I am Half-Sick of Shadows by C. Alan Bradley

Happy 2012! It's hard to believe that last year went so fast. The full weight of the summer months seemed to have dampened my writing gumption, so my one resolution for the new year is to have more YAttitude!

It seems only fitting to do a post on the first book I finished in 2012, I am Half-Sick of Shadows by C. Alan Bradley. Do not fear, this post will contain no spoilers. The Flavia de Luce series does not need to be read in order, though why you wouldn't want to read all of them is beyond me. 

And so, without further ado, I present my review of Flavia's latest detective endeavors.

I am Half-Sick of Shadows by C. Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce series, book 4

Delacorte Press, November 1, 2011

293 pages

Book Source: Public Library

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.

-- Summary from Goodreads.com

Judging by the cover...: Another timeless cover, one that will surely win you smart points from those who see you reading it. I'm always impressed with the covers of Flavia's books. Just like Flavia, the covers seem innocent, but always hide a brilliant scientific mind underneath.

Favorite Elements:

• Small Town England - I'd be lying to myself if I didn't admit that I could see myself living in a close knit enclave such as Bishop's Lacey. Everyone knows each other, for good or bad, and the town always seems to rally together when needed.
• A Secret Laboratory - A calculating mind such as Flavia's needs a well stocked lair in which to concoct her prize poisons and explosives.
• Dogger - If every child had a man such as Dogger at their disposal, then everyone would have had an extremely interesting childhood. Strong, silent, and a jack-of-all-trades, if I needed someone in my corner, it would definitely be him.

Overall: A
The story begins with an incredible example of just how charming Flavia de Luce, an eleven year old girl, can be. Her ever-scheming mind is relishing her latest plan, one that involves confirming or denying the legend of Father Christmas. Her idea, though complicated in execution, has a childish need behind it. It is proof that even though she's a genius in the making, she still operates the way girls her age should. She has no patience for understanding what an affair is, can't fathom why anyone would want to fall in love, and is quite reluctant to give up the notion that a mythical man climbs down the chimney and brings her the Erlenmeyer flasks she desperately wants for Christmas.

Enter murder, and Flavia's mind immediately goes to work unraveling the murderer's scheme, foiling the inspector's attempts to keep her out of it, and trying to understand why adults do what they do. Though the ending is a tad predictable, this book isn't just about the whodunnit. It's also about the fascinating thought processes of our heroine.

What I love most about this series is that even though it's marketed as adult, anyone age ten and up could read it and enjoy every minute. They're relatively short (an average of 350 pages), they're fast-paced, and the stories never feel the need to be vulgar or violent.

Recommendation:
Start with the first, though reading any will send you scrambling for the others. Make sure that you are able to get your hands on the other three as soon as you finish! 

Similar Reads:
Anything by the great Agatha Christie, the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series by Maryrose Wood, the Amelia Peabody Emerson series by Elizabeth Peters, and Alexander McCall Smith's Sunday Philosophy Club series, to name a few.

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

Atheneum, May 2011

320 pages

Book Source: Public Library

Agnes Wilkins is standing in front of an Egyptian mummy, about to make the first cut into the wrappings, about to unlock ancient (and not-so-ancient) history. 

Maybe you think this girl is wearing a pith helmet with antique dust swirling around her.

Maybe you think she is a young Egyptologist who has arrived in Cairo on camelback.

Maybe she would like to think that too. Agnes Wilkins dreams of adventures that reach beyond the garden walls, but reality for a seventeen-year-old debutante in 1815 London does not allow for camels—or dust, even. No, Agnes can only see a mummy when she is wearing a new silk gown and standing on the verdant lawns of Lord Showalter’s estate, with chaperones fussing about and strolling sitar players straining to create an exotic “atmosphere” for the first party of the season. An unwrapping.

This is the start of it all, Agnes’s debut season, the pretty girl parade that offers only ever-shrinking options: home, husband, and high society. It’s also the start of something else, because the mummy Agnes unwraps isn’t just a mummy. It’s a host for a secret that could unravel a new destiny—unleashing mystery, an international intrigue, and possibly a curse in the bargain.

Get wrapped up in the adventure . . . but keep your wits about you, dear Agnes.

-- Summary from GoodReads.com

Judging by the cover...: Though not the best drawing I've ever seen on a cover, it's certainly not the worst, and the mummy is pretty creepy. It gets a seal of approval, but not by much.

Favorite Elements:

• ANCIENT EGYPT - That's right, it's so awesome it gets all caps.
• The British Museum - When the Pandorica was found at Stone Henge, it was taken to the most fabulous place in all of Great Britain. Or maybe that was an episode of Doctor Who. Regardless, everything cool is housed in the British Museum, and one day I will go there and marvel at all of the historical greatness housed in its four walls.
• Jane Austen - I'll admit that I've never ever read any of Austen's books. But, the discussion about A. Lady confused me, and thus prompted me to do some research on the famous Jane. What a fantastic woman!

Overall: C+

Wrapped had so much promise, and the summary had me thinking, "I must read this tonight." Sadly, the predictability of the plot and the forced natures of every character (they all fit in to a stereotype), turned the book into a train wreck of a mystery. I had every thing figured out within the first few chapters and was not at all surprised by any of the revelations at the end. This might be because I have read entirely too many mysteries, but I highly doubt it.

It was, however, very refreshing to find that Agnes reflected what a lot of women feel: the need to dress up and look gorgeous AND to be fiercely independent and adventurous. Too often the heroine of the story just wants to either be invisible or the wildest child on the block, neither embracing the more reasonable of society's standards.

Recommendation: Those readers who are looking for a fast read with plots typical of romance and mystery novels will enjoy this book. Reluctant readers will appreciate the quick pace, and can use the book as a jumping off point for more sophisticated mysteries. It's also very appropriate for those readers looking to bridge the gap between juvenile and young adult books.

Similar Reads: Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl for lovers of historical mysteries (see my review here), the Amelia Peabody Emerson series by Elizabeth Peters for historical mystery and Ancient Egypt lovers, or the Jade del Cameron series by Suzanne Arruda for historical mysteries about a fiercely independent woman.