Janelle C. (jscrappy) reviewed on 6/30/2010 + 59 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 8

I wanted to enjoy this book, but didn't. The heroine, an eleven-year-old girl named Flavia, is precocious and smarter than just about all the grown-ups in her world. She's an aspiring chemist who takes it upon herself to solve the mystery of the dead man who appears in her garden one morning.

Unfortunately, Flavia is the only character with more than one dimension in the story, and also unfortunately, she is insufferable. I found it very hard to believe that Flavia's "voice" was supposed to be that of an eleven-year-old girl. She sounded more like an elderly man--which is, incidentally, the author's identity.

Add a lack-luster mystery, and you've got a disappointing book. There are better mysteries and better sleuths out there.

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