What do you think?
Rate this book
Flavia de Luce #1-3
Flavia de Luce 3-Book Bundle
New York Times bestselling author Alan Bradley has enchanted readers worldwide with one of the most award-winning mystery series ever. Featuring the irresistible, incorrigible eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce, whom the Chicago Sun-Times called “a delightful, intrepid, acid-tongued new heroine,” the family de Luce lives on the once glorious, now crumbling estate of Buckshaw, in the bucolic English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey, where murder happens more than it should and the brilliant amateur detective (and dedicated poison enthusiast) spends equal time dodging her older sisters and solving the most ghastly of crimes. For a captivating introduction to Flavia’s world, here’s a convenient ebook bundle of the first three novels of this beguiling series: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag, and A Red Herring Without Mustard.
Includes an exclusive excerpt from Alan Bradley’s forthcoming Flavia de Luce mystery, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, on sale November 1, 2011
Includes an exclusive excerpt from Alan Bradley’s forthcoming Flavia de Luce mystery, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows, on sale November 1, 2011
1199 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
50 people are currently reading
993 people want to read
About the author
Alan Bradley
34 books8,603 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
With an education in electronic engineering, Alan worked at numerous radio and television stations in Ontario, and at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University) in Toronto, before becoming Director of Television Engineering in the media centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, where he remained for 25 years before taking early retirement to write in 1994.
He became the first President of the Saskatoon Writers, and a founding member of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. His children's stories were published in The Canadian Children's Annual, and his short story, Meet Miss Mullen, was the first recipient of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild Award for Children's Literature.
For a number of years, he regularly taught Script Writing and Television Production courses at the University of Saskatchewan (Extension Division) at both beginner and advanced levels.
His fiction has been published in literary journals and he has given many public readings in schools and galleries. His short stories have been broadcast by CBC Radio.
He was a founding member of The Casebook of Saskatoon, a society devoted to the study of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlockian writings. Here, he met the late Dr. William A.S. Sarjeant, with whom he collaborated on their classic book, Ms Holmes of Baker Street. This work put forth the startling theory that the Great Detective was a woman, and was greeted upon publication with what has been described as "a firestorm of controversy".
The release of Ms. Holmes resulted in national media coverage, with the authors embarking upon an extensive series of interviews, radio and television appearances, and a public debate at Toronto's Harbourfront. His lifestyle and humorous pieces have appeared in The Globe and Mail and The National Post.
His book The Shoebox Bible (McClelland and Stewart, 2006) has been compared with Tuesdays With Morrie and Mr. God, This is Anna.
In July of 2007 he won the Debut Dagger Award of the (British) Crimewriter's Association for his novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, the first of a series featuring eleven year old Flavia de Luce, which has since won the 2009 Agatha Award for Best First Novel,the 2010 Dilys Award,the Spotted Owl Award, and the 2010 Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie has also been nominated for the Macavity, the Barry, and the Arthur Awards.
Alan Bradley lives in Malta with his wife Shirley and two calculating cats.
With an education in electronic engineering, Alan worked at numerous radio and television stations in Ontario, and at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute (now Ryerson University) in Toronto, before becoming Director of Television Engineering in the media centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, where he remained for 25 years before taking early retirement to write in 1994.
He became the first President of the Saskatoon Writers, and a founding member of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild. His children's stories were published in The Canadian Children's Annual, and his short story, Meet Miss Mullen, was the first recipient of the Saskatchewan Writers Guild Award for Children's Literature.
For a number of years, he regularly taught Script Writing and Television Production courses at the University of Saskatchewan (Extension Division) at both beginner and advanced levels.
His fiction has been published in literary journals and he has given many public readings in schools and galleries. His short stories have been broadcast by CBC Radio.
He was a founding member of The Casebook of Saskatoon, a society devoted to the study of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlockian writings. Here, he met the late Dr. William A.S. Sarjeant, with whom he collaborated on their classic book, Ms Holmes of Baker Street. This work put forth the startling theory that the Great Detective was a woman, and was greeted upon publication with what has been described as "a firestorm of controversy".
The release of Ms. Holmes resulted in national media coverage, with the authors embarking upon an extensive series of interviews, radio and television appearances, and a public debate at Toronto's Harbourfront. His lifestyle and humorous pieces have appeared in The Globe and Mail and The National Post.
His book The Shoebox Bible (McClelland and Stewart, 2006) has been compared with Tuesdays With Morrie and Mr. God, This is Anna.
In July of 2007 he won the Debut Dagger Award of the (British) Crimewriter's Association for his novel The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, the first of a series featuring eleven year old Flavia de Luce, which has since won the 2009 Agatha Award for Best First Novel,the 2010 Dilys Award,the Spotted Owl Award, and the 2010 Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie has also been nominated for the Macavity, the Barry, and the Arthur Awards.
Alan Bradley lives in Malta with his wife Shirley and two calculating cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
June 7, 2013
This charming volume of Flavia de Luce novels caught my eye at, of all places, Costco. I had no idea who Alan Bradley is and had never heard of Flavia de Luce, but I decided to give it a chance.
These novels are probably my favourite read of this year to date. Flavia de Luce is an eleven-year-old girl living in a huge ancestral home with her absent minded father and two sisters Daphne and Ophelia.
As Bradley fleshes out Flavia, we discover that her mother died shortly after she was born in a mountain climbing accident. Her sisters, who are engrossed in their own world of reading and preening, are engaged in constant warfare with her of epic sibling proportions. Her father is an avid stamp collector and appears to be more interested in his hobby than in A) the going ons of his daughters and B) the fact that the family estate "Buckshaw" is heavily in debt.
Oh, and to make the offering even more delightful, the novel is set in England during the 50s. There's something about those years that is so fascinating to me and these stories do not fail to deliver. References to movies, celebrities, books, music, truly all the 50s pop culture, amused me to no end.
In the first novel, Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, we meet Flavia and discover that she is a young girl who is extremely clever, especially when it comes to...chemistry. She's not your typical heroine, which also makes the books so endearing. She concocts potions in her lab to inflict her sisters with non-permanent illnesses (swollen lips, skin conditions) and she dabbles in the art of...sleuthing.
Throughout the first novel we are also introduced to characters in the nearby village, which carries on into the second and third novels as well. There's nothing better than reading a series of books with the same beloved characters recurring.
In each of the novels in this trilogy, Flavia is somehow involved with a murder and becomes part of the investigation by trying to figure things out for herself. She swoops around the nearby villages on "Gladys" her bicycle, attempting to stay one step ahead of Inspector Hewitt, all the while avoiding duties at home and her sisters ongoing attempts to lock her into closets.
Flavia is an extremely likable protagonist. Even though I thought it was going to be strange to read a set of adult fiction novels about an eleven year old girl, I was not disappointed. It was such a great read and I highly recommend all three of the novels in this trilogy. Bradley does a fantastic job with all the characters and the conversations between each of them.
4/5 stars and I'm looking forward to reading the next two novels.
These novels are probably my favourite read of this year to date. Flavia de Luce is an eleven-year-old girl living in a huge ancestral home with her absent minded father and two sisters Daphne and Ophelia.
As Bradley fleshes out Flavia, we discover that her mother died shortly after she was born in a mountain climbing accident. Her sisters, who are engrossed in their own world of reading and preening, are engaged in constant warfare with her of epic sibling proportions. Her father is an avid stamp collector and appears to be more interested in his hobby than in A) the going ons of his daughters and B) the fact that the family estate "Buckshaw" is heavily in debt.
Oh, and to make the offering even more delightful, the novel is set in England during the 50s. There's something about those years that is so fascinating to me and these stories do not fail to deliver. References to movies, celebrities, books, music, truly all the 50s pop culture, amused me to no end.
In the first novel, Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, we meet Flavia and discover that she is a young girl who is extremely clever, especially when it comes to...chemistry. She's not your typical heroine, which also makes the books so endearing. She concocts potions in her lab to inflict her sisters with non-permanent illnesses (swollen lips, skin conditions) and she dabbles in the art of...sleuthing.
Throughout the first novel we are also introduced to characters in the nearby village, which carries on into the second and third novels as well. There's nothing better than reading a series of books with the same beloved characters recurring.
In each of the novels in this trilogy, Flavia is somehow involved with a murder and becomes part of the investigation by trying to figure things out for herself. She swoops around the nearby villages on "Gladys" her bicycle, attempting to stay one step ahead of Inspector Hewitt, all the while avoiding duties at home and her sisters ongoing attempts to lock her into closets.
Flavia is an extremely likable protagonist. Even though I thought it was going to be strange to read a set of adult fiction novels about an eleven year old girl, I was not disappointed. It was such a great read and I highly recommend all three of the novels in this trilogy. Bradley does a fantastic job with all the characters and the conversations between each of them.
4/5 stars and I'm looking forward to reading the next two novels.
November 19, 2012
Alan Bradley is so brilliant and original that I want to hang a giant helium balloon over my house advertising this fact.
His sleuth is a 10-year old girl who lives in 1950's-era-England in a rural bucolic setting of a small village. (Imagine a feisty 10-year old Miss Marple, minus the humility and outward conventionality.) Flavia de Luce, whose mother died in a flying accident when her daughter was just an infant, lives with her father and two older sisters in a large old county estate which is falling apart. The deed was owned by Flavia's mother, and legal issues have made it impossible for Flavia's father to own the title outright. So they live in grand squalor.
What distinguishes Flavia from all other girl heroines in literary history is her passion for chemistry. She has inherited the use of her ancestor Targuin's fully equipped laboratory in an abandoned wing of the house where she reigns in an uninterrupted indulgence of chemical investigations. Bradley's way with description is such that every emotion that surges through Flavia provokes a loving digression on some figure in scientific history. Where some young girls dwell upon fashion, popular music, or candy, Flavia savors her knowledge of the great pioneers of science: male, female, chemical, electrical, and surgical.
I suppose this is "young adult" literature, but I cannot restrain myself from devouring these books whole and I am somewhere past middle age! Besides the obvious elements of a positive female role model, a bridge to science, and a window into an interesting time and place, Bradley's books' true assets are that they are so sublimely light-handed that the reader really never feels they are being "taught," or "preached at;" in fact, the books are very funny, and put the reader in the shoes of the rebel. How delightful!
I cannot refrain, sadly, from comparing these books to J.K. Rowling's latest non-Harry-Potter effort, THE CASUAL VACANCY, in which she tries to treat issues of class. I was only able to read the first chapter; the people were so unpleasant and the pace so tedious, that I never reached "the zone" where you suddenly realize you are enjoying yourself. (The first Harry Potter book reached this zone in the first paragraph...)
Bradley's books, similarly, put you right in the zone, so irresistible are his characters, plots, and imagery.
I have finished the first two in this trilogy and am well on my way to the finish line of the third. I do hope there are more! : )
His sleuth is a 10-year old girl who lives in 1950's-era-England in a rural bucolic setting of a small village. (Imagine a feisty 10-year old Miss Marple, minus the humility and outward conventionality.) Flavia de Luce, whose mother died in a flying accident when her daughter was just an infant, lives with her father and two older sisters in a large old county estate which is falling apart. The deed was owned by Flavia's mother, and legal issues have made it impossible for Flavia's father to own the title outright. So they live in grand squalor.
What distinguishes Flavia from all other girl heroines in literary history is her passion for chemistry. She has inherited the use of her ancestor Targuin's fully equipped laboratory in an abandoned wing of the house where she reigns in an uninterrupted indulgence of chemical investigations. Bradley's way with description is such that every emotion that surges through Flavia provokes a loving digression on some figure in scientific history. Where some young girls dwell upon fashion, popular music, or candy, Flavia savors her knowledge of the great pioneers of science: male, female, chemical, electrical, and surgical.
I suppose this is "young adult" literature, but I cannot restrain myself from devouring these books whole and I am somewhere past middle age! Besides the obvious elements of a positive female role model, a bridge to science, and a window into an interesting time and place, Bradley's books' true assets are that they are so sublimely light-handed that the reader really never feels they are being "taught," or "preached at;" in fact, the books are very funny, and put the reader in the shoes of the rebel. How delightful!
I cannot refrain, sadly, from comparing these books to J.K. Rowling's latest non-Harry-Potter effort, THE CASUAL VACANCY, in which she tries to treat issues of class. I was only able to read the first chapter; the people were so unpleasant and the pace so tedious, that I never reached "the zone" where you suddenly realize you are enjoying yourself. (The first Harry Potter book reached this zone in the first paragraph...)
Bradley's books, similarly, put you right in the zone, so irresistible are his characters, plots, and imagery.
I have finished the first two in this trilogy and am well on my way to the finish line of the third. I do hope there are more! : )
March 2, 2013
Look at this. A mystery, solved by an eleven year old chemistry whiz with a soft spot for poison. How delightful!
Actually, it was delightful. Alan Bradley developed fantastic, believable characters, not the least of which was the main character, Flavia deLuce,. The dialogue is excellent and the plot moves at a brisk pace. The who done it part of the story was well done -- So why did I not dive into the second story in the omnibus, with fervour?
Perhaps because a little bit of Flavia de Luce is enough, for a while.
Reading this book was a bit like eating an extremely rich dessert. I really liked it, but after the first book, I just wanted to put the story aside for a while. I'd had enough of Flavia after the first book.
I will be back, no doubt about it. Some hints of long story arcs (like what really happened to her mother) will convince me to read the second and third book in this omnibus -- and perhaps even convince me to buy more in the series.
But I need time between the books. They are far too rich to be "eaten" all at once!
Actually, it was delightful. Alan Bradley developed fantastic, believable characters, not the least of which was the main character, Flavia deLuce,. The dialogue is excellent and the plot moves at a brisk pace. The who done it part of the story was well done -- So why did I not dive into the second story in the omnibus, with fervour?
Perhaps because a little bit of Flavia de Luce is enough, for a while.
Reading this book was a bit like eating an extremely rich dessert. I really liked it, but after the first book, I just wanted to put the story aside for a while. I'd had enough of Flavia after the first book.
I will be back, no doubt about it. Some hints of long story arcs (like what really happened to her mother) will convince me to read the second and third book in this omnibus -- and perhaps even convince me to buy more in the series.
But I need time between the books. They are far too rich to be "eaten" all at once!
October 2, 2015
I listened to all of these on audiobook CDs, and as Flavia would say, "They were super!" The fun here is the reader, Jane Entwhistle - she nails this 10-year-old wisenheimer kid spot-on. Flavia DeLuce is the youngest daughter of a down-at-heels family of gentlefolk, living in the family manor, Buckshaw in the village of Bishop's Lacey. She's an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison who's inherited her uncle's old chemistry lab in a shut-up wing of the house, and in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, she sets out to solve a murder when she finds a body sprawled among the cucumbers in the victory garden. Author Alan Bradley has done a remarkable job of capturing the spirit of the times in these stories - the austere post-WWII Britain of food rationing,hand-me-down clothes,and death duties capable of swallowing the family fortune, manor house and all. Fans of Masterpiece Theatre's Mysteries will love these stories.
August 20, 2013
I had read the sweetness at the bottom of the pie years ago when Oprah recommended it and was delighted when a friend lent me her copy of The Buckshaw Chronicles. I had forgotten how much I loved
the adventures of Flavia De Luce. Of the three novels within this book my favourite was The Weed that Strings the hangman s bag. It was extremely well written as they all were but it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I marvelled at how his foreshadowing would implicate a different character to the point that I didn't know who had done it! What a tragic ending, which left me sad but happily fulfilled. weird I know!
the adventures of Flavia De Luce. Of the three novels within this book my favourite was The Weed that Strings the hangman s bag. It was extremely well written as they all were but it kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I marvelled at how his foreshadowing would implicate a different character to the point that I didn't know who had done it! What a tragic ending, which left me sad but happily fulfilled. weird I know!
January 10, 2012
I LOVE these books. I love Flavia, I mean the name alone just makes you want to love her. She is adorable in her own quirky, smart, inquistive way. Despite her family, especially her wicked sisters, she loves being Flavia, and I love that about her. Along with Italy I shall be visiting England now...
October 9, 2022
Just for book 1:
The most memorable part of the book is when the dad is being racist against Asians….or “Mandarin Orientals," shall I say.
Otherwise, I found this to be a forgettable twee mystery devoid of plot or suspense. Flavia herself is slightly original, but her poison schtick doesn't elevate the book any more than fellow girl detective Cam Jansen's did in her series.
The sequels are better. The characters get more likable, the mysteries more engaging. Nothing special, but cute enough.
The most memorable part of the book is when the dad is being racist against Asians….or “Mandarin Orientals," shall I say.
Otherwise, I found this to be a forgettable twee mystery devoid of plot or suspense. Flavia herself is slightly original, but her poison schtick doesn't elevate the book any more than fellow girl detective Cam Jansen's did in her series.
The sequels are better. The characters get more likable, the mysteries more engaging. Nothing special, but cute enough.
October 17, 2019
Flavia de Luce is an engaging youngster who uses her knowledge of chemistry to solve murders. She has two older sisters who tease and irritate her no end. Alan Bradley makes each sister a unique and interesting person, and their relationships with each other ring true.
Mr. Bradley sets his stories in the England of the 1950’s when WW II was a recent event. He gives one a view of how much has changed because of the war.
Mr. Bradley sets his stories in the England of the 1950’s when WW II was a recent event. He gives one a view of how much has changed because of the war.
January 18, 2020
Flavia de Luce is a fresh, feisty aspiring chemist and unsung detective who is utterly captivating. Bradley has created a fantastic character and series of mysteries set around Buckshaw, UK that has me anticipating each new book in the series. Bravo!
December 23, 2022
A brilliant start to a new author. I came in expecting nothing and was pleasantly impressed by how easy a flow the books have, storylines are believable and such interesting characters. I highly recommend this series. You won’t be disappointed.
August 30, 2025
The first of these was my absolute favorite, I really loved the whole series. Between all the British vocabulary and the chemistry/forensic science, I used my dictionary app quite a bit. The escapades of eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia DeLuce had me laughing out loud more times than I could count.
Read
July 18, 2019Excellent.
July 1, 2020
Rereading my favorite series!!
March 27, 2021
This is the cutest series of a girl who solves crime with more spirit and snark than you could spit at! Really good young adults book
February 8, 2022
Unconventional pre-teen crosses paths with victims and murderers.
December 29, 2022
Amazing storyline and characters, a new author for me
July 17, 2025
Great location in a small English village after the war. Flavia is a precocious girl who solves mysteries. Lots of fun in their castle.
October 31, 2016
I loved this series of books!
May 29, 2013
Нали знаете приказката за торбата с големите очаквания и планината от огромните разочарования? Е, вярна е. Продължавам черната си серия от нехаресани и полу-харесани заглавия с приключенията на иначе изключително качествения и тръпнещ от потенциал образ на малкото нърдче със влечение към отровите Флавия де Лус.
Да почнем с добро - прекрасно оформление, безкрайно стилно, страхотни корици – просто книги кряскащи по Коледа “Купи ме за подарък, ама веднага!”. Стилът е силно четивен, лежерен, незатормозяващ – идеален за четене на някой изгарящ плаж или на импровизиран басейн в двора на село. Главната ни героиня е единайсетгодишно уж – генийче, с подчертано влечение към химията, особено в част умъртвяващи и разрушаващи човешкото тяло субстанции, нахално, непокорно и любопитно – направо индиго -дете по модерному. Същата расте в извънредно кофти сбрано семейство, : мъртва от твърде много години майка или по-скоро спомен за такава, подхранван твърде нарядко и прекомерно пестеливо; доволно смотан глътнал бастун баща, абсолютно неспособен да се справи със ситуацията на самотен родител, опитващ се да се измъква постоянно от отговорност във свят на чиста филателия без поколения за обгрижване, сметки за плащане и проблеми за решаване; изключително объркани от съзряването си сестри, лишени от всякаква родителска подкрепа или поне от съвет от някой с малко мозък в главата, тормозещи най-малката сестра от обичайна детска простотия по теми, които биха гарантирали поне двадесет години тежка терапия при свръх скъп психолог в днешни дни. Фонът е западнало имение, което хем не може да се поддържа от обитателите си, хем последните са се вкопчили като червеи в труп за него в името на нещо, което на никому не е баш ясно, но по принцип е свързано с неизказана болка по загубената майка или нещо таквоз.
И нашата малка Флавия се оказва самотно, тъжно и отхвърлено саможиво дете, търсещо забавления в непривични дейности, растящо без нищо близко до приятел, и в последствие се превръща в гигантски магнит за убийства, като по някакви неведоми причини всите замесени в каквито и да било мътни занимания си умрат да и се пъхат в краката, и да бъдат внимателно заподозрявани и разкривани уж в гениален проблясък на невинния детски ум. Действията на възрастните в тази история, дали в резултат на някакво подобие на посттравматичен шок от следвоенното положение в Стара Англия, дали от класическата тъпота на обитателите на дълбоката англиканска провинция, се държат безумно неадекватно и минимално достоверно в стил мистериите на Скуби Ду, и естествено никога не вярват, когато трябва на логични доводи, или си казват и майчиното мляко на почти непознатото хлапе, а полицията хем я носи на ръце при разкриването на всяко убийство, хем я карат да им прави чай и да не гледа труповете, че да не и прилошее щото е малка .
Въпреки потенциала на героинята си Флавия така и не ми стана близка. Вместо гениална, тя е просто късметлийка и що -годе логично мислеща; хич не е и близко до изящно интровертна , малката е просто изолирана от скапаните си роднини , които макар и с проблясъци на нещо доближаващо се до качества от време на време, остават наистина неприятни човеченца без смисъл; и най-дразнещото – наместо смела и оригинална, Флавия е само тъпо – упорито любопитна и импулсивна. С една дума – нормално детенце, което от скука замисля непрекъснато планове как да отрови сестрите си наужким, а същите и го връщат с драматично – псевдо – истинни истории за това колко неискано дете е сестричката им, и как е убила майка им със съществуването си, което съвсем естествено дръпва малката единайсетгодишна главичка в такива комплекси, че просто не ми се мисли за двадесет и една годишната версия на хлапето де Лус, видяло повече трупове отколкото кукли в живота си. Може би от нея ще излезе прекрасна изкусна отровителка – масова убийца? Едва ли, де я тази социопатична ханибалска смелост.
С две думи – четивно и забравимо, бързо преминаващо пред читателските очи и запълващо по доста добър начин някой и друг час прекаран в транспортни дейности между отдалечени точки. Щипка хумор, нюанс олд скуул, намек за интелектуален гилти плежър, но аз лично бих предпочела шепи, а не трошички характер в текста. Не е моето нещо , определено. Но не ми вярвайте напълно – аз лично се надъхах от чудесните ревюта на Книжно момиче, и ми е малко тъжно, че не мога да споделя ентузиазма и, та докато не пробвате поне една от книжките, няма да разберете със сигурност дали светът на Алън Брадли е дом или кошмар за вкусовете читателски.
Да почнем с добро - прекрасно оформление, безкрайно стилно, страхотни корици – просто книги кряскащи по Коледа “Купи ме за подарък, ама веднага!”. Стилът е силно четивен, лежерен, незатормозяващ – идеален за четене на някой изгарящ плаж или на импровизиран басейн в двора на село. Главната ни героиня е единайсетгодишно уж – генийче, с подчертано влечение към химията, особено в част умъртвяващи и разрушаващи човешкото тяло субстанции, нахално, непокорно и любопитно – направо индиго -дете по модерному. Същата расте в извънредно кофти сбрано семейство, : мъртва от твърде много години майка или по-скоро спомен за такава, подхранван твърде нарядко и прекомерно пестеливо; доволно смотан глътнал бастун баща, абсолютно неспособен да се справи със ситуацията на самотен родител, опитващ се да се измъква постоянно от отговорност във свят на чиста филателия без поколения за обгрижване, сметки за плащане и проблеми за решаване; изключително объркани от съзряването си сестри, лишени от всякаква родителска подкрепа или поне от съвет от някой с малко мозък в главата, тормозещи най-малката сестра от обичайна детска простотия по теми, които биха гарантирали поне двадесет години тежка терапия при свръх скъп психолог в днешни дни. Фонът е западнало имение, което хем не може да се поддържа от обитателите си, хем последните са се вкопчили като червеи в труп за него в името на нещо, което на никому не е баш ясно, но по принцип е свързано с неизказана болка по загубената майка или нещо таквоз.
И нашата малка Флавия се оказва самотно, тъжно и отхвърлено саможиво дете, търсещо забавления в непривични дейности, растящо без нищо близко до приятел, и в последствие се превръща в гигантски магнит за убийства, като по някакви неведоми причини всите замесени в каквито и да било мътни занимания си умрат да и се пъхат в краката, и да бъдат внимателно заподозрявани и разкривани уж в гениален проблясък на невинния детски ум. Действията на възрастните в тази история, дали в резултат на някакво подобие на посттравматичен шок от следвоенното положение в Стара Англия, дали от класическата тъпота на обитателите на дълбоката англиканска провинция, се държат безумно неадекватно и минимално достоверно в стил мистериите на Скуби Ду, и естествено никога не вярват, когато трябва на логични доводи, или си казват и майчиното мляко на почти непознатото хлапе, а полицията хем я носи на ръце при разкриването на всяко убийство, хем я карат да им прави чай и да не гледа труповете, че да не и прилошее щото е малка .
Въпреки потенциала на героинята си Флавия така и не ми стана близка. Вместо гениална, тя е просто късметлийка и що -годе логично мислеща; хич не е и близко до изящно интровертна , малката е просто изолирана от скапаните си роднини , които макар и с проблясъци на нещо доближаващо се до качества от време на време, остават наистина неприятни човеченца без смисъл; и най-дразнещото – наместо смела и оригинална, Флавия е само тъпо – упорито любопитна и импулсивна. С една дума – нормално детенце, което от скука замисля непрекъснато планове как да отрови сестрите си наужким, а същите и го връщат с драматично – псевдо – истинни истории за това колко неискано дете е сестричката им, и как е убила майка им със съществуването си, което съвсем естествено дръпва малката единайсетгодишна главичка в такива комплекси, че просто не ми се мисли за двадесет и една годишната версия на хлапето де Лус, видяло повече трупове отколкото кукли в живота си. Може би от нея ще излезе прекрасна изкусна отровителка – масова убийца? Едва ли, де я тази социопатична ханибалска смелост.
С две думи – четивно и забравимо, бързо преминаващо пред читателските очи и запълващо по доста добър начин някой и друг час прекаран в транспортни дейности между отдалечени точки. Щипка хумор, нюанс олд скуул, намек за интелектуален гилти плежър, но аз лично бих предпочела шепи, а не трошички характер в текста. Не е моето нещо , определено. Но не ми вярвайте напълно – аз лично се надъхах от чудесните ревюта на Книжно момиче, и ми е малко тъжно, че не мога да споделя ентузиазма и, та докато не пробвате поне една от книжките, няма да разберете със сигурност дали светът на Алън Брадли е дом или кошмар за вкусовете читателски.
February 11, 2014
I just finished the most recent book in the Flavia de Luce series, The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches, and so I decided to do a review on the series. (Why not, right?)
First off let me say this one thing: I have a list of my favourite writers that is extremely hard to get on (Let’s just say I am a little picky when it comes to favourites), and shortly after reading Alan Bradley’s first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, he made it onto that list. Just like that. I love his writing so much that I have bought every single book Alan Bradley has written since then. He’s that good.
Alan Bradley chose to set his series smack dab in the middle of post-World War II England at the slightly run down de Luce family estate, Buckshaw. With the main character being Flavia de Luce, an 11 year old chemistry genius who has a passion for poisons with an entire laboratory for her to use for whatever project she wants. Because it is totally safe to let an 11 year old girl conduct poisonous chemical experiments all alone inside of an old house, right?
When Flavia finds a body dying in her cucumber patch (The first of many) what else can she do but be intrigued by it? She discovers the man just as he takes his last breaths, whispering one final word that sends her spiraling into a wonderful race to find clues leading to answers about his death, her first intriguing murder mystery.
Alan Bradley created the ideal sleuth in my opinion: young, smart, curious, and explorative among many things. He makes all of his characters seem so real, so 3D, full of life, as though if you were to look to your left while you were reading, they would be right there. The annoying older sisters, the tired and worn out father, a mother presumed dead and long lost to the mountains, the cook who can’t cook, the ‘jack of all trades’ ex-prisoner of war, the 11 year old genius – all of them put together create an amazing combination, a good book, and I urge you to get your hands on this series the moment you can – regardless of if you have to buy it from a local book store, borrow it from the library, or steal it from your unsuspecting friend. No matter how you get your hands on this book, this is a must read for practically anyone.
I could rave on about this series forever - do you similarly have a book or book series you are obsessed with?
Stay addicted!
~Jason
First off let me say this one thing: I have a list of my favourite writers that is extremely hard to get on (Let’s just say I am a little picky when it comes to favourites), and shortly after reading Alan Bradley’s first book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, he made it onto that list. Just like that. I love his writing so much that I have bought every single book Alan Bradley has written since then. He’s that good.
Alan Bradley chose to set his series smack dab in the middle of post-World War II England at the slightly run down de Luce family estate, Buckshaw. With the main character being Flavia de Luce, an 11 year old chemistry genius who has a passion for poisons with an entire laboratory for her to use for whatever project she wants. Because it is totally safe to let an 11 year old girl conduct poisonous chemical experiments all alone inside of an old house, right?
When Flavia finds a body dying in her cucumber patch (The first of many) what else can she do but be intrigued by it? She discovers the man just as he takes his last breaths, whispering one final word that sends her spiraling into a wonderful race to find clues leading to answers about his death, her first intriguing murder mystery.
Alan Bradley created the ideal sleuth in my opinion: young, smart, curious, and explorative among many things. He makes all of his characters seem so real, so 3D, full of life, as though if you were to look to your left while you were reading, they would be right there. The annoying older sisters, the tired and worn out father, a mother presumed dead and long lost to the mountains, the cook who can’t cook, the ‘jack of all trades’ ex-prisoner of war, the 11 year old genius – all of them put together create an amazing combination, a good book, and I urge you to get your hands on this series the moment you can – regardless of if you have to buy it from a local book store, borrow it from the library, or steal it from your unsuspecting friend. No matter how you get your hands on this book, this is a must read for practically anyone.
I could rave on about this series forever - do you similarly have a book or book series you are obsessed with?
Stay addicted!
~Jason
October 16, 2021
The Sweetness at the bottom of the Pie
I read this book a month ago and have gone through these two thoughts repeatedly, Did I like this book ? Did I find Flavia de Luce an eleven years old in 1950 and an aspiring chemist, an unbelievable character and not terribly likeable? I had mixed ideas and views on the book as I started the read.
As the book developed I found her and the story more engaging. As the book rolled on you had to wonder how she managed to be normal at all with the sisters always trying to undermine her confidence in the family and her distant father lost in a world of grief. A book that was aimed at teenagers, but certainly had enough to interest the Adult audience. I think books that have you swing from liking it to not sure are difficult to review and they need brewing on. She certainly did not have normal goals for a young girl in this time period, and we learn pretty early on that her entire family is more than a little eccentric. I read the three book set and found the books a fun relaxing read.
I read this book a month ago and have gone through these two thoughts repeatedly, Did I like this book ? Did I find Flavia de Luce an eleven years old in 1950 and an aspiring chemist, an unbelievable character and not terribly likeable? I had mixed ideas and views on the book as I started the read.
As the book developed I found her and the story more engaging. As the book rolled on you had to wonder how she managed to be normal at all with the sisters always trying to undermine her confidence in the family and her distant father lost in a world of grief. A book that was aimed at teenagers, but certainly had enough to interest the Adult audience. I think books that have you swing from liking it to not sure are difficult to review and they need brewing on. She certainly did not have normal goals for a young girl in this time period, and we learn pretty early on that her entire family is more than a little eccentric. I read the three book set and found the books a fun relaxing read.
March 28, 2012
I primarily enjoy this series because Flavia is a very unique and engaging 11-year old. I love her quirkiness and ability to think (and lie) on the fly. The stories are populated with other interesting characters in the village. But, her older sisters are mean and unlikeable and their ongoing cruelty to Flavia detracts from the fun read. The father, while a sympathetic character, is also starting to get on my nerves - he is just such a sad sack, moping about the estates. I am actually losing sympathy for his "financial problems". Why doesn't he just get a job? He was a colonel and they reference his college professors so he must have some marketable skill.
So while overall I enjoy these as a light read - until the sisters get their comeuppance and the father takes some responsibity as parent - I am sticking with 2 stars.
So while overall I enjoy these as a light read - until the sisters get their comeuppance and the father takes some responsibity as parent - I am sticking with 2 stars.
September 7, 2012
Partway through the first book--Bradley has created an example of how "telling" more than "showing" can work very well. The main character is an 11 year old detective, and the author makes the most of that.
One detail bothers me. The murder victim says something just before he dies... "vale," Latin for more or less "to your health," "hello," and "goodbye." But the character who hears it probably wouldn't have recognized that it was Latin, and in fact the narrative states (unless I'm misremembering) that this character didn't understand the term until it came up again later. The author should have transcribed it as "valet," or presented some other initial confusion around the term. Of course the term keeps popping up, and every time it does it bumps me out of my willing suspension of disbelief.
9/6--finished the first book.
One detail bothers me. The murder victim says something just before he dies... "vale," Latin for more or less "to your health," "hello," and "goodbye." But the character who hears it probably wouldn't have recognized that it was Latin, and in fact the narrative states (unless I'm misremembering) that this character didn't understand the term until it came up again later. The author should have transcribed it as "valet," or presented some other initial confusion around the term. Of course the term keeps popping up, and every time it does it bumps me out of my willing suspension of disbelief.
9/6--finished the first book.
June 4, 2012
I never really got into Nancy Drew books when I was younger, but this series more than makes up for that. The adventures of the main character, a young girl who longs to solve mysteries and murders in her small English town, could entertain almost any age. In fact, I'm still not sure if the author means for this to be a young adult series or something for adults. Flavia tends to outsmart the local police, get herself into some precarious situations, and still have time to play tricks on her bratty older sisters. Each book balances a murder mystery with humour, and the murderer is never who you think it's going to be (or who I think it's going to be anyway).
October 9, 2015
When I first got my ereader I went on a shopping spree, trying to buy great titles at a great price. This 3-eBook bundle has been the best return in my investment, so much so that I had no qualms at getting the next three titles at full price as it is such a great series. I am over 50 now and still enjoy stories like these in spite of the age of the main character. I must still be a child at heart. Alan Bradley is an amazing writer. The quality of his writing has greatly helped in improving my English writing and spoken skills.
December 6, 2012
This series makes me wait with bated breath for each next installment. Flavia de Luce is one of my top 10 favorite characters of all time. Young adult genre, but so thoughtful and insightful that most adults would find her beguiling as well. The audio version of this book is brilliant, and makes for an excellent listen as well.
The wisdom and strangely comparable self-doubt of this peculiar heroine makes me happy to have the capacity for thought.
The wisdom and strangely comparable self-doubt of this peculiar heroine makes me happy to have the capacity for thought.
May 5, 2013
I can hardly believe this author is a retired gentleman. He. Has captured the imagination and personality of this 12 year old gifted girl perfectly. I giggled at the pranks she played on her sisters and felt the dread pull at my heart strings when she talked about her deceased mother. The mystery was fun and the resolution surprising right up to the end. Must reads particularly if you are or ave been a teacher. I am sure Flavian will remind you of at least one student from your past.
July 4, 2012
I just got The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, didn't know about the other two. I have been looking at this at the library and I can't wait to get started on it.Have finished all three now starting on his last one. These have been such good books i really hate to see them end. I have to wait until next year for the next one.
July 31, 2012
I adore these books! They have made their way to the top of my favorites list! I have passed on and recommended to many people, most say they too have enjoyed the series. Any little girl/scientist/super sleuth who is smarter than the police force is worthy of reading about. These are my go-to books and am anxiously awaiting the next installment...
September 5, 2013
A rainy afternoon and an Alan Bradley Novel...a perfect way to check out for a few hours. The three books are great and compliment each other. I really identify with Flavia, and I suspect you will see yourself as you drift into her world. Superbly crafted. Great gift book. Neighborhood book club loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews