"In the Shadow of Blackbirds" is a historical novel set in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic. The story follows Mary Shelley Black, a young girl who grapples with loss and grief as she navigates a world filled with death and superstition. As she seeks to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious death, Mary becomes involved in the spiritualist movement, which was popular at the time. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the search for answers in a time of uncertainty, all while highlighting the impact of the war and the flu on society.