The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

A Flavia de Luce Mystery

By: Alan Bradley

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

In his wickedly brilliant first novel, Debut Dagger Award winner Alan Bradley introduces one of the most singular and engaging heroines in recent fiction: Eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce, an aspiring chemist with a passion for poison.

It is the summer of 1950 - and a series of inexplicable events has struck Buckshaw, the decaying English mansion that Flavia’s family calls home. A dead bird is found on the doorstep, a postage stamp bizarrely pinned to its beak. Hours later, Flavia finds a man lying in the cucumber patch and watches him as he takes his dying breath. For Flavia, who is both appalled and delighted, life begins in earnest when murder comes to Buckshaw. “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".

To Flavia the investigation is the stuff of science: Full of possibilities, contradictions, and connections. Soon her father, a man raising his three daughters alone, is seized, accused of murder. And in a police cell, during a violent thunderstorm, Colonel de Luce tells his daughter an astounding story - of a schoolboy friendship turned ugly, of a priceless object that vanished in a bizarre and brazen act of thievery, of a Latin teacher who flung himself to his death from the school’s tower 30 years before. Now Flavia is armed with more than enough knowledge to tie two distant deaths together, to examine new suspects, and begin a search that will lead her all the way to the King of England himself. Of this much the girl is sure: Her father is innocent of murder - but protecting her and her sisters from something even worse...

An enthralling mystery, a piercing depiction of class and society, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is a masterfully told tale of deceptions - and a rich literary delight.

©2009 Alan Bradley (P)2009 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Brilliant, irresistible and incorrigible, Flavia has a long future ahead of her...Bradley's mystery debut is a standout." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Fun for the reader.... Fans of Louise Fitzhugh's iconic Harriet the Spy will welcome 11-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce, the heroine of...Bradley's rollicking debut." (Publishers Weekly)

"While Flavia De Luce is winning your heart, she may also be poisoning your tea. She's the most wickedly funny sleuth in years, brilliant, unpredictable, unflappable - and only eleven. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie offers the freshest new voice in mystery yet." (Charles Todd, author of The Ian Rutledge series)

First person narrative that actually works

I have never been fond of the technique of first-person narrative in murder mystery. Almost without exception authors that use these technique end at least temporarily using third-person to allow the reader a perspective that is not that of the protagonist and to slide in those subtle clues which we readers (listeners) love.

So what am I to think when I take Audible up on their first-in-series sale and I discover that not only is this a first-person narrative but that the narrator is an eleven year-old girl? My first thought was to return it. But I was out on a long walk so I had
a good hour or so to get into it. And soon I was hooked. The mystery was intricate and intriguing with the author never once coming out of the first-person account,

The narrator/protagonist begins in the often cruel, childish behavior mode of an exceptionally bright, well-to-do girl and develops just enough to remain believable. I should make it clear that this isn't a young-adult story but a true murder mystery and I will be reading more of this series. Don M. in Queen Creek, AZ.

Light Whodunit Mystery with a Touch of Humor.

I listened to this book through Audible. It is a mystery crime story, with no blood/gore or sidebar romance. It's mostly cheery and upbeat, not dark or disturbing, with some laugh out loud humor. The main characters are so well developed I sympathized and felt I knew who to eliminate as a suspect early on, even though a few plot twists had me questioning my conclusions.
I almost stopped reading it after the first chapter. Why? First, I had to get used to the narrator, particularly the accent, it was just too unfamiliar to me. With that said, it grew on me and was a perfect fit for the English countryside and storyline. Second, it is told from the perspective of an 11-year-old, I just didn’t think I could relate. I soon realized that Flavia is no ordinary 11-year-old, and I fell in love with her after just a few chapters. You will forget she is a child. Keep in mind this is fiction, she is somewhat of a super-heroine at times, which just added to the adventure for me.
My grandmother came from England to the US in 1908 with her father, after losing her mother when she was just 4. Her name happened to be Harriett, as was Flavia’s mother. This personal connection gave me a real appreciation for the English class/society and culture and I felt it was so well researched (or first-hand knowledge of the author) that it was truly a history lesson for me. I also learned a lot about science, particularly chemistry, from Flavia. I suspect that chemistry is second nature to the author somehow, if not, he did an incredible amount of research.
The wrap up of the mystery was easy to follow and the end truly satisfying. This is book 1 in a series, so I will no doubt read more books by Alan Bradley.

Delightful!

Thoroughly entertaining story. Flavia made me laugh out loud several times. The narration is perfect.

Delightfully Entertaining

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. The heroine is clever and cunning, and refreshingly different from the rest of her family. I personally liked the narrator as her voice seemed to fit the youthfulness and energy of the main character.

Outstanding Narrator

What made the experience of listening to The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie the most enjoyable?

The wonderful narrator brought the story to life. She is the best narrator I've heard on any Audible book!

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

It's not really an, "edge-of-your-seat" sort of story. Just a rolicking good mystery with a truly engaging characters.

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

Flavia, of course! She is the new Nancy Drew (only MUCH more clever, wiity, devious, and downright hilarious).

Flavia is my new heroine ...

Flavia is my new favorite heroine. ... an inspiration for girls of ALL ages. I wanted the story to go on.

Delightful! Delightful! Delightful!

I rejoiced throughout this entire book. The turn of phrases....so surprising! so refreshing! so delectable!
"He puffed up like a courting pigeon." and suchlike. I laughed aloud many times.
I think this writer, Bradley, must just be such a fun, interesting, intelligent man to have conceived this witty, dewy-fresh heroine, Flavia. I loved her mix of childish arrogance and childlike vulnerability, and her touching compassion, and how very imperfect her family is. They are imperfect the way all typical families are: still perfectly okay for the people within them to survive, and even thrive.
But, thank god for not another sappy-happy picture-perfect family!!
To me, it was a profound and moving caricature sketch of the love that exists in families, even where words and touches to prove it are absent.
I love, love PG and PG-13 adventures and mysteries, and generally have to hang out with the young (Bloody Jack adventures) or the old (Mrs. Pollifax), to get that right mix. But here is a book directed at adults, with a young heroine. Such a neat combo. So many wonderful literary and cultural references to keep you engaged.
More exciting than Ladies Detective Agency, but similarly inducing of quiet joy.
Just read it. It's brilliant.

Top notch story!

If you could sum up The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie in three words, what would they be?

Clever twisting adventure!

What other book might you compare The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie to and why?

I'm not usually a fan of murder mysteries, mostly sci-fi and fantasy, but I loved this one! Bright heroine, clever plot and well narrated! I could jsut see things happening in my minds eye. The narrations were as vivid as Rowlings descriptions in the Harry Potter books.

What about Jayne Entwistle’s performance did you like?

I loved her voice. I could really see this cheeky little chemist and loved how you could hear the "smile" in her voice when she succeeded ins something that she took delight in.

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

An adventure to take you from pillage to post!

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this story - I've downloaded the second book already. I'm not sure at this time if it was written for an adult or young adult audience. The references to movie stars and personalities of the 50's might be lost on today's youth - I on the other hand, in my 50's, recognized them all. I loved the reference to "Enquire within, upon everything" - it so happens I have a copy of that venerable tome myself, much battered but still readable! The descriptions were vivid and colourful. The characterizations were fascinating. I grew up reading and watching British books and TV, so it was easy to imagine the quaint little village, the old rectory, and the manor house! I'm off to enjoy book 2!

Excellent writing and a fantastic performance

If you could sum up The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie in three words, what would they be?

Evocative, imaginative writing

Who was your favorite character and why?

Flavia, of course! Alan Bradley writes convincingly of a young teen, full of herself, but written so that we have insights into her "self-delusion." Flavia plays the roll of the omniscient narrator, but she is still a kid and it shows at times!

What about Jayne Entwistle’s performance did you like?

Jane has the perfect voice for Flavia and for British novels. Her voice is smooth, never irritating, and varied sufficiently in pitch and cadence to represent the many characters without ever becoming boring.

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

Flavia's conversation with her dad (who is in prison) was very well written and offered insight into the characters.

Any additional comments?

If you like Jeeves (Wodehouse) and other high-quality writing that is clean and interesting, you are bound to love these books!

Fantastic Protagonist!

Flavia re Luce is a wonderful character I adored the entire book. Can't wait to read the next!