April's Best Books

I loved this last installment in the story of Flavia de Luce (whose name, I learned seven books in, is pronounced FLAVE-ee-uh, not FLAH-vee-uh, as I had always assumed), the 12-year-old motherless poisoner bent on solving crimes and carving out a place for herself in her eccentric family.  These are shelved under mysteries, not as young adult or middle grade books, and I like the combination of a young narrator and heavier themes.

I am constantly in awe of how Bradley takes pretty non-threatening situations and makes them life-or-death for the young narrator.  Flavia herself is as charming as ever in this book, and I enjoyed seeing her in the unlikely environment of an all-girl Canadian boarding school.  I wasn't sure I could enjoy any setting as much as Bishop's Lacey where the others are set.  A little bit of the overarching story line unfolds here, but mostly it is a satisfying investigation and reconciliation.

The Housekeeper and the Professor is a quiet, sweet look at a mathematics professor whose memory only lasts for 80 minutes, his housekeeper with minimal education, and her bright and beloved son.  I would recommend this to anyone with an interest in math, baseball, or sweet, lovely writing that makes you think.

Oh, wow, this was a delightful book!  The narrator had the same cheeky, defiant tone as the one in The False Prince series (which I also loved).  Mark of the Thief is set in ancient Rome--but with magic.  Very fun concept, multifaceted and kind characters, great pacing.  The pacing was so good at one point that I was a little confused about one of the characters turning into a bad guy.  I wouldn't have minded a bit more development on that point.  The images were just spectacular.  I felt like I was watching a movie reading the descriptions of the gladiators and the cave.

I'm excited to read the other books in the trilogy when they come out.  Write faster, Jennifer Neilsen!  I can't wait for the next installment.