What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust

A Flavia De Luce Novel

Alan Bradley

Double Rewards

$24.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

QTY:

English

Orion
06 January 2026

Fiction & Literature; Historical mysteries

Series: Flavia de Luce Mystery

Earn $10 Reward Vouchers

'Cosy mystery fans will love this latest delightful installment!' NITA PROSE,

bestselling author of THE MAID

Flavia de Luce, along with her pestilent younger cousin, investigates the murder of a former public hangman and uncovers secrets that bring the greatest shock of her life.
*
*
*
*

Poisonous mushrooms, pestilent cousins - and a most perplexing murder...

There's a new arrival at Buckshaw - Flavia de Luce's obnoxious cousin Undine. Flavia reluctantly takes on the mentorship of her fellow orphan, who in her best moments shows some potential for trespassing and trickery.

When Major Greyleigh, a former hangman, is found dead from a breakfast of poisonous mushrooms, suspicion falls on the de Luce family's longtime cook, Mrs. Mullet. After all, didn't she pick the mushrooms and serve them to Greyleigh moments before his death?

Flavia knows her beloved Mrs. Mullet is innocent. Together with Dogger, estate gardener and partner-in-crime, and the odious Undine, she sets out to find the real killer and clear Mrs. Mullet's good name.

But following the case's twists and turns will lead her to a most surprising discovery - one with the power to upend her entire life...
*
*
*
*

PRAISE FOR THE HISTORICAL FLAVIA DE LUCE MYSTERIES:

'To say I am overjoyed by the return of the magnificent Flavia is a massive understatement. It's a great day when we have her back in our lives with a new, and riveting, crime to solve'

LOUISE PENNY, bestselling author of the ARMAND GAMACHE MYSTERIES

'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 heart-breaking'

DIANA GABALDON, New York Times bestselling author

'The Flavia de Luce novels are now a cult favourite'

MAIL ON SUNDAY

'A cross between Dodie Smith's I Capture The Castle and the Addams family... Delightfully entertaining'

GUARDIAN

'Flavia is mercilessly addictive'

DAILY TELEGRRAPH

'At once precocious and endearing, Flavia is a marvellous character. Quirkily appealing, this is definitely a crime novel with a difference'

CHOICE

By: Alan Bradley
Imprint: Orion
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 128mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 230g
ISBN: 9781398721388
ISBN 10: 1398721387
Series: Flavia de Luce Mystery
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 06 January 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Alan Bradley was born into a family of storytellers who never stopped talking about the old days 'back home' in England - for which he is eternally grateful. He is a former professor at the University of Saskatchewan, where he lectured on screen writing. Alan is the author of a memoir, THE SHOEBOX BIBLE in addition to the bestselling Flavia de Luce series. He lives with his wife, Shirley, in the Isle of Man. To find out more, visit www.flaviadeluce.com.

Reviews for What Time the Sexton's Spade Doth Rust: A Flavia De Luce Novel

Cozy mystery fans will love this latest delightful installment featuring Flavia de Luce, Alan Bradley's plucky and spirited protagonist * Nita Prose, bestselling author of THE MAID * 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, 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, author of STILL LIFE * Enchanting . . . Flavia's characteristic quirky humor and unorthodox thinking are on full display . . . This series is as fresh as ever * Publishers Weekly * Rejoice, fans of fiction's youngest franchise detective: Flavia de Luce is back . . . Nobody could possibly unite intelligence work, mythological monsters, and village gossip as adroitly as Bradley's heroine * Kirkus Reviews *