I may be the last historical mystery fan on Earth to start reading this series but I am now a fan of Maisie Dobbs! This first book in Jacqueline Winspear's series about a woman in post-WWI London is both mystery and back story for Maisie. It had a good amount of suspense but also some depth in the analysis of the effect of the war on those who participated in it. It also touches on the subject of the British classes before and after the war.The best thing about this book, though, is Maisie herself -- the parlormaid turned university student. Her tutelage by Maurice Blanche turns her into the consummate detective but also the perfect friend. She knows the value of sympathy and empathy, listening and suggesting, action and inaction. From Blanche she gained both intelligence and wisdom. Yet, all of these things are less than satisfying after she loses the one thing that she never thought about having -- love.
Feelings seem to run hot and cold for this series but I have fallen for it. I will try not to read through the remaining books too quickly!
Content with the aquisition of a new literary friend,
K
Buy Maisie Dobbs
on Amazon or find it at your local library.
I've read this first one,(loved it!) but still have all the others to look forward to, so you're not the last one on earth to read them! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of these yet. But I'll have to!
ReplyDeleteRobin -- I'm glad someone else has just started the series! I tend to power through series once I start them but luckily I'm rather booked (pun intended) and won't have time to get to another Maisie for a little while.
ReplyDeleteLenore - Definitely at least try out the first book. It was quite different from other mystery series I have read -- surely it's the only one to quote Kierkegaard!
I've really enjoyed all the Maisie Dobbs mysteries. I always look forward to each new instalment. She may not appeal to everyone, but I find this period really fascinating.
ReplyDeleteDanielle - I certainly wasn't into the war years (and the post-war ones) before but recently I've been reading more and more books set in this era and I have enjoyed them all. I think it might be that I am older and more able to understand the complexities of the situations.
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