Alan Bradley - The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

Praise for Alan Bradley and the Flavia de Luce novels

SPEAKING FROM AMONGtheBONES

Flavia de Luce can be described very accurately as precocious, irrepressible, incorrigible and so much more. [Her] world is populated with a distinctly quirky cast of characters, which author Alan Bradley obviously takes great pleasure in creating, and which will delight all who enter.

Fredericksburg Free LanceStar

Memorable, often funny prose complements the crafty plot. The precocious and irrepressible Flavia continues to delight. Portraying an eleven-year-old as a plausible sleuth and expert in poisons is no mean feat, but Bradley makes it look easy.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Bradleys Flavia cozies, set in the English countryside, have been a hit from the start, and this fifth in the series continues to charm and entertain.

Booklist

Bradleys assured, bemused style never causes the reader to disbelieve the little scamps precocious abilities.

The Seattle Times

An excellent reminder that crime fiction can sparkle with wit, crackle with spirit and verge on the surreal Flavia, once more, entertains and delights as she exposes the inner workings of her investigative mind to the reader.

National Post (Canada)

I AM HALF-SICKofSHADOWS

Every Flavia de Luce novel is a reason to celebrate, but Christmas with Flavia is a holiday wish come true for her fans.

USA Today (four stars)

This is a classic country house mystery in the tradition of Agatha Christie, and Poirot himself would approve of Flavias skills in snooping and deduction. Flavia is everything a reader wants in a detectiveshes smart, logical, intrepid and curious. This is a refreshingly engaging read.

RT Book Reviews

With its sharply drawn characters, including the hiss-worthy older de Luce sisters, and an agreeable puzzle playing out against the cozy backdrop of a British village at Christmas, this is a most welcome holiday gift for Flavia fans.

Publishers Weekly

This is a delightful read through and through. We find in Flavia an incorrigible and wholly lovable detective; from her chemical experiments in her sanctum sanctorum to her outrage at the idiocy of the adult world, she is un-equaled. Charming as a stand-alone novel and a guaranteed smash with series followers.

Library Journal (starred review)

Bradley masterfully weaves a ghoulish Yuletide tale. The story breathes characters full of charisma, colour and nuance. Bradley gives a thrilling ride.

The Globe and Mail

ARED HERRINGWithoutMUSTARD

Alan Bradleys third Flavia de Luce mystery, A Red Herring Without Mustard, exceeds in every way, if thats even possible, his first two. Flavia is always feisty, always smart. I adore her. And while it is wonderful to read her as an adult, I wish Id had Flavia as a role model while growing up. Its cool to be smart. Its cool to be Flavia! And its great to be among her legion of fans.

LOUISE PENNY, bestselling author of The Brutal Telling

Outstanding In this marvelous blend of whimsy and mystery, Flavia manages to operate successfully in the adult world of crimes and passions while dodging the childhood pitfalls set by her sisters.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Bradleys third book about tween sleuth Flavia de Luce will make readers forget Nancy Drew.

People

Oh, to be eleven again and pal around with irresistible wunderkind Flavia de Luce. A splendid romp through 1950s England led by the worlds smartest and most incorrigible preteen.

Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

As satisfying as the mystery is, the multiple-award winning Bradley offers more. Beautifully written, with fully fleshed characters [Bradley] secures his position as a confident, talented writer and storyteller.

The Globe and Mail

Think preteen Nancy Drew, only savvier and a lot richer, and you have Flavia de Luce. Dont be fooled by Flavias age or the 1950s setting: A Red Herring isnt a dainty tea-and-crumpets sort of mystery. Its shot through with real grit.

Entertainment Weekly

Whether battling with her odious sisters or verbally sparring with the long-suffering Inspector Hewitt, our cheeky heroine is a delight. Full of pithy dialog and colorful characters, this series would appeal strongly to fans of Dorothy Sayers, Gladys Mitchell, and Leo Bruce as well as readers who like clever humor mixed in with their mysteries.

Library Journal (starred review)

[Flavia] remains irresistibly appealing as a little girl lost.

The New York Times Book Review

Delightful The books forthright and eerily mature narrator is a treasure.

The Seattle Times

Bradley has created a marvelous character in Flaviavery adult in some ways, very childish in others, full of energy and curiosity. His story should appeal to readers of all ages looking to escape into a thoroughly entertaining world.

Tulsa World

Bradleys characters, wonderful dialogue and plot twists are a most winning combination.

USA Today

TheWEEDThatSTRINGStheHANGMANS BAG

Flavia is incisive, cutting and hilarious one of the most remarkable creations in recent literature.

USA Today

Bradley takes everything you expect and subverts it, delivering a smart, irreverent, unsappy mystery.

Entertainment Weekly

The real delight here is her droll voice and the eccentric cast. Utterly beguiling.

People (four stars)

Brisk, funny and irrepressible, Flavia is distinctly uncute, and the cozy village setting has enough edges to keep suspicions sharp. Bradley gives a pitch-perfect performance that surpasses an already worthy debut.

Houston Chronicle

Her sleuthing skills both amaze and amuse.

Mystery Scene

Endlessly entertaining The author deftly evokes the period, but Flavias sparkling narration is the mysterys chief delight. Comic and irreverent, this entry is sure to build further momentum for the series.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Smart, funny His second novel confirms the promise of the first. Bradley is a writer of great charm and insight, and he infuses even minor characters with indelible personality. Flavia de Luce, both eleven and ageless, is a marvel and a delight.

Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine

TheSWEETNESSat theBOTTOMof thePIE

Sophisticated, series-launching Its a rare pleasure to follow Flavia as she investigates her limited but boundless-feeling world.

Entertainment Weekly (A)

THE MOST AWARD-WINNING BOOK OF ANY YEAR!

WINNER:

Macavity Award for Best First Mystery Novel

Barry Award for Best First Novel

Agatha Award for Best First Novel

Dilys Award

Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel

Spotted Owl Award for Best Novel

CWA Debut Dagger Award

If ever there was a sleuth whos bold, brilliant, and, yes, adorable, its Flavia de Luce.

USA Today

A wickedly clever story, a dead-true and original voice, and an English country house in the summer: Alexander McCall Smith meets Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Please, please, Mr. Bradley, tell me well be seeing Flavia again soon?