I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

Title: I Am Half-Sick of Shadows

Author: Alan Bradley; Read by Jayne Entwistle

Publisher: Books on Tape

Series: Flavia de Luce Mystery, Bk 4

ISBN: 9780307879479

Length: 6 discs ; 7 hours, 24 minutes

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I wanted to listen to this before Christmas, but it didn't happen. (I was even tempted to read the print!)  Nevertheless, listen to it I did.  Her family's financial straits have worsened and her father has rented out Buckshaw for a film - complete with famous actors/actresses and director!  Despite the instruction for the family to stay to their quarters, Flavia inserts herself into the mix - mostly acting as doorman (by coincidence), but also peering out of windows and such.

And we mustn't forget Christmas is around the corner!  Flavia is determined to catch Father Christmas and prove to her sisters that he is quite real.  Then everyone crowds Buckshaw for a charity performance of Romeo and Juliet, find themselves snowed in, and voilà! It is the perfect situation for committing - and getting away with - murder.

As always, Flavia was a fun imp to spend time around.  From the beginning of the story with her fascinating dream, to her mix of intellect and a child's innocence/spirit, to her lively interactions with everyone around her, she brings intrigue and amusement.  Beyond Flavia (and the assortment of other familiar and interesting characters), I enjoyed the mystery itself.  For this time, all possible suspects are/were stuck at Buckshaw (admittedly no small place, it still isn't the entire local neighborhood like in past books).

I look forward to listening to book 5, Speaking From Among the Bones.