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)

Extraordinary!!!

I can only hope the Author will write another series about Flavia the Sleuth Detective as she becomes a teenager!

Could I have some more, please?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Highly Recommend, but only if you want to be thoroughly entertained and baffled until the the finale (see comment at end)

What did you like best about this story?

The novels are sooo British and the archetypal characters with their idiosyncrasies lend continuity to each new adventure.

Which character – as performed by Jayne Entwistle – was your favorite?

Flavia, obviously,But she also does well in the men’s roles as her father, Dogger and the inspector

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

Constantly smiling, chuckling, guffawing, and laughing out loud.It is the same with all of his previous books

Any additional comments?

As always simply delightful! A wonderful storyline for the most charming of all sleuths.

Jane Entwistle’s performance is entertaining and captivating as ever. My first introduction to Allen Bradley’s unforgettable character was through audible and I must say that I’ve been so spoiled by Jane Entwistle’s narration that I wait and watch for the audible edition of the next book to become available instead of reading ahead.She is simply amazing.

To Allen Bradley: Thank you, keep 'em coming

To Jane Entwistle: You are a treasure

To Audible: Please record the next installment, The Dead In Their Vaulted Arches, as
soon as it is published

I always enjoy Alan Bradley’s stories and Jane Entwhistle’s many voices.

The Flavia DeLuce stories are worth hearing over and over. They are wall written and read.

AND: I’d write more reviews if there wasn’t a minimum word count!!

So so good!!

I absolutely love this series!! I started to read the series when it first came out a decade ago and loved it then. Now I am listening to the full audible version and oh my gosh I love it even more!! 😍 Hearing the characters come to life in a new way had been so enjoyable. There are things that I am grading on the audible version that I realized I missed when I was reading the books. Does anyone know they ended manning the TV series in the UK?? I would love to see it! Also I love the narrator. I know some people complained that her voice was annoying but I think she does an excellent job with all the different characters and making them distinctive.

Terrific mystery, adorable heroine ...cliffhanger?

I've listened to all of the Flavia de Luce Novels and loved every one of them, but this novel has the best mystery so far. I must admit, I didn't put it all together even though all the clues were there.

Alan Bradley has created a wonderfully saucy and precocious girl detective with Flavia de Luce. She is a genius with Chemistry and has a great grasp of human nature, even for 12 years old. She doesn't miss a thing! Somehow, Mr Bradley makes it all believable. In this installment, Flavia finally gets a chance to shine in the end, by recounting her deductions to the idolized Inspector Hewitt and his adored wife, Antigone. A milestone for Flavia!

With all the family dynamics, problems and personalities in the de Luce household, this series keeps us enthralled from book to book. Each book so far has satisfied us with complete stories. This one, however, leaves us with several unanswered questions and a startling cliffhanger. If I'd have known, I may have waited to read it until the next book is released!

Jayne Entwistle, once again, does a marvelous job narrating. She brings Flavia to life with oodles of personality and mischievous charm.

I highly recommend any of the books in this series - especially this one! It is a charming cozy mystery with available clues but subtle twists that will keep you guessing until the end.

Love it, love it, love it!

Would you listen to Speaking from Among the Bones again? Why?

Yes. Have already listened twice through. Flavia is a beguiling character and Entwistle is her perfect voice.

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

These stories are really just a framework, for me, for hanging out with Flavia (and Dogger). So, yes, her antics keep me fully engaged from start to finish, and wanting more when the story ends.

What does Jayne Entwistle bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Her inflections in Flavia's dialogues (internal and external) really bring to life the richness and depth of a precocious child's inner and outer world. As I said above, the voice is perfect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. And did. And will again.

Any additional comments?

It is agony to wait for the next installment.

Alan Bradley's Flavia is someone I want to know!

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

The reader is fabulous.
The story is interesting
The writing is superb!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Flavia, of course, is my
favourite character!!
She is always
causing a kerfuffle!

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

All great!!!
One of the best
readers out there!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Wanted to but could
not.

Any additional comments?

I hope Alan Bradley
keeps them coming
with Jayne Entwistle!!

an exceptional character is Flavia DeLuce.

this is a wonderful series. Flavia DeLuce is quite a character along with terrific narration! great read for all ages

Loved it! This may be my favorite one.

Loved it! This may be my favorite one. The family dynamics are as engaging as the murder mystery! Ends with a bit of a cliff hanger.

wonderful

Falvia is an amazing character to follow. I always love reading or listening to these books.