I was delighted to learn that a new Flavia de Luce novel was set for publication. After about five years, I thought The Golden Tresses of the Dead, #10 in the series, would surely be the last of this unique series based on the adventures of eleven-year-old Flavia, a genius chemist, expert on poisons, and indefatigable sleuth. When The Golden Tresses of the Dead ended, her father had died, leaving her the sole heir to the family estate, Buckshaw.

Flavia is twelve now, still riding her trusty bicycle all over the countryside, tending to everyone’s business. There is a new resident at Buckshaw, Flavia’s younger cousin, Undine. Flavia considers Undine a pestilent nuisance, much as she was to her two older sisters. Those two are married and settled, but the cast of characters at Buckshaw remains much the same. Mrs. Mullet, the cook, and Dogger, a man of all work, are indispensable at Buckshaw. Dogger, her father’s companion in captivity by the Japanese during WWII, returned from the War extensively damaged in body and mind but serves as a substitute father to Flavia.

It isn’t long before a new mystery is afoot at Buckshaw and the nearby village, Bishop’s Lacey. A new resident, Major Greyleigh, is little known in the town but is found dead of poisoning. Mrs. Mullet comes under suspicion as she had cooked up a batch of mushrooms for him and is suspected of being the agent. Flavia must clear Mrs. Mullet of the murder, especially since Major Greyleigh was a retired hangman. Indeed, he had plenty of enemies to choose from. In the course of this novel, Flavia and Undine come across shocking secrets, long kept, that put them in the path of villains and even physical harm. Some of the secrets are about the de Luce family itself. What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust is more complex and darker than the preceding novels. There are twists, turns, and many unforeseen developments, some of which may change Flavia’s life forever.

Flavia herself has matured but is still as engaging as ever. Her voice is one of the most intelligent I have ever encountered, especially in crime fiction. At least one more Flavia de Luce novel will be needed to answer all the many questions raised in my mind by What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust.