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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
YES! This is the book we've been waiting for. Emotion, stunning, hilarious and also tearful, the best characters and the best village and the best writing. I devoured this book and can only hope we will get more (especially after that ending because I cannot wait to see how Flavia goes from there). I loved seeing more of Undine (even thou she irked Flavia) because she provided much-needed comic relief. This book was equal parts so very cozy and so very heart-pounding. Flavia is my all-time favorite fictional character and sleuth and so this book was so fun. I was fascinated by the chemical processes and how they were vital to the investigation (also the reference to the mass spec - a flashback to my college days). I love how she works with Dogger and how he treats her as an equal. I don't want to even give one thing away, so suffice it to say that this book is perfection especially if you are a fan of the series.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and I HIGHLY recommend that format for this whole series; the narration is perfection.
Thanks to the publisher for a free ebook copy and free audiobook copy; my review and thoughts are my own.
Note: I listened to the audiobook and I HIGHLY recommend that format for this whole series; the narration is perfection.
Thanks to the publisher for a free ebook copy and free audiobook copy; my review and thoughts are my own.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sheer ecstasy being back in rural England of the 1950’s visiting the old Buckshaw estate and quaint village of Bishop’s Lacey following the eccentric teenage Flavia de Luce for her latest investigative escapades. Alan Bradley has made my year by returning to this series after a five-year hiatus. Flavia is back, a little older, but still as irrepressible as ever.
What Time the Sextant’s Spade Doth Rust is the eleventh book in a series that is best in order as the character of Flavia and her life build from book to book.
Right away, I know adults are wondering if this is a Middle Grade or Young Adult series because of the age of the protagonist, but no, these are very much an all-age series of historical mysteries. In fact, I’d argue that adults are the aim because some of the content would fly right by younger readers and is meant to be appreciated by mature readers.
Flavia is the youngest of three eccentric sisters living with their widowed father and Dogger, all around servant from butler to gardener to valet to chauffeur and handyman in the ramshackle Buckshaw estate house. Over time, the once wealthy family has fallen on hard times in the later generations and can barely pay the taxes let alone repair the roof.
The de Luce family including Flavia are not the types for familial love or tenderness- quite the opposite, in fact. Ophelia is gorgeous, often peevish, and musically inclined, Daphne is an introverted bookish genius sort, and Flavia, the youngest, is the chemical genius. The girls are terrible to each other while their stern father, Colonel de Luce is mostly oblivious in his study caught up in his stamps and still struggling after losing his wife and affected by his time as a prisoner of war. But, when the chips are down, they can count on each other.
Flavia is a quirky sleuth who captured my heart from the early pages of book one and I’ve enjoyed seeing the eleven year old chemist genius slowly grow up in an unusual household facing life’s most difficult challenges even as she tackles local murder mysteries sometimes with and more often in competition with the local police. This latest has her determined to keep their cook, Mrs. Mullet, from being arrested. Flavia feels she is on her own now that Pheely is traveling for her honeymoon, father is passed away, Daffy is indifferent and her younger cousin Undine is being a nuisance. Only faithful Dogger can be depended on.
There was a huge stunner in this one and it was a series game changer. I really don’t know what to make of it. Flavia solves the murder mystery and even learns to appreciate Undine even as she feels all at sea about leaving her childhood behind, but yeah, that big shocker has me really needing to have a new installment soon. If readers want something rather different in their historical cozy mysteries including a youthful amateur sleuth with a sense of the macabre about her, give the Flavia de Luce books a go.
A new Flavia book is always cause for excitement, and this new installment did not disappoint. I love how she has matured, especially in contrast with her chaotic young cousin Undine, and how all the storylines and characters become ever more entangled. Can't say much more because of spoilers, but this was just delightful.