NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Hailed as “a combination of Eloise and Sherlock Holmes” by The Boston Globe, Flavia de Luce returns in a Christmas mystery from award-winning author Alan Bradley. In spite of being ejected from Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy in Canada, twelve-year-old Flavia de Luce is excited to be sailing home to England. But instead of a joyous homecoming, she is greeted on the … homecoming, she is greeted on the docks with unfortunate news: Her father has fallen ill, and a hospital visit will have to wait while he rests. But with Flavia’s blasted sisters and insufferable cousin underfoot, Buckshaw now seems both too empty—and not empty enough. Only too eager to run an errand for the vicar’s wife, Flavia hops on her trusty bicycle, Gladys, to deliver a message to a reclusive wood-carver. Finding the front door ajar, Flavia enters and stumbles upon the poor man’s body hanging upside down on the back of his bedroom door. The only living creature in the house is a feline that shows little interest in the disturbing scene. Curiosity may not kill this cat, but Flavia is energized at the prospect of a new investigation. It’s amazing what the discovery of a corpse can do for one’s spirits. But what awaits Flavia will shake her to the very core.
Praise for Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d
“Mystery fans seeking novels of wit, an immersive English countryside setting, and rich characterizations will be rewarded with this newest entry in the award-winning series.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“There is such a thing as willing suspension of disbelief brought on by sheer outlandish charm, and that’s what [Alan] Bradley and some delicious writing have tapped.”—London Free Press
“Flavia’s first-person narration reveals her precocious intellect as well as her youthful vulnerability.”—Shelf Awareness
“Flavia is once again a fun, science-loving protagonist. . . . This series entry ends on a note that begs for the next story.”—Library Reads
“An eleven-year-old prodigy with an astonishing mind for chemistry and a particular interest in poisons.”—The Strand Magazine (Five of the Best Historical Heroines)
“Bradley’s preteen heroine comes through in the end with a series of deductions so clever she wants to hug herself. So will you.”—Kirkus Reviews
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Home sweet home. Except for the prickly sisters, annoying cousin, sick father and the dead body. Actually, the dead body is the one thing that makes Flavia feel at home. Getting her detective juices flowing, tooling around on Gladys, matching wits with Inspector Hewitt, it all brings her back to herself. Flavia’s character has evolved in this series from a rather selfish, precocious child, to a secretly sentimental, precocious young lady. She is still lonely, still very much in her own head, but she has gained allies in her life. She has people she can depend on. Bradley has done an admirable job of not keeping his character frozen, making sure there are still surprises awaiting the reader, aside from the aforementioned dead bodies! Although these are mystery novels, and the reveal at the end is what we all eagerly wait for, I love finding out more about the supporting cast of characters and am dying to find out what Flavia will get up to next.
Another madcap mystery in the ongoing adventures of Flavia de Luce! Can’t get enough of these – always fun, and definitely keep you guessing. Take one awkward family, add in crazy townspeople and a 12 year old genius Nancy Drew/Ramona the Pest, and a dead body or two, and you get something special! Best to read in order as the books do build on the history of the characters. This particular story left a cliffhanger like none before… going to be very hard to wait for the next one!
I didn’t realize this was something like the 8th book in the series when I started reading. I imagine I would have like it more if I had started with book 1 of the Flavia de Luce novels. Flavia reminded me of a cross between Wednesday Addams (from the Addams family) and Mrs. Marple. I found the book intriguing. It was a nice murder mystery and it kept me involved. However, if you decide to give it a try ,do start with book 1, ” The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”.
Read 1.20.2017
Love this whole series. Unusual heroine in a young English girl over 60 years ago.
totally amazing in it’s characters, the chemistry involved in the mystery. very very engaging, and hard to put down.
Flavia is back from the Canadian Ladies’ Academy and thinks she could never be happier, but her homecoming is mired with the sadness that her father is gravely ill in the hospital, her family is indifferent to her homecoming, and she feels the stress of the family finances have placed too great a burden on her already fragile widowed parent.
So, the distraction of an unusual murder case that she stumbles on after doing the vicar’s wife a good turn by delivering a message keeps her mind from dwelling.
I find this series grows stronger with each new installment. It has depth and complexity that one doesn’t expect when the heroine is a twelve year old sleuth, but Flaiva feels as deeply as can be and has the intellect to work out some if not all her life’s issues with the concern an adult would show rather than a child’s dismissal. She finds obscure clues and her insight is intuitive. Meanwhile, Christmas is absent from Buckshaw and her oldest sister Phelie is engaging in a brouhaha with her fiance’ Dieter. Flavia rolls her eyes at the latter while mourning the lack of the former.
Jayne Entwistle as narrator continues to dazzle. She is the voice of all in the Flavia de Luce world.
The mystery took a twist that startled me when I thought I had it worked out, but the end of the story gave no surprise and I wish it had. Things will take a turn in the next book and I am eager to see what lies beyond this new bend in the road for Flavia.
he Flavia de Luce series becomes better with each new installment, though I always think each one cannot be topped. Brave, smart, and yet still a child, Flavia is home from the boarding school in Canada, less than six months after she left. She must deal with the difficulties which have befallen her father, and of finding a body while doing a good deed. Good old Dogger is with her through it all. Insightful and a wonderful escape into a calmer world, murder notwithstanding.
Have read most of the books in this series. Fun stories with a bit of British life.
Saddened that this was my last Flavia de Luce story to read, I cherished it greatly. This was a really poignant Flavia story, as there isn’t much of Feely or Daffy in the story other than Flavia’s sharing of things they do or say or how Flavia sees her sisters. Thankfully, this also means there is not much bickering.
A murder based on lies and madness captures the attention of Flavia in this Shakespearean titled tale. We also see new-found relationships in people once not worthwhile, Cynthia Richardson, e.g. We see Flavia really maturing from an 11 year old to an almost 12 year old. We see the best interaction between Inspector Hewitt and Flavia, so far.
There is much sadness in this story too, from so many different people and places, but there is also great comfort. Finally, Flavia actually does more than think about hugging someone, she does hug with emotion and vitality. My heart broke for Dogger and Flavia, and I followed Dogger’s advice to a tee.
I’m looking forward to #10.
He always writes s good mystery & his Flavia is the very entertaining
Please, if you haven’t read a Flavia de Luce book by Alan Bradley give it a try. They are the best!!
great book in the series, Flavia de Luce is coming home from school, Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy (permanently it appears that I have missed a book) and cannot wait to get home. Her father is in the hospital so there is a minimal homecoming. While delivering a message for Cynthia (the Vicar’s wife) Flavia finds the woodcarver dead In his home and, of course proceeds to Solve the Mystery. I don’t think it is quite as good as some of the earlier books but it is still delightful and I still love Flavia. This book does serve to move the story like along in it’s own way. If you have liked Bradley’s other stories of the de Luce sisters you will like this one.
Great series but the fact that the main character remains perpetually the same age as everyone else around her does not is a bit hard to swallow sometimes.
The book may have been good, but I just couldn’t get interested enough to go beyond the first few pages.
What can I say. I wish I could read every book in this series!!!
Reading Alan Bradley always gives me a laugh, but also makes me love reading and language even more. Another winner!!!!
Love all Flavia de Luce books!
I love the Flavia de Luce books. Highly recommend, especially for those who like British mysteries.
Flavia is a unique and wonderful character. She is a brilliant girl detective who solves murders with her superior knowledge of chemistry and with lessons learned from her uptight and unusual English family. I thoroughly enjoy her adventures and can’t wait for the next one.