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.
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?
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteThis 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.
ReplyDeleteDanielle - 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.
ReplyDeleteKay - 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.
ReplyDeleteCarl - Flavia is delightful, isn't she? I'm eager for the next one as well!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteLesley - 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)!
ReplyDeleteOk, this is one I am ordering today.
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI adored this book. Cannot wait to read the next one.
ReplyDelete:) I love books that appeal to all ages. I'm eager for the next one, too!
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