Flavia de Luce is the Mystery Icon We Have All Been Waiting For

Okay, okay. I get it. I literally just click-baited you via this blog title and I thoroughly apologize.

But, honestly, I'm barely even exaggerating. Over the holidays, one of my best friends asked me if I had any recommendations on what mystery books she should read. You already KNOW I walked into that convo like.... girl let me tell YOU.

Immediately, I thought, if you're going to start out with any cozy mystery, Flavia de Luce is your girl. I mean, the whole concept of Flavia is simply brilliant. A spunky, insanely intelligent girl living in a delapidated manor house in the 1950's? Someone please wipe the drool from my mouth. And frankly, Alan Bradley does not ever disappoint. Every book that I have read in this series has kept me up late into the night, maniacly turning pages in an effort to find the solution

First of all, can we just take a moment to appreciate how smart Flavia is and how she basically knows everything without ever going to school? When I first started reading the series and she was whipping out all of those chemical formulas, I was like...

Not to mention how she uses her knowledge to prank her devilish sisters and reek havoc at Buckshaw. Finally a heroine who knows how to have a bit of fun!

Besides being book smart, her incredibly sharp instincts and Hollywood level acting skills allow her to sneak into all sorts of improbable scenarios. She doesn't shrink or faint when it comes to death, and her talent of observation makes her a detective you truly are rooting for. Long gone are the days of figuring out the plot of a mystery only to spend the rest of the book mentally yelling at the main character to figure it out too! No, Flavia gives even the best amateur sleuth a run for their money. Coupled with a fascinating backdrop, Flavia's world is one I would gladly like to step into.

. I don't want to spoil the series in case you haven't read it yet, but if you haven't read Flavia de Luce..

Here are my top 3 books of the series along with some quick thoughts to each one. Obviously, you have to read the entire series because they are all to die for (no pun intended), but this is just a "starter pack" if you will.

1. I Am Half Sick of Shadows

Who doesn't love a good Christmas mystery? Although I was already a fan from the first book, this installment had my basic fan status turn into a full on obsession. Maybe it was the mistletoe mingled with murder, or homicide coupled with the holidays, but you can't go wrong with this Flavia Christmas delight.

2. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

This book marked a complete turning point in the series and changes the way Flavia series progresses afterwards. Honestly, I can't really remember much about the mystery part of it, but the CRAZY plot twist sets up the future of the series.

3. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

I sort of feel like I'm cheating by saying one of my favorite books in the series is the first book, but honestly there's nothing better than a well executed debut novel. The characters are new and fresh, the plot is unexpected and of course the solution will have you sitting there like...

...because an eleven year old has singlehandedly outsmarted a grown adult police force and even the keenest mystery reader. Overall, this book is nothing short of a triumph.

Word on the street is that they are trying to put together a Flavia de Luce television series, and I absolutely volunteer myself to play the role of Flavia. The most recent article I could find about the screen series was from 2012 though, so almost 8 years has passed and I am not hopeful that anything is actually going to happen. Unfortunately I will not be able to pass for an eleven year old for much longer...

To make a long story short (no pun attended once again) the Flavia de Luce series is absolutely brilliant and definitely rates as one of my favorite series. So, do yourself a favor and mosey on down to your local library and meet your new best friend, Flavia de Luce.

Until next time,

xo's

Claire