Bob Seney on Books

Flavia de Luce and Other Mystery Series

I should know by now that when I get suggestions and recommendations about a book from more than three readers, I should get busy and get to that book. Sometimes, I guess, I’m just a slow learner; but learn I did. I have been introduced to a new series, the Flavia de Luce novels. The first is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley (2010, Bantam Books).

Admittedly, this novel may be a bit of a challenge for some of our 2e readers, but the characters, the pace, the humor, the suspense, and the delightful shenanigans of an obviously highly gifted 11-year-old girl will keep even reluctant readers coming back for more. We are probably talking about middle school and above reading levels. Set in the 1950’s in England in a delightfully suitable dark, historic estate, various ominous elements begin to build: a dead crow on the door step; mysterious visitors, one of whom ends up dead in the garden; and some rare postage stamps. These ingredients set up a wonderful mystery for our Flavia to solve.

Flavia is the youngest daughter of Colonel Lawrence (Jacko) de Luce, Master of Buckshaw, her home with her father and two sisters. To say there is a bit of sibling rivalry between Flavia and her two older sisters, Ophelia and Daphne, would be something of understatement. Flavia’s interest in things scientific provide her some wonderful ways in which she “gets back” at her sisters for real or perceived wrongs.

In the first chapters, we are informed of the history of the de Luce Family and Buckshaw Manor, the ancestral home of the de Luce’s since even before the current, three-century-old manor was built. It appears that eccentricity runs in the family, and from all accounts is still running strong. All three daughters are a delight, each in her own special way.

One of Flavia’s long-ago ancestors created a marvelous, elaborate Victorian laboratory on the upper floor of the home, which is now Flavia’s provenance. It is here she studies, plots her revenges against her sisters, and ultimately solves the mystery. Her father is accused of murdering a mysterious visitor, who turns out to be an old schoolmate. It is left up to Flavia to solve the mystery.

As with any mystery, one can’t say too much. I don’t want to give away any of the main plot or several sub-plots of this many-layered story. As I was reading Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, I was reminded of the sad but humorous adventures of the Baudelaire Family created by Lemony Snicket in his A Series of Unfortunate Events. Similar characters, tone, and mood permeate both Sweetness and Unfortunate Events. For younger readers, the Snicket series may be the place to start.

Some strains in Sweetness also reminded me of Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwicks Family. The first book in that series, The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and A Very Interesting Boy (2007, Yearling) won the 2007 National Book Award for Children’s Literature. There are now three books in that series, each as delightful as the other. All are highly recommended.

There is one more series that comes to mind as well: Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy. First published in 1974, Harriet has both charmed and led many readers into the world of mystery. The Harriet Books are all available in republished editions. Obviously this series is for younger readers, but I think many of Harriet’s old fans will be happy to meet Flavia, who continues in Harriet’s grand tradition.

There are three more Flavia books. Each with a great title: The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag (2011): A Red Herring Without Mustard (2011); and I Am Half Sick of Shadows (2011). All are available for the Kindle and as paperbacks published by Delacourt Press.

One more thing about the series. Alan Bradley published Sweetness, his first novel, at the age of 70! This wonderful novel went on to win the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award, the Agatha Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, the Arthur Ellis Award, the Macavity Award, and the Spotted Owl Award. Not bad for a new beginning at age 70, huh? In one interview, Bradley said: “Flavia de Luce walked into my life one winter day, parked herself on a campstool, and wouldn’t be budged.”

And I, for one, am glad she did! You just may hear more from Flavia in a later column. In the meantime, I encourage you to make her acquaintance and enjoy with me her hilarious and sometimes scary escapades.

Postscript

In January, Mockingbird (2010, Philomel) by Kathryn Erskine, reviewed here in Issue 47, July, 2011, received the Council for Exceptional Children’s Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award. This award is given every two years by the CEC to books that include characters, main or supporting, with developmental disabilities. This is another award to add to this novel’s long list of awards.

I knew it was a winner!

Professor Emeritus Bob Seney is retired from teaching in the Masters of Gifted Studies Program at Mississippi University for Women. At conferences, he often presents a session titled “What’s New in Young Adult Literature.” Reach him at bseney@muw.edu.