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Flavia de Luce #10
The Golden Tresses of the Dead
Although it is autumn in the small English town of Bishop’s Lacey, the chapel is decked with exotic flowers. Yes, Flavia de Luce’s sister Ophelia is at last getting hitched, like a mule to a wagon. “A church is a wonderful place for a wedding,” muses Flavia, “surrounded as it is by the legions of the dead, whose listening bones bear silent witness to every promise made at the altar.”
Flavia is not your normal twelve-year-old girl. An expert in the chemical nature of poisons, she has solved many mysteries, sharpening her considerable detection skills to the point where she had little choice but to turn professional. So Flavia and dependable Dogger, estate gardener and sounding board extraordinaire, set up shop at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, eager to serve—not so simple an endeavor with her odious little moon-faced cousin, Undine, constantly underfoot. But Flavia and Dogger persevere. Little does she know that their first case will be extremely close to home, beginning with an unwelcome discovery in Ophelia’s wedding cake: a human finger.
Flavia is not your normal twelve-year-old girl. An expert in the chemical nature of poisons, she has solved many mysteries, sharpening her considerable detection skills to the point where she had little choice but to turn professional. So Flavia and dependable Dogger, estate gardener and sounding board extraordinaire, set up shop at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, eager to serve—not so simple an endeavor with her odious little moon-faced cousin, Undine, constantly underfoot. But Flavia and Dogger persevere. Little does she know that their first case will be extremely close to home, beginning with an unwelcome discovery in Ophelia’s wedding cake: a human finger.
352 pages, ebook
First published January 22, 2019
About the author
Alan Bradley
27 books8,402 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,160 reviews
February 13, 2019
Despite her recent heartaches and troubles Flavia is still her usual precocious, chemistry-loving self, and she remains one of my very favorite fictional characters. Life is full of changes, and in this installment her sister Feely is getting married. The festivities grinds to a halt when a severed finger is found in the wedding cake. Feely faints dead away but, of course, Flavia is delighted at this turn of events. She surreptitiously whisks the finger away, and she and Dogger have a new case for their fledging business, Arthur W. Dogger & Associates.
I'm delighted that she and Dogger have joined forces, as they are my two favorite characters. Dogger is able to gently channel Flavia's impulsivity and they make a fabulous team. Honestly, the mysteries interest me less than the interactions between the characters. I did miss the sarcasm and wit between Flavia and her sisters but Flavia has met her match in her cousin Undine, and I hope we will be seeing more of her in future books.
There has been speculation that this is the final book in the series but I can see quite a future for Flavia and Dogger in their working relationship as private investigators. The series is fun, humorous, and charming and I hope it continues for a long while.
The narrator of the audiobooks is excellent, and even when reading the print copy the voice of Jayne Entwistle is in my head as I read. She IS Flavia to me and if she hasn't won an Audie award she should. Her narration enhances the story.
*I received a copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I'm delighted that she and Dogger have joined forces, as they are my two favorite characters. Dogger is able to gently channel Flavia's impulsivity and they make a fabulous team. Honestly, the mysteries interest me less than the interactions between the characters. I did miss the sarcasm and wit between Flavia and her sisters but Flavia has met her match in her cousin Undine, and I hope we will be seeing more of her in future books.
There has been speculation that this is the final book in the series but I can see quite a future for Flavia and Dogger in their working relationship as private investigators. The series is fun, humorous, and charming and I hope it continues for a long while.
The narrator of the audiobooks is excellent, and even when reading the print copy the voice of Jayne Entwistle is in my head as I read. She IS Flavia to me and if she hasn't won an Audie award she should. Her narration enhances the story.
*I received a copy of the book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
October 25, 2018
Our little girl is growing up and, frankly, I'm glad to see it. Flavia is still only 12 years old but life hasn't been kind to her so this is the book where she is allowed to grieve for all the heartaches in her young life. Add to that the marriage of her sister Ophelia and Flavia needed this investigation to get her through some tough times. Arthur W. Dogger & Associates, Discreet Investigations tells us all we need to know about where this book is headed. Dogger has always been one of my favorite characters in this series but he seemed too often to be held down by his wartime troubles to ever be of prime use as a major character. Luckily Alan Bradley rehabilitated Dogger just enough to make him the perfect partner in investigations with Flavia. Dogger helps to keep things on more of an adult footing but his intimate knowledge of Flavia's personality allows him to gently guide her along a reasonable path of searching for and interpreting the clues they find. They make a brilliant pair.
My reason for a four star rating instead of five stars is that I found myself slightly confused about some of the clues and information uncovered by Dogger and Flavia. I'm not 100% sure I quite "got" the solution and have a feeling I might need to read the book again. I did go back over several sections while I was reading but that didn't feel like it helped much. There seems to be information that this was always intended to be a ten book series and with this book being the tenth it will mark the end of our time with Flavia and the others. I have to say the ending did not give me the feeling at all that the series was wrapping up. Instead it feels as if Flavia and Dogger have now established their working - detecting - relationship and they are set to carry on for a good long while. I certainly would love to see that happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eGalley of this novel.
My reason for a four star rating instead of five stars is that I found myself slightly confused about some of the clues and information uncovered by Dogger and Flavia. I'm not 100% sure I quite "got" the solution and have a feeling I might need to read the book again. I did go back over several sections while I was reading but that didn't feel like it helped much. There seems to be information that this was always intended to be a ten book series and with this book being the tenth it will mark the end of our time with Flavia and the others. I have to say the ending did not give me the feeling at all that the series was wrapping up. Instead it feels as if Flavia and Dogger have now established their working - detecting - relationship and they are set to carry on for a good long while. I certainly would love to see that happen.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eGalley of this novel.
January 21, 2019
Flavia's sister, Feely, is finally getting married. But at the wedding, as Feely and Dieter cut their cake, Feely slices into a human finger! How very Flavia! It's certainly a case for Arthur W. Dogger & Associates, with Flavia being the main associate, of course. And, not long after, the two are hired by a Mrs. Prill to help track down some missing letters. Flavia and Dogger barely know where to focus first. Then someone else winds up dead--with Flavia and Dogger in the thick of things--and things spiral from there..
"Aside from that-except for the human remains-it was a beautiful occasion."
So says Flavia of Feely's wedding, in very Flavia fashion. By now, if you've read the first nine books in this series, this one will feel quite familiar and sweet to you. Flavia is her usual fun, clever self, and I can't help but love her to pieces. She's up to her usual tricks in her laboratory and busy working away with her beloved Dogger, who may be the best butler/sidekick/friend in the history of mystery novels.
"I'd like to remark at the outset that I'm a girl with better than an average brain."
These books are always wonderfully descriptive, and I love seeing the world from Flavia's unique point of view:
"I don't know if you've ever dissected a rat, but to me, there was only one word for it: exhilarating."
Flavia and Dogger have two cases to solve here--and they intersect quickly. We get plenty of Flavia and Dogger time, which is great. Unfortunately, Feely is shipped off on her honeymoon, and we barely see any of Daffy. I missed the usual sarcasm and biting wit that comes with de Luce sister time. There is more of Flavia's cousin, Undine, who I admit is growing on me (and perhaps Flavia?). She will be a good companion Flavia, I think.
Sadly, though, I've read in several places that this is the last of the Flavia de Luce series. If so, this book felt woefully unresolved on several fronts for me. The mysteries felt underwhelming, as if the loose ends didn't really tie together; I was confused about how it all wrapped up in the end. And if this is really the last book, it just didn't seem as if it did our amazing heroine justice. Flavia went out with a whimper, not a bang. I would have liked to see more finality, more resolution somehow, instead of some partially ended cases and no real conclusion. It just didn't feel like a satisfactory end to what has been an amazing series featuring such a plucky girl who has been through so very much.
Still, I'm really glad I've had a chance to read this series, and I certainly enjoyed this book and all of Flavia's adventures. She's such a fun, unique character, and I can't recommend this lovely series enough. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
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"Aside from that-except for the human remains-it was a beautiful occasion."
So says Flavia of Feely's wedding, in very Flavia fashion. By now, if you've read the first nine books in this series, this one will feel quite familiar and sweet to you. Flavia is her usual fun, clever self, and I can't help but love her to pieces. She's up to her usual tricks in her laboratory and busy working away with her beloved Dogger, who may be the best butler/sidekick/friend in the history of mystery novels.
"I'd like to remark at the outset that I'm a girl with better than an average brain."
These books are always wonderfully descriptive, and I love seeing the world from Flavia's unique point of view:
"I don't know if you've ever dissected a rat, but to me, there was only one word for it: exhilarating."
Flavia and Dogger have two cases to solve here--and they intersect quickly. We get plenty of Flavia and Dogger time, which is great. Unfortunately, Feely is shipped off on her honeymoon, and we barely see any of Daffy. I missed the usual sarcasm and biting wit that comes with de Luce sister time. There is more of Flavia's cousin, Undine, who I admit is growing on me (and perhaps Flavia?). She will be a good companion Flavia, I think.
Sadly, though, I've read in several places that this is the last of the Flavia de Luce series. If so, this book felt woefully unresolved on several fronts for me. The mysteries felt underwhelming, as if the loose ends didn't really tie together; I was confused about how it all wrapped up in the end. And if this is really the last book, it just didn't seem as if it did our amazing heroine justice. Flavia went out with a whimper, not a bang. I would have liked to see more finality, more resolution somehow, instead of some partially ended cases and no real conclusion. It just didn't feel like a satisfactory end to what has been an amazing series featuring such a plucky girl who has been through so very much.
Still, I'm really glad I've had a chance to read this series, and I certainly enjoyed this book and all of Flavia's adventures. She's such a fun, unique character, and I can't recommend this lovely series enough. 3.5 stars.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review (thank you!).
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March 27, 2024
3 stars
short review for busy readers: not a very good Flavia. Pleasant, but skippable.
in detail:
This supposedly final* Flavia mystery is more a cosy light with some chemistry and exotica thrown in than a full-blooded Flavia.
The mystery almost solves itself (a 1 on the Berengaria Ease of Solving Scale®) and the answer is more preposterous than Flavia mysteries generally are.
But here's the odd thing:
Flavia lost her father two books ago and while she makes much of being British and maintaining a stiff upper lip, it seems as if, unbelievably, his death has no real affect on her nor on life at Buckshaw.
Aunt Felicity doesn't come screaming down from the heavens, nor is there any mention of how the family's financial woes are progressing. Feely marries Dieter and is out of the picture, leaving only Flavia, Daffy and cousin Undine to roam aimlessly about.
What we do see is Dogger stepping out of the shadows and into the deceased Haviland de Luce's shoes, taking over the role of father with Flavia and Undine.
Or more father-playmate, then even if Flavia is, and always has been, serious about her sleuthing, it does seem a little too much like pretend time that a grown man and a 12-year old would have a real honest-to-Joseph detective agency. (Perish the thought they have a licence.)
The entire situation is strange and has a problematic, off-key overtone to it, as if Bradley wasn't sure where to take the story. There's no real through line to the series anymore and the one that was being developed around the time of As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust somehow got lost down the back of the sofa.
Shame. The final Flavia should be a blast. This one is a wet fizzle.
*this was to be the final book, but there appears to be a new one coming out in 2024.
short review for busy readers: not a very good Flavia. Pleasant, but skippable.
in detail:
This supposedly final* Flavia mystery is more a cosy light with some chemistry and exotica thrown in than a full-blooded Flavia.
The mystery almost solves itself (a 1 on the Berengaria Ease of Solving Scale®) and the answer is more preposterous than Flavia mysteries generally are.
But here's the odd thing:
Flavia lost her father two books ago and while she makes much of being British and maintaining a stiff upper lip, it seems as if, unbelievably, his death has no real affect on her nor on life at Buckshaw.
Aunt Felicity doesn't come screaming down from the heavens, nor is there any mention of how the family's financial woes are progressing. Feely marries Dieter and is out of the picture, leaving only Flavia, Daffy and cousin Undine to roam aimlessly about.
What we do see is Dogger stepping out of the shadows and into the deceased Haviland de Luce's shoes, taking over the role of father with Flavia and Undine.
Or more father-playmate, then even if Flavia is, and always has been, serious about her sleuthing, it does seem a little too much like pretend time that a grown man and a 12-year old would have a real honest-to-Joseph detective agency. (Perish the thought they have a licence.)
The entire situation is strange and has a problematic, off-key overtone to it, as if Bradley wasn't sure where to take the story. There's no real through line to the series anymore and the one that was being developed around the time of As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust somehow got lost down the back of the sofa.
Shame. The final Flavia should be a blast. This one is a wet fizzle.
*this was to be the final book, but there appears to be a new one coming out in 2024.
December 28, 2019
I simply cannot give these books less than 4 stars at their worst. While the plot of this one left me scratching my head, I hardly cared. The pathos and love of Dogger and the all the old feelings and friends, the descriptions of Flavia as she changes and grows, the allusions and references to all my favorite books, all of these things made for a wonderful couple of days. Come back soon, Flavia.
October 1, 2018
Its so nice to catch up with Flavia:) After the death of her father and her oldest sister getting married, she and Dogger set up their own investigative agency. Something is up in Bishop's Lacey and Flavia sets out to find out what. Two missionaries from Africa are staying at Buckshaw but Flavia thinks there's something not right about the two ladies. Leave it to Flavia to be curious and want to "snoop". Her and Dogger are quite the team! It's no secret that I love Flavia and I'm always ready for a new adventure with her. I did miss the interactions with her sisters. Feely is on her honeymoon and Daphne stays in the library writing/reading--and we never get a chance of Flavia being with Daphne. We do get to see everyone else though--Mrs. Mullet, Undine, the vicar's wife, and so one. Another cute installment in the series.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2019
THE GOLDEN TRESSES OF THE DEAD starts off with Flavia's sister Ophelia getting married. Flavia is delighted when Ophelia discovers a severed human finger in the cake and she rushes away to examine it...Whose finger is it to and why has it been placed in the wedding cake?
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
July 28, 2019
A great addition to the Flavia series. The detective team of Arthur W. Dogger & Associate (Flavia) brings something wholly new to the franchise. It's conceivable that Father asked Dogger to look after Flavia, and their interests and talents are very much in sync. As with most of the Flavia books, the mystery is less than compelling and in this case the resolution leaves important questions unanswered. But I can overlook that because I have low expectations for Bradley's mysteries and high expectations for the pleasure of reading the books. And this one is very enjoyable.
Dogger and Flavia are a terrific team. And now Undine is demonstrating she's got a lot of Flavia's qualities: she's smart, curious, nervy and impish. Flavia has matured and functions somewhat as a big sister to her. Feely and Dieter's wedding kicks off the mystery and then they're away on their honeymoon. I care about everyone at Buckshaw so I was disappointed Daphne has such a small role. I thought I detected a trail of breadcrumbs leading to a friendship or budding relationship with Carl Pendracka, but no, the few times she appears Daffy is limited to reading or writing. Perhaps that's a quibble, because the relationship between Flavia and Dogger is the central one and it makes for great reading. There was talk the tenth book was to be the last, and I'm so glad Bradley has announced we will have more Flavia. Some books in the series are better than others, but I will never tire of them.
Dogger and Flavia are a terrific team. And now Undine is demonstrating she's got a lot of Flavia's qualities: she's smart, curious, nervy and impish. Flavia has matured and functions somewhat as a big sister to her. Feely and Dieter's wedding kicks off the mystery and then they're away on their honeymoon. I care about everyone at Buckshaw so I was disappointed Daphne has such a small role. I thought I detected a trail of breadcrumbs leading to a friendship or budding relationship with Carl Pendracka, but no, the few times she appears Daffy is limited to reading or writing. Perhaps that's a quibble, because the relationship between Flavia and Dogger is the central one and it makes for great reading. There was talk the tenth book was to be the last, and I'm so glad Bradley has announced we will have more Flavia. Some books in the series are better than others, but I will never tire of them.
February 10, 2024
Can I resist a story about an underage chemist messing around with poisonous plants? No, I cannot. I thought I was bored with this series, which has always been a middling one for me (3.5 star average: not bad enough to quit, not good enough to obsess over), but then I found the most recent one for $1 at a book sale and had a moment of might-as-well.
I'm glad I did! Flavia de Luce, precocious chemist and detective (also, possibly the most annoying younger sister ever), is dealing with my most beloved subject of poisonous plants in this one. Ever heard of a Calabar bean? Ah! It's a seed roughly the size of a coffee bean, deadly toxic and similar in its effects to nerve gas (first you salivate, then you shit yourself, and then you asphyxiate); bitter, but possibly unnoticeable in a bitter beverage like coffee (file under: ways to tell I am on Team Tea). Delightful stuff.
Flavia thinks so, too:
Flavia's got her hands full, between the severed finger that turned up in her sister's wedding cake to the missionaries foisted upon Buckshaw, from the client who turns up dead to the antics of her bratty cousin Undine (who surely annoys Flavia because she so much resembles her). She's teamed up with the faithful Dogger to form a proper detective firm (discreet investigations guaranteed) to snoop through her neighbors' lives (also car trunks, potting sheds, bathrooms, etc.) and assemble a case. Confronted with dead bodies, Flavia's mind turns gleefully to chemical reagents and detective work. I absolutely appreciate her total lack of sentimentality.
I think one of the pleasures of this series is the gap between how Flavia perceives herself and how the adults around her perceive her, which can result in some funny moments as well as some nostalgia for being young enough not to notice all the adult cares and sorrows in the people around her as she goes digging around in their business. Flavia's growing up, though, and maybe starting to understand more, especially about Dogger, whose PTSD from the war is more evident in this book. Dogger, in turn, helps her understand the nuances of relationships with difficult people like Inspector Hewitt, whose detective abilities Flavia scorns.
Previous books have had more character growth, but this one is a nice little mystery (that thankfully does not veer off toward xenophobia, as it initially seemed likely to) with poisonous plants playing a major role in the plot. Flavia remains an appealing child character, and she's written so that she's never precious but does have a limited perspective on the world. With her oldest sister married, Flavia is growing up - but not too quickly. Her inner dialogue can be a delight:
Don't read The Golden Tresses of the Dead if you a) put stock in homeopathy; b) are a missionary; or c) dislike the chemistry of poisonous plants. For me, it was a perfect weekend read, and I might even go back for book #9, which I accidentally skipped.
I'm glad I did! Flavia de Luce, precocious chemist and detective (also, possibly the most annoying younger sister ever), is dealing with my most beloved subject of poisonous plants in this one. Ever heard of a Calabar bean? Ah! It's a seed roughly the size of a coffee bean, deadly toxic and similar in its effects to nerve gas (first you salivate, then you shit yourself, and then you asphyxiate); bitter, but possibly unnoticeable in a bitter beverage like coffee (file under: ways to tell I am on Team Tea). Delightful stuff.
Flavia thinks so, too:
Of course! Why hadn't I thought of it until now? As any student of poisons knows, the ordeal bean of Calabar (Physostigma venenosum), which is almost indistinguishable from the coffee bean, was formerly used by superstitious tribes on the west coast of Africa to detect witchcraft or determine guilt. An innocent man accused of theft would vomit up the bean and live, whereas a guilty man would retain it and die.
Flavia's got her hands full, between the severed finger that turned up in her sister's wedding cake to the missionaries foisted upon Buckshaw, from the client who turns up dead to the antics of her bratty cousin Undine (who surely annoys Flavia because she so much resembles her). She's teamed up with the faithful Dogger to form a proper detective firm (discreet investigations guaranteed) to snoop through her neighbors' lives (also car trunks, potting sheds, bathrooms, etc.) and assemble a case. Confronted with dead bodies, Flavia's mind turns gleefully to chemical reagents and detective work. I absolutely appreciate her total lack of sentimentality.
I think one of the pleasures of this series is the gap between how Flavia perceives herself and how the adults around her perceive her, which can result in some funny moments as well as some nostalgia for being young enough not to notice all the adult cares and sorrows in the people around her as she goes digging around in their business. Flavia's growing up, though, and maybe starting to understand more, especially about Dogger, whose PTSD from the war is more evident in this book. Dogger, in turn, helps her understand the nuances of relationships with difficult people like Inspector Hewitt, whose detective abilities Flavia scorns.
Previous books have had more character growth, but this one is a nice little mystery (that thankfully does not veer off toward xenophobia, as it initially seemed likely to) with poisonous plants playing a major role in the plot. Flavia remains an appealing child character, and she's written so that she's never precious but does have a limited perspective on the world. With her oldest sister married, Flavia is growing up - but not too quickly. Her inner dialogue can be a delight:
I had never been wholly satisfied with my own name. Flavia sounds so much like vanilla extract.
If I'd been left to choose my own name, I should have chosen Amanita. It has such a nice ring about it, I think. And since mushrooms grow in rings...
I did know, indeed, as would any keen student of the poisoner's art. The balance between physostigmine and atropine is a razor's edge. One either got it right or -
Well, there was no "either." Death was death.
Don't read The Golden Tresses of the Dead if you a) put stock in homeopathy; b) are a missionary; or c) dislike the chemistry of poisonous plants. For me, it was a perfect weekend read, and I might even go back for book #9, which I accidentally skipped.
September 20, 2018
I received this galley via NetGalley. To be clear about my excitement about this 10th book in the Flavia series, let it be known that I stalked NetGalley for the past several weeks, checking every few days to see if this book had shown up yet. When it did appear, I immediately put in my request. When it was approved a few hours later, I squealed with glee.
So yeah, you might say my expectations were high.
The Golden Tresses of the Dead revives all of the best elements of the Flavia books. I say that, as some of the past books have been somewhat off for me (and my mom, who is also hooked on these books). This series is at its best when Flavia is at home at her family estate of Buckshaw, rolling about the nearby village of Bishop's Lacey on her beloved bicycle/steed, Gladys. This book uses that setting to the fullest, bicycle and all.
I should add that even an "off" Flavia book is a fantastic read and still better than the average book. As I said a few paragraphs up, my expectations run high for this series.
This book doesn't begin with a murder, but with a surprise in the wedding cake of Flavia's sister. The action picks up from there as Flavia and her loyal family bat man, Dogger, acquire a client for their new 'discreet' investigations business. There are dark plots, dead bodies, and of course, chemistry work in Flavia's lab. I'm charmed at how Flavia is maturing in such a realistic way. It's especially funny to see her interactions with her cousin Undine, who is essentially Flavia's Mini Me. Flavia gets a taste of her own medicine, there.
If you've been disillusioned by some of the recent Flavia books, pick up with this one. It will restore your faith. If you're like me, and loyal to Flavia through all, rejoice! This book will deliver fresh-baked delight (courtesy of the Buckshaw Aga) with a dash of murder and justice.
So yeah, you might say my expectations were high.
The Golden Tresses of the Dead revives all of the best elements of the Flavia books. I say that, as some of the past books have been somewhat off for me (and my mom, who is also hooked on these books). This series is at its best when Flavia is at home at her family estate of Buckshaw, rolling about the nearby village of Bishop's Lacey on her beloved bicycle/steed, Gladys. This book uses that setting to the fullest, bicycle and all.
I should add that even an "off" Flavia book is a fantastic read and still better than the average book. As I said a few paragraphs up, my expectations run high for this series.
This book doesn't begin with a murder, but with a surprise in the wedding cake of Flavia's sister. The action picks up from there as Flavia and her loyal family bat man, Dogger, acquire a client for their new 'discreet' investigations business. There are dark plots, dead bodies, and of course, chemistry work in Flavia's lab. I'm charmed at how Flavia is maturing in such a realistic way. It's especially funny to see her interactions with her cousin Undine, who is essentially Flavia's Mini Me. Flavia gets a taste of her own medicine, there.
If you've been disillusioned by some of the recent Flavia books, pick up with this one. It will restore your faith. If you're like me, and loyal to Flavia through all, rejoice! This book will deliver fresh-baked delight (courtesy of the Buckshaw Aga) with a dash of murder and justice.
November 25, 2020
Flavia and Dogger have become an investigative duo in the latest addition, #10, in this now quite beloved series about the eccentric British family set somewhere in a decrepit castle, post-World War II, with its panoply of equally dotty characters, archaic attitudes and appearances which have seemed superficially either all daisies and wisteria or stiff upper lips.
In #10, the duo continue to entertain with the easy charm of all of Alan Bradley’s books. Flavia is a delightful heroine, a feisty young girl with a mind of her own in an era when women were meant to follow, not lead. Dogger, plagued by WWI terrors, is her advocate and teacher in this tricky world as she keeps her eye out for his perilous triggers.
The mysteries in this series have never been of the greatest import to me. Rather, the charm of the period, the history lovingly detailed, the idiosyncrasies of the characters who have become great friends over the years - these are the reasons I return time and again to visit with Flavia de Luce.
I’ll be back again, I hope.
Five stars. Great entertainment from a first class storyteller.
In #10, the duo continue to entertain with the easy charm of all of Alan Bradley’s books. Flavia is a delightful heroine, a feisty young girl with a mind of her own in an era when women were meant to follow, not lead. Dogger, plagued by WWI terrors, is her advocate and teacher in this tricky world as she keeps her eye out for his perilous triggers.
The mysteries in this series have never been of the greatest import to me. Rather, the charm of the period, the history lovingly detailed, the idiosyncrasies of the characters who have become great friends over the years - these are the reasons I return time and again to visit with Flavia de Luce.
I’ll be back again, I hope.
Five stars. Great entertainment from a first class storyteller.
January 25, 2019
So Flavia #10 is fun. Much funnier than the last few, for sure. I could have given it a 4 stars for the "growth" aspect of a few pages in which Flavia has the thought that hits her similar to St. Paul being struck off his horse on the road to Damascus for a dawning of "understanding" that she does and will need other people. If not now, eventually.
Saying that the plot is silly to ridiculous is why I can't go 4 stars after all is said and done though. Funny, filled with spoof type and hidden cavity enclaves (boot of a car, behind a bed or bench, scrunched up behind a potting shed shelf etc.) galore. Undine and Flavia almost continually seeking a bolt hole or two. And for another reason, as well. Because regardless of all the church association/ going to "volunteer"/ events- Flavia is virtually an orphan and everyone of relationship by blood is obscured, more than secondary. Dropped out of the picture for all intents and purposes. And that made me feel cheated. Entirely. Because they helped "make" the best of this series.
And it actually IS. All said and done that is. Finito. This is the last Flavia he says he'll write. Although after expanding upon that intent, it was also denied. But IMHO, Alan Bradley painted himself into a corner about 3 books ago. In more than one way this and the other last few books, but especially this one is cored both in "eyes" and in lyrical prose upon the event of universal death. How we all die and all else dies and that nature or chemistry/ physics continue to what directions it will and may. Dark humor always as alteration of life forms (and are there changed forms of "after" body?) is a relentless truth.
And therefore the following is what I think about the finale itself in its particulars.
Enjoyable. Great fun (often hilarity) with language and especially metaphor delights (she was an "elderly sparrow" etc. etc. etc.) abound. Flavia becomes full blown as the owner and the director diva of Buckshaw itself. Dogger is free to release at least half of his more than considerable skills and "past" exploits. And the resulting team association business they have deployed is mighty. It becomes not at all cartoon like but more of a "universal" them such as in graphics works of classics comics. Relentless purpose thrives!
Of course it dwells within experiments of great chemistry (some quite complex) in Uncle's lab and also within and between the folks of Bishop's Lacey.
Also Flavia comes eye to eyeball against another who is as directive and intrepid as she.
Daffy gets all the reading she wants (90% out of sight and "not taking company") and Feely is off on her honeymoon and for foreseeable futures. Both of which make Flavia giddy.
But best of all, Gladys has core use, gets a true rehabilitation and restore- and escorts both Flavia and Undine to what and where and why.
Some of the paragraphs of metaphor, reaction, description are pure 5 stars. I hope Alan Bradley can continue his flip within some other series, or even better yet and probably much more compatible to some future superior situation comedy on the telly. That's if comic reaction or comedy outside of condescending ridicule and scorn can survive in our future "correctness" at all. And no less than in our media or entertainment of public view.
4 full stars for all the laughs and reread pages in this one. And a full 1/2 star for the rat. But overall just a 3.5 stars and certainly not as good as Flavia in the first 3 to 5 books. Never innocent, but still always literal.
Saying that the plot is silly to ridiculous is why I can't go 4 stars after all is said and done though. Funny, filled with spoof type and hidden cavity enclaves (boot of a car, behind a bed or bench, scrunched up behind a potting shed shelf etc.) galore. Undine and Flavia almost continually seeking a bolt hole or two. And for another reason, as well. Because regardless of all the church association/ going to "volunteer"/ events- Flavia is virtually an orphan and everyone of relationship by blood is obscured, more than secondary. Dropped out of the picture for all intents and purposes. And that made me feel cheated. Entirely. Because they helped "make" the best of this series.
And it actually IS. All said and done that is. Finito. This is the last Flavia he says he'll write. Although after expanding upon that intent, it was also denied. But IMHO, Alan Bradley painted himself into a corner about 3 books ago. In more than one way this and the other last few books, but especially this one is cored both in "eyes" and in lyrical prose upon the event of universal death. How we all die and all else dies and that nature or chemistry/ physics continue to what directions it will and may. Dark humor always as alteration of life forms (and are there changed forms of "after" body?) is a relentless truth.
And therefore the following is what I think about the finale itself in its particulars.
Enjoyable. Great fun (often hilarity) with language and especially metaphor delights (she was an "elderly sparrow" etc. etc. etc.) abound. Flavia becomes full blown as the owner and the director diva of Buckshaw itself. Dogger is free to release at least half of his more than considerable skills and "past" exploits. And the resulting team association business they have deployed is mighty. It becomes not at all cartoon like but more of a "universal" them such as in graphics works of classics comics. Relentless purpose thrives!
Of course it dwells within experiments of great chemistry (some quite complex) in Uncle's lab and also within and between the folks of Bishop's Lacey.
Also Flavia comes eye to eyeball against another who is as directive and intrepid as she.
Daffy gets all the reading she wants (90% out of sight and "not taking company") and Feely is off on her honeymoon and for foreseeable futures. Both of which make Flavia giddy.
But best of all, Gladys has core use, gets a true rehabilitation and restore- and escorts both Flavia and Undine to what and where and why.
Some of the paragraphs of metaphor, reaction, description are pure 5 stars. I hope Alan Bradley can continue his flip within some other series, or even better yet and probably much more compatible to some future superior situation comedy on the telly. That's if comic reaction or comedy outside of condescending ridicule and scorn can survive in our future "correctness" at all. And no less than in our media or entertainment of public view.
4 full stars for all the laughs and reread pages in this one. And a full 1/2 star for the rat. But overall just a 3.5 stars and certainly not as good as Flavia in the first 3 to 5 books. Never innocent, but still always literal.
December 1, 2018
So now we do (definitively: see here) have the final Flavia.
And it is quite... flat for me.
I'm never going to complain about a heavy focus on Dogger, which the tenth and final book in the Flavia series gifts us. Same with Gladys, who acted in the same endearing way she always does.
But they were the only two characters (other than Flavia herself) who were the most present originals; Flavia is virtually an orphan in this story, which is likely intentional and a pointed gesture to her growing up and how her life is changing, but it just felt to me like the rest of her family was unceremoniously ushered off the stage too early. Undine flashes in and out but I never liked her, have mostly chosen to ignore her, and she's a recent addition anyway. It felt like when you watch a television sitcom or drama and while you finish it all out, afterwards you realize that by the end they'd rotated the majority of the original cast out and it all just leaves you feeling bitter and sad and slightly cheated.
Back when I reviewed #9 (The Grave's a Fine and Private Place), I indicated that that one may have been the final in the series and I remember feeling like I was quite fine with that; I liked where that one ended and it was bittersweet and lovely and finely ended.
I still feel that way.
This one, while I acknowledge has much of the same characterizations and lovely writing readers have grown to love, felt like... well, it felt a bit like a contract being fulfilled, without much thought given to it being the last book. It felt like one of the three-stars in the middle of the series that I didn't regret reading, certainly, but was unmemorable and not quite fulfilling everything I've come to love about bright and dark and witty Flavia.
Random House generously provided an ARC. The book is released on January 22, 2019. Should you read it, particularly if you've read the entire series? Certainly - why not, if you've come this far? And it's not as if there aren't fantastic moments with Flavia and with Dogger and the two of them together. Just, unfortunately, don't expect it to be as good of an ending to the series as #9 was.
And it is quite... flat for me.
I'm never going to complain about a heavy focus on Dogger, which the tenth and final book in the Flavia series gifts us. Same with Gladys, who acted in the same endearing way she always does.
But they were the only two characters (other than Flavia herself) who were the most present originals; Flavia is virtually an orphan in this story, which is likely intentional and a pointed gesture to her growing up and how her life is changing, but it just felt to me like the rest of her family was unceremoniously ushered off the stage too early. Undine flashes in and out but I never liked her, have mostly chosen to ignore her, and she's a recent addition anyway. It felt like when you watch a television sitcom or drama and while you finish it all out, afterwards you realize that by the end they'd rotated the majority of the original cast out and it all just leaves you feeling bitter and sad and slightly cheated.
Back when I reviewed #9 (The Grave's a Fine and Private Place), I indicated that that one may have been the final in the series and I remember feeling like I was quite fine with that; I liked where that one ended and it was bittersweet and lovely and finely ended.
I still feel that way.
This one, while I acknowledge has much of the same characterizations and lovely writing readers have grown to love, felt like... well, it felt a bit like a contract being fulfilled, without much thought given to it being the last book. It felt like one of the three-stars in the middle of the series that I didn't regret reading, certainly, but was unmemorable and not quite fulfilling everything I've come to love about bright and dark and witty Flavia.
Random House generously provided an ARC. The book is released on January 22, 2019. Should you read it, particularly if you've read the entire series? Certainly - why not, if you've come this far? And it's not as if there aren't fantastic moments with Flavia and with Dogger and the two of them together. Just, unfortunately, don't expect it to be as good of an ending to the series as #9 was.
February 20, 2019
Flavia (and Dogger) continue to delight me. The mysteries continue to frustrate me. Will I continue to read this series (even though this was originally supposed to be the last book)? Most likely.
The book opens at Flavia's sister's wedding to the German POW Dieter. Feely finds a severed finger in her wedding cake. She loses it and almost ruins her own wedding; Flavia is fascinated, and quickly tucks the finger away. Whose finger is it? Who put it there? Why? Flavia and Dogger are on the case, with their new investigative business, Arthur Dogger & Associates. And they have their first paying client! (It is adorable the entire book to see a grown man conducting legitimate business with a twelve year old.) The woman hires them to find some missing letters that neither Dogger nor Flavia think are actually missing.
I should say that even though I opened this review complaining about the mysteries again, this is actually the best put together one in ages. Flavia (and Dogger) do actual detective work, and Flavia just happening upon a clue out of nowhere, which is the usual way she solves mysteries, only happened once here that I noticed. Instead, they worked for all their clues, which is much how I prefer it. My complaint with the mystery this time is that it was actually pretty confusing when put together. I'm still not sure I understood the actual chain of events, and how everything related together.
But the characters were on top form here. Even the little monster Undine got some good development, but especially Dogger, who is a rock star.
[3.5 stars]
June 1, 2020
NetGalley ARC.
I haven't listened to a Flavia audiobook since Speaking from Among the Bones but I still have Jayne Entwhistle's charming Flavia voice in my head. :) She's delightful, listen to the audiobooks!
Arthur W. Dogger & Associates. *swoon* I LOVE Dogger and Flavia so so much. Everyone seems to have moved on fairly well from the traumatic events of Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd. Feely's getting married, Daffy's working on her "memoirs," and Flavia, along with Dogger, has opened an amateur investigative firm! Oh and Undine is still hanging around. But she may have potential... There was a whole lot of sleuthing going on in this book! I didn't know which end was up, it was very convoluted. There are some beautiful quotes that I will share on pub day, from my uncorrected proof. I hope they still made it into the finished product!
I haven't listened to a Flavia audiobook since Speaking from Among the Bones but I still have Jayne Entwhistle's charming Flavia voice in my head. :) She's delightful, listen to the audiobooks!
Arthur W. Dogger & Associates. *swoon* I LOVE Dogger and Flavia so so much. Everyone seems to have moved on fairly well from the traumatic events of Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd. Feely's getting married, Daffy's working on her "memoirs," and Flavia, along with Dogger, has opened an amateur investigative firm! Oh and Undine is still hanging around. But she may have potential... There was a whole lot of sleuthing going on in this book! I didn't know which end was up, it was very convoluted. There are some beautiful quotes that I will share on pub day, from my uncorrected proof. I hope they still made it into the finished product!
February 22, 2019
I adore Flavia De Luce! In a word, delightful! Do yourself a favor and start this series which begins with the brilliant and Edgar Award winning, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.”
November 28, 2019
After my slignt disappointment with the previous volume in this series, I believed to the end that this one was back on track. It begins with her elder sister's wedding and an unpleasant discovery in the cake, which leads Flavia and Dogger on an unofficial investigation. Soon enough, that investigation dovetails with the first official one of the Discreet Investigations firm which they agreed to set up at the end of the last book, now that Flavia has inherited her beloved Buckshaw. The scenes between Flavia and Dogger, who must be the best sidekick in mystery novels and whose character I love, were a delight to read. I also found the setting details including the cemetery at Brookwood, which I've previously read about, fascinating.
It's interesting that, at 12 years old, Flavia is now starting to mature emotionally and to realise that she needs people, and the value of friendship. There is even a very early sign of romantic feelings towards a boy whom she meets while he is staying briefly at the vicarage. Even her cousin Undine, who has been a character I've found irritating up to now, begins to have some value in the story and both Flavia and Dogger agree shows promise for the future when she is less a child. I can start to see facets of Flavia as a younger child and previously annoying to the adults around her in Undine.
So, given all the positives, I thought this book would be a five star read. But when I reached the end and thought about it afterwards I realised that, as with previous novels in the series, the central mystery and the motivation of the guilty parties really doesn't add up. So because of that I have to deduct one star and rate this at 4 stars instead.
It's interesting that, at 12 years old, Flavia is now starting to mature emotionally and to realise that she needs people, and the value of friendship. There is even a very early sign of romantic feelings towards a boy whom she meets while he is staying briefly at the vicarage. Even her cousin Undine, who has been a character I've found irritating up to now, begins to have some value in the story and both Flavia and Dogger agree shows promise for the future when she is less a child. I can start to see facets of Flavia as a younger child and previously annoying to the adults around her in Undine.
So, given all the positives, I thought this book would be a five star read. But when I reached the end and thought about it afterwards I realised that, as with previous novels in the series, the central mystery and the motivation of the guilty parties really doesn't add up. So because of that I have to deduct one star and rate this at 4 stars instead.
September 7, 2020
"I believe so," Dogger said. "Yes, I believe you're quite right."
I loved it when Dogger talked to me like this. How cozy the world became, and how far away the troubles of everyday life. It was like being rocked in the cradle of knowledge, floating on the great calm sea of reason, suspended like a mote of dust in the sheer infinity of the universe.
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Is there anything (I ask) better than a mysteriously well-educated valet and a precocious little girl putting their heads together to conduct chemical experiments and bring evildoers' gray hairs in sorrow to the grave? I think Not, Jeeves.
I loved it when Dogger talked to me like this. How cozy the world became, and how far away the troubles of everyday life. It was like being rocked in the cradle of knowledge, floating on the great calm sea of reason, suspended like a mote of dust in the sheer infinity of the universe.
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Is there anything (I ask) better than a mysteriously well-educated valet and a precocious little girl putting their heads together to conduct chemical experiments and bring evildoers' gray hairs in sorrow to the grave? I think Not, Jeeves.
January 28, 2019
Quite simply, I loved it! Flavia is on top form and I truly enjoyed her detective work with Dogger and the camaraderie that they share. Narrator Jane Entwistle voices Flavia perfectly.
October 8, 2018
In this 10th installment life for Flavia is full of changes. The most noticeable is her sister Feely's marriage. The more subtle is changes in Flavia herself as she is on the verge of becoming a teenager. Never fear though, Flavia is still a girl that loves chemistry and solving crimes. Imagine her excitement when a human finger is found in her sister's wedding cake! She views it as the perfect first case for her and Dogger to investigate, which unsurprisingly leads to the inevitable tangled and sinister mystery.
As for a rating... I have mixed feelings. As usual I enjoyed the writing style and characters. It's always fun to spend more time in Flavia's head. In this case, her confusion over her pendulum of emotions (such as confidence to uncertainty, or joy to deep sadness) felt realistic and relatable. It's also great that Flavia now has Dogger as a full-time partner in crime (solving) that she can confide in. However, I felt rather indifferent about the actual mystery. While the science was fascinating, I never was overly concerned with figuring out what was going on. Even when the mystery was explained, the motives and chain of events weren't very clear to me.
Overall, it was a good continuation of the series, but I doubt it would be a compelling read to someone who hadn't read the first 9 books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for providing me with a digital review copy!
As for a rating... I have mixed feelings. As usual I enjoyed the writing style and characters. It's always fun to spend more time in Flavia's head. In this case, her confusion over her pendulum of emotions (such as confidence to uncertainty, or joy to deep sadness) felt realistic and relatable. It's also great that Flavia now has Dogger as a full-time partner in crime (solving) that she can confide in. However, I felt rather indifferent about the actual mystery. While the science was fascinating, I never was overly concerned with figuring out what was going on. Even when the mystery was explained, the motives and chain of events weren't very clear to me.
Overall, it was a good continuation of the series, but I doubt it would be a compelling read to someone who hadn't read the first 9 books.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House-Ballantine for providing me with a digital review copy!
January 21, 2019
12-year old Flavia is back with another crime to solve; this time when a severed finger is found in her sister’s wedding cake. Precocious chemist/whiz kid Flavia and wise mentor Dogger are on the case. I love everything about this great team, their shenanigans, banter and clever reasonings. Bradley is a master of witty dialogue and distinctive turn-of-phrase. Thanks to Random House Ballentine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Bradley never disappoints!
February 6, 2022
4.5 🌟 for this, the last book in this wonderful series by Alan Bradley. I will miss this series, and all the characters in Bishop's Lacey, it has been near and dear to my heart.
It has been such a treat to read this and all the other books in this series with the very smart 12 year old Flavis DeLuce who is such a little genius at chemistry and poisons. This time she teams up with Dogger the house butler/gardener, who she has grown up with and is very close and fond of. He is a vet and has a vast knowledge of many things.
When her sister Feeley gets married and finds a severed finger in the wedding cake, it starts Flavia and Dogger off on a new case and another gem of a mystery to be solved. I have always loved the interaction between Flavia and Dogger, and this book had Undine in it and she was actually kind of fun too.
Jayne Entwistle does a fabulous job once again as the narrator in the audiobook. I am glad she was always the one who narrated every book in this series because I had come to know her voice as Flavia.
If you haven't read this series, you should. Start with the first book and read them all. And if you do audible books, these are great on audible. 💕
It has been such a treat to read this and all the other books in this series with the very smart 12 year old Flavis DeLuce who is such a little genius at chemistry and poisons. This time she teams up with Dogger the house butler/gardener, who she has grown up with and is very close and fond of. He is a vet and has a vast knowledge of many things.
When her sister Feeley gets married and finds a severed finger in the wedding cake, it starts Flavia and Dogger off on a new case and another gem of a mystery to be solved. I have always loved the interaction between Flavia and Dogger, and this book had Undine in it and she was actually kind of fun too.
Jayne Entwistle does a fabulous job once again as the narrator in the audiobook. I am glad she was always the one who narrated every book in this series because I had come to know her voice as Flavia.
If you haven't read this series, you should. Start with the first book and read them all. And if you do audible books, these are great on audible. 💕
February 24, 2019
Flavia is decidedly growing up, not so precocious as cunning, curious, observant and always erudite, especially in the chemistry field. Her sleuthing skills are well honed as she teems up with admirable Mr. Dogger, who instructs and keeps her centered in her lonely life without Father, and very little interaction with her sisters. Undine, as her younger cousin, is becoming very useful although she is quite unpredictable. Her relationships with Cynthia, the vicar's wife and most especially Antigone, Inspector Hewitt's wife, are heart-wrenching. Flavia is very independent but underneath seeks love and approval, thus her hero-worship of Inspector Hewitt and the beloved Antigone. Hopefully there will be more of the Flavia adventures; but if not, I thought this book will have ended the series well!
December 18, 2019
4 stars
I love Flavia, a scheming poisoner who is so good and warmhearted deep down.
The books while dealing with all sorts of nefarious deeds hold a gentleness.
Flavia continues to grow with each book, and while remaining the center focus, Dogger has blossomed into quite a character. Undine has the precociousness that made Flavia so appealing in early books. It’s always great fun having scenes with Flavia and Undine as now Flavia has to deal with a person much like herself.
I love Flavia, a scheming poisoner who is so good and warmhearted deep down.
The books while dealing with all sorts of nefarious deeds hold a gentleness.
“She’s a very strange person,” I said.
Above a distant hill, rain slanted down in ruled lines from the black bottoms of a cloud that billowed up into towers of matchless white in the glorious sunshine above.
“Yes, she is,” Dogger agreed. “But when you come to think of it, Miss Flavia, we are all strange persons.”
Flavia continues to grow with each book, and while remaining the center focus, Dogger has blossomed into quite a character. Undine has the precociousness that made Flavia so appealing in early books. It’s always great fun having scenes with Flavia and Undine as now Flavia has to deal with a person much like herself.
February 3, 2019
Flavia is back with the discovery of an embalmed finger in her sister's wedding cake. She, of course is delighted to discover it and with her faithful partner/valet, Dogger, she undertakes the investigation of just how that finger got there..
At 12, Flavia is even more isolated than ever. At orphan with her eldest sister getting married off, I worry about how she is going to cope with everything. I am frankly perplexed at how she lives alone with just her valet/partner and housekeeper to keep their eyes on her. Why is there not a grown adult to supervise her really and now with Undine in the mix, I am worried.
This is a fun book but really the plot is somewhat silly and I think the books are growing farther away from reality.
At 12, Flavia is even more isolated than ever. At orphan with her eldest sister getting married off, I worry about how she is going to cope with everything. I am frankly perplexed at how she lives alone with just her valet/partner and housekeeper to keep their eyes on her. Why is there not a grown adult to supervise her really and now with Undine in the mix, I am worried.
This is a fun book but really the plot is somewhat silly and I think the books are growing farther away from reality.
February 19, 2019
A new case – the first proper one for 12-year-old Flavia via “Arthur W. Dogger & Associates—Discreet Investigations” – begins at her older sister’s wedding reception, when the bride and groom cut the cake and find a severed human finger. Homeopathic-type potions, West African missionaries, and railway journeys to Brookwood Cemetery, a Victorian-era landmark, are major elements in what ensues.
Mrs. Mullet and Undine have somewhat expanded roles, while we don’t see much of Daffy and none of Feely (conveniently, she’s away on honeymoon the whole rest of the time). I used to live in Woking and toured Brookwood once, so I particularly enjoyed the references to the cemetery.
Flavia meets a boy who’s also lost family members (“Loneliness is a kind of glue that can bind us to the most unlikely strangers”) and for the first time it looks like she might be enjoying flirtatious attention. Alas, there will be no chance to follow Flavia into her teenage years. This is the crime-solving chemist’s 10th and final outing. They are undeniably cozy reads, but there are only two or three real standouts in the series (best of all is #6, followed by #8).
Mrs. Mullet and Undine have somewhat expanded roles, while we don’t see much of Daffy and none of Feely (conveniently, she’s away on honeymoon the whole rest of the time). I used to live in Woking and toured Brookwood once, so I particularly enjoyed the references to the cemetery.
Flavia meets a boy who’s also lost family members (“Loneliness is a kind of glue that can bind us to the most unlikely strangers”) and for the first time it looks like she might be enjoying flirtatious attention. Alas, there will be no chance to follow Flavia into her teenage years. This is the crime-solving chemist’s 10th and final outing. They are undeniably cozy reads, but there are only two or three real standouts in the series (best of all is #6, followed by #8).
September 27, 2023
This was actually such a fun, humorous, and mysterious read. The story, and series in general, kind of reminds me of a hybrid of Agatha Christie and Harriet the Spy.
I will preface this review by stating that although I have read the first couple books in this series, I have not read them all leading up to this one. Even though I did end up spoiling some of the events that happened in earlier books for myself, I still found that I was able to understand what happened and didn't feel out of the loop. I think the best reading experience for this series would be to read the books in order but as I don't have the other books, I still felt that this instalment was incredibly enjoyable.
I'm always surprised by just how funny this series is with its one liners. The sarcasm, humor, and wit is perfection and I really loved the duo of Dogger and Flavia in this story.
After reading this book, I want to go back and read more of the previous books because it was such a fun and cozy read.
***Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I will preface this review by stating that although I have read the first couple books in this series, I have not read them all leading up to this one. Even though I did end up spoiling some of the events that happened in earlier books for myself, I still found that I was able to understand what happened and didn't feel out of the loop. I think the best reading experience for this series would be to read the books in order but as I don't have the other books, I still felt that this instalment was incredibly enjoyable.
I'm always surprised by just how funny this series is with its one liners. The sarcasm, humor, and wit is perfection and I really loved the duo of Dogger and Flavia in this story.
After reading this book, I want to go back and read more of the previous books because it was such a fun and cozy read.
***Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
January 18, 2021
Lovely to read about Flavia and Digger’s expanded relationship and perhaps Undine is becoming more important too. Flavia is such a wonderful and funny character.
February 20, 2019
The day has finally arrived – Flavia’s oldest sister is getting married. Considering how rocky her romantic life has been over the years, this is a bit surprising. The wedding is beautiful, but when the newlyweds go to cut the cake, they find a finger in the cake. How did it get there? Who did it belong to? Before Flavia can really dig into this case, she and Dogger get their first client for their new Arthur W. Dogger and Associates Discreet Investigations. A local woman has come in asking them to find some missing letters that would be damaging to her father if they got out. Only Dogger isn’t so certain that their client’s story is true. What is really going on?
As a longtime fan, it was great to be back in Bishop’s Lacey with Flavia and the rest of the cast. In fact, I hadn’t realized just how much I’ve come to love these characters until I noticed how much I was smiling through the book. The exception is Flavia’s cousin Undine. I get what she represents, Flavia’s Flavia, but I find her super annoying, although there is hope for her character to grow here. The plot was a bit out there, but I still bought it. The pacing is uneven, especially for the wedding at the beginning, but it isn’t anything we haven’t seen in other books. Flavia is still Flavia, after all, so we get her thoughts on chemistry, poison, and life in general. I listen to their series on audio, and Jayne Entwistle’s narration continues to be outstanding. If you haven’t given them a listen, I highly recommend you try the series this way. But no matter how you read this one, fans will be sure to enjoy this latest visit.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
As a longtime fan, it was great to be back in Bishop’s Lacey with Flavia and the rest of the cast. In fact, I hadn’t realized just how much I’ve come to love these characters until I noticed how much I was smiling through the book. The exception is Flavia’s cousin Undine. I get what she represents, Flavia’s Flavia, but I find her super annoying, although there is hope for her character to grow here. The plot was a bit out there, but I still bought it. The pacing is uneven, especially for the wedding at the beginning, but it isn’t anything we haven’t seen in other books. Flavia is still Flavia, after all, so we get her thoughts on chemistry, poison, and life in general. I listen to their series on audio, and Jayne Entwistle’s narration continues to be outstanding. If you haven’t given them a listen, I highly recommend you try the series this way. But no matter how you read this one, fans will be sure to enjoy this latest visit.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
October 11, 2018
I always enjoy an excursion into the world of Flavia de Luce, the chemistry whiz-kid and mystery-solver extraordinaire of rural 1950's England. The mystery in this installment took a back seat to the characters--and there were really only two to focus on, Flavia, and her father-figure/crime-solving-partner Dogger. These two interact beautifully, and Flavia continues to mature emotionally in small ways as she's growing up.
The book did suffer a bit from feeling TOO focused on just Flavia and Dogger. Flavia's cousin Undine is there, but her moments lack a certain punch. Also, there is too little of Flavia's sisters. Granted, the oldest one has just gotten married and is simply absent for most of the book. But even Daphne, though physically present, feels very vague. I miss Flavia's family and extended family.
That said, I did enjoy the book and found the writing witty and interesting. Examples: "Great music has much the same effect upon humans as cyanide, I managed to think: It paralyzes the respiratory system."
"I have noticed that it's the same with all petty officials: Once they catch you breaking a rule they lecture you, not just until the cows come home, but until the cows have eaten dinner, hauled on their flannel pajamas, climbed into bed, listened to a bedtime story, put out the lights, and drifted off to sleep to dream of pastures new."
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the digital review copy!
The book did suffer a bit from feeling TOO focused on just Flavia and Dogger. Flavia's cousin Undine is there, but her moments lack a certain punch. Also, there is too little of Flavia's sisters. Granted, the oldest one has just gotten married and is simply absent for most of the book. But even Daphne, though physically present, feels very vague. I miss Flavia's family and extended family.
That said, I did enjoy the book and found the writing witty and interesting. Examples: "Great music has much the same effect upon humans as cyanide, I managed to think: It paralyzes the respiratory system."
"I have noticed that it's the same with all petty officials: Once they catch you breaking a rule they lecture you, not just until the cows come home, but until the cows have eaten dinner, hauled on their flannel pajamas, climbed into bed, listened to a bedtime story, put out the lights, and drifted off to sleep to dream of pastures new."
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the digital review copy!
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