What fun! A charming, funny, eccentric mystery featuring the precocious Flavia DeLuce, an eleven-year-old chemist with a passion for poisons.
The book has a sweetness of its own, a murder mystery without graphic violence or sex, set in a rural English village in 1950. Flavia is a captivating character, a combination of superior intelligence and childlike innocence--full of curiosity, concern for those she cares about, and mischief-making.
Flavia is the narrator and presents her father as a gentle soul, but a reclusive one. There are two older sisters, and sibling pranks mark their days...although for Daphne and Ophelia, the pranks are probably often revenge for Flavia's high jinks. Dogger, a veteran suffering from shell-shock, is both friend and gardener. The villagers are also charmingly depicted from Flavia's point of view.
Detective Flavia is successful in the end.
I found The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie to be an engaging read that made me smile often. It is the first in a series of five books planned by the author. Bring them on!
Fiction. YA/Mystery. 2009. 370 pages.
13 comments:
I've wanted to read this one, but the line at the library has always been so long. I bet it's out in paper now. Did you know there is a new one coming out?
I'm going to read this one with my mystery book group later in the spring. Really looking forward to it. I think it sounds fun. Thanks for sharing, Jenclair.
This one was recommended to me by Amazon and I was intrigued by the title. I didn't know it was a mystery but that just adds. Thanks for a great review. I look forward to reading this.
Danielle - I was surprised to see this one on the New Books Shelves and grabbed it immediately! Yes, I saw that The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, the next in the series, is already listed on Amazon. I think I'll put in a request at the library.
Kay - It is a quick and light-hearted (mostly) mystery that should be perfect for spring!
Framed - The title is a curious one that catches your attention; the cover is great, too. The title of the next book is equally intriguing. I assume that The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag may also be from a quote.
Yes, I just looked it up, "Sir Walter Ralegh to His Son."
Whee! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. It is a true delight to read. I cannot wait for the next one. Flavia was such an interesting, engaging character.
Carl - Flavia is delightful, isn't she? I'm eager for the next one as well!
I had to pop over and check and it looks like book two is coming out the first week in March. I'll be putting aside some money for that one.
I am in the middle of reading this right now and quite liking it, too. At least you won't have to wait long to read the second one!
Lesley - Isn't it a fun read? I'm ready for the next one and hope the library gets a copy quickly (or I'll have to order it)!
Ok, this is one I am ordering today.
I am working on a new YA and need this kind of inspiration.
THANKS!
Sharon Lovejoy
Sharon - I hope you enjoy this little mystery! Flavia is such a precocious pleasure!
I adored this book. Cannot wait to read the next one.
:) I love books that appeal to all ages. I'm eager for the next one, too!
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