Other Books: The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear - 4 stars

[Ellen]

Freddie Hackett, a young message runner in 1941 London, stumbles upon a scene that terrifies him; he witnesses a murder. Although he was not seen by the killer, Freddie is in fear for his own life. He reports the incident to the police but they halfheartedly investigate the scene. Finding no body, the police dismiss Freddie's account as childhood fantasy. Freddie recalls a woman he delivered a message to several months prior, Maisie Dobbs, and he brings his story to her investigation agency. Maisie believes the boy and with the help of her long-time employee Billy, sets out to prove him right.

Maisie has been working with a secret government agency helping to interview candidates for work with the French resistance. When two women that Maisie knows well come up for her assessment and possible assignment to a dangerous mission, Maisie begins to question her dedication to her duties. Now it looks as though Freddie's murdered man might be entangled in the resistance movement himself with roots that stretch back to the first war. Maisie is still reeling from the near death of her best friend Priscilla and trying to balance her own family life with her job. Is it finally time to hand the business over to Billy and step away from her agency?

I have enjoyed this entire series and particularly the last two which I did on audio. The performer, Orlagh Cassidy, is nothing short of brilliant. I certainly hope there is more Maisie Dobbs to come in the future.