Summary:
It’s Christmastime, and the precocious Flavia de Luce – an eleven-year-old sleuth with a passion for chemistry and a penchant for crime-solving – is tucked away in her laboratory, whipping up a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick. But she is soon distracted when a film crew arrives at Buckshaw, the de Luces’ decaying English estate, to shoot a movie starring the famed Phyllis Wyvern. Amid a raging blizzard, the entire village of Bishop’s Lacey gathers at Buckshaw to watch Wyvern perform, yet nobody is prepared for the evening’s shocking conclusion: a body found, past midnight, strangled to death with a length of film. But who among the assembled guests would stage such a chilling scene? As the storm worsens and the list of suspects grows, Flavia must use every ounce of sly wit at her disposal to ferret out a killer hidden in plain sight.
Carmen’s Take: 5 stars
By far one of my favorite series, reading the exploits of Flavia de Luce is always a fun time between the pages. This installment in the tales of the residents of Buckshaw brings a new dimension, though, and one that served to endear the characters to me even more.
The crime happens well into the book, I would say about halfway. While it certainly serves a hefty dose of “whodunnit”, it is not the primary force driving the story. Until then, there is a wonderful unfolding of character development. The reader finds out more of each member of the de Luce family, including the deceased mother, Harriett. While there are still taunts, threats, and tensions between Flavia and her two older sisters, the venom included in the earlier titles seems to be ebbing just a bit. Exactly what you should expect as the characters mature, and a welcome respite from the vitriol for me.
Once the murder occurs, things speed up quite a bit, and solving the crime takes center stage. The crimes are always fairly straightforward, with Flavia playing a key role in solving it with the lead detective, much to his continued dismay.
Fun read, great writing, satisfying ending, and greater insight into what makes these characters tick all combine to make a wonderful fourth installment in this beloved series.
Highly recommended
