• The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

  • A Flavia de Luce Novel
  • By: Alan Bradley
  • Narrated by: Jayne Entwistle
  • Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,525 ratings)

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The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches  By  cover art

The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

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

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)

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We’ve rounded up a list of some of the best cozy mystery audiobooks to help brighten up your winter listening. Here you'll find contemporary and historical cozies, classic whodunits and ingenious heist stories. While varying in tone, plot, and setting, these picks all share an irresistible holiday atmosphere. You'll find snowstorms galore, bakeries full of tasty holiday treats, glittering get-togethers, and picturesque English villages decked out in their holiday finest.

What listeners say about The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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.

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11 people found this helpful

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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.

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6 people found this helpful

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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.

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How one should mix drama, humor and adventure!

A simply brilliant performance and a fitting end to the adventure! Our young one learns some difficult, fascinating, sobering and thrilling life lessons in this one and we learn many of mysteries of why things were as they were. The narrator is typically wonderful, but in this book, she puts all her skills together to bring us through the see-saw emotions and leave us panting for more. What a great book and series.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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75% Character Development

This sixth trip to Buckshaw is less about murder than it is about fleshing out both Flavia and the supporting cast. There are a few secrets revealed, and more hinted at. The first few chapters are less than cheerful, even for a murder mystery, but hang in. It improves toward the middle.
Jane Entwhistle does her usual good job of bringing the characters to life. Alas, she is a dreadful a singer. The director should have attended to this detail.

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The end of the series, but not really

I must admit, when I purchased the first audiobook of the series, The Sweetness At The Bottom of the Pie, I was not immediately impressed. So I stopped listening. Audiobooks are like that, you have to be ready to accept the story into your life. About six months later, I was looking for a book to listen to, and I began listening to The Sweetness At the Bottom of the Pie. I was hooked. As I listened to each book in the series, I began to understand how Alan Bradley slowly began to reveal aspects of Flavia, her family, Dogger, the village. Flavia's sluething ways, her love of all things chemistry, and her desire to be viewed as a detective in her own right makes you love her old soul trapped in an 11 year old's body. This book should not disappoint you. Read from the beginning of the series. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches hopefully will have you cheering as I did as Flavia closes the chapter on being 11. I can't wait to begin reading about Flavia and her new adventures.

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This whole series is fantastic...now I need MORE

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

Fun, sentimental, revelations

What did you like best about this story?

I always like that there is more than one mystery at work in these stories, and yet he manages to wrap it all up in a bow for us at the end. I like the Undeen (sp?) character- a mini-me of Flavia, and the denouement of the Gamekeeper.

Have you listened to any of Jayne Entwistle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to all 6 in this series and she has done an exceptional job with all of these characters. I really don't think it could have been done better.

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

Daffy at the funeral.

Any additional comments?

I LOVE THESE BOOKS! I keep telling everyone I know to read them and I would love love love to see them made into some quality movies!!! Yea Alan Bradley!!!

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They keep getting better and better.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because of its various characters who are more than interesting. Flavia is outstanding in this one, although she does believe in fairy tales. If you like mystery, mixed with a strange but interesting family, you will like this book.

What did you like best about this story?

Flavia's undaunting spirit. She is dealing with a heavy load for an 11-yr.-old. She has never met her mother, but her body is brought back home accompanied by Churchill and many other dignitaries. She is determined to bring her back to life and that is when the story starts to get interesting and complicated.

Have you listened to any of Jayne Entwistle’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No I have not, but I love her voice. It is so life-like. I believe I am listening to the real Flavia.

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

Yes, and I almost did.

Any additional comments?

For new sequels, please do not change any of the characters vital to the story and do not change Flavia too much. I realize she has to grow up, but maybe you can make it in increments of 3-months or so.

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Just not working for me any more

I was very taken with the first two titles in this series. However, I have gotten progressively less interested. Don't really know why other than it being sort of the same story over and over. The narration is, as usual with Ms. Entwistle, perfection.

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Best Flavia Mystery Yet

I am so struck and touched by the examination of grief in this novel. Somehow in the midst of pandemic grief and loss, it has been a balm. Incredibly beautifully read and written.

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