Alan Bradley's new Flavia De Luce novel, I am Half Sick of Shadows (the title is a line from Tennyson's Lady of Shalott) is a Christmas treat. You don't have to read the first three to 'get' Flavia. All relationships are nicely summarized and it's hard to believe that Bradley is packing so much into Flavia's 11th year.
Christmas is coming to Buckshaw and Flavia is determined to prove to her older sisters that Santa Claus does exist but before she can put her sticky plan into action a film crew descends and even Flavia is captivated by leading lady Phyllis Wyvern. With the entire village trapped at Buckshaw by a snowstorm and a very dead leading lady on the first floor, Flavia, ably assisted by Dogger the gardener offers Inspector Hewitt help with his enquiries. Bradley isn't afraid to plunge his plucky young heroine into danger and will have you turning the pages until the fireworks at the end.
No comments:
Post a Comment