Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs Mysteries)
by Jacqueline Winspear
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 948)
Read in February, 2008
This book took FOREVER to read, which is never a good sign. I read several excellent reviews, but I wasn't quite as thrilled with it as I was expecting to be.
I won't really do much of a synopsis, because the book takes quite a long time to get up to speed, and I don't want to give away anything that takes place more than 100 pages into the book.
Briefly: Maisie Dobbs is a private investigator in England just after World War I. The case in the book deals with soldiers who have been gravel...more
I won't really do much of a synopsis, because the book takes quite a long time to get up to speed, and I don't want to give away anything that takes place more than 100 pages into the book.
Briefly: Maisie Dobbs is a private investigator in England just after World War I. The case in the book deals with soldiers who have been gravel...more
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Read in May, 2007
Set in the time between World Wide Wars, in the late 20's, this is also the opening novel to a series featuring a brilliant young woman who rose above her conditions and earned her place in the sun so to speak. Psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is an interesting mesh of interesting qualities and flaws. She's brave, courageous, intelligent and independent. Maybe a little too much but the women of that time, that went up to the front as nurses, as ambulance drivers, that worked in the arm...more
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Read in June, 2008
I can't rate this book. I only want to rate a published work, in the same way I only want to grade something by one of my students, when the writer has actually completed the assignment. There are some problems in this so-called "mystery novel."
-It's set in England during the war decades. However, the characters feel strangely contemporary. Maurice Blanche, the protagonist's teacher, speaks in what I can only call "New Agey" language. Reading his dialogue, I kept thi...more
-It's set in England during the war decades. However, the characters feel strangely contemporary. Maurice Blanche, the protagonist's teacher, speaks in what I can only call "New Agey" language. Reading his dialogue, I kept thi...more
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
Anglophiles and history buffs
"How-to" books for writers always say, "Think about where your proposed book will fit on the shelves at bookstores." If a book doesn't fit into an established niche, so the wisdom goes, stores won't know where to put it and readers won't know where to find it.
One thing I've learned from Goodreads is that the most interesting books are often the hardest to label. I notice, too, that this is the case with many books by writers from the U.K.--Alexander McCall Smith, Jon McGr...more
One thing I've learned from Goodreads is that the most interesting books are often the hardest to label. I notice, too, that this is the case with many books by writers from the U.K.--Alexander McCall Smith, Jon McGr...more
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Read in March, 2008
A neighbor recommended Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs as one of the best books she’s read. The book cover boasts quotes from The New York Times (“Be prepared to be astonished”), NPR (“A quirky literary creation”), and Alexander McCall Smith (“[A] real gift”). Naturally, I had high expectations.
Maisie Dobbs is a detective and self-proclaimed psychologist in post-WWI London, and the novel splits its time between a case and detailing Maisie’s background. Only h...more
Maisie Dobbs is a detective and self-proclaimed psychologist in post-WWI London, and the novel splits its time between a case and detailing Maisie’s background. Only h...more
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I finished reading Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs yesterday and I loved it. I can start this review by saying this one was an A.
It is set in the 1920s and when we meet Maisie she has just established herself as a Private Investigator. As she starts investigating her first case we are given a view of her past as a young house maid and then, through hard work and kind employers, as a student in Cambridge University and after that as a nurse in France during World War II.
I particularly ...more
It is set in the 1920s and when we meet Maisie she has just established herself as a Private Investigator. As she starts investigating her first case we are given a view of her past as a young house maid and then, through hard work and kind employers, as a student in Cambridge University and after that as a nurse in France during World War II.
I particularly ...more
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Read in June, 2004
MAISIE DOBBS (Historical Novel/Mystery) – Okay
Jacqueline Winspear – 1st book
Penguin Books, 2003 – Trade Paperback
Set in England between 1910 and 1929 is the story of Maisie who goes from being the daughter of a fruit-and-vegetable man, to the in-between maid of wealthy aristocrats where she receives special tutoring, on to college and then serving as a Nurse in France during WWI and, finally, setting up an investigative service where she is asked to find out about “The Retreat,” ...more
Jacqueline Winspear – 1st book
Penguin Books, 2003 – Trade Paperback
Set in England between 1910 and 1929 is the story of Maisie who goes from being the daughter of a fruit-and-vegetable man, to the in-between maid of wealthy aristocrats where she receives special tutoring, on to college and then serving as a Nurse in France during WWI and, finally, setting up an investigative service where she is asked to find out about “The Retreat,” ...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Tiffany by:
Christine
Good book. A mystery, but not a whodunnit-type of mystery. As Maisie Dobbs, "Psychologist and Investigator," begins her solo work as a private investigator, her first case is to find out whether Christopher Davenham's wife is having an affair. During her investigation, she is reminded of her life before and during her service as a nurse in World War I.
Maisie Dobbs is an intelligent, spirited, and warm woman, and creating a name for herself at a time when women are still trying to ...more
Maisie Dobbs is an intelligent, spirited, and warm woman, and creating a name for herself at a time when women are still trying to ...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
all
I had long been interested in this series of mystery books because I heard that they were well written. I decided to see for myself so I picked up the first book and dove right in. First, the book was well written, but the story is solid as well and I have added a mystery series to my rotation for the first time in years. Maisie Dobbs now shares a place in my world with Morse, Adam Dagliesh and Lord Peter. She is definitely the most pleasant addition to that crowd.
The first book is about the a...more
The first book is about the a...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
classic mystery fans
The first book in the Maisie Dobbs series, but I started reading them out of order. I honestly didn't like this book as much as I liked Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear. There's an enormous center third of the book which consists of a flashback to Maisie's upbringing and WWI experiences. Certainly these events make for good story, and they are important to the series as a whole, but following the huge flashback, Winsp...more
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Read in April, 2008
I've looked at the Maisie Dobbs mysteries for awhile, but only now got my hands on it. And this wonderful, complex, interesting, intelligent and compassionate character was very appealing. Can't wait to get on with book 2...but will probably take my time and savor this series.
I'm picky-ish about my mysteries, preferring a good puzzle over blood'n'guts, or slasher serial killers, etc. I cut my teeth on Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Winspear has created a character who works with human...more
I'm picky-ish about my mysteries, preferring a good puzzle over blood'n'guts, or slasher serial killers, etc. I cut my teeth on Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes. Winspear has created a character who works with human...more
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Read in June, 2008
I really enjoyed this first book in Winspear's mystery series. Maisie Dobbs is a very intriguing and sympathetic heroine full of admirable traits.
At age 13, after her mother's death, her father sends her to be a servant in the home of a kindly aristocratic family. The family sees much promise in the smart Maisie and offers to fund her education. WWI breaks out and Maisie feels called to volunteer. She goes to France as a nurse and her experiences impact her in a way that changes her lif...more
At age 13, after her mother's death, her father sends her to be a servant in the home of a kindly aristocratic family. The family sees much promise in the smart Maisie and offers to fund her education. WWI breaks out and Maisie feels called to volunteer. She goes to France as a nurse and her experiences impact her in a way that changes her lif...more
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Read in October, 2005
recommends it for:
anyone
I am not a mystery reader. I don't generally read anything from this genre because I don't tend to like endless series. (hinking of A for Alibi at the moment) Or maybe I don't read adult mysteries because I have some insane prejudice that I need to get over. Anyway...
I fell in love with the cover of the hardback version and had to read it. I really like the way that Winspeare evokes a real sense of time and place. I know a good bit about World War II and the time immediately following....more
I fell in love with the cover of the hardback version and had to read it. I really like the way that Winspeare evokes a real sense of time and place. I know a good bit about World War II and the time immediately following....more
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Read in November, 2007
I listened to this as an audio book, and what a perfect book to listen to - a gentle mystery, the delights of which are in the period details and atmosphere rather than the mystery itself. Maisie Dobbs, our heroine, is a little too perfect at times, and I disliked the precognition aspects of her detecting career that were brushed upon once or twice. And yes, as others have said, half of this book is a giant flashback. I actually quite enjoyed it, but it was a little odd - I think it perhaps s...more
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I've enjoyed all four books to date in the Maisie Dobbs series. Winspear is meticulous about doing her homework about the period in question (World War I and its aftermath), and the heroine, Maisie is muy simpática.
That said, not all four books are of equal quality. For my taste, this one (#1) is the best of the bunch, with #4 (Messenger of Truth) close on its heels. The plot to #2 was a bit too predictable, while #3 suffers from the opposite flaw - too many convoluted subplots, with a litt...more
That said, not all four books are of equal quality. For my taste, this one (#1) is the best of the bunch, with #4 (Messenger of Truth) close on its heels. The plot to #2 was a bit too predictable, while #3 suffers from the opposite flaw - too many convoluted subplots, with a litt...more
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Read in March, 2008
The only thing I didn't care for with this book is that Winspear started with the mystery, then gave Maisie's back story for the second third of the book, then went back to the mystery. I loved the setting (England and France during and just after World War I) and the odd little insightful observations on the psychology of the mind. The character of Maisie Dobbs completely won me over. An intelligent woman from the lower class making her mark on the world. Winspear didn't allow Maisie to be ...more
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recommends it for:
fans of anne of green gables
i'll be the first to admit, detective stories are not my typical read - in fact, never even read an agatha christie. however, this one intrigued me by its stylized cover (yes, sometimes covers do persuade me:), its promise of mystery and intrigue and its setting of late 1920s london.
if you're looking for a wholesome romance/detective/history novel in one this is for you. what i enjoyed about it is the character masie reminded me a lot of anne of green gables - tough start in life but full o...more
if you're looking for a wholesome romance/detective/history novel in one this is for you. what i enjoyed about it is the character masie reminded me a lot of anne of green gables - tough start in life but full o...more
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This is a very different book for me. It is set in England in the early 1900's during the war. Maisie's mom dies and her dad sends her to service in one of the rich famiy homes that he delivers fresh fruit and vegetables to. During her time as servent in the house, Lord and Lady Compton sense the potential in this thirteen year old and take her under their wing. As Maisie attends school and the war rages on, Maisie trains to be a nurse and is deployed to the Front where she truly grows up. ...more
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I think those readers who had a hard time getting into the Maisie Dobbs series, read the first Maisie Dobbs as a stand alone, which is still a great book, but is the foundation for the other books that follow. I strongly suggest giving the second installment "Birds of a Feather" a chance and see if your rating of Maisie Dobbs goes higher.
I love the era that Maisie Dobbs is set in. Post war. Large population of single women who are older. And it was still not the custom for women t...more
I love the era that Maisie Dobbs is set in. Post war. Large population of single women who are older. And it was still not the custom for women t...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to Luisa by:
My dad (again)
I read this book after reading another Maisie Dobbs book, which was quite silly, because this one really is the start of everything. I enjoyed understanding more about Maisie, who I had already grown to like as a character in the last book I read. It's a mystery book without all the gore and blood you sometimes see, and the fact that she's a woman in London, right after the First World War, who works and climbed up the social ladder all by herself... It's interesting. This mystery isn't as great...more
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