I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

I adored the first novel in the Flavia de Luce series, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie. Subsequent novels in the series, however, are not as rewarding as an eleven- year- old precocious protagonist is tiresome over the long haul.  Coupled with the fact that the other characters are one dimensional, the novels became repetitive.

However, I could not resist the Christmas novel, I Am Half-Sick of Shadows– very Agatha Christie.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

• The de Luce family-Father; sisters Ophelia,  Daphne, and Flavia
• Dogger-faithful retainer
• Phyllis Wyvern- famous film star
• Val Lampman-famous Director
• Ilium Films crew, Buckshaw staff, villagers

COUNTRY HOUSE

Buckshaw- enormous and decrepit home of the de Luce family. Location of the latest Lampman film.

CIRCUMSTANCES

During a charity performance of Romeo & Juliet at Buckshaw to benefit the church roof fund, a violent snow storm traps all the characters/suspects in the house overnight.     

If you are not familiar with this series, it is fun in small doses.