Award-winning author Alan Bradley returns with another beguiling novel starring the insidiously clever and unflappable eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce. The precocious chemist with a passion for poisons uncovers a fresh slew of misdeeds in the hamlet of Bishop's Lacey--mysteries involving a missing tot, a fortune-teller, and a corpse in Flavia's own backyard.

Flavia had asked the old Gypsy woman to tell her fortune, but never expected to stumble across the poor soul, bludgeoned in the wee hours in her own caravan. Was this an act of retribution by those convinced that the soothsayer had abducted a local child years ago? Certainly Flavia understands the bliss of settling scores; revenge is a delightful pastime when one has two odious older sisters. But how could this crime be connected to the missing baby? Had it something to do with the weird sect who met at the river to practice their secret rites? While still pondering the possibilities, Flavia stumbles upon another corpse--that of a notorious layabout who had been caught prowling about the de Luce's drawing room.

Pedaling Gladys, her faithful bicycle, across the countryside in search of clues to both crimes, Flavia uncovers some odd new twists. Most intriguing is her introduction to an elegant artist with a very special object in her possession--a portrait that sheds light on the biggest mystery of all: Who is Flavia?

As the red herrings pile up, Flavia must sort through clues fishy and foul to untangle dark deeds and dangerous secrets.

Off to the winner of October book sweeps!

Thanks! Never read any of Bradley's book (even though several have passed through my hands) so I guess now is the time!

Had to give up on this one after around 50 pages... Couldn't really figure out what this book is about or what audience it's meant for (possibly much younger than me, or maybe not? I just can't tell), but whatever the case, the story didn't grip me at all.

Wishlist RABCK to Mecu, enjoy!

Thanks a lot for this wishlist RABCK sakirmo! I've read the first two volumes of the series and enjoyed them, so I'm happy to read more about the poisonous life of Flavia. :) Thanks also for the Xmas card!

Read it, liked it, added the next volume of the series to my wishlist. :) I like that other's than Flavia are starting to develop personality, even though I still don't understand why her sisters are so mean to her. Maybe that, among other secrets, will be told in later volumes.

I tagged a friend of Tarya's with a wishlist book at the Toivelistahippa at the Finnish BC Forum. Enjoy!

Thanks! I've read one of this series in Finnish and quite liked it. For Sakirmo's information: The audience is bookcrossers of Helsinki and the surrounding towns and cities... Everybody seems to be reading these... It's probably Tarya's doing, she keeps telling how good they are.

Began reading and commenting. I have a gipsy at home, Manne.

I can so relate to this book as Death Tax and plumbing renovation bills will come my way sometime after Christmas. I hope Euro Jackpot will hit me before that and not "only in Dickens".

I, too, hate the brown skin that forms on top of hot chocolate.

Pic: An old coco jar.

And one should always have a book to read when taking a bath. Then it's nap time and you'll wake up like a re-born when the water turns cold. The most refreshing naps are taken in a bath and I will so miss my tub which I will lose when the plumbing renovations begin in the autumn. Deep sigh.

Pic: A posh tub in a window, London Town. Oops, the pic went sideways.

Hampstead was mentioned. I love that London village.

Like the man with seven wives
I've also been to St Ives.

Finished. I wonder if Flavia has Asperger's Syndrome.

Flavia de Luce waits for new readers in Columbus.