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A review by timinbc
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
4.0
Really a three, but because for past services to literature, four.
Flavia's growing up, which is great, and we may be nearing the end of the young-Flavia line.
But wouldn't it be great to see her at 30, which puts us in the early 70s? But alas, that would mean no more Dogger ... although I don't recall being told how old he is, you never know.
This another jolly read, but maybe a tad weaker on plot. The perpetrator was clear pretty early, although the complications weren't. Dogger's given a much expanded role, and many more talents than we have seen before. The sisters are refreshingly less annoying than usual.
Why Hob? He seemed promising, then got dropped.
And what's with having your detective go into a trance and create a very detailed mental movie of what happened in (let's call it Situation A) ? Of course it's good to have her review what's known, and try to stitch it together, but for an evidence-based girl like Flavia this doesn't feel right. Even to those of us who remember Nero Wolfe's lips moving in and out while he sits oblivious to the world and Thinks.
Having Flavia captured and rescued in every book is growing old. And of course we can't worry about her while she's narrating.
And we were given such a grim start about Aunt Felicity, and Flavia's lack of agency, only to be told at the end that apparently Flavia CAN decide to tell Auntie to take a flying leap.
All in all, this one felt, well, looser than the others.
Flavia's growing up, which is great, and we may be nearing the end of the young-Flavia line.
But wouldn't it be great to see her at 30, which puts us in the early 70s? But alas, that would mean no more Dogger ... although I don't recall being told how old he is, you never know.
This another jolly read, but maybe a tad weaker on plot. The perpetrator was clear pretty early, although the complications weren't. Dogger's given a much expanded role, and many more talents than we have seen before. The sisters are refreshingly less annoying than usual.
Why Hob? He seemed promising, then got dropped.
And what's with having your detective go into a trance and create a very detailed mental movie of what happened in (let's call it Situation A) ? Of course it's good to have her review what's known, and try to stitch it together, but for an evidence-based girl like Flavia this doesn't feel right. Even to those of us who remember Nero Wolfe's lips moving in and out while he sits oblivious to the world and Thinks.
Having Flavia captured and rescued in every book is growing old. And of course we can't worry about her while she's narrating.
And we were given such a grim start about Aunt Felicity, and Flavia's lack of agency, only to be told at the end that apparently Flavia CAN decide to tell Auntie to take a flying leap.
All in all, this one felt, well, looser than the others.