I Am Half-Sick Of Shadows ~ Alan Bradley

Someone might say that the definition of 'historical fiction' being used for this site is being severely pushed by the addition of this novel. However, it is set in 1950 England. This is still a period of reconstruction, rationing and the affects of the war are still around. Also, a minor, yet consistent character is a young German pilot who chose to remain in England after his stint as a P.O.W. He works on one of the local farms as a labourer/mechanic and is the only one of Ophelia's suitors that Flavia likes and respects.



This is the fourth instalment in the Flavia de Luce series and it does not disappoint. Set strictly at Buckshaw during the Christmas season, the scientific mind of the eleven year old Flavia is bent on proving Father Christmas is real. While she sets effective traps around Buckshaw's chimneys, a film crew has invaded the house and the stars of the film consent to perform the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet in the sitting room for charity. As in the play, this story ends in a tragic death and the belated discovery of misunderstanding.

As per form, Flavia is always seeing and hearing things that she eventually is able to put together to solve the case, often at Inspector Hewitt's frustration. The understated, PTSD sufferer Dogger is always there to lend a hand whilst her sisters, Daphne and Ophelia, do there best to undermine the heroine whenever possible. Having set the tale only at Buckshaw, Bradley is able to peel more layers off the de Luce's family and reveal more of what makes them all tick. Though I feel that it really worked, I can't say I longed to hear how Bishop's Lacey might look after a snow fall. I am confident though that the author will reveal this in a future instalment, and I'll devour it just as I did this one, and its predecessors.

Review originally appeared on the now defunct Paternoster Row Legacy blog.