73) Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley

The Blurb :

In spite of being ejected from Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy in Canada, twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce is excited to be sailing home to England. But instead of a joyous homecoming, she is greeted on the docks with unfortunate news: Her father has fallen ill, and a hospital visit will have to wait while he rests. But with Flavia’s blasted sisters and insufferable cousin underfoot, Buckshaw now seems both too empty—and not empty enough. Only too eager to run an errand for the vicar’s wife, Flavia hops on her trusty bicycle, Gladys, to deliver a message to a reclusive wood-carver.

Finding the front door ajar, Flavia enters and stumbles upon the poor man’s body hanging upside down on the back of his bedroom door. The only living creature in the house is a feline that shows little interest in the disturbing scene. Curiosity may not kill this cat, but Flavia is energized at the prospect of a new investigation. It’s amazing what the discovery of a corpse can do for one’s spirits. But what awaits Flavia will shake her to the very core.

My Thoughts :

I haven't read much in last couple of weeks and instead of listening to audio books I have been listening to music.  For some reason nothing appealed to me and also a book I was waiting to listen to doesn't seem to be available yet on audible so that put me off a bit.  Then I noticed a new Flavia de Luce installment was coming out and waited for its arrival.  Nothing like a bit of Flavia to get me busy listening to books again.

Now I basically listened to all the Flavia de Luce mysteries in one go sometime last year so this first time I have had to wait for a new installment.  The series is unique and funny with a wonderful main character who you can't help but love.  Flavia is too big for her boots, a nosy troublemaker and twelve going on thirty but she is also clever, amusing and entertaining.

After getting home from Canada, Flavia gets some bad news.  Her father is in hospital and despite the pull to go and see him, she is stopped from visiting by various reasons and excuses from others.  So Flavia does what only Flavia can do and finds a dead body and distracts herself with the murder investigation.  With Gladys helping and a bit of a support from Dogger and her new friend Mildred, Flavia goes about unraveling a mystery that has been around longer than she has.

Once again I was pulled into this postwar world that has only started to get some resemblance of the modern amenities that we take for granted of today.  Delighted by her naive but genius logic as she solves another mystery I couldn't stop myself from listening to just a little more every time I had the chance.  The talk of Steepholm, an island I have unfortunately never visited but saw nearly everyday growing up, made me a little homesick.  However this whole Britishness, even if from another part of history, makes me want to go home and visit.  The author just does a wonderful of job of capturing the place so well.

Anyway, well worth getting a hold of if you are a fan of the series.  If you haven't tried the series yet then think about doing so!  I didn't think I would like it at first but there is something special and addictive about Flavia de Luce.  Also I highly recommend the audio books as the narrator does a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life.  I couldn't even think about reading these.  I have been spoilt by the outstanding audio versions.

Now the wait is on for the next installment.  It should be another interesting one with the ending this eighth book left us with.  I feel for Flavia but I know she is strong.  I wonder if the author will ever jump ahead a little and give us an older version...I would love to find out what becomes of the youngest de Luce.

43) Ink & Bone by Rachel Caine

The Blurb :

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When his friend inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn…

My Thoughts :

I don't know what I expected from Ink & Bone but it definitely wasn't what I got.  A follower of Rachel Caine, I couldn't miss the beginning of a new series but the blurb was already slightly off putting.  However I got a copy and I finally got around to reading it this weekend.

Everything was confusing from the beginning.  It was hard to follow how the world that Caine has invented really works.  Books are good? Bad?  I wasn't sure what the point was but after about a fifth of the book I started to understand what this world was like but I still didn't quite understand everything.

There is a lot of new jargon that was lost on me for most of the book and I didn't feel like everything was explained to a high enough level to really enjoy the obviously brilliant concept that the author has come up with.  Despite my problems following every single piece of the puzzle I did find myself quite engrossed in the story and eager to see what happened.

You can tell when an author has put substantial effort and research into a book when you realise that one of her characters names actually translates to 'Writer' which fits to the story extremely well.  However it made me wonder if I should take things personally as a Welsh person living in Vienna when in this world the Welsh are hated (or loved? another thing I wasn't sure of) and Austria doesn't exist anymore.

All in all this was a nice strong start to a series that is more complicated than it is enjoyable.  I won't say I will not continue the series but I do know that this is definitely a series that needs to be read close together.  I think the longer you leave between installments, the harder it will be to keep the facts straight and understand everything that has happened and is happening.

37) War Horse by Micheal Morpurgo

The Blurb :

A powerful tale of war, redemption, and a hero's journey.

In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

My Thoughts :

I guess the first thing you are wondering when you see this book is why on Earth did she read this?  Yes it isn't my usual style of book but I am taking part in a Book Club and this was the book that was picked.  So it was read!

War Horse was a quick read and doesn't even reach two hundred pages.  It is a young adult book which has also been made into a film.  This story is very historical and somewhat educational.
It was a nice story, well thought out and interesting but it was also a little slow, somehow cliche and somewhat weird due to the horse perspective.  I managed to keep my feelings in check but I can imagine it being a really sad and emotional film to watch.

Not a bad book but definitely not something I would have picked to read myself.  Maybe when I was younger I would have appreciated this one more.

32) Bright Blaze of Magic by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Bad Things Always Come In Threes…

As a thief, I'm good at three things: hiding in the shadows, getting in and out unseen, and uncovering secrets. I put these skills to work for the Sinclair Family, one of the magical mobs that run the tourist town of Cloudburst Falls.

Everyone knows Victor Draconi wants to take over all the other Families--and kill every last Sinclair. What they don't know is that I'm on to him, and no way will I let the man who murdered my mom get away with hurting all the other people I care about. Especially when I've got places to break into, stuff to steal, and Devon Sinclair fighting right by my side…


My Thoughts :

Jennifer Estep has done it again!  Another amazing story!  I continue to be in constant awe of the original and exciting books that this author keeps coming up with.  There are so many Paranormal Urban Fantasy writers out there who are dredging up the same old ideas but Jennifer Estep continues to make up her own worlds with original and compelling magical aspects.

Anyone who has been following this series will be eager to read this third installment.  The cover is spectacular and the blurb doesn't give too much away but believe me this one is more action packed that both the books before it. It is also quite dark with a lot of death and destruction.  Things come to a head and you won't believe what happens.

I don't want to give anything away so I will keep this review short.  Read all of Jennifer Estep's books, including this series.  Don't let the term Young Adult put you off in anyway.  These maybe youngsters but they are living and fighting in an adult world.  If you love the paranormal then you will be blown away by the wonderful new monsters and magic that the author has dreamt up for this series.  Each book adds more depth and this third book is no exception!

A wonderful author with a great grasp on what excitement and adventure should be and how they can be made even more special with the right characters and unusual twists.  I can't wait for her next book and anymore after that, in this series or any of her others or even something new!

29) Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella

The Blurb :

An anxiety disorder disrupts fourteen-year-old Audrey’s daily life. She has been making slow but steady progress with Dr. Sarah, but when Audrey meets Linus, her brother’s gaming teammate, she is energized. She connects with him. Audrey can talk through her fears with Linus in a way she’s never been able to do with anyone before. As their friendship deepens and her recovery gains momentum, a sweet romantic connection develops, one that helps not just Audrey but also her entire family.

My Thoughts :

Since changing jobs there has been only one or two bad consequences and one is that while I only have a ten minute walk to work, I only have a ten minute walk to work.  Which means my audio book listening time has dropped dramatically.  I am trying to make up for it but this short book took me two weeks to listen to.  But it was a lovely two weeks of listening.

I have enjoyed every Sophie Kinsella book I have read and Finding Audrey is no exception.  While this isn't the usual Chick-it Romance that fans will be used to it does have very strong elements of these two genres.  However this leans towards Young Adult but deals with very grown-up situations.  It is also very amusing and heart-warming while also being an eye-opener and general chance to learn something you wouldn't normally know about unless it has happened to you or someone close to you.

Now I don't know how much research the author put into the topic at hand but it seems like she hit the nail on the head in most aspects. I am not saying that I know everything about it either but what I do know rung true here.  However I have to wonder why the author went with a young girl and didn't write this from the perspective of an adult.  Bringing awareness for the subject seems to be a huge reason for this book but I wanted more.

I loved Audrey right from the beginning.  Her dysfunctional family were realistic and funny.  I couldn't wait to see what happened and how things would end.  Although I found it annoying that the mystery of what really happened to Audrey was left unanswered.  A brave move but one I am sure upset some readers.  After getting to know Audrey so well and her letting us see everything it felt like she was keeping her biggest secret from us.

A wonderful read and a great listen.  I didn't really like the mother, father and brother having different narrators sometimes and then other times they had the main narrator.  It put me off at times and didn't really change the story or the impact it made.

Well worth checking out.  Don't be put off by anything, the subject matter, the YA, the fact it isn't something you wouldn't read, nothing....just try it and enjoy it.

127) Grave Matters by Jana Oliver

The Blurb :

A legendary Demon Trapper, Riley Blackthorne frequently battles with Hell’s minions. So when she travels to Scotland to meet up with her hunky boyfriend, and celebrate her eighteenth birthday, she’s thrilled at the chance to leave Atlanta and its troubles behind.

Denver Beck, who has been studying for months to become a Grand Master – a rare and highly dangerous job -- is just as eager to see his girl. He’s anticipating a romantic reunion, keen to take their relationship to the next level.

But Riley’s twisted history with Hell has garnered unwelcome interest by people willing to use her for their own purposes. Trouble is brewing in the land of the heather, the kind that will drive a wedge between her and Beck, and prove the ultimate test of their love . . . and their survival skills.

My Thoughts :

I thought the Demon Trapper series was done.  Over.  Finito!  Then I came across a new release in the series.  The fifth book.  While putting this on my wishlist I came across this novella that fits bettern books four and five and quickly got a copy so I could read things in order and hopefully get a nice reminder of the situation and series.  It has been a while...

This was a nice short story.  A nice trip to Edinburgh (a lovely city) was just what I needed and would have jumped on a plane and gone back there myself even after reading about the Demon Trapper happenings in this book.  I found myself remembering a lot of the series and characters and being reminded of certain events.  The author mentioned, when needed, points in the series that I have since forgotten.  It was a nice story and I also remember how much I loved this series.

Telling you more about the story will give away a lot.  This is a little longer than the usual novella but it was still a quick read.  It was worth reading and a definite must read for anyone, who like me, hasn't gotten hold of that new fifth installment.  Things happen that you will need to know before carrying on the series.

105) Dark Heart of Magic by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there's no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

Even though he's my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot at winning what's supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious "accidents," it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

As if I didn't have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone's going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing's for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else...

My Thoughts :

The second part in the Black Blaze series is already out and it's another amazing read from exceptional Paranormal Urban Fantasy author Jennifer Estep.  Cold Burn of Magic, the debut in the series, was a spectacular read and this sequel only builds on the original and well thought out world of magic that the writer has created.   This isn't her first rodeo and I hope it won't be her last.  So many unique ideas have come from this author and she is really keeping the genre alive.

While this sequel had a different feel to it was still a gripping read.  The change in pace was to be expected with Lila no longer living on the streets and stealing for a living but the change was in no way detrimental to the storyline.  In fact it made it stronger than before with so many other aspects of the world coming to light and expanding the already ingenious idea beyond the expected.  Nothing new as far as Jennifer Estep's work is concerned but I am still left in wonder of her 'talents' each time.

With everything that came to light in Dark Heart of Magic there will certainly be a third installment and it is definitely going to be an eye-opener.  Some of the information regarding Lila's family was a shocker but there are other bits and pieces that I think we are still not privy to.  There is so many directions the story could follow and I can't wait to see what happens.

If you have already had the pleasure of reading any of Jennifer Estep's books then you will know how gifted she is.  So make sure you check out this series as soon as possible.  If you haven't already tried this author then I highly suggest you do.  There is very little out there lately that really makes me swoon and go wow but this author always does.  Oh and don't be put off by this series YA status.  This is adult enough for everyone and manages to outshine some of those 'adult' books I have read recently.

47) Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep

The Blurb :

There Be Monsters Here. . .

It's not as great as you'd think, living in a tourist town that's known as "the most magical place in America." Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

I try to keep out of it. I've got my mom's bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend's pawn shop, and I have to make a call--get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn't. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I'm stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I'm going to end up just like her. . .

My Thoughts :

I love Jennifer Estep's books and can't get enough of her wonderful stories.  This new Young Adult series had an ok blurb but a boring cover and I wondered if this was going to be the first bad book of the bunch.  However within a few pages I knew that this was going to be another hit!

Jennifer Estep has outdone herself again by inventing yet another amazing concept that broadens the Paranormal Urban Fantasy genre.  A new twist on the usual paranormal talents and some nice fantasy additions make this first in a new series really stand out.  Forget the Young adult label and concentrate on another set of great characters who all have a compelling story to tell.  A tale of magic and family feuds. A story that follows a strong and clever young lady who can kick-ass with the best of them.

I won't go into details as far as the plot is concerned because I don't want to spoil things for anyone who is waiting for this new release which hits the shelves next week.  However I will say that there is some romance, a lot of action and a nice new paranormal community involved in Cold Burn of Magic.  Of course there is a subtle nod to the other locations of Estep's books and maybe one day they will all get together for a story or two.

Cold Burn of Magic is just a confirmation that this author is one, if not the best, in the genre.  The new ideas and different angles jump from the story and grab you and don't let go till the end.  There is everything that you have come to expect from this author and then some in the first of the Black Blade books and I can't wait for more.

If you are a fan of Jennifer's work then you need to get a copy of Cold Burn of Magic as soon as possible.  The opening scenes are just the beginning of a wonderful and magical read that stands out and takes control.   Lila's attitude and strength is inspiring and I am really looking forward to finding out more about her and her past.

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42) As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

The Blurb :

Hard on the heels of the return of her mother’s body from the frozen reaches of the Himalayas, Flavia, for her indiscretions, is banished from her home at Buckshaw and shipped across the ocean to Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy in Toronto, her mother’s alma mater, there to be inducted into a mysterious organization known as the Nide.

No sooner does she arrive, however, than a body comes crashing down out of the chimney and into her room, setting off a series of investigations into mysterious disappearances of girls from the school.

My Thoughts :

Flavia de Luce is taken out of her comfort zone in this seventh and latest installment in the mystery series.  The young girl who has already solved her fair share of mysteries is packed off to Miss Bodycote's Female Academy in Canada.  A place her mother spent her time studying and a faraway place from her home of Bishop's Lacey.

I won't give much away about the plot because this installment only released in January so it is pretty new compared to the rest of the series that has dominated my Audio book listening for the last couple of months.  There are some very interesting twists and turns in this murder mystery and as things progress it is hard to keep all the new characters in their place.  Luckily it was pretty easy to deduce the events that took place and led to the body finding its way into the chimney.  Which was very cleverly plotted out storywise.

Miss Bodycote's Female Academy was a nice location change and it was interesting to see how Flavia dealt being away from Buckshaw.  I thought by the end that she wasted her time a little because she didn't really take the time to see anything of Toronto or really get to know it well.  I guess her homesickness was well hidden but shown in a different way.  I certainly missed the characters of Buckshaw and Bishop's Lacey and hope that the next book will bring things back into the lovely England countryside.

I found it hard to know how long Flavia was investigating this mystery.  This was an aspect of the story that I didn't like.  Flavia sometimes made it sound like she had been in the school for months but most of the time it felt like it only a week or two had passed.  However the story, as always, was wonderful to listen to and Flavia was a delight to follow through the adventure.  Her ideas, musings and general outlook on things is not only refreshing but adult like.

This is a series I have throughly enjoyed so far and I am really excited to say that I am now up-to-date with Flavia's mysteries.  I look forward to more and hope that some more time will have passed between this and the next installment so that Flavia gets just a little bit older.  Also I am hoping that that the author has plans for Flavia to continue her lessons with the teacher she was last seen with in this book.  She really does deserve to learn more from such a clever woman.

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39) The Curious Case of the Copper Corpse by Alan Bradley

The Blurb :

Murder! the letter says, Come at once. Anson House, Greyminster, Staircase No. 3. How can Flavia de Luce resist such an urgent plea? After all, examining a dead body sounds like a perfectly splendid way to spend a Sunday. So Flavia hops upon her trusted bicycle, Gladys, whose rubber tires hiss happily along the rainy road, and arrives at her father’s mist-shrouded old school.

There, a terrified boy leads her to the loo where, sitting in a bathtub, is what appears to be a statue. But, no: To Flavia’s surprise, the thing is in fact a naked dead man. Save his face, he seems to have been carved out of copper. Never one to shy away from the macabre, Flavia gets to work—only to find that when an investigation begins with a metallic cadaver, ever more curious twists are to be expected.

My Thoughts :

I have been throughly enjoying the Flavia de Luce series and this short story was next up.  To make sure I didn't miss anything important I made sure that I read this one in the order it is placed but have to admit I am now slightly disappointed because this short story could be read at any time in the series.  It doesn't mention anything that would spoil the series as a whole and is actually quite dull.

The Curious Case of the Copper Corpse only shows that Flavia de Luce's amazing talents and unusual ways, can not be confined to a novella.  There was no room in this story to show how great this young lady is at what she does and she has no chance to shine.  There is hardly a story to read in this short offering and if you have read the blurb then you can skip the first half of the book.

This is not a good novella to try the series before heading to the full length versions.  This short installment offers no good impression of the special characters the author has been working on for years.  The plot is nothing compared to the stories already told and there is no Bishop's Lacey or Buckshaw delights.

Also this was my first time reading anything from the series on another format other than Audio book.  I have to say I doubt I would be enjoying the series half as much if I was reading it on Kindle.  The audio version really brings things to life and this story may have been better in an audio format but I highly doubt it.  Quite disappointing but it won't be putting me off the series!

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37) The Dead and Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley

The Blurb :

On a spring morning in 1951, eleven-year-old chemist and aspiring detective Flavia de Luce gathers with her family at the railway station, awaiting the return of her long-lost mother, Harriet. Yet upon the train's arrival in the English village of Bishop's Lacey, Flavia is approached by a tall stranger who whispers a cryptic message into her ear.

Moments later, he is dead, mysteriously pushed under the train by someone in the crowd...

Who was this man, what did his words mean, and why were they intended for Flavia? Back home at Buckshaw, the de Luces' crumbling estate, Flavia puts her sleuthing skills to the test.

Following a trail of clues sparked by the discovery of a reel of film stashed away in the attic, she unravels the deepest secrets of the de Luce clan, involving none other than Winston Churchill himself.

Surrounded by family, friends, and a famous pathologist from the Home Office - and making spectacular use of Harriet's beloved Gypsy Moth plane, Blithe Spirit - Flavia will do anything, even take to the skies, to land a killer.

My Thoughts :

I am addicted to Flavia de Luce but only the audio versions.  I am nearly up to date with the series and admit I already used my new Audible credits to download the latest addition to the series.

Installment #6 and there is a certain wow factor to this one that I can't believe anyone saw coming!  The Dead and their Vaulted Arches brings a twist to the series that will change the future of Flavia de Luce as well as everyone in Buckshaw and quite possibly Bishop's Lacey.  I knew how things would begin despite the cliffhanger ending of the previous book leaving things open.  There were other possibilities so it came as no surprise that Harriet had come back home the way she did.

At first I was quite annoyed at the events which left everything rather boring and depressing.  There were some new faces and a few interesting developments such as de Luce cousins coming to visit and the appearance of Winston Churchill in Bishop's Lacey but Gladys hardly got mud in her spokes and Flavia was given a very short leash in this book.

Despite the seemingly dull start there was some extremely exciting revelations by the end of this book.  The twist this story has made me, if possible, love the series even more.  It was obvious that something pretty big would need to happen due to the problems at Buckshaw but everything that came to light in this sixth book made sense and totally changed the dynamic of the series.

I can't wait to listen to book seven.  Flavia is a delight to sleuth along with and the narrator does an amazing job bringing her to life.  The young lady has some more tales to tell and I am eager to find out what affect her new direction in life will have on her and everyone else.  So expect the next book to be read very soon!

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34) Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley

The Blurb :

"A churchyard in the March moonlight should be enough to give anyone the ging-gang-goolies, but not this girl." Chemist Flavia de Luce 11 finds masked body of angelic church organist Mr Collicott hidden in the tomb of St Tancred. Magistrate Quentin Ridley-Smith, adult son Jocelyn damaged, tries to stop the opening. Adam Tradescant Sowerby is a helpful flora-archaelogist.

My Thoughts :

I have been spending quite a bit of time with Flavia de Luce of late.  I even find myself talking like her!  She is a very special child who is wise beyond her years and more smart that an university degree holder.  Flavia's love of mysteries and poisons often get her into trouble and this time a Saint is involved.

As always the plot was interesting and well written.  The events that take place in Speaking from Among the Bones see the whole story of the de Luce's and Bishop Lacey progressing along with some nice twists and turns.  There is a very surprising cliffhanger ending that has left me very eager to download the sixth installment straight away.  The series is very addictive and the unusual mixture of young girl, mystery and location actually works wonderfully.

I am not usually a fan of books set in another era but this post World War Two UK is not too overwhelming and a lot of fun to spend time in.  While this series is told from the perspective of an eleven year old girl there is no girly talk and certainly no childlike events (unless Flavia is using her age to her advantage).

This is a series that you have to try and decide.  It has so many different aspects and too many great attributes that it is hard for me to even describe how good it is.  However despite this not looking like it would be my cup of tea, I am now ready to listen to book six!  I am totally and utterly hooked!  Although I have to say the narrator is amazing and I may have not bothered with the series if I was reading it.  Jayne Entwhistle has brought Flavia and the whole series to life like no other could!

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27) I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

The Blurb :

Precocious Flavia de Luce — an eleven-year-old sleuth with a passion for chemistry and a penchant for crime-solving — is tucked away in her laboratory, whipping up a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick. Amid a blizzard, the village gathers at Buckshaw to watch famed Phyllis Wyvern perform. After midnight, a body is found strangled by film. Flavia investigates.

My Thoughts :

In my attempt to get up to date with the many series I have either started and not yet managed to continue or have started and somehow not managed to continue, I decided to keep going with the Flavia de Luce mysteries.

This fourth installment takes place over the Christmas holidays and for once the mystery, as well as the many characters involved, are all stuck at Buckshaw and can't leave.  A lovely twist that many a mystery has used in the past and not at all boring or unbelievable.

There isn't much point in me going into details about the cunning plot but will say that this was just as delightful and intriguing as the previous books.  Flavia is a quirky character of a girl who is at most times more intelligent than the adults in her life even if she can sometimes be a little naive.  This is a series you really have to try and then decide if it is something you will like.  There isn't anything else that comes close to being as unusual and brilliant than Flavia de Luce and her stories.

I can highly recommend listening to this book via Audible.  The narrator, Jayne Entwhistle, really brings Flavia to life and does a wonderful job portraying the characters.  Her Flavia almost always sounds like she is smiling to herself and makes the story even more fun.

The next book in the series will definitely be listened to soon!  I can't wait to see what other mysterious messes Flavia manages to get herself involved with.  She is a very clever sleuth who isn't just well gifted but also sees things from a younger perspective.

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