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agrandromance 's review for:
What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust
by Alan Bradley
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