Feeling remorse, especially when she learns that this gypsy was once evicted from her family’s land, Flavia invites the woman to park her wagon on Buckshaw estate.  Flavia discovers the next evening that the gypsy has been attacked and, certain that all these events are set off by her knocking over the candle, sets out on her third investigation.  She quickly stumbles across a dead body, that of local character Brookie Harewood, whose reputation as a less than stellar part of the community preceded him. 

Adding to the already intrepid Flavia’s style is the inclusion of the story of her deceased mother Harriet.  Flavia’s older sisters excel in tormenting the precocious youngster and her father, Colonel Haviland de Luce, is easily absorbed with his philately, often leaving Flavia to her own devices, which often prove quite helpful to the local constabulary. 

Flavia is a delightful, energetic girl, cheeky, smart but still a child who misses having a mother.  She is as independent as it is possible for an eleven-year old to be and quite clever.  Her age allows her to insinuate herself with suspects and witnesses and learn things they would never dream she would use against them.  Her family is entertaining, almost to the point of eccentric, even when her sisters are tormenting Flavia.

This third book in the Flavia de Luce series is a clever mystery, deftly weaving past and present and easily incorporating Harriet into the tale. This allows Flavia, who was a toddler when Harriet died, to grieve as she never had a chance to do as a baby.  A Red Herring Without Mustard is a very enjoyable mystery that will more than satisfy fans of a traditional English cozy.                                        

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry