Winner of the CRIME WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT DAGGER AWARD and the AGATHA AND DILYS AWARD - "A wickedly clever story, a dead-true and original voice" - Laurie R. King It is the summer of 1950–and at the once-grand mansion of Buckshaw, young Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, is intrigued by a series of inexplicable events: A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Then, hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath. For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn’t. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life.”
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"I personally thought this book was intriguing. Certainly one of the best books I've ever read, honestly. This book is all about an 11 year old, aspiring chemist who discovers a series of events such as dead birds with peculiar notes pinned to their beak, dead men laying in cumcumber patches, and many more. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mystery, historical fiction, science fiction, etc. You won't be disappointed."
— Claire (5 out of 5 stars)
" Great book! It's witty, funny and I especially loved all the historic facts and references to classical books and music. "
— Wiske, 2/20/2014" This book should really probably be classified YA, if it's not already. Very smart, clever, non-traditional heroine, good mystery plot. What really sells me on it, though, is listening to Jayne Entwhistle narrate. Really helps put you in the scene. "
— Juliet, 2/20/2014" I absolutely loved the narrator! It was a fun, quick read. "
— Gina, 2/16/2014" Very enjoyable book. Looking forward to reading the rest of Mr. Bradley's books. "
— Lisa, 1/30/2014" What a wonderful book! A captivating young heroine and a wonderful anglophile setting. Myself, my husband and my daughter were all charmed by this book which also has a cracking good mystery. If you have not read this mystery, do so now and share it with someone too. "
— Shirley, 1/29/2014" Almost 5 stars -really, really liked this book. "
— Jennifer, 1/24/2014" I was surprised to find out the heroine of this "cozy" English murder mystery is 11 years old, but it's rather engaging. I'm not sure I'm going to read the rest of the series, but it was entertaining. "
— Susan, 1/21/2014" I found this book a little hard to get into, but once I did I really enjoyed it! I loved Flavia, she is really likeable. Great little mystery and a clean read. "
— Kenzie, 1/20/2014" I love this story! I felt like I'd stumbled into an Agatha Christie story with a super cool twist because the protagonist was a young girl. The family angst was funny and believable too. What makes me psyched is that there are so many other books to read- and to think I just happened to pick this book up because one of my kids had found it and liked it! Flavia de Luce Rocks. "
— Joan, 1/20/2014" Flavia is a wonderful heroine -- smart and sassy, with a lovely, vintage British flavor. "
— Barb, 12/9/2013Alan Bradley is an award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of novels, short stories, children’s stories, newspaper columns, and the memoir The Shoebox Bible. His first Flavia de Luce novel, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, received the CWA Debut Dagger Award, the Dilys Winn Award, the Arthur Ellis Award, the Agatha Award, the Macavity Award, and the Barry Award, and was nominated for the Anthony Award.
Jayne Entwistle is a voice talent and Earphones Award–winning narrator.