Well, it's been a while, hasn't it? I apologize for that. For the past few weeks, I've been self-diagnosed with Writer's Block and, quite frankly, it's not so easy to write with such a condition. I feel as if I'm just beginning to come out of it, but it's still hard to think of an idea to ramble on about as I usually do. Because of my lack of inspiration, I figured I'd try something different. Today, I will recommend a book for you. (I've never done too well at book reports, let alone writing with writer's block, so I'm sorry if it's kind of rough. I'm just trying to get back into the swing of things.)
One summer's day a few years back, I was wandering aimlessly through the local Chapters book store. I walked over to the Fiction/Mystery section only to have a book clothed in a bright, green cover catch my eye. Of course, I never judge a book by it's cover, but since it had captured my attention, I decided to read what the back had to say. Upon finishing, I realized that this book really was seeming to sound very interesting. And so, since I had plenty of time to spare while my dad was looking for a magazine to purchase, I found a quiet little nook on one side of the store, sat down, and began to read. It was absolutely intriguing. I purchased the book that day, and I've purchased every one following in the series ever since.
The book I am talking about is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, written by Alan Bradley. Perhaps you've heard of it. If not, I suggest you go look into it.
The Flavia de Luce mystery series
The story takes place during the 1950s and the protagonist throughout the series is an eleven year old girl named Flavia de Luce. Flavia has a passion for chemicals and has her own chemistry lab in the mansion her family owns. Science isn't her only interest, however. Constantly seeming to run into murder mysteries by accident, she never fails to solve the case, often in assistance to the town's inspector.
The young girl's life seems to relate to that of Cinderella's. With Flavia's mother dead because of an accident that occurred when she was a mere baby, all she's left with now are a father who often ignores her, two older sisters (Ophelia and Daphne) whom find enjoyment in torturing and scaring her, and the family cook and maintenance man who seem to be the only people she can talk to and trust; well, as good as the juvenile detective can trust anyone.
Each novel in the series contains a different but equally thrilling mystery involving a murder or two, wars and revenge between Flavia and her sisters, and plenty of anticipation caused by the protagonist sneaking around on her bicycle (called Gladys) and occasionally falling into danger.
Bradley does an excellent job, in my opinion, at putting all the pieces of the puzzle together so when you think you've solved the mystery for yourself, it's hard to resist the urge to jump up and down in excitement because it feels as if you've walked alongside Flavia during her entire adventure and assisted in solving the crime. Or maybe that's just me.
Either way, the series has continued to be one of my favourites and it probably will be for a long time. Everything about it I found captivating and if you love a good 'whodunit' as much as I do, I suggest you look into this book and possibly the ones that follow.
Image credit:
-http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sweetness-at-the-bottom-of-the-pie-alan-bradley/1100259021?ean=9780385343497
-http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/weed-that-strings-the-hangmans-bag-alan-bradley/1100298146?ean=9780385342315
-http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-herring-without-mustard-alan-bradley/1100079322
-http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-am-half-sick-of-shadows-alan-bradley/1100156108?ean=9780385344012
