Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Genre: Historical Mystery, Series #6
Published: 2009
Personal Rating: 4.5/5
Yearly Count: 47
Maisie Dobbs, psychologist/investigator, witnesses a random suicide on the streets of London. Then, she is summoned to join a high-powered team to assist in finding the writer of a threatening letter to the government, in which her name was specifically mentioned. Due to some characteristics of the letter, Maisie wonders if the suicide and the letter have a connection.
I have enjoyed all of the Maisie Dobbs mysteries, but this one is my favorite after the first one. There is a great deal of psychology involved, especially relating to the minds of WWI veterans. I found it sad, yet interesting and educational. It makes me wonder about our veterans of today. Are their needs being met?
Maisie's intelligence, tenderness and attitude creates such a wonderful character. Her supporting characters offer accuracy to the timeframe in regard to employment, friendships and the government, let alone adding to the continuing story line. And last, but not least - the narrator, Orlagh Cassidy, was superb.
Please check my blog...I have given you an award! :)
ReplyDeleteJoy: This is my absolute favorite series even before the Big Stone Gap series (and I love that series). I can't wait to read this one. I've been collecting them in TPB format, so waiting for that one to come out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing it.
Been thinking I need to start this series sometime...
ReplyDelete(Also, I have a different song that Susan Boyle sang on my website if you haven't seen it!)
You are the one that got me hooked on Maisie Dobbs during one of the First in a Series!! I have bookmarked this one and am also headed to google to search for Big Stone Gap that was mentioned in a previous comment.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever read anything by Tami Hoag? I've got an audiobook--Prior Bad Acts--that I'm looking to pass on to someone who might enjoy it more than I did. Not cozy, for sure, but kind of a crime thriller. Anyway--didn't know if you might be interested.
ReplyDeleteI was planning to not start this series until after I had read all the Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood, but I am finding it harder and harder to resist!
ReplyDeleteI've got this on the shelf and am looking forward to it. I love this series, too.
ReplyDeleteMissy ~ Oooooo, I'll be by tomorrow! Can't wait to see. :)
ReplyDeleteVickie ~ I have only read 2 of the 4 Big Stone Gap series, but really enjoyed the 2. I have listened to this whole series, so I will continue to do so, but I think I would love to have the TPB copies, as well. :) I think I have 1 hardcover.
3M ~ I think you'd really enjoy it. I commented on the new song. :)
Danielle ~ I really like Maisie. The narrator does a fabulous job - that's why I've continued listening. Winspear is a fine author.
Trish ~ Yes, I have read a couple by Hoag - one being Prior Bad Acts (May, '06) and rated it a 3.5/5. Actually, I listened to it before blogging (BB). All I remember is the phrase "prior bad acts" being repeated over and over. It made me crazy! There is one Hoag novel that I thought was great - Kill the Messenger, which is a crime thriller as well. It has great chase scenes (my favorite). And - thank you so much for thinking of me Trish, but like I said - I've already listened to it, so I will pass on this one. I hope you find it a good home. :) I will be by your blog hopefully tomorrow to catch up. Life has been very busy lately.
Marg ~ Ahhh, go ahead and start before you get too far behind. :) I haven't read or heard of Greenwood. What is that series about?
ReplyDeleteBooklogged ~ It's one of the cozy mystery series that I truly enjoy. Even when I don't love a particular book - I still love the series as a whole. I'm already eagerly waiting for the next one. :)
The Greenwood books are set in Melbourne in the late 1920s. I didn't want to be reading two amateur sleuths which such a similar time frame, but I think I am going to have to!
ReplyDeleteI didn't really care for the book myself, but I knew you liked some "thrillers" and thought I'd give it a shot. :) I haven't checked my email since before the read-a-thon--hope your google reader wasn't totally jammed with posts. :P
ReplyDeleteGood to see another positive review of this one. I just recently read the 3rd in this series and have a few to go to catch up.
ReplyDeleteI love this series. You are right, there was sadness but so fascinating regarding what happens after a war with people's well being and how they move on. I can't wait to see what the next installment will bring.
ReplyDeleteI just got the first book in this series and now thanks to you am really looking forward to it. :-)
ReplyDeleteMarg ~ Thanks. I'll look into that series.
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ I still haven't caught up with you - hopefully tomorrow. :) I'm glad you had great fun with the Read-A-Thon!
Suzi ~ I'm so glad that this series keeps going strong. Have fun catching up.
Iliana ~ I can't wait either, but we don't have much of a choice, do we? :(
Joanna ~ Oh good! I look forward to your review. I hope you like it.
Joy--no worries. My google reader is backlogged and my desire to blog recently is kind of "eh". I have been thinking about you, though, since your comment about life and I hope everything is going well for you...
ReplyDeleteTrish ~ Thank you for your thoughts, Trish. :)
ReplyDelete