Rating: 5/5
Review:
An excellent instalment
I very much enjoyed Thrice The Brinded Cat Hath Mew’d. After a slight dip in quality in its predecessor, this is a fine return to form.
Returning from Canada, Flavia finds her father is gravely ill, but then discovers a body in very odd circumstances and, of course, involves herself in a complex investigation. Old friends like the redoubtable Dogger and Inspector Hewitt are very welcome features of the book, of course, but again it is Flavia’s narrative voice which makes it so special. Some readers aren’t keen on the rather darker tone in places, but I think it is very successful. Flavia is developing a keen sense of what is happening in relationships and in the wider world, and that awareness brings with it more of the cares of an adult, along with more sophisticated pleasures and deeper griefs. In short, Flavia is growing up and the books are growing up with her, but she still retains the charm she has always possessed.
I would recommend reading the series from the beginning. The books do work as stand-alones but the development of the characters means that they are far better taken in order. If you have read previous books you will only need me to say that this is one of Flavia’s best and is warmly recommended.
Returning from Canada, Flavia finds her father is gravely ill, but then discovers a body in very odd circumstances and, of course, involves herself in a complex investigation. Old friends like the redoubtable Dogger and Inspector Hewitt are very welcome features of the book, of course, but again it is Flavia’s narrative voice which makes it so special. Some readers aren’t keen on the rather darker tone in places, but I think it is very successful. Flavia is developing a keen sense of what is happening in relationships and in the wider world, and that awareness brings with it more of the cares of an adult, along with more sophisticated pleasures and deeper griefs. In short, Flavia is growing up and the books are growing up with her, but she still retains the charm she has always possessed.
I would recommend reading the series from the beginning. The books do work as stand-alones but the development of the characters means that they are far better taken in order. If you have read previous books you will only need me to say that this is one of Flavia’s best and is warmly recommended.
