The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

By Alan Bradley

Group Comments:

Enjoyed – writing/imagery can really see the characters; found it believable plot if a bit older, like what she did with sisters (poison ivy), wouldn’t read any more (could suspend belief for 1 book, not more)

Agree about suspension of disbelief. Anybody who can make chemistry in a novel interesting is doing something remarkable; loved writing style, how interested in being “evil”, but not

Read long ago and read this time – picked up more loved it. Funny bits, phrases; felt like a cozy, because she was so young – coming of age story, like seeing the world through her eyes. Enjoyed how author shows different ways folks were coping. Flavia and Dogger both care for each other. Sense of place pretty basic. Mystery was the weakest part of the book. Cop arrested father, because he was the only one, sort of like how Flavia solved it

Really enjoy it. Read entire series. Like unusual lead character. Found Flavia engaging. Compared to later books, mystery is eh. Can’t be a complicated mystery for an 11 year old to solve.

Haven’t finished – got annoyed at beginning (poisoned sister’s lipstick). As soon as that guy came on scene – knew he was the killer. Do like the mystery. Sad about family relationship/dynamic. Very 50s England. Annoyed by genius sibling among average siblings.

Binge read series. So much of the best part is Buckshaw. Thought the tone was hilarious. Loved relationship with siblings, especially Dogger and Housekeeper. In audio, just thought it was OK (narrator a bit grating)

Enjoyed. Author used a lot of broad strokes, not a lot of detail. Who else could it have been? Not a great mystery. Did enjoy story and Flavia – an amazing character. Also reminded of Lady Jane Grey. Disfunction in family found grating/distracting (only reason it’s a 4). Want to read more.

Just now reading. Wondered if she was too smart, but who she is. Like other characters. Enjoy how no one shows affection, but seem to want to. Why did old guy burn stamp? Why did they kill the professor? Would read another, but not excited about it.

Psychopath. She didn’t seem to have a normal response to a dead stranger. 10 hours via Audible, but had to keep on rewinding, so it was more like 15. So many words! Loved a lot of phrases. Genius level kid, didn’t really need to suspend disbelief. Liked that she was precocious. Love Dogger and that being Batan death march survivor is allowed to be a part of that. Liked their relationship. Really did paint a place. Did like it. After verbal assault, did go back and listen to. Thought mystery was decent. Thought it was interesting that she determined that professor didn’t kill himself.

Got really worried that things were getting dark, and then it didn’t. Then worried that she was a psychopath, but just 11. Really started to love her joie de vivre. Eldest and have to imagine youngest sister dynamic, some of that happened. Liked contrast between adult things and kid things. Read and finished via audiobook. Love child characters transcending what it takes to be a kid.

Would possibly have enjoyed more as a kid. Really like the Dogger character/relationship. Felt that she read younger than 11 – her obsession with chemistry, etc. Suffered from only one extra character = murderer.