I had a cold. I couldn't concentrate. I decided that nothing would do but to find a mystery to relax with while my head cleared. So I popped by the library and picked up a few books suitable for reading on the couch with a cat on my lap.
Allan Bradley got a lot of press when this book was published: he's a Canadian writer and I believe first time published author in his 70s who got a contract for several books on the basis of this one. It also won a first mystery novel award.
Summary: it's engaging, relatively well-written, and certainly has an original detective in its precocious 11 year old heroine. Unlike many mysteries by less-experienced authors, the plot was plausible within its context, and barely creaked (although I continue to wonder how the stamps survived some of their adventures). However, after having just spent 3 days with several very bright kids in the 8-12 year old range....I have to say that I find Flavia a bit too precocious for plausibility. Sure, she has an appropriately hostile relationship with her elder sisters, and an entertaining passion for poisons....but her knowledge of chemistry is a titch too comprehensive for me.
Started: Feb. 25th
Finished: Feb. 26th
Pages:292
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