A Study In Shadows

"A Study In Shadows" by William John Locke is a story set in the early 1900s that follows Felicia Graves, a young woman from England struggling with who she is and feeling alone in a dull boarding house in Geneva. She is surrounded by different kinds of women experiencing loneliness. Felicia's protected perspective starts to change as she learns about the difficulties and sadness these women have faced. As she deals with the loss of her parents, she is sent to live at the boarding house where she becomes both interested in and worried about the six women she shares a table with, all of whom have stories full of sadness and disappointment. Felicia's interactions show that she doesn't know much about the tougher side of life, but that she does deeply crave connection and is developing a strong bond with Mrs. Stapleton, an older woman who understands how hard life can be. As they wait for summer, the arrival of the old professor's son hints at complicated emotions ahead for Felicia.