Thrice the Brinded Cat Hath Mew'd

October 31, 2016
Those who’ve delighted in the seven previous 1950s-era mysteries narrated by precocious British preteen Flavia de Luce are sure to enjoy her eloquent if sometimes snarky new account. Returning to her ramshackle family home in Bishop’s Lacey, England, at Christmastime, the budding chemist, poison expert, and self-styled sleuth is dismayed to find her father has been hospitalized with pneumonia, visitors not permitted. While attempting to lift her spirits and avoid her annoying sisters and cousin, she stumbles upon the corpse of the town’s woodcarver, crucified upside down. Suddenly feeling “gloriously alive,” she sets out, determined to bring the murderer to justice, armed with a logical mind and a major clue­—the first edition of a popular children’s book. Reader Entwistle has been the voice of Flavia and her family, friends, and enemies for all eight audios for one reason: she’s the perfect choice. Not just capable of credibly imitating the voice of youth, she’s able to mold it to fit the mercurial moods of Flavia, from, in this case, worrying about her father to experiencing elation when uncovering new details, some as bizarre as a report of a man gobbled up by seagulls. A Delacorte hardcover.

Narrator Jayne Entwistle is rousing in this eighth Flavia de Luce novel. Twelve-year-old Flavia's sleuthing skills are required after she discovers Mr. Sambrich, a local wood-carver, has been murdered by being hung upside down. Entwistle's Flavia is unruffled, while her inner dialogue is fascinating as she searches for clues. In addition to elegant quotes from the Bible and Shakespeare (including this title), picturesque village descriptions, which Flavia gives when she and Gladys, her bicycle, cruise around, put listeners right in each locale. Entwistle artfully captures Dogger, Mr. de Luce's servant and Flavia's great friend, and Mrs. Bannerman, with her warm Canadian accent, as she helps Flavia research her theories. Audio is the perfect format. S.G.B. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine