This is the fourth book in the Flavia de Luce series and although I enjoyed it I didn’t like it as much as the three previous ones. I must admit that I was only half-way through it when we left for our holiday in the Netherlands and it was two weeks before I got back to it so that might have had something to do with my feelings on the book.
However, Flavia is concerned with Santa Claus, setting traps for him so that she could have some evidence of his existence. I just can’t imagine such a smart girl as Flavia obviously is having any belief in that jolly old mythical gent. I’m not a fan of duping kids into believing he is real – that’s probably me being an old curmudgeon – but there you go!
Anyway, the de Luce family home Buckshaw has been hired out by their father to a film company, in a bid to help the family finances. Buckshaw is filled with film crew and film stars but it isn’t long before a series of accidents slows down the filming and there’s a murder!
I did enjoy it but I’m at a bit of a loss to know why Alan Bradley uses the word ‘foyer’ throughout these books when he is writing about the hall in Buckshaw. The word foyer always reminds me of hotels or theatres, definitely not what you would find in a large, grand house. He also uses the word ‘afghan’ when he means blanket or throw. The word afghan is used in America or possibly Canada – nit picking I know, but words interest me, and their different meanings in different places. If you mention the word afghan in Britain it conjures up the image of an afghan hound, which is admittedly better than a blanket anyday.
I’m still looking forward to the next book in this series.
UK always has way better covers than we do. I thought Flavia trying to catch Santa was a fun way to remind us she is still a child since she acts so grown-up. Fun series!
Peggy Ann,
Hmm yes, I just have a thing about Santa, I’m still scarred by a memory of all my siblings making me feel a fool for saying ‘look what Santa brought me’ they said he didn’t exist, how could I be so stupid. I was about 4 years old!!! So my boys were told it was all just pretend, it didn’t spoil their enjoyment.
Off on a bunny-trail about “Afghans” – if you mentioned the word in NZ, most people would think of this biscuit:
http://www.kiwibaking.com/afghan-biscuits-recipe/ unless they thought about the hound.
Valerie in NZ,
Interesting, I haven’t heard of the biscuit but they look good so I’ve bookmarked that link, thanks. I thought it might be similar to Anzac biscuits which I do have a recipe for in a book but of course it’s different.