Flavia de Luce lives in a ramshackle English country manor house sometime around 1950, with her withdrawn and distant war hero father, and her two incredibly annoying older sisters (the mother died years ago). One morning a dead bird is left on the doorstep with a mysterious postage stamp on its beak, and soon thereafter a body is found in the cucumber patch! It's pretty clear we're in a classic British village cozy mystery.
Flavia is free to race around on her trusty bike, digging into newspaper archives, talking to old-timers, and poking through the belongings of a lodger at the village pub, who also happens to be a chemistry whizz!!
Because the story is told from Flavia's point of view, you go through the investigation with her; both its steps and missteps. You also see the logical and emotional process at work while she solves the crimes!
I was pleased to learn this is the beginning of a six book series. This book won the Dagger award, and I highly recommend it.
Flavia is free to race around on her trusty bike, digging into newspaper archives, talking to old-timers, and poking through the belongings of a lodger at the village pub, who also happens to be a chemistry whizz!!
Because the story is told from Flavia's point of view, you go through the investigation with her; both its steps and missteps. You also see the logical and emotional process at work while she solves the crimes!
I was pleased to learn this is the beginning of a six book series. This book won the Dagger award, and I highly recommend it.
