, her curiosity, grace under pressure, quick thinking, and ability to lie through her teeth. Yes, her sisters continue to harangue her (an element of the series that I don’t like), but this is far less prevalent than in earlier books. Yes, her father remains aloof and worried about finances, but he also clearly understands his child and takes one measure at the end that demonstrates how much he cares about her.
Jayne Entwistle is simply brilliant performing this series on audio. Her talent as a voice artist gives the listener a believable 11-year-old Flavia, as well as myriad adults who attempt to dissuade her from sleuthing. Her pacing is fast enough to convey the sense of urgency and suspense, but not so fast as to affect the listener’s understanding. Her performance raises the rating from 3.5 to 4 stars.
flutegirl24's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
alidottie's review against another edition
4.0
Hurray! The third Flavia De Luce book--I can't wait!
Another good one! I'm so pleased that Alan Bradley writes these pleasant books!
Another good one! I'm so pleased that Alan Bradley writes these pleasant books!
steonafiphens's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
vibeke_hiatt's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite Flavia de Luce book so far. Although the solutions to some of the problems were obvious, others really surprised me. In this book, Flavia seems more vulnerable and human, which makes me like her even more. Her relationships with her father and sisters are explored a little more in depth. The changes they are all going through are refreshing. Bradley writes with a consistent voice, which can't possibly be easy for an older man writing in the voice of an eleven-year-old girl.