This week I have been reading the latest Flavia de Luce mystery, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley. If you have not begun reading this series I highly recommend you start. Right now. What are you waiting for? It is Black Friday, and you can buy these books cheaply today, I'm sure!
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows is the fourth book in the series. Here are the first three:
You can read my posts about The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie here, and A Red Herring Without Mustard here. I do not want to be repetitive, so if you want more information about Flavia, the eleven year old genius, chemist, and detective extraordinaire, please read my previous posts.
Now about I am Half-Sick of Shadows.......
In the fourth installment of the series, it is Christmas, 1950, in the sleepy English village of Bishop's Lacey. The de Luce family's estate, Buckshaw, is about to be the setting of Phyllis Wyvern's latest movie, and she has agreed to perform scenes from Romeo and Juliet with her co-star, Desmond Duncan, to raise money for the local Anglican church. As a blizzard traps practically the whole village at Buckshaw, a murder is committed. Only Flavia can solve the mystery...but can she do so in time to trap St. Nick?
I loved this installment because you get more information about Dogger, and insight into Flavia's relationships with her older sisters, Ophelia and Daphne. I thought Daphne was incredible in this book, and I liked seeing a different side to her. There is a bit of a cliffhanger concerning a rare (almost non-existent) Shakespeare folio and the future of Buckshaw. I also want more answers about Dogger, his friendship with Colonel de Luce, and their activities/service during World War II.
I know I have posted this video before, but it is a fun trailer for the book. I hope you enjoy it!
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows is the fourth book in the series. Here are the first three:
You can read my posts about The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie here, and A Red Herring Without Mustard here. I do not want to be repetitive, so if you want more information about Flavia, the eleven year old genius, chemist, and detective extraordinaire, please read my previous posts.
Now about I am Half-Sick of Shadows.......
In the fourth installment of the series, it is Christmas, 1950, in the sleepy English village of Bishop's Lacey. The de Luce family's estate, Buckshaw, is about to be the setting of Phyllis Wyvern's latest movie, and she has agreed to perform scenes from Romeo and Juliet with her co-star, Desmond Duncan, to raise money for the local Anglican church. As a blizzard traps practically the whole village at Buckshaw, a murder is committed. Only Flavia can solve the mystery...but can she do so in time to trap St. Nick?
I loved this installment because you get more information about Dogger, and insight into Flavia's relationships with her older sisters, Ophelia and Daphne. I thought Daphne was incredible in this book, and I liked seeing a different side to her. There is a bit of a cliffhanger concerning a rare (almost non-existent) Shakespeare folio and the future of Buckshaw. I also want more answers about Dogger, his friendship with Colonel de Luce, and their activities/service during World War II.
I know I have posted this video before, but it is a fun trailer for the book. I hope you enjoy it!
Until next time...
Happy reading!
Ricki Jill
I really enjoyed this installment of the series. I liked that the story took place entirely at Buckshaw--no running all over, although I did miss Gladys! There was a cozy
ReplyDeletefeel to the book. Dogger was great--I enjoyed seeing a whole new side to him.
Carole (Stapes)
Thanks for the recommendation. I just ordered all of them from my local library. I am having them sent electronically. There's nothing I love more than real books, but not having a car, I can't always get to the library easily, and so I've begun reading on-line. One of my daughters and her husband love their Kindles, but I'm reading mine on my sweet little Macbook.
ReplyDeleteHi Riki Jill Sweetie...
ReplyDeleteGosh I love to read and these books sound wonderful. I will have to see if I can download them onto my Kindle and read them all as well. I love reading and you have me intrigued by them now.
Happy to hear that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you are settling into the upcoming Christmas season. Have a glorious weekend sweet friend. Many hugs and much love, Sherry
Sounds like an interesting book series, Ricki! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteOooh, I didn't know there was a 4th one out! I'm so behind - having just read the first two. Thanks for sharing. I have reached the half-way point on the first Mortal Instruments book :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't know this was a series. I've read the first book earlier this year, I'll have to read the rest. I currently went to Anthropologie and purchased a book by Paul Arden "It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be." I needed a little inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThese books sound really good!! Picking up my first copy/copies just as soon as I can! Thanks, and hope you're enjoying the holiday season! ~tina
ReplyDelete