First lines: I am on my deathbed. Again. Although I have done everything in my power to survive it, it has not been enough. A human being can only bear so much.
Plot: Still reeling from a recent family tragedy, Flavia and her older sisters are sent on holiday together with Dogger, their loyal family servant. They're boating when Flavia unexpectedly fishes a dead body from the river. Now she and Dogger are determined to investigate this suspicious death, whether the local police want their help or not. Because nothing cheers twelve-year-old Flavia up quite like murder...and the chemistry of poisons.
My thoughts: I spent last weekend happily ensconced in Alan Bradley's latest Flavia de Luce mystery. It's the ninth book in this series and I thought it was a lot of fun. While still irrepressible and full of spunk, Flavia seemed a little less impetuous, a little wiser, and a little more grown up this time around. And I really liked that Dogger played a bigger role in this story; he's always been a favorite character of mine. I also liked that Flavia and her sister, Daffy, actually got along better in this one; it was fun seeing them work together for a change. All in all, The Grave's A Fine and Private Place is another well-written and entertaining mystery from Alan Bradley. (But if you've never read a Flavia mystery before, start with the first one! Because this series is best read in order.)
Happy Reading!
Other Flavia reviews:
I read the first two books, but need to catch up! Can't believe there are already 9 books! I love the title--from Marvell's poem "To His Coy Mistress." :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great? And at least you have lots of good books to look forward to reading. :)
DeleteYay! Glad to hear this one is good! I am a little mad at how the last book ended. Was that really necessary Mr. Bradley? But still, I am looking forward to getting to this one soon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the ending of the last book was kind of a shock for me, too. And I thought it was kind of mean to do that to Flavia and her sisters. This book takes up pretty much where the last one left off.
DeleteI'm looking forward to reading this one but I still need to read Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d first! I'm glad you enjoyed it - and it's good to hear that Flavia and Daffy are getting along better at last.
ReplyDeleteIt makes them more interesting people when they're aren't just bickering and carping at each other. :)
DeleteI’ve only read the first one in this series. I liked it but never continued for some reason. Maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteI have series where I've never gotten past the first book either. It happens. :)
DeleteI haven't yet read any book in this series. I am glad you enjoyed this installment. It sounds like a great series.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun series. I've stuck with it because it's different than a lot of other mysteries I've read, and also because Flavia is so uniquely Flavia.
DeleteI haven't read any book of this series either. It sounds like a good one considering you've enjoyed them. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, you should give the first one a try and see what you think of it. :)
DeleteI tried to read the first book in this series and it was a case of right book, wrong time. I need to go back to it because this series just looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a lot of fun, but you do have to be in the right mood for it.
DeleteFlavia is such a delight. It’s great to hear that the series is staying strong even 9 books in.
ReplyDeleteNot every book in the series is equal to the first, but this is one of the better ones. :)
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