Speaking From Among the Bones

Written by Alan Bradley

Narrated by Sophie Aldred

The villagers of Bishop's Lacey are holding their collective breath as St Tancred's tomb in the local church is about to be opened after five hundred years. Inveterate eleven-year-old sleuth Flavia de Luce is first at the scene, but the body she finds lying there is not that of a desiccated saint; it is Mr Collicutt, St Tancred's celebrated organist.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Flavia soon finds herself investigating one of Bishop's Lacey's most peculiar families.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Dec 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9781471249617

Reviews for Speaking From Among the Bones

[kwskultety · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I think this one was a bit too long for my taste, or else the whole Flavia thing is wearing thin. Still the same writing and characters, but I was hoping for it to be over. Somehow I found her to be a bit pretentious in this book. Some interesting developments pop up right at the end, though, and I'm stuck reading the next one just to see how it all works out....

[rvhatha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A series that just gets better with each installment. Bradley is masterful at showing both Flavia's genius and also her childlike misreading of the adult world around her. This entry reveals Flavia on the brink of lots of changes, and is bittersweet in its all-too accurate portrayal of the transition from child to adolescent. I'm not sure I want Flavia to grow up! And yet the cliffhanger ending means I'll be first in line to read the next book when it comes out.

[newsieq · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If Flavia deLuce has one outstanding characteristic it is curiosity. Our heroine, who is almost 12 years old, has it in spades. In Speaking From Among the Bones her curiosity centers on the decaying remains of St. Tancred, buried 500 years in the a crypt in the local church. The body is going to be disinterred (to acquire pieces of bone for relics, I presume) and Flavia wants to be there. But before the crypt is opened, another body is found – that of the church musician. Flavia lives at Buckshaw, her late mother’s ancestral home, and it’s in jeopardy. Flavia’s immediate family, dad and two older sisters, are about to be evicted. That means Flavia (an expert in chemistry, specifically poisons) would be evicted from her laboratory. Seeing that she has helped the police solve several murders, how will they succeed without their most effective consulting detective? I have a feeling that Alan Bradley will resolve that very nicely over time. The bombshell dropped by Father on the last page, however, will have to be addressed in the next addition to this series. I can’t wait!This is one of a handful of series that I collect in hardcover. The books can be read again and again and I plan to go back soon to re-read #1, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Although this is billed as an adult series (and I admit to being part of that club), I think kids of all ages would enjoy it. There are a few scary bits, but since they don’t really scare Flavia (precocious as she is), I think most kids would get through it without nightmares.

[juva_3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this installment, the financial troubles of Flavia's father continue. Things have come to such bitter straights that the residents of Buckshaw estate awake to find their ancestral home is now for sale. In the midst of this dire news, Flavia is once again the discoverer of mysterious corpse. This time it is the body of the local church organist - smothered upon the very tomb of St. Tancred. Having gone missing for several days, his body is only discovered when the tomb is opened for a celebratory exhumation of the patron saint for his 500th anniversary. Who murdered the harmless organist? Who hid his body in the tomb? Could the motive have something to do with a legendary diamond that was supposedly buried with the saint? It's doubtless up to Flavia to discover the truth!

[eadieb-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love, love, love Flavia books. This one has a great cliff-hanger. Can't wait for the next installments. 5 Stars

Next two books are:

#6 Seeds of Antiquity

#7 The Nasty Light of Day

[elizajane_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reason for Reading: Next in the series.One of my favourite times of the year is settling down with the new Flavia de Luce mystery and as usual this one didn't disappoint. For the small British village that has more than it's fair share of murders, author Bradley keeps coming up with entertaining and unique scenarios that suspends belief at the reality of just how deadly the little hamlet of Bishop's Lacey has become. Flavia is one of my favourite current detectives, charming, clever smart and just a tad morbid. I really like how through the five books Flavia and her two sisters have grown and matured and that time is passing (though slower than in real time) and events are occurring in their lives making the characters' ongoing stories a part of the series as well. As usual the murder was fun, with several possibilities and kept me guessing till close to the end. Before I read this book I had heard that there was a 'cliffhanger' ending and that some readers were not too pleased. All previous books have finite complete endings, so this 'cliffhanger', if you will, is indeed different but it hardly surprised me and was an inevitable plot story line that would have been disappointing had it not ever come to fruition. I'm hardly displeased that the author chose to throw us that last line to let fans of the series know what direction the next book will take. I know I'm very excited to see what happens with the de Luce family in the next book. My favourite cozy series I'm reading at the moment!

[mbklibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Can I say I just love the Flavia novels. This one was really just terrific! Flavia gets in a little over her head in this mystery, while having to deal with more family drama than usual. I thought all the threads of the story were woven quite well and left us with quite the cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next one!

[lincolnpan · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not getting the hype on this one... Perhaps too British for me but found the characters and the writing overly dull. I will take Agatha Christie anyday over this!

[kblinn_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Once again, there is trouble in Bishop's Lacey, and Flavia is in the midst of it. She's now almost twelve-years-old and exhibits a certain amount of newly-gained maturity in this book. There's also a refinement and improvement in her relationship with her sisters, which I found refreshing. This time out, the St. Trancred's church organist, Mr. Collicutt, is found dead in the crypt containing St. Tancred's body. Flavia finds him while an exhumation of the saint himself is underway. Determining who did him in forms the basis for the rest of the story along with the ever-worsening financial straights in which her family finds itself. And, the book's final sentence provides a stunning revelation that will certainly be addressed in the next installment, or so hopes this reader. Please write quickly, Alan Bradley! (And please live a very long and productive life so that Flavia will go on for many more years.)

[bahzah · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

She’s at it again! Flavia de Luce - that wonderful, feisty twelve year old detective is getting into trouble and hovering between childhood and adulthood. Part five of a series, "Speaking From Among the Bones", continues to be a learning experience in poisons and chemistry, a rollicking good mystery, and the development of its humorous, quick thinking main character. Fast moving and an easy read, this book could be read as a stand-alone and still be lots of fun.Recommended YA or adult.

[pixelette · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. I find myself caring less about the actual mystery and more about the delightful snippets of Flavia's wit.

[bohemima · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The fifth entry in the Flavia de Luce series is a delight. Here 11-year-old Flavia is more believable than in the first book, but she has lost none of her interest in chemistry and poisons. She still narrates her adventures in weirdly arcane but entertaining language.The quiet by murder-riddled village of Bishop's Lacey is once again the scene of a grisly and odd murder. Young Flavia, whose main motivator seems to be an enormous bump of curiousity, is immediately attracted to the case and determined to at least help to solve the crime. She ferrets out clues and doggedly pursues her detective work while putting herself in very grave danger. The solution to the crime inovlves a rather confusing set of circumstances, but this is a satisfying and fun tale for any lover of classic mysteries.

[kevn57-163679 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a great book, characters that ring true, and a heroine beyond compare. I love little 11 year old Flavia
sacked from the girl guides for having an excess of high spirits
Observed twice by the vicar's wife rising from the grave

LOL moments only later to learn that the wife had lost a child the same age as Flavia, so not quite as funny as the scene originally played out.

If you haven't read about Flavia's adventures you really should give this YA heroine a try no matter what age you are.

[romonko · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It's been awhile since I have read a Flavia deLuce novel. I decided to listen to this as an audiobook this time, but I just couldn't seem to get into it. In fact, in places, it felt a little ridiculous. I like the characters and Flavia is usually a joy, but some of this just didn't ring true. I think that I get more out of these books when I read them rather than listen to them. The premise behind this book is the interring the grave of a 500 year old Saint, and a much more recent body that is found while the digging is going on. That brings Flavia on the case, and, as usual, she makes the police appear inept. Her knowledge of chemicals and chemical experiments comes to her aid again. Overshadowing all this is the threat of the sale of her long-time ancestral home Buckshaw which is weighing on her family. I think I'll read another book in the series because I do love Flavia and her sidekick Dogger.

[sdramsey-298717 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have completely enjoyed all of these books so far, because I love the precocious and intriguing Flavia deLuce. All of the others I have listened to in audiobook format, so this one fell a little flat for me at some points--but mainly, I think, because I was reading the ebook. The audio wasn't available at my library and so I had to console myself with the printed word; however, having become accustomed to Jayne Entwistle's incarnation of Flavia, I found I missed it.

The mystery, however, is as interesting as ever.

[whybehave2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are a fan of precocious 11-year-old girls then you are in for a treat. This series stars Flavia de Luce and she is, as she might put it, a hoot! It takes place in England during the 1950s and I was in love with this series from the start. If you loved Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, The Bobbsey Twins...the list goes on and on, then I think you will thoroughly enjoy this series. I listen to it because I love the attitude she has (thus precocious) and go mushy for any kind of accent. :)

[patriciau-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Speaking from Among the Bones is Alan Bradley’s latest entry in the superb Flavia deLuce series and is just as entertaining as his previous books. This time, Flavia discovers the corpse of St. Tancred’s church organist, Mr. Collicut, in the most unlikely of places – the tomb of St. Tancred himself. Flavia goes on to experience all sorts of the amusing and clever adventures we have come to expect from the author, all rendered with Bradley’s wonderful combination of wit and gravity. By the end of the story, the murderer is unmasked, a de Luce sister is engaged to be married, and Buckshaw may indeed be lost to the family. The current state of the family finances pales, however, in comparison to the bombshell dropped by Mr. de Luce on the very last page. Speaking from Among the Bones features a Flavia who is starting to grow up. Her relationships with her sisters, her father, Dogger, and the police inspector assigned to Bishop’s Lacey all have evolved from the first entry in the series, where her behavior was often that of a spoiled, willful child. Bradley reveals a little bit more of each family member in each book, which is what keeps me coming back for more. Flavia grows on you as the series grows; in fact, I found myself thinking of her as a young Harriet Vane by the end of this one. As for the bombshell at the end, I won’t spoil it, but I will say….I KNEW IT! Highly recommended for those who enjoy witty, English mysteries, but I do recommend reading the series in order.

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
The Weed that Strings the Hangman’s Bag
A Red Herring with Mustard
I am Half-Sick of Shadows
Speaking from Among the Bones

[lmjenkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolute perfection. I cannot wait for Flavia's next adventure.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Digital audiobook performed by Jayne Entwistle Book five in the series starring eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce, amateur chemist and amateur sleuth. This time the action focuses on the town’s celebration in honor of the 500th anniversary of patron saint. Flavia’s as curious as the next person, and she can’t wait to witness the opening of St. Tancred’s tomb. But she’s certainly not prepared to see the rather fresh body of Mr. Colllicutt, the church organist. Of course, she HAS to figure out what happened. Meanwhile the family drama continues with reduced circumstances threatening their beloved Buckshaw. I love this series, mostly because I love Flavia. She’s an intrepid explorer, pedaling about Bishop’s Lacey on her trusty bicycle, Gladys, and doing experiments in her laboratory. She is smart, independent, curious and determined. I love her relationship with Dogger and with her father. And I love how Bradley inserts all sorts of information about chemistry and science into the plots. I am, however, getting tired of her sisters and how horribly they treat Flavia. Talk about bullying! Jayne Entwistle does a marvelous job performing the audio books in this series. Her Flavia is delightful, and she does a good job bringing all the characters to life.

[tiffy_reads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this one as much as I did the previous four. Flavia's up to it again and she's a force to be reckoned with in this novel. Can't wait to read the next.

[themulhern · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This ended on such a cliff-hanger that I rushed right into the next. As ever, well-executed but incoherent. As the serious continues, the books are less improbable British cozies and more improbably secret societies, as in "The Series of Unfortunate Events". What secret society does the improbable Adam work for?

[john_warner-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In her 11th year of life, the Flavia de Luce has encountered more dead bodies than John McClane has racked up in a Die Hard movie. In this novel, Flavia has joined a small group to witness the opening of the crypt housing the remains Saint Tancred, patron saint for the English hamlet of Bishop's Lacey, on the 500th anniversary of his death. What else would the precocious amateur detective and chemist do for recreation? When the tomb is opened, the crowd discovers the body of the recently absent church organist, Mr. Collicutt, wearing a gas mask. Again, Flavia decides that it is up to her to discover who would want to kill the musician.If you have never read a Flavia de Luce mystery, I would recommend that you do so. Although the protagonist is a 11-year-old and suitable for a young reader, this book is found in the adult mystery section of your local bookstore. Once you read one, you will be hooked into the entire series.

[thefallingalice · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Auf Buckshaw und Umgebung ist immer etwas los. Innerhalb weniger Monate ist dies nun schon der fünfte Mord, der hier still und in aller Heimlichkeit verübt wurde. Erst als die Gebeine des heiligen Tankred exhumiert werden sollen, tritt ein dunkles Geheimnis zu Tage. Der vermisste Organist Mr. Collicut liegt ermordet auf dem Grund der Gruft.Sofort ruft das die Spürnase Flavia auf den Plan. Auf eigene Faust stellt sie Ermittlungen an, was die Polizei wenig begeistert. Doch das Mädchen wird geduldet, denn mit der Zeit hat sich herausgestellt, dass sie trotz ihrer Jugendlichkeit oft den richtigen Riecher hat.Doch nicht nur der Mord belastet Flavia, sondern auch der drohende Verkauf ihres Zuhauses und der damit verbundene Kummer ihrer Familie.Schon in den ersten vier Bänden (1. Mord im Gurkenbeet, 2. Mord ist kein Kinderspiel, 3. Halunken, Tod und Teufel und 4. Vorhang auf für eine Leiche) ist dem Leser die kleine vorlaute und oberkluge Flavia de Luce ans Herz gewachsen. Mit ihrer Mischung aus genialem Denken und kindlicher Naivität fängt sie sofort alle Sympathien ein.Ihr liebstes Hobby ist das Giftmischen. Sie liebt es Geheimnisse zu erforschen und die Nase in anderer Leute Angelegenheiten zu stecken. In der Vergangenheit wurde ihr das schon zum Verhängnis.Auf der einen Seite möchte sie stets, dass man sie wie eine Erwachsene behandelt, auf der anderen Seite ist sie doch erst das jugendliche Mädchen, dass sie dem Alter nach tatsächlich ist.Der Autor kehrt mit diesem Buch wieder zu den Ursprüngen seiner Erzählungen zurück. Figuren und Settings sind wieder liebevoll gestaltet, Charakteristika glaubwürdig und Handlungen nachvollziehbar.Klar: schnüffelnde Ermittlerinnen begeben sich automatisch in Gefahr. Und der Autor schafft es diesmal, diese immer gleichbleibende Tatsache spannend zu verpacken.In diesem Buch merkt der Leser wieder die Liebe des Autors zu seiner Geschichte und zu seinen Figuren. Feely ist so ekelerregend wie immer, Daphne so verschlossen wie eh und Flavia so kühn und intelligent wie am ersten Tag. Die Bände stehen nun nicht mehr nur einzeln für sich, sondern sie beginnen eine große Hintergrundgeschichte zusammen zu spinnen, die am Rande auch immer wieder eine Rolle spielt. Trotzdem bleiben die Fälle im Fokus des Buches.Dieses Buch macht wieder Lust auf mehr Flavia de Luce – und der Cliffhanger am Ende lässt hoffen.

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The church's organist has done a bunk, and Flavia's eldest sister "Feely" (Ophelia) has taken his place.... Something is wrong with the pipe organ and when Feely & Flavia go up to invetigate they find a bat....Meanwhile the remains of the local saint are about to be disinterred and in doing so the body of the organist is found above the crypt....It is really important that I like the characters and I find that more & more I detest Flavia's sisters, especially the eldest.... their cruelty could be well done away with.

[iambookish-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

She's baaaack! I really enjoy this series and I'm so happy that Alan Bradley has managed to keep us entertained and interested with each new installment. Our 'old beyond her years' Flavia has again stumbled across a body and managed to pester and annoy a lot of people in her pursuit of the truth. I don't know why I enjoy her so much but I just do! This book advances the story a long and sets us up perfectly for the next one. I can't wait!

[tracykelley-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

it is the best all the way to the end.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Precocious Flavia de Luce is back at it again. This time the organist of Saint Tancred's has gone missing. Her sister Ophelia has been named his replacement. Flavia's hunch about where the bat they'd seen might be hiding results in her finding the organist's corpse. The church plans to exhume Saint Tancred for an anniversary celebration but plans are thwarted by the bishop. Flavia finds a couple of other people also trying to play detective on this latest case. A lot is going on in this installment, and I don't want to give it all away. I will say, "What a cliffhanger!" I listened to the Overdrive audiobook for this, and I wish I'd downloaded the next installment before I left on my trip. I'm sure I'll be getting to it soon though.

[chibitika-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

No spoilers. Read on without fear.I've read five of Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce novels, and each and every one of them has done exactly what a fiction book should do: they have all entertained and enlightened me in the grandest fashion!I'm not inspired to write more about these great little novels, but I want to let everyone know that they do not at all seem like they are written for children. There are no adult themes, but they read like good, clean fun with just enough ghoulishness to make them interesting. Fascinating, actually.They are not big on suspense, but they are huge on interesting minutiae, and on depicting the world through a very smart little girl's unstoppably curious eyes.Each one left me wanting more, more, more, and I had a very hard time finding another book to hold my interest as these did after I finished one. Highly recommended.

[gingermama-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a cliffhanger! I almost wish I hadn't read this book until the next volume was available.

[quibee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the 5th book in the Flavia de Luce series. Flavia is almost 12 now, her father lives in his own world, worried about losing their home, and her two sisters mostly hate and despise her.
To her great delight, she discovers another corpse buried in the tomb of a saint that they had been going to disinter. She putters around, doing her own thing investigating, as she always does. It's always a joy watching this child genius interact with the people around her as she puts things together.
The last sentence of the book was quite the cliffhanger.