🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Alan Bradley
Flavia de Luce is an aspiring chemist that finds her attention drawn towards an intriguing mystery. In the summer of 1950 Flavia comes across a series of inexplicable events, starting with a dead bird found on a door step and the dying man whose last breathe Flavia witnesses in a cucumber patch. For Flavia’s inquisitive mind these events couldn’t be more intriguing as she sets about confronting the most exciting thing that she has ever encountered. Alan Bradley’s first novel in the Flavia de Luce series thrives primarily because of how engaging his protagonist, the clever and insatiable Flavia is; a girl whose genius drives her to confront the extraordinary, Alan brings the historical mystery to life with brisk dialogue and immersive developments.
All Book Series by Alan Bradley
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
Series opener · book 1 of 13 · published 2009
Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers
Latest in the series · book 13 of 13 · published 2026
Ms Holmes of Baker Street: The Truth About Sherlock
Series opener · book 1 of 2 · published 1989
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Alan Bradley?
Flavia de Luce is an aspiring chemist that finds her attention drawn towards an intriguing mystery. In the summer of 1950 Flavia comes across a series of inexplicable events, starting with a dead bird found on a door step and the dying man whose last breathe Flavia witnesses in a cucumber patch. For Flavia’s inquisitive mind these events couldn't be more intriguing as she sets about confronting the most exciting thing that she has ever encountered.
Which Alan Bradley series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Flavia de Luce series, the earliest of Alan Bradley's multi-book series: it opens with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (2009) and runs to 13 books across 2009–2026, ending with Numb Were the Beadsman's Fingers (2026).
How many books has Alan Bradley written?
Alan Bradley has 16 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1989 and 2026. 13 of them belong to 1 named series — the largest being the Flavia de Luce series with 13 books — and 3 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Alan Bradley's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Alan Bradley's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Flavia de Luce (2009–2026, 13 books).
How are Alan Bradley's books organised into series?
This guide splits Alan Bradley's 16 books into 1 named series and 3 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Flavia de Luce (13 books, 2009–2026).