Flavia de Luce is back in The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag, the sequel to Alan Bradley's first novel, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, solving yet another murder case, charming information from all those involved with wit, gumption and acting skills that are well beyond her acquired eleven years.
When Flavia comes into the acquaintance of Nialla, assistant to Rupert Porson, a famous puppeteer, she immediately notices something is off about the two. Deciding to investigate Rupert's past further, she finds a thin link to the death of young Robin Ingleby, a boy from her village, and she begins to get very suspicious. Soon after finding this information, Rupert's corpse drops with a dramatic flourish that even he would approve of onto the stage during one of his performances in town. And so begins Flavia's hunt for the murderer (or murderess) among the people she's known her whole life. With the inside advantage and uncanny knowledge of chemistry, particularly poisons, she discovers evidence that even the police have yet to come across.
Flavia's bold, perceptive temperament keeps the plot moving along and the reader thoroughly entertained. Although a bit of a longer read, well developed characters like Flavia and the rest of the de Luce family are well worth the time you spend on them.
No comments:
Post a Comment