September's Pick/The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie

By Alan Bradley

In the summer of 1950, 11 year-old Flavia de Luce, amateur chemist with a passion for poisons, makes two discoveries within hours of each other. The first, a dead bird with of all things a postage stamp stuck on the end of it's bill is found on the doorstep of her family's home, Buckshaw. Second, she discovers a body in the cucumber patch and the man's dying word"Vale" plus snippets of an argument overheard earlier between father and possibly the victim send a curious Flavia on hunt for the dead man's identity.

When Flavia's father is taken into custody as a suspect, she hops on her trusty bike Gladys and takes to the English countryside in search of clues, stamps and a motive for murder. Seemingly one step ahead of the police and a certain Inspector, Flavia follows the trail leading to a connection between the dead man and her father that goes back to his days at school.

Desperate to clear her father's name, Flavia questions, pokes and prods in places that most 11 year-olds would not dream of.

The English country house mystery takes on a new twist with Flavia, a combination pint-sized Sherlock Holmes and youthful Miss Marple.

Sweet Ending!

Easy Crustless Custard Pie from About.com

Ingredients

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3 level tablespoons self rising flour

2 tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (12 oz.) can fat-free evaporated milk
Prep

Preheat oven to 325. Combine all ingrediants and beatuntil smooth. Pour into a greased and floured pie pan. Bake in a 325 oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.