I’m the first to admit that I like to lose myself in a good mystery. By good I mean dark, gruesome, and with a carved up body or two thrown in. People are shocked that the mild-mannered library assistant by day spends her nights in the dark world of the sociopath and serial killer. But every now and then a new entry into the mystery world catches my attention and I leave my grizzly reads behind and venture into the light.

One such venture took me into the world of 11 year old Flavia de Luce a sleuth created by Canadian Alan Bradley. Flavia is a refreshing young character with two sisters she loves to hate…or poison, a love for chemistry and a faithful bicycle she calls Gladys. And as you might have guessed, she also runs into a dead body or two in the course of her adventures in the English village of Bishop’s Lacey. Perhaps the most charming aspect of these books and the one that first caught my attention are the titles: “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie”, “The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag”, and the newest in the series, “A Red Herring Without Mustard”.

A refreshing note for parents is that while adults may enjoy their time spent with Flavia so do children as well. Once I’m done with Flavia’s latest adventure my 13 year old daughter will be waiting to read it too! Pick one up and enjoy the trip to the lighter side