Speaking from Among the Bones

A Flavia de Luce Novel

By: Alan Bradley

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From award-winning author Alan Bradley comes the next cozy British mystery starring intrepid young sleuth Flavia de Luce, hailed by USA Today as “one of the most remarkable creations in recent literature.”

Eleven-year-old amateur detective and ardent chemist Flavia de Luce is used to digging up clues, whether they’re found among the potions in her laboratory or between the pages of her insufferable sisters’ diaries. What she is not accustomed to is digging up bodies. Upon the five-hundredth anniversary of St. Tancred’s death, the English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey is busily preparing to open its patron saint’s tomb. Nobody is more excited to peek inside the crypt than Flavia, yet what she finds will halt the proceedings dead in their tracks: the body of Mr. Collicutt, the church organist, his face grotesquely and inexplicably masked. Who held a vendetta against Mr. Collicutt, and why would they hide him in such a sacred resting place? The irrepressible Flavia decides to find out. And what she unearths will prove there’s never such thing as an open-and-shut case.

Acclaim for Speaking from Among the Bones

“[Alan] Bradley scores another success. . . . This series is a grown-up version of Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and all those mysteries you fell in love with as a child.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune

“The precocious and irrepressible Flavia . . . continues to delight.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Fiendishly brilliant . . . Bradley has created an utterly charming cast of characters . . . as quirky as any British mystery fan could hope for.”—Bookreporter

“Delightful and entertaining.”—San Jose Mercury News

Acclaim for Alan Bradley’s beloved Flavia de Luce novels, winners of the Crime Writers’ Association Debut Dagger Award, Barry Award, Agatha Award, Macavity Award, Dilys Winn Award, and Arthur Ellis Award

“Every Flavia de Luce novel is a reason to celebrate.”—USA Today

“Delightful.”—The Boston Globe, on The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

“Utterly beguiling.”—People (four stars), on The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag

“Irresistibly appealing.”—The New York Times Book Review, on A Red Herring Without Mustard

©2013 Bradley Page (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Every Flavia de Luce novel is a reason to celebrate." (USA Today)

"[Alan] Bradley scores another success. . . . This series is a grown-up version of Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and all those mysteries you fell in love with as a child.” (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

What a pairing

I love how these books continue to get richer and deeper. Alan and Jayne are a match made in heaven.
Jayne’s voice nuances are brilliant. I especially like the way she captures Flavia‘s inside herself voice and her outside to others voice. The writing is superb. The mysteries are fun filled with humor, very clever, and very cozy. Alan is brilliant. I deeply enjoy this series.

Grand fun - Flavia wins again!

I've read several Flavia de Luce novels, but I think they work better as audio. This one was grand fun with a very surprising ending or, perhaps I should say endings. Bradley does a fine job of capturing the very precious Flavia, and several times I laughed out loud.

One of the best so far!

Of course the ending was an awesome cliffhanger! Can't wait for the next one, hope I have a credit!

Flavia is back and even better

Where does Speaking from Among the Bones rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This ranks among the best audio books. The reader captures the main character Flavia so well I cannot imagine Flavia with any other voice.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Flavia De Luce by far.

What about Jayne Entwistle’s performance did you like?

She captures the voice of an intelligent young girl with believability, respect, including the fun, the brillance, and the perspective of a child.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

No sin is safe from Flavia de Luce.

Series getting more interesting

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, she is fun and the twists are great. My 13 year old loves this series too.

Have you listened to any of Jayne Entwistle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Some of her others are slightly better, but this one is very good. I can't image the little girl with anyone else's voice and she captures her mischievousness very well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the very end! I can't wait for the next one.

Any additional comments?

I love the science that is added to this series. Not too much but fun. My 13 year old daughter loves it and likes how a girl can be smart but not at the expense of others.

Flavia deLuce

The Flavia deLuce mysteries are full of delightful twists and turns! The story teller is expert!

Father delivers a surprise

What made the experience of listening to Speaking from Among the Bones the most enjoyable?

The narrator does a delicious job of reading Flavia- a joy to hear

What other book might you compare Speaking from Among the Bones to and why?

Agatha Christie spirit

What about Jayne Entwistle’s performance did you like?

She is fabulous.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to Flavia as a teenager...perhaps the murders will get trickier. Love the chemistry thread to detecting. GREAT

Alan Bradley does it again.

Where does Speaking from Among the Bones rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right up there with ones by Cotterill.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Flavia de Luce, of course.

What about Jayne Entwistle’s performance did you like?

She has a great voice and makes such a believable Flavia.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

clever and engagingly human humor.

Any additional comments?

I love this series in both written form and as read by Jayne Entwistle.

enjoyable lighthearted story

If you could sum up Speaking from Among the Bones in three words, what would they be?

fun murder mystery

What was one of the most memorable moments of Speaking from Among the Bones?

i enjoyed when they were in the crypt under the church

What about Jayne Entwistle’s performance did you like?

she is a wonderful narrator for the character of Flavia

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

i do laugh at the Flavia DeLuce books

Any additional comments?

good series

If only he were more prolific...

What did you love best about Speaking from Among the Bones?

Flavia de Luce is one of my all-time-favorite characters. She has matured since the last book, but has retained the qualities that make her such a joy to follow. Jayne Entwistle reflects this new maturity in her narration. PLEASE - as in the case of the Agatha Raisin novels, don't change narrators!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

I won't give anything away - I'll just say that once again there are lots of things to think about, twists, turns and an ending that will both keep you on the edge of your seat and make you feel like you have to lay down - at the same time.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I love this series. I love the narrator. When I read the books I have the narrator's voices in my "mind's ear."

Any additional comments?

I can't wait for the next book!