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A review by pickwickthedodo
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley
5.0
My favourite book in the series thus far.
Book 9 opens six months after the de Luce family was rocked by tragedy. We join Flavia, Dogger, Ophelia, and Daphne drifting down the river on a much-needed boating trip, Rolls-Royce at the ready for excursions onto dry land. They’re near the town of Voesthorpe, Flavia dangling her hand in the water (as we all would), when she suddenly gets her fingers caught in the mouth of a corpse floating in the river.
The family (and other boat passengers) are detained in Voesthorpe while the local police carry out their investigation. As has been the case in every instalment leading up to this, Flavia launches her own investigation, joined by Dogger and, surprisingly, her sister Daphne.
This book’s real and true strength lies in the character development given to Dogger and Flavia’s sisters. Previously minor characters existing at the fringes of the story, the tragedy at Buckshaw has rocked them together in ways I never knew I needed. I was so pleased to see that Dogger really featured in this story. He was given more depth, and his bond with Flavia grew stronger. Flavia has developed a maturity in this book that hasn’t been seen previously. This maturity goes a long way in beginning to forge an actual friendship with both of her sisters, which in turn allowed their characters to blossom and grow as well.
Honestly, any tiny issues I had with this book (and they were tiny – and few) were irrelevant to my absolute joy in watching this little family grow together. Bradley’s writing is witty as ever, and so heartwarming. This is a book (and series) I’ll go back and read again, and I cannot wait for the next adventure.
Book 9 opens six months after the de Luce family was rocked by tragedy. We join Flavia, Dogger, Ophelia, and Daphne drifting down the river on a much-needed boating trip, Rolls-Royce at the ready for excursions onto dry land. They’re near the town of Voesthorpe, Flavia dangling her hand in the water (as we all would), when she suddenly gets her fingers caught in the mouth of a corpse floating in the river.
The family (and other boat passengers) are detained in Voesthorpe while the local police carry out their investigation. As has been the case in every instalment leading up to this, Flavia launches her own investigation, joined by Dogger and, surprisingly, her sister Daphne.
This book’s real and true strength lies in the character development given to Dogger and Flavia’s sisters. Previously minor characters existing at the fringes of the story, the tragedy at Buckshaw has rocked them together in ways I never knew I needed. I was so pleased to see that Dogger really featured in this story. He was given more depth, and his bond with Flavia grew stronger. Flavia has developed a maturity in this book that hasn’t been seen previously. This maturity goes a long way in beginning to forge an actual friendship with both of her sisters, which in turn allowed their characters to blossom and grow as well.
Honestly, any tiny issues I had with this book (and they were tiny – and few) were irrelevant to my absolute joy in watching this little family grow together. Bradley’s writing is witty as ever, and so heartwarming. This is a book (and series) I’ll go back and read again, and I cannot wait for the next adventure.