Maisie Dobbs: A Mysterious Profile

Maisie Dobbs

by Jacqueline Winspear

Four fictional characters are interviewed in this profile of the adventurous sleuth, by the New York Times–bestselling author of A Sunlit Weapon.

The historical mystery Maisie Dobbs was first published in 2003, introducing readers to an inquisitive, young, English, working-class woman as she opens her own London detective agency following World War I. Jacqueline Winspear’s debut won her the Agatha Award for Best First Novel and led to a New York Times–bestselling series. But just who exactly is Miss Maisie Dobbs?

In this profile, four characters very close to Maisie shed light on the beloved psychologist and investigator. Her father, Francis Dobbs looks back on her childhood and proclaims the pride she instills in him. Her first employer, Lady Rowan Compton, recounts finding a young Maisie studying late one night in her library. Dr. Maurice Blanche, her mentor, discusses her studies and their detective work. And Billy Beale, her assistant, talks about their first meeting during the Great War, as well as what it’s like to work for her. It’s an enlightening read that fans are sure to love.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Short Stories, Mystery Thriller, Historical

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2022

About the author

Jacqueline Winspear was born and raised in the county of Kent, England. Following higher education at the University of London’s Institute of Education, Jacqueline worked in academic publishing, in higher education and in marketing communications in the UK.

She emigrated to the United States in 1990, and while working in business and as a personal / professional coach, Jacqueline embarked upon a life-long dream to be a writer.

A regular contributor to journals covering international education, Jacqueline has published articles in women's magazines and has also recorded her essays for KQED radio in San Francisco. She currently divides her time between Ojai and the San Francisco Bay Area and is a regular visitor to the United Kingdom and Europe.

Jacqueline is the author of the New York Times bestsellers A Lesson in Secrets, The Mapping of Love and Death, Among the Mad, and An Incomplete Revenge, and other nationally bestselling Maisie Dobbs novels. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Agatha, Alex,
and Macavity awards for the first book in the series, Maisie Dobbs, which was also nominated for the Edgar Award for best novel and was a New York Times
Notable Book.

Series:
* Maisie Dobbs

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jacque...

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very short read. @ 30 pages. Fictional interviews of four characters from the life of Maisie Dobbs. As I have never read the series and thought this was the start, it wasn’t very meaningful to me.

[Sandra Thibault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie Dobbs is the best

I've read the whole series And it's just marvelous. You would not be disappointed if you like reading British novels especially set in that time. During the 1st and second world war and after

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Maisie Dobbs book so this little eBook was a fun read, although the "interviews" took place between some of the earlier books so I wish I had seen this before.

[Mary Leahy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maisie Dobbs

This is a good introduction for Maisie Dobbs books. They are interesting mysteries. The series are very good mystery stories

[Kenneth G · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting approach to a short biography

This profile is comprised of 4 interviews with various people who knew Massie at various times in her life. They all seem to overlap at a time during the Great War when she was a nurse stationed in France.

As good as these interviews went, it still would have been nice to have heard from Maisie herself. Hence 4 stars instead of 5.

This profile does succeed in piquing my interest in the character. Having never have read a story by Winspear, I am now inclined to give the series a shot.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short (23 pages) book is the fictional account of interviews about Maisie from her nearest and dearest: her father, Frankie Dobbs; Lady Rowan Compton of Chelstone Manor; her mentor, Dr. Maurice Blanche; and Billy Beale, her assistant. It's nice to hear their recollections of Maisie's early days and the beginning of the series. This is part of the Mysterious Profiles series, fictional interviews about main characters of mystery books.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was fun--only 34 pages but very clever. Winspear wrote in the voices of characters in the many Dobbs volumes and so I felt as if I knew them--and their voices were very real and true.

I fear there will be no more Maisie Dobbs mysteries. They have given me a lot of reading pleasure over the years. When I was choosing books for folks who were homebound as a volunteer at the St. Joseph Public Library, I tried to introduce Dobbs to many readers.

Worth the 99 cents I spent to download this little volume!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this for a quick thing, but would’ve liked more context. Even just with timing - the early interviews sound like they could’ve happened after the last book, but then there’s a letter from Maurice — what? A little too mysterious for me, I guess.

Also , fair warning if you’re thinking of buying it — about ¼ of the page count was ads. Made me extra glad my library had it.

[Yvonne Oliger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie Dobbs,a glimpse

Enjoyed reading about Maisie Dobbs. This profile is written from the point of view of the people important to Maisie and gives us both a review of her life with a little suggestion of what is to come in the series. I am new to the series and enjoying the history and personality of Maisie Dobbs.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

20 Minutes Very Well Spent…

This reads like a character study for the Maisie Dobbs series. Perhaps it was?
If you are a fan Jacqueline Winspear’s beloved Maisie Dobbs, you’ll enjoy this.

[Barb Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Maisie Dobbs. "Maisie Dobbs: A Mysterious Profile" is just a short snippet, a mere 20-minute read, composed of letters of recommendation written by those who know her best.

Those letters serve as a sort of recap of her early books and remind us just why we love Maisie.

[Kim Veach · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a fan of Maisie Dobbs like me, this is a complete waste of time. It's OK if you want a quick read on Kindle Unlimited, but don't pay for it. The book description says it is 34 pages, but 14 are ads!

[Barry V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

the sublime Maisie Dobbs

Reading about Maisie Dobbs from those who were there in the beginning is wonderful. Nothing competes with the psychological depth and brilliant plotting of the novels (I’ve read all 18), but these reminiscences are much worth reading.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too short!

There’s nothing in this exceedingly short volume that you don’t know about Maisie Dobbs from reading the books. I feel very cheated. It seems the only purpose for this is advertising.

[Annette Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun set of interviews by people important in Maisie's life.

[David Allen White · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hardly a book. More like a pamphlet. Took ten minutes to read it and didn't have anything in it that we didn't already know from the series.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short book that explains who Maise Dobbs is - as interviews with several people who 'know' the fictional character.

Good short read.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read with different individuals giving a synopsis of maisie.

[Kathy Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting concept to hear fictional characters talk about another. It helped get to know these characters on a deeper level.

[Jan J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much new here, but any Maisie is a very good thing!

[Peg Albrets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting backstories

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, sweet novella giving 4 different viewpoints of Maisie Dobbs.

[Siouxsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and sweet but nothing new here. I’ve been missing Maisie, so it was good to read about her again.

[Sally Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book only took about 40 mins to read but I really enjoyed hearing about Maisie from the other characters in her stories. Made me realize all the more why I enjoyed the whole series.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

too short but I loved the sneak peek into what the other characters think of her

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more. This was basically a rehash of information available in the series. I was hoping for something new that readers hadn't heard before.

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the series. This was mostly a rehashing of things from the books.