Bradley, Alan The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

Bradley, Alan The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Delacorte see Random 2009 373p 23.00 978-0-385-34230-8 hs/adult

11-year-old Flavia deLuce uses her passion for chemistry and knowledge of poisons to catch a murderer and clear her father’s name. Winner of the Debut Dagger Award from Canada’s Crime Writers’ Association, this delightful and irreverent mystery features a precocious 11-year-old sleuth. Set in the period following World War II, Flavia is the youngest of three sisters. She has a passion for chemistry, inherited from her adventurous late mother, and a special interest in poisons. When a dead bird with a stamp impaled on its beak, and later a dead man, shows up in her garden, Flavia sets out to solve this mystery, and clear her father’s name.

This delightful novel will probably appeal more to adults than teens, as Flavia employs an extraordinary vocabulary, as well as exceptional deductive skills. However, there is nothing in this novel that will make this unsuitable for middle and high school readers. And there is much to love about this 11-year-old Sherlock Holmes, and her powers of deduction, that include researching old newspapers in her town library. A period piece that is out and out fun to read, exciting and clever, with a gripping encounter with the killer, in the library outbuilding, that will leave readers breathless. Only the British setting, the literary illusions and vocabulary limit the universal appeal and keep this novel from Books of Note. PN

Bradley, Alan. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.
Delacorte see Random 2009 373p 23.00 978-0-385-34230-8 hs/adult

11-year-old Flavia deLuce uses her passion for chemistry and knowledge of poisons to catch a murderer and clear her father's name. Winner of the Debut Dagger Award from Canada's Crime Writers' Association, this delightful and irreverent mystery features a precocious 11-year-old sleuth. Set in the period following World War II, Flavia is the youngest of three sisters. She has a passion for chemistry, inherited from her adventurous late mother, and a special interest in poisons. When a dead bird with a stamp impaled on its beak, and later a dead man, shows up in her garden, Flavia sets out to solve this mystery, and clear her father's name.

This delightful novel will probably appeal more to adults than teens, as Flavia employs an extraordinary vocabulary, as well as exceptional deductive skills. However, there is nothing in this novel that will make this unsuitable for middle and high school readers. And there is much to love about this 11-year-old Sherlock Holmes, and her powers of deduction that includes researching old newspapers in her town library. A period piece that is out and out fun to read, exciting and clever, with a gripping encounter with the killer, in the library outbuilding that will leave readers breathless. Only the British setting, the literary illusions and vocabulary limit the universal appeal and keep this novel from Books of Note. PN

Genghis: Bones of the Hills.

Iggulden, Conn Genghis: Bones of the Hills.
Delacorte see Random 2009 405p 25.00 978-0-385-33953-7 hs/adult

The third in a series, Genghis has an immense empire. His sons assume leadership as the Monguls invade Arab lands. Fierce battles, loyalty and betrayal all move the plot forward at an exciting pace. Historical notes at the end of the book. Grades 10-adult. The third in a series, this book establishes the sons of Genghis as the next generation of leaders of the Mongul people. A chart of family connections would have proved helpful to readers new to the series. This book is an exciting, fast paced tour de force as the Mongul warriors invade Arab lands. An older Genghis maintains a firm hold on his people and determines the next territory to be conquered. He educates his sons in battle and promotes them to leadership positions sending them out with their own army units to expand the empire. Daily lifestyle, both at the home camps as well as out on the road, is mixed with rivalries between brothers and fierce enemies to be conquered. The reader is pulled along with the superb narrative that evokes not only the landscape, but the smells and sounds of the Mongul camps and battles. Iggulden always surprises with a twist to the plot based upon historical fact. At the end of the book, deviations from history are noted is a listing of books to be read by those who want to know more about Genghis. The death of Genghis at the hands of his wife leaves open a chance of another book in the series about the new Khan, Ogedai, son of Genghis. Rousing reading that is hard to put down. Excellent for readers in grades 10 and up who love battle scenes and great historical fiction. L.McNicol