Alan Bradley again delights readers with his precocious, chemistry-obsessed protagonist Flavia de Luce in I am Half-Sick of Shadows, the fourth book in this charming series. The Christmastime installment opens with Flavia’s father, who’s fallen on hard times (he’s selling off family heirlooms left and right), agreeing to rent out the family’s decaying estate (known as Buckshaw) to a British film company. The film crew arrives, and with it comes the beautiful screen siren Phyllis Wyvern. It doesn’t take Flavia long, however, to realize that while she and her sisters may be star struck, not everyone else is so enamored with Ms. Wyvern.
Right before Christmas, the residents of Bishop’s Lacey are invited to Buckshaw for a Shakespearean performance courtesy of Ms. Wyvern and company. When a massive snowstorm prevents anyone from leaving the estate, it’s the perfect opportunity for someone to commit murder (think of all the possible suspects!). Flavia, of course, is the first to discover the crime (always so nosy!) and her sleuthing begins, much to the chagrin of the hamlet’s chief inspector.
In addition to capturing the killer(s), Flavia also has her heart set on capturing Saint Nick, proving his existence to her sisters once and for all. To do so, she sets about mixing up buckets full of birdlime that she places across the rooftop and down the chimney to ensnare poor, unsuspecting Saint Nick on Christmas Eve. Flavia’s character is truly brilliant and her schemes are laugh out loud funny.
I liked that this book really seemed to shed more light on the de Luce family, which struggles with all things emotional and familial. Bradley is a terrific writer and anyone who enjoys a lighthearted read with wonderfully developed characters should add I am Half-Sick of Shadows to the stack of books on your bedside table (or to your Kindle). You won’t be disappointed.
