Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
It was fun to return to the world of Flavia de Luce, now shrouded in more mature-feeling mystery and intrigue (instead of just, you know, lighthearted murder). I look forward to the next few entries in the series to see where things go...
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
mysterious
medium-paced
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Alan Bradley treats us to another date with the precocious and unpredictable Flavia de Luce in What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust. This was the first Flavia novel I had read for a while, but even having missed a few of the previous books in the series, I fell right in again to the world of Flavia and her precise, inquisitive, scientific view of society's foibles. She finds herself investigating the death of the Major Greyleigh, a somewhat reclusive village, who turns out to be a retired hangman. Flaiva's own cook Mrs. Mullett is suspected of the murder, and between trying to clear Mrs. Mullett and also keeping track of her "pestilent" young cousin, Undine, Flavia almost misses the revelations that strike directly at the heart of her family. Flavia is one of the most interesting and unusual voices in the mystery genre. The more we hear from her, the better!
I'm disappointed... I love it when Flavia is solving eccentric little mysteries in an English village through the power of chemistry but I couldn't care less about spy shenanigans or conspiracy theories. Maybe I'll have forgotten my frustration with this book by the time the next book is published, but I'm struggling to find the love I once had for this series.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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
After a long five-year wait, Flavia de Luce is back in *What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust*, the eleventh installment in Alan Bradley’s beloved series. From the recognizable style of the cover to the abstruse title, Bradley’s clever turn of phrase and incomparable writing are as sharp and smart as ever, which is what makes him an auto-read author for me.
In this installment, Flavia is again ready to test her tenacity, deduction skills, and chemical expertise as a sleuth when former hangman Major Greyleigh is found dead from a breakfast of poisoned mushrooms. The de Luce family cook, Mrs. Mullet, prepared the dish, but Flavia is convinced of her innocence. With the help of her young cousin Undine, who’s a force of her own with a wicked sense of humor, and Arthur Dogger, the estate gardener, Flavia dives into the mystery. Their investigations uncover shocking revelations at a nearby American military base, making Flavia question everything she thought she knew.
Bradley’s gift for characterization and wit are next level, and Flavia’s perspective is as fresh and engaging as ever, even though I missed the bickering antics with her older sisters. The vivid descriptions and Bradley’s storytelling make for a wonderful reading adventure. While some parts felt a little flat compared to earlier books, the delight of following Flavia and her quirky crew still makes for a captivating read.
A sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy. *What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust* is a treat to get lost in—smart, funny, and full of surprises.
In this installment, Flavia is again ready to test her tenacity, deduction skills, and chemical expertise as a sleuth when former hangman Major Greyleigh is found dead from a breakfast of poisoned mushrooms. The de Luce family cook, Mrs. Mullet, prepared the dish, but Flavia is convinced of her innocence. With the help of her young cousin Undine, who’s a force of her own with a wicked sense of humor, and Arthur Dogger, the estate gardener, Flavia dives into the mystery. Their investigations uncover shocking revelations at a nearby American military base, making Flavia question everything she thought she knew.
Bradley’s gift for characterization and wit are next level, and Flavia’s perspective is as fresh and engaging as ever, even though I missed the bickering antics with her older sisters. The vivid descriptions and Bradley’s storytelling make for a wonderful reading adventure. While some parts felt a little flat compared to earlier books, the delight of following Flavia and her quirky crew still makes for a captivating read.
A sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy. *What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust* is a treat to get lost in—smart, funny, and full of surprises.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder