I loved this book.Alan Bradley has beautifully captured the mind of an eleven year old girl growing up in 1950s England. But this is no ordinary pre-teen. Flavia de Luce has a passion for chemistry and has a lab, left behind by a de Luce ancestor, in which she conducts experiments that she often tries out on her haughty sisters. Apart from the well plotted story, Alan Bradley peppers his novel with metaphors and similes that give his vivid descriptions a touch of humor.
The mystery takes many twists and turns as Flavia tries to solve the murder of a man found in the cucumber patch. Along with the mysterious events surrounding the stranger's demise, we are introduced to the world of philately and in particular the Penny Black stamp. Flavia takes us with her on her trusty bicycle named Gladys, on a wild journey of intrigue and danger.
