July 15, 2024
The enchanting 12th installment of Bradley’s Flavia de Luce series (after The Gold Tresses of the Dead) finds the precocious adolescent sleuth attempting to prove her family cook innocent of murder. Eight years after WWII, England is still suffering privations that have led many—including the de Luces’ trusted cook, Mrs. Mullet—to forage in the forest for food. When former hangman Major Greyleigh is found murdered, the local inspector turns his suspicions to Mullet, who fed Greyleigh an omelet made with foraged mushrooms moments before he died. Flavia, however, knows there must be some misunderstanding, and she rallies to Mullet’s defense with the help of her gardener and her troublesome younger cousin, whose boorish personality is nearly offset by her willingness to help Flavia bend the rules when necessary. Flavia’s investigation sees her teasing out information from the village postmistress, a scrapbooking neighbor, and the church gossip circle. She also tricks her way onto a U.S. Army base, where she confirms her family’s involvement with a shadowy group of assassins and discovers a secret that may break her heart. Flavia’s characteristic quirky humor and unorthodox thinking are on full display, and the ending finds her taking a well-earned step forward in her maturity. This series is as fresh as ever. Agent: Denise Bukowski, Bukowski Agency.
Starred review from December 6, 2024
Listeners waiting for the new Flavia de Luce historical mystery, a sequel to The Golden Tresses of the Dead, will not be disappointed. This time Flavia is navigating her ever-changing world while solving the murder most foul of a former executioner. The accused is Mrs. Mullet, and the deceased gentleman in question is a former suitor of hers. As Flavia exercises her chemical knowledge of all the best poisons and her Sherlock Holmes-like sense of deductive reasoning, the relationship between her and Undine, "the bane of Buckshaw," begins to thaw and deepen. Flavia is growing up but has not lost her childlike view of the goings on in her small British world. Narrator Jayne Entwistle brings Flavia forward with her distinctive characterization. The various characters are delineated neatly as Entwistle switches between American GIs and the old hens attending St. Tancred's "Cluck and Grumble" meeting. Tears will form in listeners' eyes as Mrs. Mullet's voice breaks in a moment when her stiff upper lip fails her. Entwistle's award-winning pronunciation, emphasis, and volume bring to life the myriad citizens of Bishop's Lacey and their environs. VERDICT Buckshaw and Bishop's Lacey will entice longtime series followers as well as new audiences who like amateur-sleuth historical mysteries.--Laura Trombley
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