- Hardcover: 352 pages
- Publisher: Orion; Hardback edition (15 April 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0752897136
- ISBN-13: 978-0752897134
- Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 3 x 21.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 196,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag (FLAVIA DE LUCE MYSTERY)
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Review
Readers ready to allow themselves to be led by Flavia's strong, cool intelligence and sharp wit and Bradley's deft evocation of a past that never quite existed, will certainly welcome the reappearance of this most original heroine (Yvonne Klein REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE.COM )
In this mystery, subtle humor abounds - the kind that kids who know they're really smarter than adults thrive on. It's Harry Potter territory without wizards and with more erudite writing... If Bradley's characters don't make it on the big screen, someone out there is reading the wrong stuff (Sue Emmons MYSTERY SCENE )
Precocious amateur sleuth and chemist Flavia de Luce returns in this charming and captivating sequel...This is a fresh and kooky crime novel that will leave you wanting more' (WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY )
Alan Bradley weaves a hauntingly nightmarish tale that involves Punch & Judy - and in particular Mr Punch's nemesis, the hangman, Jack Ketch - a frighteningly realistic puppet show, and a hitherto unexplored corner of Bishop's Lacey known as Gibbet's Wood. For Flavia, undoing the complex knot that ties these strands together will test her precocious powers of deduction to the limit - and provide a shocking insight into some of the darker corners of the adult world (TANGLED WEB )
This is a rich fruitcake of a book, chock-full of choice morsels, drenched in heartening spirit!...All will be revealed, of course, as the intricate plot unfolds, but there is such period charm to this book, and the precocious Flavia is so original a character, that on all fronts it's a joy to read from start to finish! (CORNFLOWER )
I didn't work out the ending until it happened ...and so Bradley and Flavia outwitted me which I enjoyed. I do like feeling very clever and having figured it all out myself but there are more twists and turns and with an addition of an old mystery thrown in you have lots more to contend with...I think this series is just going to keep on getting better and better. Its books like this that make reading such a pleasure (SAVIDGE READS )
Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old sleuth, who first captured readers' hearts in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie,, unravels a complex plot. There are some chilling moments in this ingenious novel (CHOICE )
memorably funny (HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW )
this is a rich fruitcake of a book, chock-full of choice morsels, drenched in heartening spirit!...The intricate plot unfolds neatly against a charming period backdrop of 1950s' England, while the precocious but indomitable Flavia is so original a character that the book is a joy to read (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
In this mystery, subtle humor abounds - the kind that kids who know they're really smarter than adults thrive on. It's Harry Potter territory without wizards and with more erudite writing... If Bradley's characters don't make it on the big screen, someone out there is reading the wrong stuff (Sue Emmons MYSTERY SCENE )
Precocious amateur sleuth and chemist Flavia de Luce returns in this charming and captivating sequel...This is a fresh and kooky crime novel that will leave you wanting more' (WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY )
Alan Bradley weaves a hauntingly nightmarish tale that involves Punch & Judy - and in particular Mr Punch's nemesis, the hangman, Jack Ketch - a frighteningly realistic puppet show, and a hitherto unexplored corner of Bishop's Lacey known as Gibbet's Wood. For Flavia, undoing the complex knot that ties these strands together will test her precocious powers of deduction to the limit - and provide a shocking insight into some of the darker corners of the adult world (TANGLED WEB )
This is a rich fruitcake of a book, chock-full of choice morsels, drenched in heartening spirit!...All will be revealed, of course, as the intricate plot unfolds, but there is such period charm to this book, and the precocious Flavia is so original a character, that on all fronts it's a joy to read from start to finish! (CORNFLOWER )
I didn't work out the ending until it happened ...and so Bradley and Flavia outwitted me which I enjoyed. I do like feeling very clever and having figured it all out myself but there are more twists and turns and with an addition of an old mystery thrown in you have lots more to contend with...I think this series is just going to keep on getting better and better. Its books like this that make reading such a pleasure (SAVIDGE READS )
Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old sleuth, who first captured readers' hearts in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie,, unravels a complex plot. There are some chilling moments in this ingenious novel (CHOICE )
memorably funny (HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW )
this is a rich fruitcake of a book, chock-full of choice morsels, drenched in heartening spirit!...The intricate plot unfolds neatly against a charming period backdrop of 1950s' England, while the precocious but indomitable Flavia is so original a character that the book is a joy to read (GOOD BOOK GUIDE )
Review
'Readers ready to allow themselves to be led by Flavia's strong, cool intelligence and sharp wit and Bradley's deft evocation of a past that never quite existed, will certainly welcome the reappearance of this most original heroine' -- Yvonne Klein REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE.COM 'In this mystery, subtle humor abounds - the kind that kids who know they're really smarter than adults thrive on. It's Harry Potter territory without wizards and with more erudite writing... If Bradley's characters don't make it on the big screen, someone out there is reading the wrong stuff' -- Sue Emmons MYSTERY SCENE 'Precocious amateur sleuth and chemist Flavia de Luce returns in this charming and captivating sequel...This is a fresh and kooky crime novel that will leave you wanting more" WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY 'Alan Bradley weaves a hauntingly nightmarish tale that involves Punch & Judy - and in particular Mr Punch's nemesis, the hangman, Jack Ketch - a frighteningly realistic puppet show, and a hitherto unexplored corner of Bishop's Lacey known as Gibbet's Wood. For Flavia, undoing the complex knot that ties these strands together will test her precocious powers of deduction to the limit - and provide a shocking insight into some of the darker corners of the adult world' TANGLED WEB 'This is a rich fruitcake of a book, chock-full of choice morsels, drenched in heartening spirit!...All will be revealed, of course, as the intricate plot unfolds, but there is such period charm to this book, and the precocious Flavia is so original a character, that on all fronts it's a joy to read from start to finish!' CORNFLOWER 'I didn't work out the ending until it happened ...and so Bradley and Flavia outwitted me which I enjoyed. I do like feeling very clever and having figured it all out myself but there are more twists and turns and with an addition of an old mystery thrown in you have lots more to contend with...I think this series is just going to keep on getting better and better. Its books like this that make reading such a pleasure' SAVIDGE READS 'Flavia de Luce, an 11-year-old sleuth, who first captured readers' hearts in The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie,, unravels a complex plot. There are some chilling moments in this ingenious novel' CHOICE 'memorably funny' HISTORICAL NOVELS REVIEW 'this is a rich fruitcake of a book, chock-full of choice morsels, drenched in heartening spirit!...The intricate plot unfolds neatly against a charming period backdrop of 1950s' England, while the precocious but indomitable Flavia is so original a character that the book is a joy to read' GOOD BOOK GUIDE
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I can hardly believe that I have been reading the same book that has been reviewed here. I found the tale daft to say the least, the narrator (who was also the heroine) irritating in the extreme. I was tempted to give up on the book, but partly because of the reviews felt that I must be missing something and it would all become worthwhile in the end. I wish I had followed my original instincts, None of the characters was likeable, least of all, the precocious and obnoxious 11 year old Flavia, who was such a genius she ran rings around everyone. Definitely not for me!
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Flavia de Luce is back and better than ever. Actually, I can say that I enjoyed this second book even more than the first The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie because the mystery was very good in this second novel and Flavia really had to use her powers of deductive reasoning to find the culprit and answer all the questions raised.
Something as simple as the breakdown of a van was the catalyst for involving the people of the hamlet of Bishop's Lacy in murder. This second story in the series involves the entire population of the village when the famous puppeteer agrees to put on a show in the church hall to pay the expenses for fixing his van. The world of Flavia de Luce in 1950's England is once more brought brilliantly to life by Alan Bradley. All of the characters we met were very interesting for me and the sheer number introduced made the solving of this mystery very much harder than in the first novel. There were hidden things going on in the background of this small community which came to light as Flavia and the police began to investigate who had committed this murder.
I really enjoy the way Bradley has written the character of Flavia here. There is more humor in this book than in the first and it really solidified my liking for Flavia as a person. In all honesty I must say that I had never noticed before how many of the worlds most infamous (or should that be famous?) poisoners had names beginning with the letter "C". Now that's the kind of interactions Bradley makes his character have with the reader that allows me to think that Flavia could walk into this room right now and I could hold a conversation with her. She and I would get along just fine. Mysteries are a passion of mine also, and poison has always been my "weapon of choice", so to speak. She could run rings around me when it comes to knowledge of chemistry and all it's wonders, but otherwise, she's your average highly intelligent 11 year old girl who solves murder mysteries without benefit of all the information the police have.
In all seriousness, there is nothing "average" about this book. Flavia is a delight, the pages are filled with both humor and pathos, the mystery is well constructed and multi-layered, and the author has a way of capturing my imagination so that I feel totally involved and drawn into the story. Now the only question is how long we have to wait for the third book. I'm also of the opinion that if this author starts a completely different series, I will be right there waiting to buy my copy. Yes, he's that good.
Something as simple as the breakdown of a van was the catalyst for involving the people of the hamlet of Bishop's Lacy in murder. This second story in the series involves the entire population of the village when the famous puppeteer agrees to put on a show in the church hall to pay the expenses for fixing his van. The world of Flavia de Luce in 1950's England is once more brought brilliantly to life by Alan Bradley. All of the characters we met were very interesting for me and the sheer number introduced made the solving of this mystery very much harder than in the first novel. There were hidden things going on in the background of this small community which came to light as Flavia and the police began to investigate who had committed this murder.
I really enjoy the way Bradley has written the character of Flavia here. There is more humor in this book than in the first and it really solidified my liking for Flavia as a person. In all honesty I must say that I had never noticed before how many of the worlds most infamous (or should that be famous?) poisoners had names beginning with the letter "C". Now that's the kind of interactions Bradley makes his character have with the reader that allows me to think that Flavia could walk into this room right now and I could hold a conversation with her. She and I would get along just fine. Mysteries are a passion of mine also, and poison has always been my "weapon of choice", so to speak. She could run rings around me when it comes to knowledge of chemistry and all it's wonders, but otherwise, she's your average highly intelligent 11 year old girl who solves murder mysteries without benefit of all the information the police have.
In all seriousness, there is nothing "average" about this book. Flavia is a delight, the pages are filled with both humor and pathos, the mystery is well constructed and multi-layered, and the author has a way of capturing my imagination so that I feel totally involved and drawn into the story. Now the only question is how long we have to wait for the third book. I'm also of the opinion that if this author starts a completely different series, I will be right there waiting to buy my copy. Yes, he's that good.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Eleven year old Flavia de Luce gets embroiled in her second murder mystery when a `celebrity' accidentally ends up in the village of Bishop's Lacey. Rupert Porson, famous for Porson's Puppets and the show `Snoddy The Squirrel', has broken down by the local churchyard. Flavia happens across his weeping assistant Nialla and decides, partly because its strangers and that might equal adventure, to help her out and befriend her. As a thank you to the villagers for helping him and Nialla out Parson's puts on a puppet show for the town, everyone expects a spectacle yet no one is expecting to witness a murder.
Naturally Flavia, being the delightful precocious young thing that she is, decides that once again it is up to her to discover who the villain is and uncover several secrets as she does so. One such being how this murder might be linked to the death of a local young boy Robin who was found hanging in Gibbet's Wood ten years prior. And secrets that have been kept hidden for that length of time tend to want to remain so at any cost.
`The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag' is a much darker book than its predecessor in the main aspect being due to a child's death and under such circumstances. It forces Flavia to grow up a little and yet not too much as she never fully quite comprehends how dark it all is just as she doesn't comprehend how much danger she could be putting herself in. That for me in part is Bradley's masterstroke in terms of developing Flavia, she is still just as precocious and unruly as before yet she has moved on a step, fortunately for the reader she seems to be becoming more deadpan and that's the other wonderful thing about this book, it's just so funny in parts.
I didn't work out the ending until it happened with this second novel unlike the first and so Bradley and Flavia outwitted me which I enjoyed. I do like feeling very clever and having figured it all out myself but there are more twists and turns and with an addition of an old mystery thrown in you have lots more to contend with. Add in Flavia's dreaded aunt, a drop dead gorgeous German prisoner of war, a mad woman of the woods and a secret pregnancy and you have hours of fun, mayhem, twists, mystery and entertainment ahead of you. I think this series is just going to keep on getting better and better.
Naturally Flavia, being the delightful precocious young thing that she is, decides that once again it is up to her to discover who the villain is and uncover several secrets as she does so. One such being how this murder might be linked to the death of a local young boy Robin who was found hanging in Gibbet's Wood ten years prior. And secrets that have been kept hidden for that length of time tend to want to remain so at any cost.
`The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag' is a much darker book than its predecessor in the main aspect being due to a child's death and under such circumstances. It forces Flavia to grow up a little and yet not too much as she never fully quite comprehends how dark it all is just as she doesn't comprehend how much danger she could be putting herself in. That for me in part is Bradley's masterstroke in terms of developing Flavia, she is still just as precocious and unruly as before yet she has moved on a step, fortunately for the reader she seems to be becoming more deadpan and that's the other wonderful thing about this book, it's just so funny in parts.
I didn't work out the ending until it happened with this second novel unlike the first and so Bradley and Flavia outwitted me which I enjoyed. I do like feeling very clever and having figured it all out myself but there are more twists and turns and with an addition of an old mystery thrown in you have lots more to contend with. Add in Flavia's dreaded aunt, a drop dead gorgeous German prisoner of war, a mad woman of the woods and a secret pregnancy and you have hours of fun, mayhem, twists, mystery and entertainment ahead of you. I think this series is just going to keep on getting better and better.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Ripping Yarn!
Having come to the Flavia De Luce trilogy late; this was my first foray into the world of Bishop's Lacey, and I was utterly charmed beguiled and immersed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Andrew Crouch
Entertaining mystery
I've now read 3 of these Flavia mysteries, and found them enjoyable and well written. I'm just hope the author moves her on from being 11 and stuck in the village of Bishop's Lacey... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Pen Wiper
Punch and Flavia
What do you get if you mix any of the Enid Blyton mystery solving children, with a dash of the country lady that is Miss Marple, well Flavia de Luce of course! Read more
Published 9 months ago by Joanne D'Arcy
Pure joy
In The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, the second Flavia de Luce mystery, Alan Bradley has come up with another book that I desperately didn't want to finish - young Flavia is... Read more
Published 13 months ago by GeraniumCat
another great read from Alan Bradley
There is not much else to say about this book other than to agree with the other 5 star reviews and say that its a fantastic read. Read more
Published 13 months ago by richteafinger
Delightfully Entertaining
The second book in the Flavia de Luce mystery series set in a small village in 1950's England is every bit as good as the first one! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mrs. C. Colbert
That's the way to do it!!!
The previous book in this series had me rummaging around in my cupboards to find my old stamp books, since the plot revolved around stamps and their collectors and admirers. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Michael Finn
What a little gem
They say `don't judge a book by its cover' and in this case it can be taken literally. At first sight this seems like the kind of book you would quickly walk past on a bookshop... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Karen G
Simply addictive
Whilst an excellent piece of crime fiction in its own right this is also a wonderful pastiche. It evokes all that was good in the Golden Age crime novel but the distance in time... Read more
Published 14 months ago by C L Hawley
the weed that strings the hangman's bag
The weed that strings the hangman's bag by Alan Bradley.
Set in rural England in 1950 The weed that strings the hangman's bag by Alan Bradley very deliberately recreates... Read more
Set in rural England in 1950 The weed that strings the hangman's bag by Alan Bradley very deliberately recreates... Read more
Published 14 months ago by gerf
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