La muerte no es un juego de niños (original title: The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag
, a chemistry prodigy with a morbid fascination for poisons. When a traveling puppet show led by the famous puppeteer Rupert Porson arrives in the village of Bishop’s Lacey, a series of disturbing events unfolds. Lecturalia
An eccentric, precocious protagonist who prefers her chemical laboratory and her bicycle, "Gladys," to social norms. Rupert Porson:
The centerpiece of the mystery is a public puppet performance that ends in a literal tragedy: Rupert Porson is electrocuted during a show in front of the entire town. While others suspect an accident, Flavia suspects murder. Her investigation leads her to a dark secret from the past involving a child who died by hanging years earlier, a connection seemingly hinted at by one of the puppets. Key Characters Flavia de Luce:
