What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust (11th Book in the Flavia de Luce Series)
Author: Alan Bradley
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine / Bantam
Publication Date: September 03, 2024
Rating: 5 Stars

Flavia is back! After "The Golden Tresses of the Dead," I thought we had seen the last of her. It's always hard to say goodbye to a beloved character, so this unexpected return is a delightful surprise. Flavia remains the central character, but her cousin Undine is increasingly becoming a significant part of the story. Undine, like Flavia, is a delightful character. Flavia sees them as complete opposites, while Undine aspires to be just like her cousin. In truth, both have a knack for getting into trouble, though their personalities differ.

This time, the beloved Mrs. Mullett is in trouble, accused of killing a former hangman. Flavia, along with her familiar friends and her young cousin Undine, sets out to prove Mrs. Mullett's innocence. Themes of innocence and duty, and what they entail, play a significant role in this book.

Though still a young lady, Flavia shows more maturity in this installment. This doesn't mean she is prim and proper, but she has gained wisdom beyond her years. For me, the most significant change is Flavia's realization of her mortality. Meanwhile, Undine's innocence and lack of understanding of life's finitude remind me of the younger Flavia. This newfound awareness influences Flavia's reactions, adding depth and realism to her character development.

The mystery itself is as compelling as ever. In some mystery novels, the solutions can feel either too convoluted or too predictable. Not so with this series. Clues are laid out methodically, building upon each other in a satisfying way.

I also appreciated how the author revisited old story threads, continuing them seamlessly. It's refreshing not to be left with loose ends.

I highly recommend this book! It's a mystery without gore or explicit violence, features excellent character development, and boasts a well-thought-out, well-written plot. Five stars from this reader.

Additionally, this book doesn't feel like the end of the series. I anticipate more fun and adventure ahead.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Books for an ARC of this book. #NetGalley #WhatTimeTheSextonsSpadeDothRust

Thanks Random House, I've been a fan of Flavia from the start and this was a delightful surprise. Like most others, I didn't expect another Flavia book--Bradley had said the series would end. He also said something about not wanting to write an older female character. Well, clearly he changed his mind. One blogger has said there will be this and five additional titles in the series.

I loved hanging with Flavia, Dogger and Undine again. It felt good, comfortable, and fun. This book has all that you expect--murder, humor, twists, turns, and loads of chemistry. Flavia is growing up--and it terrifies her. She is more alone than ever. This book has an abundance of sadness--which many of the other books had--but this one is cruel. This one feels so very final.
Read this if you love Flavia. If you don't know Flavia, start at the beginning--you won't be disappointed. This was satisfying. I hope if there are additional titles Flavia is allowed at least a little joy (outside when she is filled with joy while riding Gladys).

After five quiet years, I was sure that I'd seen the end of Flavia de Luce. I am so pleased that I was wrong! With both parents dead, Ophelia married, and Daphne ready to fly the nest, our heroine is seeming pretty much alone except the ever trusty Dogger and the ever pesky Undine. The next murder that comes to her attention will bring revelations, define relationships, draw boundaries, and turn our little girl into a young woman - and show new uses for death-cap mushrooms. Bradley's latest addition to the series sizzles with all the energy that felt a little lacking in the last couple of installments. Perhaps he needed the break to bring back the full potency of our favorite chemist. She's back with all her intellect, grim humor, and vulnerability. Welcome back, Flavia!

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte for making an advance copy of this title available for an honest review.

I had never read a book by this author nor the series about Flavia - a child amateur sleuth before WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST. However, I am now a big fan and I would like to go back and read the rest of the series starting with the first book.

I was confused about the time period because the author's writing was so good and descriptive, and I had a bit of time following along at times.

Yet I enjoyed the story and just overall oddness of Flavia.

It was also interesting this is an adult mystery series considering a child is the main character. It reminds me of something Agatha Christie would have written if she had stories revolving around child sleuths like Nancy Drew or Encyclopedia Brown.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an e-copy of WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST to review.

I rate WHAT TIME THE SEXTON'S SPADE DOTH RUST four out of five stars.

The eleventh of the Flavia de Luce books featuring the now 13ish sleuth with a penchant for poisonings. Solving poisoning murders, not committing them. In this book a neighbor is killed by poisoned mushrooms sautéed in butter by the beloved Mrs. Mullet. Dogger has a smaller role in this tale, given over to more attention on cousin Undine and necessarily Mrs. Mullet. Flavia’s sisters are have no real presence at all. Well written as all the other books have been, but this one is not my favorite because the murder takes second place to the set up for future developments for Flavia. deLuce-ites will love this book of course.

This was a welcome surprise as I had thought we had seen the end to the Flavia de Luce series. Fans of Flavia will find her a bit more mature and confident as a 12 year old; and this book does a great job of adapting the series and the character to the passage of time. Flavia is just as delightful and adventurous as always, but deeper and more well-developed. She still struggles to keep her relationship with cousin Undine in the balance and we clearly see her love and attachment to the adults around her, particularly Mrs. Mullet. I found the plot of this one to be a bit more sinister, but no less cozy than past books, with a satisfying ending.

Thank you to Bantam Books and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

So grateful to be back with Flavia again. She is coming into her own and once again navigating grief mostly alone. Dogger is her constant, as always. I throughly enjoy following along as Flavia grows into her one strength. I missed seeing more of her sister’s interactions with her in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust is a new step into the world of Flavia de Luce, intrepid girl investigator and chemist. If you've read and loved other books in the series, you'll love seeing Flavia's wit and personality, rides on Gladys, investigating with Dogger, and interactions with other beloved characters. The first half felt like coming home again to Bishop's Lacey and it was so fun! The second half takes a turn that was surprising! It didn't feel much like a Flavia novel anymore and the twists and turns were a little more soap opera-esque than you'd usually expect. I still loved getting to read about Flavia and Co. again but this installment isn't as good as I hoped it would be.

When a neighbor is poisoned, and all clues seem to point to Flavia’s beloved Mrs. Mullet, she, Dogger, and annoying cousin Undine pull out all the stops to uncover the truth. Along the way, deep family secrets are uncovered that shake her to her core. It’s wonderful to see passionate Flavia back in action, and as she’s aged, her emotional maturity is catching up to her intelligence. Her connection to and fondness of Undine have grown - much to her surprise – reminiscent of how her sisters must have felt about her early in the series.

I've read every one of the books in this series and I enjoy them all. However, I did enjoy the earlier books better. They were fun, more lighthearted and full of Flavia's sarcasm and wit. I feel the books are getting a bit darker and veering towards some sinister overall backstory. However, I am intrigued to see where the author is taking us. Apparently, there is an underground, top secret society that Flavia's family is involved with. It's to the point where the secret society is more powerful than anything else. Right now, it is all a bit vague and confusing to decipher. But Flavia is still solving murders and using her smarts and charm to solve another case. I received a complimentary ebook from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

The eleventh book in the Flavia de Luce series had me belting out a hearty “Yaroo!” In this story, set in post WWII rural England, a local recluse is found dead. Mrs. Mullet, beloved cook, housekeeper and caregiver to the de Luce family, is suspect #1.

Enter the team of Arthur Dogger & Associates, Dogger and Flavia, to clear Mrs. Mullet both in the eyes of the local constabulary and the gossip hungry village. Dogger is described as the family’s mainstay; handyman, advisor, gardener, protector and friend. Dogger has increasingly become both a mentor and confidante to Flavia in the past few books. Neglected by her father and bullied by her older sisters, the mutual respect and trust between Dogger and Flavia warms my heart for Flavia. Ditto Flavia’s relationship with Mrs. Mullet, a bond that gets stronger and better with each book.

Flavia’s orphaned younger cousin, Undine also plays a strong supporting role in this book. Undine is so desperate for Flavia’s (anyone’s!) attention she provides much comic relief by one-upping Flavia finding clues, gathering intelligence and making connections in the investigation. The author does a terrific job describing their relationship. It’s lovely to read how Flavia looks out for Undine despite never experiencing such love or attention from her family.

While many of my favorite characters only make a cameo appearance in this book, the focus is mainly on Flavia, Dogger, Mrs. Mullet and Undine dives deeper into Flavia’s relationship with the three others mentioned. The mystery is interesting and takes many twists and unexpected turns. The second half of the book then takes Flavia to very unexpected places with unexpected characters! I’ll leave it at that and not spoil your enjoyment. This book is a must read for fans of the series! I can’t get enough of Flavia and was thrilled to read the author is busily working on book 12! I highly recommend reading these books in order, and as soon as possible, if you are new to the Flavia de Luce mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. It was my pleasure!

I'm so excited to have another Flavia book. This is one of my favorite series and I have read all of them multiple times. I can't even tell you how much I love these books. I loved seeing Flavia and Undine working together. Undine is definitely growing on me. The twist in the book, uggg, I can't even handle it. It's just all so good so stop reading this review and read this book.

From the first paragraph, it felt like being back with an old friend. Flavia remains a delight. Loved spending time with her.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy.

I know this series has a huge following, but I'm not one of them. It was a bit too twee for me. I guess I just shouldn't choose cozies.

Not having read any of the previous Flavia de Luce books, I feel at a disadvantage trying to review this latest one. It took a bit to piece together the relationships between the various characters, and the story seemed to meander through a bunch of literary references. The characters were all a bit eccentric and the story was somewhat whimsical, if not fantastical, requiring a significant suspension of belief. But that may have been the point. The slow pace and convoluted story line didn't make me want to explore the rest of the series. Not recommended unless you are already a fan.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for an advanced reader copy.

I was so very excited for a new Flavia de Luce book and Alan Bradley did not disappoint! Flavia continues to evolve yet her character remains consistent only maturing with age and experience. 'What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust' finds Flavia the new owner of Buckshaw and coming to terms not only with her father's death, but all of the small subtle changes of growing into a young woman.

A neighbor man is found dead. What initially appears as an accidental mushroom poisoning opens up a nest of conspiracy plots and suspicion that are very close to home. There's a definite need for a suspension of disbelief as the plot twists and turns but I found it all so wonderfully entertaining.

This may be my favorite in the series - it's a close run with 'The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches'! I am greedily awaiting the next adventure.

Flavia de Luce is back with her test tubes, her thirst for science and her penchant for solving murders. This time Mrs. Mullet, the family cook and mother figure, is the suspect in the poisoning of a man who had secretly been a public hangman.
This is another excellent mystery. Flavia is definitely having some growing pains and trying out some new relationships. She is pondering – a little bit – about how her behavior affects others. It was interesting to see her be a little bit introspective. I missed seeing more of her sisters in this one, although the relationship with her annoying cousin Undine is developing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this DRC.
#WhatTimetheSextonsSpadeDothRust #NetGalley

Totally enjoyed revisiting one of my all time favorite heroines Flavia de Luce! Thanks NetGalley and Bantam books for that opportunity. Very pleased to see Flavia back but alas she is growing up a bit. I think I prefer the child in Flavia and her naivety. It makes me a little sad to see her more on her own and struggling with the death of her father and absence of her oldest sister.
Flavia becomes involved with a murder mystery to aid Mrs. Mullett., Dogger and Undine also play supporting roles to her enquiries.
I always enjoy Flavia’s work in her lab and her reminiscences of her Uncle Tarquin. Flavia is so clever and I love her take on her world.
The solving of this mystery seemed a little fantastical and leaves more questions than answers - will there be more to Flavia’s family saga?
As always I quite enjoy this author’s style and plotting. I have found in the past my enjoyment is much increased by the audiobooks and would be interested to try with this work.
Overall a good read and a joy for all of Flavia’s many fans!

As I have read all of the books in this series, I would just like to say that once again Alan Bradley has penned another fun Flavia De Luce mystery. Flavia shares her thoughts on many topics and as always is much smarter and braver than her age. Her wit is a true delight and is not easily found in other mysteries with young heroines in today's literature. A fun read for sure!

I enjoyed the early Flavia de Luce books. They are a twist on girl sleuths, with a very intelligent, somewhat alarming 11-year-old main character who loves chemistry and solving crimes. Set in England in the 1950s, she lives in a fading mansion with her distracted father and two sisters.

However, the last few books have not been up to the standards of the first books, with increasingly unbelievable plot twists, and What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust completely jumps the shark. The plot twists are RIDICULOUS (and once Flavia started looking for a mysterious someone I knew immediately who it would turn out to be). It seriously feels like Alan Bradley is seeing just how bad a book he can write and still get paid to keep the series going.

Flavia’s ever-changing relationship with her cousin Undine, Flavia wandering around an American base at night, the many “wink wink” asides in which the author wants us to stop and appreciate how clever he is, ugh.

I do not recommend this book, and it’s going to be my last book about Flavia. If you read the series, I recommend stopping at about book 7.

I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley.