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lavanda4 's review for:
What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust
by Alan Bradley
From the beguiling cover to the delectable title to the delightful mystery between, What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust, a Golden Age mystery by Alan Bradley, is the 11th in the Flavia de Luce series. Bradley's clever turn of phrase and incomparable writing is alluring and smart. He is an auto-read author for me and his characterization and wit are next level. His storytelling makes me chuckle and fills me with wonder.
Flavia de Luce is now an orphan and is keen to test her mettle, deduction skills and chemical expertise as a sleuth. The more gruesome the details the better so when former hangman Major Grayleigh is found dead with obvious signs of gastric poisoning, she can't help but be thrilled at the prospects of the case. Her young cousin, Undine, is a force and also has a wicked sense of humour. They live together at Buckshaw, Flavia's bequeathed home. Both girls are young and literally see things differently than adults.
Mrs. Mullet is the cook who picked and prepared wild mushrooms for the Major's breakfast. She was deeply chagrined when he keeled over, Flavia just knew it wasn't the cook's fault so she, Undine and Arthur Dogger investigate. Flavia relishes her special chemical tests and what she discovers surprises her.
Descriptions are deeply satisfying including the Cluck and Grumble group, Agatha Christie and Dr. Crippen references and hangman explanations. All these and above attributes create a wonderful reading adventure, a treat to get lost in.
My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating novel.
Flavia de Luce is now an orphan and is keen to test her mettle, deduction skills and chemical expertise as a sleuth. The more gruesome the details the better so when former hangman Major Grayleigh is found dead with obvious signs of gastric poisoning, she can't help but be thrilled at the prospects of the case. Her young cousin, Undine, is a force and also has a wicked sense of humour. They live together at Buckshaw, Flavia's bequeathed home. Both girls are young and literally see things differently than adults.
Mrs. Mullet is the cook who picked and prepared wild mushrooms for the Major's breakfast. She was deeply chagrined when he keeled over, Flavia just knew it wasn't the cook's fault so she, Undine and Arthur Dogger investigate. Flavia relishes her special chemical tests and what she discovers surprises her.
Descriptions are deeply satisfying including the Cluck and Grumble group, Agatha Christie and Dr. Crippen references and hangman explanations. All these and above attributes create a wonderful reading adventure, a treat to get lost in.
My sincere thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating novel.