The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Ratings168
Average rating3.7
Although it took me longer to read than I hoped it would I can't say I didn't enjoy being on this adventure with Flavia de Luce. I can recommend it to everyone who loves an extraordinary detective novel now and then. I believe even Sherlock Holmes would be fond of Flavia ;)
I read this in tandem with [b:The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements 7247854 The Disappearing Spoon And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements Sam Kean http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276468318s/7247854.jpg 8246153]. What a great combination. The adjective that comes to mind when I think of this is cozy. It reminded me of my own childhood, filled with fingerprinting kits, lust for chemistry sets and Sherlock Holmes books. Flavia is a spunky heroine, who is posed between the confidence that children have as a consequence of not yet knowing enough to feel insecure and the equally inaccurate easy dismissal of children by adults. This tension is expertly woven by Bradley, especially in the ideas of reference that Flavia has - her serious concerns that the adults around her consider her the prime suspect in the central murder (an idea both laughable to an adult, and familiar to anyone who was ever a preteen.)Yes, at times, the mystery is a bit weak and predictable, but a well written child protaganist in a book for adults is much more unusual than a good mystery.
Flavia is the oldest 11 year old I've ever read about! The writing is very innocent, perfectly told through the eyes of a precocious, super intelligent child. It wasn't the most complex mystery, but it was honest and heartfelt and interesting.
I'd be happier if I could give the book 2.5 stars, but I'll bump it up to 3 because the second half was better than the first. Although Bradley should avoided 1st person, and Flavia is mostly obnoxious.
I liked this book. It was a fun, quick read. Sometimes I found Flavia to be unbelievable but overall I was willing to supend my disbelief because I liked her so much. I will most definately read the next Falvia de Luce book. Is there any better review than a desire to keep reading? :)
Flavia de Luce is a fantastic narrator! I've been wanting to read this book for ages and finally found it on the shelf at the library. I finished it this morning and picked up the second book in the trilogy this afternoon (also at the library). I found the plot and setting wonderful and elaborate. The details really make this story!
This book was OK. I don't know how to describe it except “fake British” or “British without a soul”. I don't know. It reminds me of the Thursday Next novels which I have never gotten into. All gimmick, no heart. Caveat: I didn't finish it, so maybe it gets better.
Flavia De Luce, one of the single best character names I have ever had the pleasure to run across! I LOVED this book, adored it really. I am never sure when starting a book where the main character is a child if I will really be able to “get into it”, but Flavia is just such a charming and captivating character that you can't help but to be pulled into her world, a world full of entertaining characters and a fabulous little mystery. The author, who is a 70 year old Canadian, and won the Dagger award for “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie” has finished “The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag,” the second book in the series about Flavia and it is set to be released in 2010. I for one, cannot wait!