The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

A Flavia de Luce Novel

By: Alan Bradley

Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle

On a spring morning in 1951, 11-year-old chemist and aspiring detective Flavia de Luce gathers with her family at the railway station, awaiting the return of her long-lost mother, Harriet. Yet upon the train’s arrival in the English village of Bishop’s Lacey, Flavia is approached by a tall stranger who whispers a cryptic message into her ear. Moments later, he is dead, mysteriously pushed under the train by someone in the crowd. Who was this man, what did his words mean, and why were they intended for Flavia? Back home at Buckshaw, the de Luces’ crumbling estate, Flavia puts her sleuthing skills to the test. Following a trail of clues sparked by the discovery of a reel of film stashed away in the attic, she unravels the deepest secrets of the de Luce clan, involving none other than Winston Churchill himself. Surrounded by family, friends, and a famous pathologist from the Home Office - and making spectacular use of Harriet’s beloved Gipsy Moth plane, Blithe Spirit - Flavia will do anything, even take to the skies, to land a killer.

©2013 Alan Bradley (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"If ever there were a sleuth who’s bold, brilliant, and, yes, adorable, it’s Flavia de Luce." ( USA Today)

"Irresistibly appealing." ( The New York Times Book Review, on A Red Herring Without Mustard)

"Flavia de Luce, irresistibly rendered once again by narrator Jayne Entwistle, is an 11-year-old wannabe detective who has a fully functional chemistry lab and a somewhat less functional family. Entwistle's posh accent reflects the family's more fortunate past, and she manages to capture both the child that Flavia mostly is as well as her slowly emerging maturity. Secondary characters are not neglected; Flavia's various relatives and friends--especially her sisters, an aunt, and the household help--are fully realized. Newcomers to the de Luce/Entwistle world may want to start with an earlier book, but starting somewhere is highly recommended." ( AudioFile)

A twist in the series- loved it!

I love this series and have grown to love the quirky young heroine, wise beyond her years who is the daughter Agatha Christie never had. The audio version is always pitch perfect, the conclusion just beyond your reach and the whole experience scattered with wonderful characters that come alive on the page (so to speak.) This one volume needs to be experienced only in the proper sequence since it ties up some loose ends and launches the character into what can only mean more interesting adventures. I loved the new little character Ondine. Can't wait to see more of her. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

Always a surprise!

This little series never disappoints! Major developments within the family unit, and in Flavia's future!
Never saw this coming... but the character development is a mark of a skilled author!
I so appreciate the depth of knowledge of the author: he always inserts history, culture, church,
literature.. and chemistry! Just stunning.. and written with wit, humor and pathos.
One unique thing in this series is they are told via an 11 year old perspective... yet the narrator (Jane Entwhistle)
aces this in every book! Can't wait for the next one!

Ahhh roooo!

I've seen some mixed reviews of this novel, but I feel that it is was the best one yet. Many questions were answered and the stage was set for a new chapter in Flavia's story. This story had so many things going on. Flavia starts a very macabre quest and is interrupted. The denouement where the murderer tried to flee was the finest bit of action in the whole series so far. Flavia's sister Daphne (and to some extent Ophelia) got so much more depth revealed.

I can see how some people might be put out by Flavia's personality at times, mostly in the other novels, but she was perfection in this one. There were so many character revelations or hints at revelations in this book, I was sad that there was not a new one to download immediately, a luxury I've had up until now. I intend to start over and see what I might have missed in the first listens.

I will end my review with nothing but praise for Jayne Entwhistle. She truly brings this series to life. There are many good narrators, but Jayne as Flavia is astounding and I will look forward to the next listen.

Brilliant

If you could sum up The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches in three words, what would they be?

I want more.

What did you like best about this story?

The writing was captivating, so descriptive without going overboard, as are all the Flavia books. I couldn't wait to see how it turned out, yet didn't want it to end. It wrapped up a lot of the loose ends from the other novels.

What does Jayne Entwistle bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jane Entwistle's voice is perfect. The emotion caused me to get tears in my eyes more than once. She has a simple style of speaking the part of Flavia that adds just the right bit of drama, and her voices for the other characters bring the book to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

This is the first author in a long time that I have enjoyed so much, I could write fan letters. I keep looking for new books that he has written. It is always hard to make sequels that are as good as the first, but I think I liked each one more than the last.

So sad

This Flavia Deluce was so tragic. I always hoped her mother would return. But the secrets act is something I was raised with only the US version. Military intelligence. I love these books.

One of my favorite series: try it!

Was there ever a better match between character and narrator than Flavia de Luce and Jayne Entwistle? These books are funny, touching, and sometimes nail-bitingly suspenseful. I had trouble seeing with the logic of some parts of this installment, but all was wrapped up in the end in a way that made sense. I do hope there will be more in the series. Hint: don't listen to this one if you haven't listened to the previous installments. And, I do mean listen: truly a case where the narration is superior to anything one can conjure in one's head.

Interesting Story!

History was woven into this story wonderfully, though and times it got too
detailed, with almost an academic feel. And I have to admit, I so hoped Flavia
would've reserected her mother, but it was still a good read.

A delightful addition to the Flavia Series

I'll admit it. I can't get enough of Flavia de Luce. Although the chemistry, detection and plotting in this addition were not as clever as some of the earlier entries in the series, I am captivated by the character of Flavia de Luce, who is once again performed to perfection by Jayne Entwistle. The best thing about this book is that, based on the ending, there will be more to come. I can't wait.

Best so far..I fear I am addicted to Flavia

Where does The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best Flavia de Luce book so far. The narration is top notch. I fear this might be a children's series but I can't help myself.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This plot pulled in all the other books and made me think how cunning the author was to build up all the sub-plots in the previous book to support and set up basically a new story setting for our dear Flavia.

What does Jayne Entwistle bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration is Flavia. It's exactly the flavia in my mind. I'd know her anywhere.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I liked the Kipling tie in.

A deeper view of flavia

With each in the series the characters grow more complex and charming. Can't wait to see what comes next...Jane continues to be a truly amazing reader. Love it!