I am Half-sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley

[Joni]

4 stars

It's Christmastime, and the precocious Flavia de Luce - an eleven-year-old sleuth with a passion for chemistry and a penchant for crime-solving - is tucked away in her laboratory, whipping up a concoction to ensnare Saint Nick. But she is soon distracted when a film crew arrives at Buckshaw, the de Luces' decaying English estate, to shoot a movie starring the famed Phyllis Wyvern. Amid a raging blizzard, the entire village of Bishop's Lacey gathers at Buckshaw to watch Wyvern perform, yet nobody is prepared for the evening's shocking conclusion: a body found, past midnight, strangled to death with a length of film. But who among the assembled guests would stage such a chilling scene? As the storm worsens and the list of suspects grows, Flavia must use every ounce of sly wit at her disposal to ferret out a killer hidden in plain sight.

Christmas is my favorite holiday so I really enjoyed this one. I loved that the story took place only at Buckshaw. I loved Flavia quest to capture Father Christmas....and as always her scientific and super sleuthing ways.

This book granted me a wonderful quote:
"Books are like oxygen to a deep-sea diver. Take them away and you might as well begin counting bubbles." ~ Daphne

Don't anyone ever take away my books!!!!!!

[Barbara M]

I love this series. The audio is just great, the narrator definitely has Flavia's voice down pat.

[Joni]

Yes she does. She does a wonderful job.

[Karin]

I've read or listened to every single one of these books that's out so far. I prefer the audiobooks, which I started listening to with book 5.

[Joni]

I have co-workers who recommended this series....two did the audio and one read the books. I went the audio route because I am listening to more audio this year that I am reading. I absolutely love the audio!!!!!!