A Red Herring Without Mustard - Alan Bradley

A Red Herring Without Mustard is the third and latest book in the Flavia de Luce mystery series. I loved the first book in the series, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie but the second book didn't quite have the same magic for me - thankfully I stuck with Flavia (I just love that name!) because the latest book was much more enjoyable. There is definitely a formula at play here - something that would normally put me off a book/series - but in this case it is what I look out for - Flavia's precocious personality drawing her into the mysteries of her local village, Bishop's Lacey, and her blend of intelligence, curiosity and stubbornness leading her on to solving the crime. This novel starts to go even further into the personal life of Flavia and her family - and in particular the sudden and tragic death of her mother, Harriet when Flavia was just a baby. I feel this is only the beginning in regards to this particular part of the story and that future books are going to explore this more - something that will only add to the overall narrative and enjoyment for readers.

These books are light and easy to read - the perfect escape from a busy day. Apparently book number four is going to be out in time for Christmas this year so not long to wait for the next installment.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie - Alan Bradley

I first read about The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (how fantastic is that title??) over at Dove Grey Reader - the source of a lot of my reading inspiration lately.

This is a novel set in an English countryside village, Bishops Lacey, in 1950 and it is told from the perspective of 11 year Flavia de Luce - amateur detective, chemist and large pain in the rear end for her older sisters Ophelia and Daphne (I would read this book again simply for the gorgeous names of all of the female characters!).

Flavia's world is really quite isolated - she lives in the run down family estate, Buckshaw, just outside of the village, her father locks himself away pouring over his stamp collections, her older sisters either ignore her or torment her, her mother died when she was only very young and her best friend seems to be her beloved bike - Gladys. Despite all this Flavia is a vivacious, outgoing, intelligent, creative and, some would say, precocious child - I loved her!

The mystery of the novel centres around the discovery of a dead body in the garden of Buckshaw by Flavia herself. Flavia steps in to work out the events that led up to the death - which actually go back a lot further than the present time.

The actual mystery plot was neither here nor there for me - I just cared about hearing more from Falvia about her adventures! I am pleased to hear that Alan Bradley has at least 2 more Flavia books on the horizon - can't wait!! A pure delight to read - I only wish those other books were out now!