Book Review: What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley

It’s been a few years since Alan Bradley has released a Flavia de Luce novel, but I’m happy to say I’ve completed the 11th in the series titled What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust, and it is just as fantastic as the rest that come before it. It picks up right where the 10th left off and you can read my review of it here. I find it incredibly comforting to return to a beloved series like this over the years because I feel like I know and love the character of Flavia as if she were a real person. Bradley’s series does not have the huge following that Harry Potter does, but they both feature spunky youngsters who are simultaneously getting in trouble while impressing their elders.

Plot Summary

Another dead body had shown up in the small village of Bishop’s Lacey, and Flavia is once again on the case. Major Grayleigh, a former hangman has been found dead, apparently poisoned by some mushrooms in his breakfast, prepared by Mrs. Mullet, the housekeeper of Buckshaw, and longtime nanny to Flavia. Mrs. Mullet is most definitely innocent, but she is still hiding a few things from Flavia about the morning in question, which makes it even more difficult for Flavia to crack this case. She enlists the help of Dogger, the faithful groundman of Buckshaw and former wartime partner to Flavia’s deceased Father for assistance. Using her incredible knowledge of chemistry, teenage Flavia quickly deduces that very deadly poison, not mushrooms, was used to kill Grayleigh, but who would want him dead? As she investigates, Flavia is lead further into a much bigger mystery than this single man’s death, rubbing up against some military secrets that are highly classified, yet simultaneously shedding some light on the darker secrets of her family’s shady past. Having read the previous 10 novels will help one understand this latest installment better, as I know this convoluted plot seems highly unlikely as I summarize it here; rest assured this is classic Flavia activity, fitting in perfectly with the earlier books and its building to this recent addition.

My Thoughts

Flavia is a character that comes across as unbelievable to some, even a bit annoying if you aren’t used to her and understand her backstory. Her strange and shadowy family history is the larger, overarching mystery that is slowly peeled away with each book, but this particular installment includes a major reveal that shines a brighter light on the de Luce history. Like many famous children’s literary characters, Flavia grew up without knowing her mother, and a very distant father figure who dies suddenly, so she is basically unparented and tends to run a bit wild. This is of course fun to read about, but as she’s in her teenage years now we witness some interesting developments in her maturity, including a mild interest in the opposite sex, and acknowledgement that they may be interested in her too. Her character development continues to act as background detail and interest only, but as a close follower of this series I appreciate the careful attention that Bradley is paying to it.

Flavia’s cheekiness is my favourite part of these books. She’s aware of the reader, and often speaks directly to us. It is this voice that brings the pages to life, and endears us to her. I recall reading a review of one of these books and someone complaining about her, but I adore her character and humour that infuses each story:

“If there’s one thing a girl needs to know to succeed in the world, it’s the ability to turn on the tears at will. Tears are the only known acid that eats away at the male ego, and it’s important to know how to summon them in seconds. Delayed tears are no good: They go off quicker than even the dampest cheeses.” (p. 134 of What Time the Sexton’s Space Doth Rust by Alan Bradly, ARC edition)

I’m not sure there’s any point to me reviewing these books anymore because most of what I say is the same: these are great, you should read them! But I’m hopeful that a new reader will come across my reviews and it will encourage them to pick up the series because I think Bradley deserves even more readers than he currently has.