Amateur sleuth Flavia de Luce, along with her pestilent younger cousin, investigates the murder of a former public hangman and uncovers a secret that brings the greatest shock of her life.
“I love the Flavia de Luce novels! Flavia is the best female detective I’ve ever read, full of realism, self-confidence, and emotion (in roughly equal parts), and her tales are hilarious, engaging, and occasionally heartbreaking.”—Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series
Flavia de Luce has taken on the mentorship of her odious moon-faced cousin Undine, who has come to live at Buckshaw following the death of her mother. Undine’s main talent, aside from cultivating disgusting habits, seems to be raising Flavia’s hackles, although in her best moments she shows potential for trespassing, trickery, and other assorted mayhem.
When Major Greyleigh, a local recluse and former hangman, is found dead after a breakfast of poisonous mushrooms, suspicion falls on the de Luce family’s longtime cook, Mrs. Mullet. After all, wasn’t it she who’d picked the mushrooms, cooked the omelet, and served it to Greyleigh moments before his death? “I have to admit,” says Flavia, an expert in the chemical nature of poisons, “that I’d been praying to God for a jolly good old-fashioned mushroom poisoning. Not that I wanted anyone to die, but why give a girl a gift such as mine without giving her the opportunity to use it?”
But Flavia knows the beloved Mrs. Mullet is innocent. Together with Dogger, estate gardener and partner-in-crime, and the obnoxious Undine, Flavia sets out to find the real killer and clear Mrs. Mullet’s good name. Little does she know that following the case’s twists and turns will lead her to a most surprising discovery—one with the power to upend her entire life.
Download and start listening now!
"I love the Flavia de Luce novels! I identify, though I unfortunately didn’t have an Uncle Tarquin and was forced to make do with a Christmas chemistry set from the Sears catalog. Flavia is the best female detective I’ve ever read, full of realism, self-confidence, and emotion (in roughly equal parts), and her tales are hilarious, engaging, and occasionally heartbreaking."
— Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series
To say I am overjoyed by the return of the magnificent Flavia is a massive understatement. It is a great day when we have her back in our lives with a new, and riveting, crime to solve. Brava Flavia. Bravo Alan!
— Louise PennyTo say I am overjoyed by the return of the magnificent Flavia is a massive understatement. It is a great day when we have her back in our lives with a new, and riveting, crime to solve. Brava, Flavia. Bravo, Alan!
— Louise PennyCozy mystery fans will love this latest installment featuring Flavia de Luce, Alan Bradley’s plucky and spirited protagonist. Delightful!
— Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The MaidCozy mystery fans will love this latest delightful installment featuring Flavia de Luce, Alan Bradley’s plucky and spirited protagonist.
— Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The MaidEnchanting . . . Flavia’s characteristic quirky humor and unorthodox thinking are on full display . . . This series is as fresh as ever.
— Publishers WeeklyRejoice, fans of fiction’s youngest franchise detective: Flavia de Luce is back . . . Nobody could possibly unite intelligence work, mythological monsters, and village gossip as adroitly as Bradley’s heroine.
— Kirkus ReviewsEnchanting . . . Flavia’s characteristic quirky humor and unorthodox thinking are on full display. . . . This series is as fresh as ever.
— Publishers WeeklyRejoice, fans of fiction’s youngest franchise detective: Flavia de Luce is back. . . . Nobody could possibly unite intelligence work, mythological monsters, and village gossip as adroitly as Bradley’s heroine.
— Kirkus ReviewsBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Alan 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.