The Grave's a Fine and Private Place by Alan Bradley

THE GRAVE'S A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE by Alan Bradley is the latest (number 9) in the Flavia de Luce series set in 1950’s England. As readers of these reviews know, I truly do adore young Flavia and the witticisms she often shares (see previous reviews from 2016, 2015 and 2013). In this latest offering, Flavia and her elder sisters, Ophelia and Daphne, plus the family retainer named Dogger, are punting along the river near Volesthorpe when a body is discovered. A perfect opportunity for Flavia to apply her sleuthing skills and knowledge of chemistry, especially poisons!  This title seemed to bring the sisters closer together which I was happy to see. However, the mystery itself was rather complex and I found that I was losing interest near the end and struggling to keep track of some of the local characters. Flavia herself describes this as “the most complicated case I had ever come across …. And hardly a sensible clue to be had.”  I concur while waiting impatiently for the next in this award-winning series. THE GRAVE'S A FINE AND PRIVATE PLACE received starred reviews from Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.