Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd

Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Whether it’s a sketch of two pairs of footprints disappearing along a beach, or Oliver Inchbald’s deft hand at children’s poetry, viz.,

Splash! Sploik! Splonk! Splink!
Jumping in the rain
What a jolly mess, I think
Here I go again!

I’d like to think Mr Milne had humour enough not to go turning in his grave. An extraordinary premise, wonderful pastiches, and of course Flavia. Thoroughly enjoyed!
But that’s just my own humble opinion…what do you think? Do let me know!

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As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you, like me, adore a certain twelve-year-old master poisoner, you will love this book. This time Flavia is relegated to a finishing school in Canada from which girls disappear on a regular basis.
This was my second reading, and my original reservation—that at the end I had no idea why they were disappearing—still stands. I have a nagging suspicion that there’s a lot of smoke and mirrors going on in this title.
But quibbles be damned! Suspend disbelief and just wallow in the glorious mind of a truly beautifully-drawn character. You’ll feel better for it! I did.
But that’s just my own humble opinion…what do you think? Do let me know!

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The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I came across this wonderful set of books last November when I picked up The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag at my local library, and I am so glad that I did. I been forced to read them out of order, borrowing one or another when a particular title became available (which is not the way to go with this series) but I finally got to Sweetness, the first book, this month. It’s set in 1950s rural England, a truly colourless post-war period, which the author lovingly recreates. I adore the idea that 11-year-old Flavia, the heroine narrator, is an expert poisoner! I introduced this series to our Crimes and Thrillers group at Canada Water Library, and they too are now hooked.
But that’s just my own humble opinion…what do you think? Do let me know!

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