Cannonball Read 17

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time

A Flavia de Luce word jumble: puppets, weed, a 1950s pregnancy test, and pigeon droppings that save lives

The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

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Years ago, when I was going through a reading drought because life was getting in the way, I desperately needed an escape and Alan Bradley’s first Flavia de Luce mystery nudged a little bit of lightness back into my life (I even wrote a review, which is quite out of character for me). Our recent CBR chat about mysteries reminded me how much I enjoyed sinking into Flavia’s wanderings about Bishop’s Lacey, the rural English town she lives in, so I decided it was time […]

I’d like to see the “cozy” come back to this mystery series

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley

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“I know I’m not the girl I once was, but I’m not really sure yet who I am,” Flavia de Luce bemoans at about the midpoint of What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust. While she’s still quite young (I don’t think she’s progressed past 12 in this latest installment), she does carry the weight of adulthood on her shoulders at times. Technically she’s not alone in the world–she has her dear friend-of-the-family-part-time-servant Dogger, grandmotherly housekeeper Mrs. Mullet, bookish sister Daffy (Feely still being away […]

Well, this series took an unexpected turn

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley

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CBR14 BINGO: Cozy, because these books qualify as cozy mysteries, what with all the murders happening in this small village, always being discovered by an 11-year-old detective When I first met Flavia de Luce in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, I wasn’t 100% sure whether I liked her. After a couple more books, I had warmed to her, because the girl can really grow on a person. By the time I picked up The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches, I was curious […]

Two mysteries for Flavia. . .well, maybe one and a half

I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley

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Cozy mysteries are a great solace during troubling times, which makes me wonder why I’ve bothered to read anything else since 2017. I started reading the Flavia de Luce series at the end of 2020 and finally got around to picking it back up a few weeks ago. (Thanks, ‘Murica!) For those unfamiliar with the series, it stars an 11-year-old girl named Flavia de Luce who is an aspiring chemist and amateur detective. No doubt she would take offense to both the “aspiring” and “amateur” […]

Not up to standards

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley

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I love Flavia De Luce, Dogger, Mrs. M, all of them. What I don’t love? This book. Sure, it was interesting (sort of). But the plot got crazy. I won’t spoil it, but it is way too weird and I’m not talking about Flavia’s chemical plans. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches is the 6th, and in my opinion the most disappointing, increment of the Flavia De Luce series. THIS SUMMARY MAY HAVE SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ SPEAKING FROM AMONG THE BONES! Harriet has […]

Theres more and I love it!!

Speaking From Among the Bones by Alan Bradley

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I LOVED THIS BOOK. It had everything. EVERYTHING. It was interesting, unique, witty, 100% Flavia, new, old, EVERYTHING. It had the old characters, new characters, a new plot, and the same old Flavia. Unique, witty, quirky, and fun, Flavia is back yet again. Will this series ever end? I hope not! Warning – this is the weirdest book so far. The plot is a little far-fetched, but I loved it just the same. Speaking From Among the Bones is the 5th Flavia De Luce book. […]



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