In this book, the little Hamlet, Bishop's Lacey, in which Flavia lives is holding a five-hundredth anniversary celebration of Saint Tancred. In this celebration, they will dig up his remains. Flavia just so happens to be on the spot and is the first to discover the former church organist, killed and wearing a gas mask in the tomb of Saint Tancred. Nobody can think who would have bad feelings for the mild mannered Mr. Collicutt, but Flavia is determined to find out.
Quotes (Some of these, I marked in the book because I liked them, and some are thanks to GoodReads, who helps me remember every book quote I ever forgot):
“I was the eighth dwarf. Sneaky.”
“There's an unwritten law of the universe which assures that the thing you seek will always be found in the last place you look. It applies to everything in life from lost socks to misplaced poisons. . .”- This is so true!
“The word “actually,” like its cousin “frankly,” should, by itself, be a tip-off to most people that what is to follow is a blatant lie— but it isn’t.” - And, I would add, "No offense". Of course you are going to say something offensive, there's no need to add that annoying little preface.
“History is like the kitchen sink,” Adam answered. “Everything goes round and round until eventually, sooner or later, most of it goes down the waste pipe. Things are forgotten. Things are mislaid. Things are covered up. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of neglect.”
And finally, I have a poll for all you readers. How do you pronounce the name Flavia? When I read the first book, I pronounced it "Flahvia". But here's the thing: Flavia nicknames herself "Flave", which makes me think that maybe it's "Flaevia." I wonder if this is a British/American thing. I have a poll to the right and I'd love it if you would vote one way or the other.
You reminded me about this series and I got this one and the next as e-books from the library as a respite from my serious non-fiction reading (Jane Austen's England). Have you started the last one yet? It's a blast so far! I think the British would pronounce the name "Flaevia." That's how I always hear it in my head.
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