flavia

I read the latest and perhaps the final Flavia de Luce mystery over the weekend. Alan Bradley did amateur sleuthing a big favor when he created Flavia.

While these books are often found in the adult section of the library, they are wonderful reads for YA and perhaps some more advanced 5th grade students. Set in post WWII England, Flavia, age 10, lives with her sisters, her father, and assorted 'staff' in an old manor house. Her mother has been missing for 10 years and the family is carrying on without her. The plot of the final book hinges on Flavia's relationship with her mother, a mother she truly doesn't remember.

I hope that this is not the final time we get to enjoy Flavia. I really hope that Bradley will continue on with this dynamic girl.

Monday has arrived and one week from today I will be waking up in New Orleans! This will be my first trip to a city I've read so much about.

Guess over the weekend some local brews were being tossed from balcony to balcony down there in the French Quarter by two of the world's most handsome men. Wonder if we will get to see any famous mugs while we are exploring the city?

Happy Monday!

flavia de luce

Flavia, my favorite 11 year old sleuth, along with her trusty bike Gladys, pedals her way into more mischief and murder. I'm currently reading the third novel starring this young lady. I've passed along the first book to my daughter and she is on chapter four and loving every page.

Can't say enough about the 'fun' Alan Bradley has created in these books. Good Stuff.

Summer has arrived with a vengeance and hubby's office is without air conditioning. Not good. He is expecting repair people today to see if they can get things running and cooling. I'm off to work, with a two hour hiatus thrown into the middle of the day. I have a Friends meeting this afternoon. So, I will be at work longer to make up for that time away.

Hard to believe it is Wednesday already!  But, it is, and off to the races we go!! Maybe I need a Gladys in my life....I could just pedal off to my next adventure.

the sweetness at the bottom of the pie

Alan Bradley has created a gem of a character and a fantastically readable mystery in this debut novel. "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" stars 11 year old amateur (although she might bristle at that description) sleuth, Flavia de Luce. Set in post WWII England, Flavia stumbles upon a man dying in the de Luce vegetable garden who utters the word "Vale" into her ear with his last breath. With that, she is off to solve the murder.

As the story unfolds we learn about the de Luce family, their estate, Buckshaw, and the nearby town, Bishop's Lacey. Flavia is a precocious young woman with a keen interest in chemistry and poisons and a keener interest in everything going on around her.

First chance I get, I'm off to the library to check out and read the other two books in this series.

the moment when you know.....meeting flavia

As I start reading a new book, a moment arrives when I know whether or not the book is going to be awesome, a light but fun read or just an okay story. My current book has been sitting on my night stand for a month. I was told by an avid reader/blogger/teacher (APW) that the book was fabulous and the main character very well done. Before I finished the first page, I knew her recommendation was spot on.

I read as long as I could last night and have every intention of spending as much time as I can this week with Flavia de Luce. Once this book is finished, I will be on the hunt for the next title in this series.

"The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" begins with a great character building moment and makes you sit up in your seat and take notice. That is the moment when you know you're in for a treat.

I had a good day at work yesterday and have started to feel the pieces all fall into place. I sense the start of my daily routine. I felt a bit of accomplishment when I logged off my computer after my six hours on the job.  It is all very, very good.

Happy Tuesday!