Our detective is an 11-year-old girl named Flavia who has far too great a knowledge of chemistry for someone her age. As with most girls that age, sibling rivalry is present. The mystery involves a dead bird with a postage stamp pierced in its bill, a dead body in the garden, her father's arrest, discovering things about her father's school life, some very rare stamps, and too little accountability for where she is and what she is doing. Still, it's a read that most preteen and young teen girls should enjoy. I'd give this a 3.5 star rating for adults but a higher rating for the intended audience so I decided upon a 4. ( )

Our main character, Flavia is, in a word, "precocious," is growing up in a crumbling old mansion in 1950s England with her terrorizing older sisters, her withdrawn father and the all-around handyman. Each sister is free to pursue her own passion, and for Flavia that is chemistry, and poisons in particular. When she finds a dead man in the yard, the evidence points to her father, who is arrested. But as she (and the police) investigate, suspicion falls on several different people, and she learns more about her father's past than she ever would have imagined.

This is pure delight, British to the core, from the fading aristocracy to the boys' boarding school to the taut, emotionless encounters between the family members. Flavia herself, while not always believable, is an irresistible character. I can't wait for more of her. ( )

I was told it was like Harriet the Spy, but it seems a bit more like a more realistic less wealthy female British Artemis Fowl, you know, without the fairies or super-villain resources. Oh and she doesn't seem to be trying to take over anything. ( )

I could not put this book down. Flavia is so enchanting and clever. I can't wait for Bradley's next book. ( )

Flavia is an eleven-year-old character you love to love, but thankful she isn't your daughter! She's into poison and has an advanced chemistry lab in her house. She extracts poison ivy and puts it in her older sister's lipstick. She spies. She picks locks. She's sneaky. And she solves a crime. A stranger is dead in the garden and her father is arrested. With research and interviews, Flavia figures out the story that goes back to her father's schooldays. This is a clean mystery--a more literary Trixie Belden, which I absolutely adored as a kid. Who should read this one? Public library women's book clubs. ( )

This delight is a debut mystery! A debut mystery, if you please, and a Crime Writers of America Dagger Award winner, and written by a Saskatooni writer, and just flat funny.

Whatever they do to the water in Saskatoon, they should do it to some Murrikin cities that're famous for nothing (eg, Dubuque or Terre Haute) so's they can make their mark on the cultural landscape. Bradley and Bidulka haling from the same city...what up with that?!

Flavia de Luce is an eleven-year-old chemistry prodigy, daughter of an extraordinary vanished mother and a reclusive abasent father, youngest of three sisters who are each at difficult ages. She's the most outgoing of the three, she's the most determined and organized and intellectually gifted of them, and alone among her family is not paralyzed by her upbringing. Her determination to prove her father innocent of a murder which takes place directly below her bedroom window is absolute and unshakable. She succeeds because she's a) smart b) stubborn and c) "just a girl" so unthreatening to anyone...except the murderer, who takes her very seriously indeed.

Flavia's dry-martini humor is old for her age, but she's presented from the get-go as old for her age in some very believable ways. Her intellectual capacities are also presented in such a way as to be part and parcel of a believable character. I like this book, it flew past me at a breezy 50mph and hooked me into its slipstream. I suspended disbelief the moment I met Flavia, and the author rewarded me with a very enjoyable afternoon. I'll read the next Flavia book, "Tied Up with Strings" (which I pray is only a working title, it's just gawdawful!) when it comes out from Bantam in 2010.

Go on, give it a try. You'll be surprised how easy it goes down! ( )

A delightful read. Witty, charming, intriguing and fun. Flavia de Luce is an extremely clever and endearing heroine. I can't wait until the next book! ( )

Alan Bradley has taken us on a convivial armchair adventure, a delicious romp into yesterday..into the lives of a quirky English village called Bishop’s Lacey and the genteel poverty stricken residents of Buckshaw: the de Luce family where pies are as easily served up as murder (okay with the exception of Mrs. Mullet’s custard pie). It is up to Flavia and her trusty BSA bike, Gladys to prove her father’s innocence, and net a murderer; all the while her intellect running circles around the local constabulary.

And who wouldn’t find Flavia de Luce enchanting? This enterprising young sleuth has a penchant for poison, can sing out the atomic number of arsenic and selenium by rote as easily as she can trill out the Mikado or hum along to the Tocatta by Pietro Domenico Paradis. She can extract a synthetic curare at the drop of the hat, distill the itchy humours of poison ivy, and yes..get pig-tailed deep into a postage stamp murder mystery of epic proportions.

Bradley’s tale of the fabled Ulster Avengers and the hands that have made off with them reads like a chronicle of the Hope Diamond, replete with quaint British history and a surfeit of historical idioms that will be bound to amuse and engage. He has created the most singular character in Flavia de Luce and it is a delight to read about her maiden voyage into Holmes’ territory. Obviously we will be seeing more of Flavia in novels to come! ( )

Surprisingly entertaining and involving mystery, full of the circumlocutions typical of the genre, replete with odd-to-American-ears British place names, satisfying with British stereotypes. An unusual eleven-year-old girl, Flavia pursues chemistry and science on her own in her family's grim and dusty manse while her sisters, Ophelia and Daphne, indulge in literary and fashion pursuits. One fateful night, she overhears a disturbance in her father's study ( )

Sweet and funny story with an adolescent protagonist that reminded me of Judy Blume books and days of my youth long gone but not forgotten. ( )

A delightful and refreshing read! Engaging characters and a rich setting.

The story has faults, yes. The main character, Flavia de Luce, is supposed to be an 11-year-old girl. I thought the author managed to stay truer to Flavia's voice in the emotional realm. Intellectually, the character would really have been more accurately represented as a highly gifted teenager. However, I generally found the character to be so enjoyable that I was, for the most part, willing to suspend disbelief of an 11-year-old having such intellectual prowess (it is a work of fiction, after all!).

To me, the richest part of the story is a conversation between Flavia and her father. I don't believe in spoilers, so I won't set the context of that passage in this review. Suffice to say, I thought the author did a lovely job of staying true to voice, and that entire passage greatly enriched the story for me.

This strikes me as a book that I would have LOVED as a pre-teen/teen...where were you 25 years ago, Flavia de Luce?! Realizing how much I would have loved this book as a teen also contributed to making this a fun read. So, my inner teenage girl gives it 5 stars, and my adult self gives it a hearty 3 1/2! ( )

I had hoped for more based on the reviews. None of the characters really grabbed me and I wasn't all that interested in the mystery. For me, the best part was the setting. ( )

Pure delight to read The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie Flavia is a wonder at sleuthing. I look forward to the next book as Flavia probes further into her poisons and thwarts her two sisters along the way. I will be recommending this book to teens at the middle and high school level who are into reading mystery and those who don't care for reading as the book is an easy read and fun to figure out the mystery. ( )

Not to be trite, but The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is one of the tastiest reads that I've devoured this year. It's one of those rare books where you'll fret over your desire to gobble it down versus savoring it in small bites. It's a delicious-- okay, I'll stop now. But seriously, it's a great book, you should read it.

The setting is Bishop's Lacey, a small, sleepy English town in 1950. Flavia Sabina Dolores de Luce, eleven, is better at chemistry than most of us can probably ever hope to be. (And the Dolores is a lie. She sometimes fabricates things.) She is our narrator and when asked what her passion is in life, Flavia unhesitatingly says chemistry. She even has her own lab which was originally created by a great-uncle and then used by her mother, who died in Tibet when Flavia was still a baby. It's her sanctuary in her her family's sprawling and somewhat dilapidated manor house where Flavia lives with her reclusive father (Colonel de Luce), two sisters (Ophelia and Daphne, whom she loathes), and Dogger (Colonel de Luce's once-manservant/driver and now gardener with a loose grip on the day-to-day, as he came back from the war a bit shattered).

The novel starts on a seemingly normal day (after a fight with Ophelia, Flavia stole her lipstick, melted it down to mix with the essentail oil of poison ivy leaves, and reformed the lipstick using a .45 caliber slug) and then something peculiar happens. The housekeeper opens the kitchen door to discover a dead jack snipe with a stamp impaled on its beak. Flavia's father is visibly shaken and later, Flavia eavesdrops at the keyhole of his study to see and hear him argue with a redheaded man Flavia has never seen in her life. For her quiet philatelist of a father, this is uncommon behavior -- but perhaps more uncommon is when Flavia walks through the cucumber patch in the pre-dawn hours and discovers a body. It is the redheaded man with whom her father had been arguing and he breaths his last word into Flavia's face: "Vale!" Unlike most eleven-year-olds, Flavia does not run in fear: "I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn't. Quite the opposite. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life."

Well, I think you can guess by this point that Flavia is not the kind of girl to simply leave this matter to the authorities, particularly when she calls them and once arriving, they tell her to run along. While the police conduct their investigation (in which her father is the prime suspect), Flavia does some sleuthing of her own. The result is a fantastic journey into her father's less-than-innocent school days, priceless stamps, and magic tricks that go horribly right.

By far, the most delightful part of this novel is the refreshing voice of Flavia, whose steadfast determination and piercing intelligence might be characteristic of a mystery novel detective, but her charm and occasional childish whimsy make for something original and fresh. With her knowledge of poisons and capacity for revenge, she is certainly a dangerous force; though despite her vast knowledge of chemistry and her very adult means of analysis, she is still a child wrapped up in fights with her sisters and desperate to clear her somewhat distant father, for he is the only parent she has left. Flavia also knows something adults tend to forget, which is that the best way to get information is to ask someone, and in a small town, certain people will always know everyone's business. Her search for information takes her all over Bishop's Lacy (on her trusty bicycle, Gladys) and as a result, we are exposed to a delightful cast of small-town characters, who might not always be as smitten with Flavia as the reader, but certainly understand that this is a remarkable young girl who sees far more than anyone else.

When I finished the novel, I rather lamented the fact that the story is so wrapped up in Flavia's family history that a second might be a difficult thing to pull off -- but evidently, Alan Bradley is working on a another Flavia de Luce novel, for which I can only be thankful. Bradley himself is retired from a career in media and television, and this is his first novel (though he did co-author a Sherlock Holmes work). He won the Crime Writers' Association Debut Dagger Award for this particular tale, so mystery lovers should take note. And even if you are not a mystery lover, I heartily recommend The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. I don't think that you'll be disappointed with the remarkably enchanting Flavia de Luce -- and if you love books, I recommend buying this in hardcover, as it's a beautiful little volume, compact and elegant without a dustjacket. Though really, if you're a friend of mine with whom I exchange presents at the holidays, forget everything you've read here -- you'll be getting this novel soon enough as a gift. ( )

This delightful little book ranks #2 in favor of all those in my library. Number 1 is "I Capture the Castle", of which this book is reminiscent in having its main character a young girl, Flavia de Luce, while the star of I Caputure the Castle is another young girl named Cassandra Mortmain. Their contribution to each story is one of sheer enchantment. Bradley has succeeded, as did Dodie Smith before him, in capturing the very soul of an exuberant 11 year old on paper without making her obnoxious or too cute. ( )

Eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison, must exonerate her father of murder. Armed with more than enough knowledge to tie two distant deaths together and examine new suspects, she begins a search that will lead her all the way to the King of England himself. ( )

In which we are introduced to 11-year old chemistry whiz Flavia de Luce, who discovers an almost dead body in the family cucumber patch and hears his dying word ("Vale!" - latin for "farewell"). Flavia sets out to solve the crime, which involves poison, stamp collecting, a dead bird on the doorstep and many a (metaphorical) red herring. An excellent, well-paced mystery - looking forward to reading more about Flavia and her family and friends. ( )

Delightful! ( )

Eleven year old chemistry wiz discovers a dead body in the garden. She sets out to prove that her father is innocent of his murder. Very spunky, Nancy Drew like character. ( )

I just finished reading Alan Bradley's book, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and it was one of the best books I've readin 2009. No question.

'Sweetness' is set in 1950 and introduces the reader to Flavia de Luce, a British 11 year old Chemistry prodigy, who stumbles onto a mystery when she finds a nearly dead stranger in her family's cucumber patch. The dying man utters the Latin 'Vale!' and dies at Flavia's feet. Instead of being frightened, Flavia sets out to determine the dead man's identity and the reason for his trespass on her family's extensive estate. Her father is eventually arrested for the murder, but Flavia is certain there must be a more logical (and happy) solution to the murder. She uses her vast chemical knowledge and insatiable curiosity in surprising ways to secure a predictably happy ending (the solution isn't obvious, but the journey to the happy resolution will keep you on the edge of your seat).

I'm not sure how to do justice to the remarkable character that Alan Bradley has created. Flavia is 11 going on 65 at some points in the story (much to the chagrin of the police detective) and at others every bit the scheming and 'put upon' little sister to two older teenage sisters. She's impressively brave and clever--Miss Marple-ish at times requiring refinement and a cool head in her interactions with adults, and Hermione Granger-esque when faced with overwhelming physical challenges. I loved the fact that Flavia did something unexpected on almost every page. She kept revealing new facets of her personality as the story unfolded.

Luckily for me (and other fortunate readers), Bradley has apparently finished a second Flavia mystery and may well be at work on book number three. I believe I heard this is to be a four book series. I hope it lasts much, much longer as I can't wait to see what else Bradley does with Flavia's character. ( )

Eleven-year-old Flavia lives at the family estate in Britain with her hermit-like father and her tormenting older sisters. When a dead body shows up in the garden, she sets out to solve the crime. Flav is a wonderful character, spunky and smart. Her special obsession is chemistry, with an emphasis on poisons. Although she seems to be a thorn in the side of the local constabulary, the officers, in the end, appreciate Flav's help. An extremely unusual young girl, and yet very likable, she reminds this reader of Harriet the Spy--or perhaps Miss Marple! (Is it a coincidence that her long-lost mother's name is Harriet?) A well-written story that fairly bounds through the English countryside, like Flav and her trusty bike, Gladys, this title will appeal to readers of all ages. ( )

If Lord Peter Wimsey (Dorothy Sayers' hero) & Merricat (from Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived at the Castle) had a child, she would be the heroine of this wonderful book - Flavia de Luce; throw in a bit of Roald Dahl, some Jessica Mitford & tiny smidgen of EE Nesbit & you'll get a sense of the flavor of it all.

Flavia de Luce is an 11-year-old chemistry whiz living in her British family's rundown manse - Buchshaw. Life is humming along as usual with her father tucked away in his study with his stamp collection & mourning the death of her mother & her sisters obsessing over the handsome village boy (Ophelia, or Feely) or reading her way through the sizable family library (Daphne, or Daffy). Flavia spends her days in the chemistry lab built for her now deceased (& then somewhat crazy) Uncle Tarquin. Things are rounded out by Mrs. Mullet (in the kitchen) & Dogger (in the garden, a former soldier who served with the Colonel).

First, a dead bird appears on the doorstep. Next, there is a dead body among the cucumbers. The police arrive, lead by Inspector Hewitt, & Flavia at once determines that she will unmask the killer!

This is one of the best books I've read all year. There are echoes of many other authors & many other books, but the voice is still unique. This book is filled with wonderful twists & turns & great wit & humor leavened with the realities of living in this dysfunctional family. It is very fun to read new & different takes on old styles of writing - in this case the Agatha Christie/Dorothy Sayers sort of book. It's also wonderful to read a book written in the voice of a very precocious & mildly obnoxious, but wholly competent 11-year-old girl. This book won the Crime Writer's Association Debut Dagger Award & I can understand why. This is the first in a series & I can't wait to encounter the intrepid Flavia once more! ( )

What to say about Alan Bradley's The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie besides I absolutely loved it? I had to get through 260-something people on the New York Public Library hold list before it was finally mine to read, but it was worth the wait.

Bradley creates one of the most amusing narrators I have read in a while. Flavia de Luce is kind of like an English Harriet the Spy—an 11-year-old super sleuth and chemistry genius growing up in the 1950s. She lives on a huge estate called Buckshaw in the English countryside with her widower father and two older sisters. Flavia has a rousing imagination that keeps her entertained, but it also gives her spunk and fuels her detective side when a full-blown murder mystery lands on her doorstep.

First, a dead jack snipe is found on the doorstep with a postage stamp bizarrely skewered on its beak. A few hours later, Flavia finds a dying man in the cucumber patch and witnesses his dying breath. "Vale!" Once the police arrest her father for the man's murder, Flavia enters detective mode as she believes the two events must be connected and her father's name must be cleared. Flavia's not like any other 11-year-old girl; to her, the murder marks the beginning of a real adventure, and she is delighted:
"I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn't. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life."

I haven't read too many mysteries in my day, because I feel like they, for the most part, are formulaic. Sure, the premise can be different, and a conclusion will be reached through its own, unique journey, but you're always going to reach the end: mystery solved. A good mystery needs something more than its plot, and Bradley succeeded in writing a mystery with enough to like outside of it. As the author states: "It’s a book about how far youthful idealism can carry you if it’s not stamped out, as it so often is."

Flavia is a delightful character to read, and she alone is enough to give this book an edge. In hearing the story from her perspective, we get to solve the mystery with her every step (and mistep) of the way. But one can tell that Bradley also put a lot of effort into creating all of his characters and their relationships with each other. Colonel de Luce's grief for the wife he lost has led him to the life of a recluse and distanced him from his daughters. Flavia's two sisters, like Flavia, spend their time entertaining themselves with their own interests. Their relationship with Flavia is typical of older sisters—they split their time between torment and apathy, and Flavia fights back with her secret plans of poisonous revenge.

Sometimes you have to wonder how realistic a character as Flavia could be—an 11-year-old that knows the anatomical effects of a dose of carbon tetrachloride. But Bradley doesn't give you time to even consider doubt. You'll immediately jump on board and enjoy the ride. ( )

Fun read. Parts of the mystery were easy to figure and the heroine is far too knowing and worldly for eleven years old, but the book does an excellent job of transporting you to another, enjoyable, world and keeping you there.

Why do mysteries have to run in series? ( )

There are a lot of interesting ideas and choices in this book. The main character, for example, is quite unusual and has interestingly unexpected reactions to things; for example, she thinks finding a dead body is exciting rather than frightening. The problem is that these only sometimes work in the book's favor. For example, the heroine is incredibly precocious, and speaks in an affected, formal sort of way; sometimes, this is very charming and works well, but other times it comes across as pretentious and unrealistic.

A bigger problem is that I didn't find the ending of the book very satisfying. The clues that let the heroine figure out what happened were either serendipitously dropped into her lap, or else she just happened to remember something critical at the last minute. The ending also doesn't do anything to resolve the character issues that came up during the novel. ( )