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charmingrogue's review
4.0
I debated whether to give this book four stars or just three. I'm enjoying the series, but personally felt this book was weaker than the first two.
Flavia started to annoy me in this book. I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading them in such quick succession, or if there's something about this book in particular, but I got annoyed at her utter lack of regard for what other people thought, and yet her reactions when other people didn't do what she wanted or if she felt they weren't treating her properly. Though I suppose she may finally just be acting her age in this manner.
I found the mystery (actually, mysteries) in this book to be needlessly complicated and a little confusing. I realize the book has "red herring" in the title, but I did not expect that the two mysteries would be virtually unconnected. The author also does not provide the reader with enough information to be able to solve the mystery before the solution is revealed; it's the same in the other books, but it's something that mildly annoys me. Even with a first person narrator, we're not privy to enough of her thoughts to be able to follow everything.
I still don't fully understand the theft and forgery ring and how it worked. What exactly were they doing with the copies, other than returning them to the original owners? It was implied that they were making lots of copies if the firedogs, for example, but it wasn't clear exactly how they were profiting, or how the antiques store in Bishop's Lacey was really involved. Also, what was it about Buckshaw's firedogs that made them so valuable? I can understand pirating silver, but it was not at all clear why the firedogs were valuable enough to steal. The most value seemed to be sentimental, to the family, because of the stories Harriet used to tell about them.
Speaking of Harriet, I can't help feeling like she's not really dead, like she's going to show up at Buckshaw someday. If she doesn't, he's putting in an awful lot of clues about it for nothing.
Overall, I enjoyed it, just not as much as the first two. I'll continue to read the series and see what happens.
Flavia started to annoy me in this book. I'm not sure if it's because I'm reading them in such quick succession, or if there's something about this book in particular, but I got annoyed at her utter lack of regard for what other people thought, and yet her reactions when other people didn't do what she wanted or if she felt they weren't treating her properly. Though I suppose she may finally just be acting her age in this manner.
I found the mystery (actually, mysteries) in this book to be needlessly complicated and a little confusing. I realize the book has "red herring" in the title, but I did not expect that the two mysteries would be virtually unconnected. The author also does not provide the reader with enough information to be able to solve the mystery before the solution is revealed; it's the same in the other books, but it's something that mildly annoys me. Even with a first person narrator, we're not privy to enough of her thoughts to be able to follow everything.
I still don't fully understand the theft and forgery ring and how it worked. What exactly were they doing with the copies, other than returning them to the original owners? It was implied that they were making lots of copies if the firedogs, for example, but it wasn't clear exactly how they were profiting, or how the antiques store in Bishop's Lacey was really involved. Also, what was it about Buckshaw's firedogs that made them so valuable? I can understand pirating silver, but it was not at all clear why the firedogs were valuable enough to steal. The most value seemed to be sentimental, to the family, because of the stories Harriet used to tell about them.
Speaking of Harriet, I can't help feeling like she's not really dead, like she's going to show up at Buckshaw someday. If she doesn't, he's putting in an awful lot of clues about it for nothing.
Overall, I enjoyed it, just not as much as the first two. I'll continue to read the series and see what happens.
kate_albers's review
4.0
I love Flavia de Luce and Alan Bradley's new novel gives us an even better story than his last one. She is an excellent character - an 11-year-old girl detective who is obsessed with chemistry.
zoeythekat's review
3.0
Flavia de Luce is a funny, frightful, insightful, relatable, and clever character. If you ever read Nancy Drew and thought, "How come this girl has everything so easy?" this series is for you. Unlike Nancy, Flavia makes mistakes and generally has to work without the support of the police or even most of her family. But, despite her affinity for poisons and seeking revenge, she is absolutely lovable.
sankeym's review against another edition
4.0
Third in a series of 1950s English country house mysteries, told first-person by 11-year old Flavia deLuce, chemist and scion of eccentric gentry. Charming and droll, but the locality is in danger of becoming as deadly as that town in Maine Angela Landsbury lived in.
alongapath's review
4.0
Bradley did it again! His ability to create an enticing mystery, all told through young Flavia's eyes, is sheer brilliance. Of course, an 11-year old who spends her time rattling around in an old mansion, has more than enough time and imagination to out-fox the local authorities with her keen observations and interviewing techniques. And her one-liners make me laugh out loud every time. Bravo Flavia!
Oh - and I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Ms. Entwhistle, which truly added icing to the cake. Her multiple character voices and enthusiastic portrayal of the young heroine were spot on!
Oh - and I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Ms. Entwhistle, which truly added icing to the cake. Her multiple character voices and enthusiastic portrayal of the young heroine were spot on!
amykatlady's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The finest of cozy mystery series, Flavia is a delight! She is a precocious, manipulative, sneaky, brilliant, charming, curious eleven year old with too little supervision, but we like it that way so she can get up to investigations and mystery-solving.
amillerjohnson's review
3.0
A precocious eleven year old who has a passion for chemistry and a knack for murder investigations, Flavia is an endearing character, intelligent and insightful but inexperienced in the ways of the world. She's the most delightful child character I've encountered in a long, long time.
sdefelice's review
3.0
I like all the Flavia de Luce mysteries, though they tend to get a bit slow for me in the middle. This one was no different.
paulhill53's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful series - continues to delight and surprise.
dennisfischman's review
3.0
This book was considerably darker than the first two. There's a theme about people emotionally or physically torturing others who are supposed to be their dear ones, from Flavia's sisters (who survive) to one of the people who are killed. On the other hand, Flavia's father is finally showing some personality and expressing some pride in her.