What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley
9/3/24; 320 pages
Random House/Bantam
Flavia de Luce Series #11

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust by Alan Bradley is the very highly recommended eleventh book in the Flavia de Luce series. This is an excellent addition to the series and fans will rejoice she is back after the previous book five-years ago, The Golden Tresses of the Dead. Readers new to the series will want to start with earlier volumes for the backstory and introduction to the characters.

After Flavia's father Col. Haviland de Luce died she inherited the family home, Buckshaw, in Bishop’s Lacey, as well as the oversight of her exasperating younger cousin Undine. Her older sister Feely (Ophelia) is off on her honeymoon and her sister Daffy (Daphne) is leaving for Oxford soon. Margaret Mullet, the cook at Buckshaw,  and Arthur W. Dogger, the gardener, driver, and butler, serve as trusted advisers and companions for the two girls. Dogger has accepted Flavia as a full partner in his detective agency, Arthur W. Dogger & Associates, Discreet Investigations.

When Major Greyleigh, a local recluse and former hangman, is found dead, suspicion falls on Mrs. Mullet, who was also cooking breakfast for him. Inspector Hewitt believes she cooked an omelet for him made with poisonous mushrooms. Together with Dogger, Flavia sets out to find the real killer and prove Mrs. Mullet's innocence. Much to Flavia's annoyance, Undine constantly inserts herself into the complex investigation, assisting in her own unique way.

Flavia is well established as a chemistry prodigy in the series set in 1950s England and it is a pleasure to be back in her world as she conducts another investigation. Undine plays a helpful, albeit also aggravating, role in the narrative. Along with the seriousness of the investigation there is a fair amount of humor along the way. This outing does take a dark turn with the exposure of a shocking secret that will perhaps open Flavia's character to some future complexities in her investigations. 

At this point Flavia is a well established character who is intelligent, resourceful, and innovative in her approach to investigations. Her knowledge of chemistry is phenomenal and she uses it in every case she undertakes. This plot highlights some personal growth that mark an increase in maturity. 

What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust is an entertaining, compelling addition to the Flavia de Luca series. Thanks to Random House/Bantam for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.