Preview
  • What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust

  • A Flavia de Luce Novel
  • By: Alan Bradley
  • Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle
  • Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (209 ratings)

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What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust

By: Alan Bradley
Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle
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Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Amateur sleuth Flavia de Luce, along with her pestilent younger cousin, investigates the murder of a former public hangman and uncovers a secret that brings the greatest shock of her life.

“I love the Flavia de Luce novels! Flavia is the best female detective I’ve ever read, full of realism, self-confidence, and emotion (in roughly equal parts), and her tales are hilarious, engaging, and occasionally heartbreaking.”—Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series

Flavia de Luce has taken on the mentorship of her odious moon-faced cousin Undine, who has come to live at Buckshaw following the death of her mother. Undine’s main talent, aside from cultivating disgusting habits, seems to be raising Flavia’s hackles, although in her best moments she shows potential for trespassing, trickery, and other assorted mayhem.

When Major Greyleigh, a local recluse and former hangman, is found dead after a breakfast of poisonous mushrooms, suspicion falls on the de Luce family’s longtime cook, Mrs. Mullet. After all, wasn’t it she who’d picked the mushrooms, cooked the omelet, and served it to Greyleigh moments before his death? “I have to admit,” says Flavia, an expert in the chemical nature of poisons, “that I’d been praying to God for a jolly good old-fashioned mushroom poisoning. Not that I wanted anyone to die, but why give a girl a gift such as mine without giving her the opportunity to use it?”

But Flavia knows the beloved Mrs. Mullet is innocent. Together with Dogger, estate gardener and partner-in-crime, and the obnoxious Undine, Flavia sets out to find the real killer and clear Mrs. Mullet’s good name. Little does she know that following the case’s twists and turns will lead her to a most surprising discovery—one with the power to upend her entire life.

©2024 Alan Bradley (P)2024 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“I love the Flavia de Luce novels! I identify, though I unfortunately didn’t have an Uncle Tarquin and was forced to make do with a Christmas chemistry set from the Sears catalog. Flavia is the best female detective I’ve ever read, full of realism, self-confidence, and emotion (in roughly equal parts), and her tales are hilarious, engaging, and occasionally heartbreaking.”—Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series

“To say I am overjoyed by the return of the magnificent Flavia is a massive understatement. It is a great day when we have her back in our lives with a new, and riveting, crime to solve. Brava, Flavia. Bravo, Alan!”—Louise Penny

“Cozy mystery fans will love this latest delightful installment featuring Flavia de Luce, Alan Bradley’s plucky and spirited protagonist.”—Nita Prose, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Maid

What listeners say about What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust

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  • Overall
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Fantastic twists and turns!

I completely enjoyed traveling along with Flavia, her family, and community as she experiences this new adventure. There are some wild revelations, surprising danger, and lots of new insights into the characters we love. And the author’s language is as clever and witty as ever!

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Perfectly brilliant!

Flavia de Luce is everything! Brave, brilliant, eloquent, resourceful. There is nothing I don't love about this book and the entire series. Extraordinary writing! The characters! Literarilly, historically, scientifically, philosophically instructive. I could go on! Ms. Entwistle's narration is perfection. The American characters and their many of speaking are almost unbearable. Thank you for the gift of this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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She’s Back!

I watched this book move up in my wish list every day since I added it. Then I downloaded it and worried it wouldn’t live up to my high expectations. No need to worry. Flavia is back and better than ever. Thank you Alan Bradley but please don’t make me wait another 4+ years for the next escapade.

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Loved it!

Bradley hasn’t missed a beat! Truly a wonderful story! I hope there is mote to come!

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Addicted to Miss DeLuce

I waited for this book since plowing through the last one of the series. Flavia is growing up and finding herself even more! Love this series!!!!

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The best yet!

This is the best yet book in an always great series. The language is brilliant. Almost poetic. And the narration is perfect. (I think Healther goofed on her stars…a great review and 5 stars for performance and story. I think she meant to give it 5 stars overall too!)

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Perhaps the best Flavia yet

Easy to follow along and I fell in love with Undine. She is so funny. Please write another Flavia book!

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Quirky crime solver

I was happy to see this book on Audible. I love this series by Alan Bradley. Glad he's continuing to write about this precocious young sleuth solving murders with her chemistry prowess. Delightfull. The narrator is superb.

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Flavia as always.

This whole secret cabal with FlaviaS parents is a bit like science fiction. What I’ve always liked about her was how down to earth she is.

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Flavia and Dogger lovers will enjoy

I enjoyed the first books of the series so much. The last few books have taken a weird conspiracy twist that distracts from the charm of the original world the author built.

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