The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag

A Flavia de Luce Mystery

By: Alan Bradley

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

From Dagger Award-winning and internationally best-selling author Alan Bradley comes this utterly beguiling mystery, starring one of fiction’s most remarkable sleuths: Flavia de Luce, a dangerously brilliant 11-year-old with a passion for chemistry and a genius for solving murders. This time, Flavia finds herself untangling two deaths—separated by time but linked by the unlikeliest of threads.

Flavia thinks that her days of crime-solving in the bucolic English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacy are over—and then Rupert Porson has an unfortunate rendezvous with electricity. The beloved puppeteer has had his own strings sizzled, but who’d do such a thing and why? For Flavia, the questions are intriguing enough to make her put aside her chemistry experiments and schemes of vengeance against her insufferable big sisters. Astride Gladys, her trusty bicycle, Flavia sets out from the de Luces’ crumbling family mansion in search of Bishop’s Lacey’s deadliest secrets.

Does the madwoman who lives in Gibbet Wood know more than she’s letting on? What of the vicar’s odd ministrations to the catatonic woman in the dovecote? Then there’s a German pilot obsessed with the Brontë sisters, a reproachful spinster aunt, and even a box of poisoned chocolates. Most troubling of all is Porson’s assistant, the charming but erratic Nialla. All clues point toward a suspicious death years earlier and a case the local constables can’t solve—without Flavia’s help. But in getting so close to who’s secretly pulling the strings of this dance of death, has our precocious heroine finally gotten in way over her head?

©2010 Alan Bradley (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

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

Flavia de Luce -- a great series

Is this YA? I don't know. Regardless, it is great writing. This is my 2nd Flavia de Luce book; will listen to more. The narrator is excellent.

Flavia meets father Brown

This one had the distinct smack of father Brown. Enjoyed it immensely. Loved the characters and the depth of the story. The precociousness of Flavia and neverCeases to surprise me

Brilliant!

Well written compelling prose read by a wonderful and enthusiastic reader who captures the spirit of the story just so.

Good but not as good as the 1st book in the series

Any additional comments?

Flavia de Luce, a dangerously brilliant 11-year-old with a passion for chemistry and a genius for solving murders. This time, Flavia finds herself untangling two deaths—separated by time but linked by the unlikeliest of threads. Flavia thinks that her days of crime-solving in the bucolic English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacy are over—and then Rupert Porson has an unfortunate rendezvous with electricity. The beloved puppeteer has had his own strings sizzled, but who’d do such a thing and why? For Flavia, the questions are intriguing enough to make her put aside her chemistry experiments and schemes of vengeance against her insufferable big sisters. Astride Gladys, her trusty bicycle, Flavia sets out from the de Luces’ crumbling family mansion in search of Bishop’s Lacey’s deadliest secrets. Does the madwoman who lives in Gibbet Wood know more than she’s letting on? What of the vicar’s odd ministrations to the catatonic woman in the dovecote? Then there’s a German pilot obsessed with the Brontë sisters, a reproachful spinster aunt, and even a box of poisoned chocolates. Most troubling of all is Porson’s assistant, the charming but erratic Nialla. All clues point toward a suspicious death years earlier and a case the local constables can’t solve—without Flavia’s help. But in getting so close to who’s secretly pulling the strings of this dance of death, has our precocious heroine finally gotten in way over her head?

Flavia Does it Again!

No criminal is safe when my favorite 11-year-old sleuth is on the case. Charming, precocious Miss DeLuce will keep you laughing (even when grisly murders occur). The narrator perfectly captures this unlikely heroine. Enjoy!

Fabulous!

This is another fabulous book in the series. I can’t say enough good things about the plot, the writing, the author’s style and one of the best narrators in the game. She makes a great book even better!

Meet Flavia, irrepressible chemist and sleuth

This is my second in the Flavia de Luce series. The 11-year-old shares precocious insights as she pursues her fascination with poisons and death. Alan Bradley has created a delightful investigator of murder and life. His writing style expresses the fresh eyes of the young. Jayne Entwistle gives voice to that vision, capturing her fearless impertinence and enthusiasm. This is one of those series I have to restrain myself from purchasing and reading one after the other until there are tragically no more.

Flavia de Luce does it again!

Loved this second in the series & will go for the third! Great performance for audio!

Jane Entwhistle Bravo

Such an enjoyable tale! Jane Entwhistle has given Flavia life! Murder has never been more outrageously fun! This is my second go round with the series. Can't wait for the next book!

Fun and light mystery

Attention to fine details catches the culprit at the end! Fun listen to get there.