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. However, 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. With Flavia’s insufferable sisters and cousin underfoot at Buckshaw, Flavia is only too eager to run an errand for the vicar’s wife and deliver a message to a reclusive wood-carver. But Flavia soon discovers that the poor man is deceased, 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. But what awaits Flavia will shake her to the very core.

I'm afraid, I cannot write anything about the book as I would not be able avoid spoilers and also I am, just like Flavia, shaken to the very core. I had dreaded this ending for a while but still - what a cliff-hanger! Please, please, please Mr. Bradley, hurry up!!!!

Flavia tritt heute Abend ihren Besuch bei linguistkris an. Übergabe wird beim Mett-up im La Piazza sein.

Received from miss_malihini tonight; many thanks!
Unfortunately, my joy was somewhat cut short by the realisation that I somehow managed to miss the previous installment.

After I so loved the previous book, I'm afraid this fell just the tiniest bit short -- and -sorry, spoilers-, I felt quite wrongfooted by Flavia's bereavement. Still enjoyable to be sure, just not what I was hoping for at the time.

Thank you, and so sorry for keeping this so long!

Flavia has been back home for a while now, I just forgot to say so... as usual... sorry.