book data
548 ratings, 3.97 average rating, 63 reviews
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published
June 27th 2006
by Picador
binding
Paperback, 384 pages
literary awards
Macavity Award, 2006 - Sue Feder Historical Mystery
isbn
0312426216
(isbn13: 9780312426217)
description
In the third novel of this bestselling series, London investigator Maisie Dobbs faces grave danger as she returns to the site of her most painful WWI ...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 678)
I just can't get behind these books. I keep reading them because I am a sucker for mysteries set in England between the two wars, and because Maisie is definitely a lovable character. I also enjoy them because Winspear has the good sense to describe in detail all the beautiful period clothing. The mysteries themselves, however, are thoroughly unsatisfying. I don't like Maisie's empathy method, where merely by mimicking people's posture, she suddenly knows their innermost thoughts. I don't like t...more
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Read in February, 2007
This is the third of the Maisie Dobbs mystery series about a female private investigator/psychologist in England between the two world wars in the late 20's and early 30's (see my extended summary of her background as part of the review of the book Maisie Dobbs).
Three case intertwine: (1) proving the innocence of Avril Jarvis, a very young farm girl accused of murder; (2) searching for the son of Sir Cecil Lawton, a pilot shot down behind enemy lines in WWI and never heard from again; and (3...more
Three case intertwine: (1) proving the innocence of Avril Jarvis, a very young farm girl accused of murder; (2) searching for the son of Sir Cecil Lawton, a pilot shot down behind enemy lines in WWI and never heard from again; and (3...more
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Read in November, 2008
The second Maisie Dobbs book I've read (I missed the first one), it's a good read. A bit denser than your typical cosy mystery, but entertaining and surprising. Each Maisie story is as much a journey into Maisie's life as it is about the crime she's solving. Sometimes it's a bit heavy on the personal drama (Maisie has a breakdown in this one) and spiritualism (like creating psychic sheilds against ghosts) but the core is solid.
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Read in August, 2007
recommends it for:
anglophiles, Sally Lockheart fans
Third book of the Maisie Dobbs series, but the first one I've read. At first I was extremely annoyed by the writing style. However, the plot and the portrayal of characters irreparably changed by WWI kept me reading. Not as deeply moving as "Testament of Youth," but it's not supposed to be. WWI is a fact; people are moving on--or, at least, functioning--but the effects of the War are omnipresent. Of course, in this book, the plot itself is tied to WWI. It will be interesting to s...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
female sleuths, mystery,
I continue to love this series, but this one is a most troubling installment. Maisie goes thru a "dark night of the soul" that threatens her stability. You travel with her through her roller coaster of a case. Actually, there are 3 cases, and somehow they all have a connection. But the devastation to Maisie herself is really what moves this installment. Her relationship with her late mother is dipped into a little bit more. The spirituality side of Maisie comes thru even more here, and...more
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Read in November, 2006
This is the latest installment in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series, and I think the books just keep getting better. They all keep very much to the same formula - Maisie is a smart private investigator in early 1930s London whose work usually deals with the troubling legacy of the Great War - but each book reveals more of Maisie’s character. This one in particular poses some potent challenges, since Maisie’s work takes her back to France for the first time since she served as a nurse during th...more
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Read in August, 2005
This is the third in the Maisie Dobbs series. Winspear keeps getting better. In this outing, Maisie is hired to discover the truth about a client's son's death. The client's wife had believed their son was still alive (he'd been reported shot down during the war--WWI) and on her deathbed, made him promise to find out the truth. There's a young girl in jail for killing her \\\"uncle\\\" who Maisie believes is innocent. And Maisie's best friend Priscilla asks her to do the favor of findi...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone
I read this book in a couple of days. Have been hooked on this author after reading her two previous books - a great style of writing, and you can feel yourself becoming involved, as Maisie is a real character.
This story has Maisie being asked to take on a few cases, two of which involve searching and proving the deaths of 2 men who had died in France in the War (first war).
She uncovers secrets that others want left untouched.
Would recommend this to anyone, and I know that my mother ha...more
This story has Maisie being asked to take on a few cases, two of which involve searching and proving the deaths of 2 men who had died in France in the War (first war).
She uncovers secrets that others want left untouched.
Would recommend this to anyone, and I know that my mother ha...more
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Read in May, 2008
JW narrates her own novel and does it very well. Very good addition to Maisie Dobbs series. Good plotting even if predictable in spots--the visit with Maisie is worth it.
Great place in both France & Britain, and he relationships and character grow on you with every book. The ending is so very sad and quite a tribute to those lost in WWI or any war for that matter. The pschological journey of Maisie herself and her place in society ad a "spinster" is well considered and feels tr...more
Great place in both France & Britain, and he relationships and character grow on you with every book. The ending is so very sad and quite a tribute to those lost in WWI or any war for that matter. The pschological journey of Maisie herself and her place in society ad a "spinster" is well considered and feels tr...more
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Read in March, 2008
Another entertaining sort of mystery/historical novel from Winspear. I don't know how much longer she can work with the WWI murder-mystery related story lines, but they are engaging and you get a good sense of what life in England was like during the Depression, and between the two World Wars. One thing I'll point out is that I'm starting to think Winspear is a bit of a closet fashionista. For every character, she describes exactly what they are wearing, in a manner that would make even Anna Win...more
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Read in June, 2008
This was wonderful - the first Maisie Dobbs book that I've read, rather than listened to, and probably my favourite of all of them. Maisie has to confront the darkness in her past, her war experiences, during two cases that take her back, both in her own memories and physically, to France. Maisie must also explore her trusting relationship with Maurice, her mentor. Oh, it's all rather dark and sad, and Maisie really grows as a character - can't wait for the next book, I want to see where her ...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Phoebe by:
friend Amy
I am loving this book, the third in the Maisie Dobbs series. I did not like the second one, but this is as good if not better than the first original Maisie Dobbs. I like this series because it is about a very clever woman in a period of history where women were not in very many professional jobs. I enjoy understanding more about the time period between WWI and WWII which is the time of this book. It is set in England and the visual images that she creates are also wonderful.
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Read in October, 2007
I am listening to an audiobook version that I downloaded from the library. I've started with the third one in the series because I thought that was the only one available and I wasn't sure I would like it. I am enjoying it so far so I will read the rest of the series.
Maisie is a psychologist and a detective. The book is set in London in the early '30s in London and France. Maisie was a nurse in WWI and began her working career as a servant. Interesting characters and story so far.
Maisie is a psychologist and a detective. The book is set in London in the early '30s in London and France. Maisie was a nurse in WWI and began her working career as a servant. Interesting characters and story so far.
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Read in September, 2008
#3 in the Maisie Dobbs series. I continue to really enjoy Winspear's writing - and the wonderful characters in this series. I thought this book was better than Birds of a Feather and that the mystery element was strong in this book and really kept the reader's attention. We're also hearing more and more about what's going on inside of Maisie and filling in a lot of the blanks about how her history has affected her. Really liked the book.
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This book was a hard read for me, I found it long and a bit arduous. However, the return of Pris and other old friends bring more character to the complexity that is Maisie.
France was a nice new scene and Pascalle has a remarkable influence on the story. Many may get irritated at Maurice, I believe I yelled at my book, which is what makes me know this was good for as much as it is boring in parts.
Another good addition to the Maisie saga.
France was a nice new scene and Pascalle has a remarkable influence on the story. Many may get irritated at Maurice, I believe I yelled at my book, which is what makes me know this was good for as much as it is boring in parts.
Another good addition to the Maisie saga.
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Read in June, 2008
totally pleasant mildly cheesy beach read material - which i have accidentally rechecked out of the library THREE times thinking it was the next in the series, because it pops into my head in 4-5 month spaced increments. apparently it still sounds pleasantly appealing on the jacket each time, and i get to the second paragraph and then think, "crap. i've done it again."
some day i will manage to check out the next one...
some day i will manage to check out the next one...
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Read in August, 2007
The first book in the series caught my eye simply for its cover- this has happened many times before too! In this case the books are just as great as their covers, at least in my opinion. They remind me a lot of the Alexander McCall Smith books but they have an extra dimension in that they take on the social issues of the day, especially poverty and WWI and its aftermath.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
this book is both a good mystery and interesting historical fiction, set in England and France in 1930. The central story is about WW I vets and it touches on "modern" issues like women's roles and gender issues.
(I am a person who grew up on old movies, and both my parents were born in 1920. I can't tell when the 1930's changed from "old" to "historical")
(I am a person who grew up on old movies, and both my parents were born in 1920. I can't tell when the 1930's changed from "old" to "historical")
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Read in May, 2007
recommends it for:
Mystery lovers
I picked this one up first (out of ignorance) so I didn't have the benefit of background knowledge attained from having read previous books in the series. I thought it was quite interesting and well-written and I (personally) find the inter-war period fascinating. However, I have been unable to find Winspear's books at any of my local chains.
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Read in August, 2008
This is another in the Maisie Dobbs series - which continues to be immensely satisfying. I'm not sure that I liked it quite as well as the second one, but it was excellent. Winspear has a great gift for developing the relationships of her characters over multiple books while delivering satisfying mysteries. Highly recommended.
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