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4.25 stars. I am really enjoying this series more and more as I continue into it. I started it thinking it is a "cozy mystery" series and I would have to say now that it is not. There are some brutal scenes and occurrences, but since we're in England, dealing with the aftermath of WWI, it makes sense.
I always feel stuck in the timeframe; the author does her research and gives me a good flavor not only for the time period but for the times, if that makes any sense. I always learn something I didn ...more
I always feel stuck in the timeframe; the author does her research and gives me a good flavor not only for the time period but for the times, if that makes any sense. I always learn something I didn ...more
The effects of poisonous gases on soldiers during WWI is the main theme of this novel though Shell Shock renamed PTSD in later wars is significant as well. As usual Maisie holds her own against the men.
These books really make me feel like the world we live in today IS the Great Depression, 80 years later. The weird thing is, I don't think it's intentional either, because Winspear started writing the series long before 2008.
Anyway. Scotland Yard gets involved in this one, and they drag Maisie into their bumbling stupidity. They go after the Bolsheviks, the Fascists, and the Irish (clearly red herrings, all), while Maisie finds the actual culprit. A crime and a story line that wouldn't be out of ...more
Anyway. Scotland Yard gets involved in this one, and they drag Maisie into their bumbling stupidity. They go after the Bolsheviks, the Fascists, and the Irish (clearly red herrings, all), while Maisie finds the actual culprit. A crime and a story line that wouldn't be out of ...more
I enjoy this mystery series for many reasons. One is that the books are very well written and they are mysteries that read well. Another is that they shed light on the plight of WWI soldiers who came home (to England) with so many problems that were not addressed by the government for which they had given their service and their health, both mental and physical. It is something that is too often forgotten, even today in our country (U.S.) when soldiers come back from serving their country and ar
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Winspear's a master at revealing the psychology of her characters through small snippets of word and action, and there's an unexpected parallel between her and P.G. Wodehouse in that regard that I've only just realized. Here, she captures the fallout of war at its most shattering in a moving way, and the subtle tones of the coming Great Depression are starting to be felt in Maisie's world. A wonderful series that only continues to get better.
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I read the first book in this series almost 15 years ago and it just didn't grab me. Because the series has remained so popular I decided to give it another try and am glad I did. This is book 6 and Winspear's characters and plot lines just keep getting better. The underlying themes ring true to today's world, even though the setting is almost 100 years ago. Happy to have twelve books ahead of me.
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Oct 25, 2009
Vesra (When She Reads)
marked it as to-read
Shelves:
series,
e-book,
a,
author-r,
fiction,
mystery-thrillers,
pc-300-399,
pub-henry-holt-and-co,
tbr-2015
Jan 15, 2023
Wanda
marked it as to-read
