Review: Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

Elegy for Eddie (Maisie Dobbs #9)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: March 27, 2012
Genre: mystery, historical fiction
eBook: approx. 335 pages
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 3.5 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): Early April 1933. To the costermongers of Covent Garden—sellers of fruit and vegetables on the streets of London—Eddie Pettit was a gentle soul with a near-magical gift for working with horses. When Eddie is killed in a violent accident, the grieving costers are deeply skeptical about the cause of his death. Who would want to kill Eddie—and why? Maisie Dobbs' father, Frankie, had been a costermonger, so she had known the men since childhood. She remembers Eddie fondly and is determined to offer her help. But it soon becomes clear that powerful political and financial forces are equally determined to prevent her from learning the truth behind Eddie's death. Plunging into the investigation, Maisie begins her search for answers on the working-class streets of Lambeth where Eddie had lived and where she had grown up. The inquiry quickly leads her to a callous press baron; a has-been politician named Winston Churchill, lingering in the hinterlands of power; and, most surprisingly, to Douglas Partridge, the husband of her dearest friend, Priscilla. As Maisie uncovers lies and manipulation on a national scale, she must decide whether to risk it all to see justice done.

My Thoughts: I just love this series and was so glad when my hold on this book was ready for check-out. In this installment of Maisie Dobbs, Maisie journies back to where her life started, in Lambeth, where hard working people make up the neighborhood and wealth is something that lives across the river. Maisie grapples with many issues in this book, not only professionally, but personally as well. Maisie goes through a bit of a growth spurt in this novel, having to come to terms with her inherited wealth, her relationship with James, and her business. It's something that Jacqueline Winspear handles perfectly, allowing the reader to know what Maisie is thinking and showing them her decision making in the process. Unfortunately, because of all this self-discovery, I felt that the plot of how Eddie died was second to that of Maisie and didn't develop properly or resolve as Maisie's cases normally would.

The struggles that Maisie experiences in this novel are things that so many of us can relate to. Feeling suffocated in a relationship, not knowing how to handle yourself when you've moved from the bottom-rung of society to someone near the top, and what to do when work becomes just a bit too much. It's something that I know I can relate to and it was wonderful to see Maisie open up in this novel and let the reader in just a little more, to let them know what is going on in her head. Maisie can sometimes be a frustrating character because she makes decisions without always explaining them to the reader, but this time around, Winspear got it right. But because of all this self-discovery, the mystery in the book just kind of faded away. I was dissatisfied with how Maisie went about handling the case and how she came to some of her conclusions. I won't give anything away, but how she would just pull something out of thin air and guess, saying, "Well, I had a hunch."  She doesn't explain where that hunch came from, just that she has one.

Probably the best part of this book was the end. Winspear left it wide open, so you literally have no idea where Maisie will end up. Will she follow James to Canada? Will she stay in London? Will she travel her way around the world, solving mysteries as she goes? Winspear left it wide open and had me wishing that I knew just a little bit more! I cannot wait for the next installment in this series to come out (which is is March!), so that I will know what happens to Maisie next!

Waiting On Wednesday (1-30-13)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. Each week, you highlight an upcoming release that you are eagerly anticipating. This week, I'm looking forward to LEaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear (release date: March 26, 2013).

Synopsis (from Amazon): In Leaving Everything Most Loved by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline Winspear, Maisie Dobbs investigates the murder of Indian immigrants in London. The year is 1933. Maisie Dobbs is contacted by an Indian gentleman who has come to England in the hopes of finding out who killed his sister two months ago. Scotland Yard failed to make any arrest in the case, and there is reason to believe they failed to conduct a thorough investigation. The case becomes even more challenging when another Indian woman is murdered just hours before a scheduled interview. Meanwhile, unfinished business from a previous case becomes a distraction, as does a new development in Maisie's personal life. Bringing a crucial chapter in the life and times of Maisie Dobbs to a close, Leaving Everything Most Loved marks a pivotal moment in this outstanding mystery series.

I LOVE the Maisie Dobbs series and am so excited for this book to come out because that means that I will have read all the books that have come out thus far for this series! What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Review: A Lesson In Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear

A Lesson In Secrets (Maisie Dobbs #8)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: March 22, 2011
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 321 pages
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): In the summer of 1932, Maisie Dobbs’ career goes in an exciting new direction when she accepts an undercover assignment directed by Scotland Yard’s Special Branch and the Secret Service. Posing as a junior lecturer, she is sent to a private college in Cambridge to monitor any activities “not in the interests of His Majesty’s Government.”

When the college’s controversial pacifist founder and principal, Greville Liddicote, is murdered, Maisie is directed to stand back as Detective Chief Superintendent Robert MacFarlane and Detective Chief Inspector Stratton spearhead the investigation. She soon discovers, however, that the circumstances of Liddicote’s death appear inextricably linked to the suspicious comings and goings of faculty and students under her surveillance.

To unravel this web, Maisie must overcome a reluctant Secret Service, discover shameful hidden truths about Britain’s conduct during the war, and face off against the rising powers of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei—the Nazi Party—in Britain.

A pivotal chapter in the life of Maisie Dobbs, A Lesson In Secrets marks the beginning of her intelligence work for the Crown. As the storm clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, Maisie will confront new challenges and new enemies—and will engage new readers and loyal fans of this bestselling mystery series.

My Thoughts: I saw this book a few years ago and fell in love with the cover. I loved the mystery behind it, the art deco design, and the 1930s vibe that I was getting from it. I started reading the description and realized that this was number eight in the series, so I started all the way back at the beginning to work my way up to this one. And it was worth it! For me, this might be the best Maisie Dobbs novel out of the eight (I haven't read the ninth one yet). Maisie is now working with the Secret Service on a case regarding a college in Cambridge that was founded by a pacifist who published a controversial book during World War I. So, away Maisie goes, trying to figure out what is happening at the school. What follows is a murder investigation, and while Maisie is not supposed to help with that case, she just can't help herself.

Jacqueline Winspear is great at crafting a great mystery, one where there are quite a few suspects but she leaves you guessing who has committed the crime until the last few pages. Winspear is also gifted with characters. The growth that Maisie has gone through from the first novel in this series to now is subtle but significant. She is truly independent now but realizing that it may not be necessary to live on her own. Being able to see other characters mature throughout this series is great, too. Seeing Billy and his family grow and bounce back from the loss of their youngest child is so nice to see. And the budding relationship Maisie has with James Compton adds another dimension to this story. James doesn't take away from Maisie, but only adds to her and her stories. I can't wait to see where Winspear takes their relationship in the future.

If you enjoy historical fiction or are a fan of World War I or II novels, then you need to be reading this series! Winspear is an amazing writer and Maisie a wonderful leading lady.   

Review: The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear

The Mapping of Love and Death (Maisie Dobbs #7)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: March 23, 2010
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 338 pages
Source: borrowed from the library

My Rating: 4 stars

Synopsis (from GoodReads): August 1914. Michael Clifton is mapping the land he has just purchased in California's beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, certain that oil lies beneath its surface. But as the young cartographer prepares to return home to Boston, war is declared in Europe. Michael--the youngest son of an expatriate Englishman--puts duty first and sails for his father's native country to serve in the British army. Three years later, he is listed among those missing in action.

April 1932. London psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is retained by Michael's parents, who have recently learned that their son's remains have been unearthed in France. They want Maisie to find the unnamed nurse whose love letters were among Michael's belongings--a quest that takes Maisie back to her own bittersweet wartime love. Her inquiries, and the stunning discovery that Michael Clifton was murdered in his trench, unleash a web of intrigue and violence that threatens to engulf the soldier's family and even Maisie herself. Over the course of her investigation, Maisie must cope with the approaching loss of her mentor, Maurice Blanche, and her growing awareness that she is once again falling in love.

My Thoughts: This is my favorite Maisie Dobbs novel so far. Once again, we follow Maisie on case of an American family wanting to know about their son's love during World War I. Letters were found with him when his body was discovered, and his parents would like to know who it was that he was writing to. However, everything is not as it appears, with the medical report showing a blunt force trauma to the back of the head, indicating that Michael Clifton was murdered, not killed in the line of duty. Maisie is working with Scotland Yard again, but she is in control of the case this time and asserting herself as someone who can handle a case on her own. This novel had the best plot of any of Winspear's novels, with the mystery going on, Maisie's new romantic interest, Billy Beale and his family, and Maurice, Maisie's mentor, becoming ill.

After reading this novel, it's apparent that Winspear is really coming into her own with character development. In the past books in this series, I have sometimes felt like things were a bit stilted or there might not have been enough information on someone, but not so with this one. Each character and plot line is fully developed, creating one of the most well-rounded books I've read in sometime. Maisie is continuing to grow and mature, which she acknowledges several times throughout this book. Billy and his family also provide a nice little story line, as we see how someone in the lower classes might have been living during the Great Depression. I also thought that Maurice Blanche was at his most complete as a character in this book. He explained himself fully and every thought was drawn out for the reader. 

I love Jacqueline Winspear's work and this novel makes me all the more anxious to run to the library and pick up the next book in this series. If you like historical fiction and myseteries, then you need to check out this series! It is quickly becoming one of my favorite things to read.

Review: Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

Among the Mad
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: February 17, 2009
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 303 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 3.5 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): It’s Christmas Eve 1931. On the way to see a client, Maisie Dobbs witnesses a man commit suicide on a busy London street. The following day, the prime minister’s office receives a letter threatening a massive loss of life if certain demands are not met—and the writer mentions Maisie by name. After being questioned and cleared by Detective Chief Superintendent Robert MacFarlane of Scotland Yard’s elite Special Branch, she is drawn into MacFarlane’s personal fiefdom as a special adviser on the case. Meanwhile, Billy Beale, Maisie’s trusted assistant, is once again facing tragedy as his wife, who has never recovered from the death of their young daughter, slips further into melancholia’s abyss. Soon Maisie becomes involved in a race against time to find a man who proves he has the knowledge and will to inflict death and destruction on thousands of innocent people. And before this harrowing case is over, Maisie must navigate a darkness not encountered since she was a nurse in wards filled with shell-shocked men.


My Thoughts: I really enjoy the Maisie Dobbs series and this book just made me love the series even more. Still centered around the after effects of World War I, Maisie must work with Scotland Yard to find a madman before he goes on a killing spree in London. I thought that this novel was her most engaging to date. Maybe that it was on a bigger scale than before, but there was something that really pulled me to this story. I loved the mystery of this one and the people that she got to work with at Scotland Yard. I also liked Billy's story in this novel. I liked the way that Winspear brought up the difficulty of losing a child and the impact that it can have on a family, especially around the holidays.  I felt like this whole novel was a great addition to this series and I hope that it grows from this one, with Maisie taking on bigger cases and not entirely focused on WWI.

Review: An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear

An Incomplete Revenge
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: February 19, 2008
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 306 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 4 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): With the country in the grip of economic malaise, and worried about her business, Maisie Dobbs is relieved to accept an apparently straightforward assignment from an old friend to investigate certain matters concerning a potential land purchase. Her inquiries take her to a picturesque village in Kent during the hop-picking season, but beneath its pastoral surface she finds evidence that something is amiss. Mysterious fires erupt in the village with alarming regularity, and a series of petty crimes suggests a darker criminal element at work. As Maisie discovers, the villagers are bitterly prejudiced against outsiders who flock to Kent at harvest time--even more troubling, they seem possessed by the legacy of a wartime Zeppelin raid. Maisie grows increasingly suspicious of a peculiar secrecy that shrouds the village, and ultimately she must draw on all her finely honed skills of detection to solve one of her most intriguing cases. Rich with Jacqueline Winspear's trademark period detail, this latest installment of the bestselling series is gripping, atmospheric, and utterly enthralling.


My Thoughts: I found the Maisie Dobbs series a few months ago, and ever since, each book that I read is better than the last. Following a female private investigator and psychologist, Jacqueline Winspear takes you back in time to the 1930s and she investigates a small town that has fires every year, but no one reports them. Representing a business interest, Maisie dives into the case to find out what is going on in this small town. Her investigation has her dealing with locals, out of towners, and gypsies. Even though there are many characters in this book, each is distinctive and adds something to the story. I also really enjoyed how Winspear dealt with Simon, Maisie's first love. I had been wondering for some time how Winspear would deal with that character, who is a shell of himself since he returned from the war. I thought that she handled it in a way that would give Maisie the closure that she needed and was respectful towards those men who suffered mental illnesses following their service in the military.


If you love historical fiction (specifically anything dealing with WWI or WWII), then you should definitely check out this series. Winspear captures that essence of the British people in a great way and creates a great story, too.

Review: Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear

Messenger of Truth (Maisie Dobbs #4)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: August 22, 2006
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 322 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 3 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): London, 1931. On the night before the opening of his new and much-anticipated exhibition at a famed Mayfair gallery, Nicholas Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police declare the fall an accident, but the dead man's twin sister, Georgina, isn't convinced. When the authorities refuse to conduct further investigations and close the case, Georgina - a journalist and infamous figure in her own right - takes matters into her own hands, seeking out a fellow graduate from Girton College: Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. The case soon takes Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, as well as the sinister underbelly of the city's art world. And while navigating her way into the heart of the aristocratic yet bohemian Bassington-Hopes, Maisie is deeply troubled by the tragedy of another, quite different family in need. In Messenger of Truth, Maisie Dobbs again uncovers the dark legacy of the Great War in a society struggling to recollect itself in difficult times. But to solve the mystery of the artist's death, she will have to remain steady as the forces behind his death come out of the shadows to silence her. 


My Thoughts: Another great story in the Maisie Dobbs series, Jacqueline Winspear takes the reader into the London art world as Maisie tries to figure out if an artist's death was an accident or murder. As in the previous novels, the first World War plays a part in this story, as the artist fought and then created propaganda art for the war effort. But, as more time has passed between the crime and the war, Winspear starts exploring more of the social issues that are rampant in London. Focusing the poor (we are in the Great Depression during this story), the welfare of the poor, sickness and death among children, Winspear pulls the reader into London in the 1930s and, I feel, creates a stronger bond between the reader and the characters.


I really did enjoy this book, but I was a bit distracted during the reading, so I felt as if the story was choppy, that could also be attributed to my lack of reading everyday. Maisie is definitely growing as a character and learning more about herself. I enjoy the way that Winspear is developing Maisie, which doesn't make this seem as if it's a washed out series. I do hope that Winspear continues to use the issues that were occurring during the 1930s to continue with this series, because I feel that it's becoming harded to write about the war when we are now so far removed from it. I can't wait to see what the fifth book in this series is about and continue reading more of Maisie Dobbs.

Review: Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear

Pardonable Lies (Maisie Dobbs #3)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: August 10, 2005
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 352 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 3.5 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): A deathbed plea from his wife leads Sir Cecil Lawton to seek the aid of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. As Maisie soon learns, Agnes Lawton never accepted that her aviator son was killed in the Great War, a torment that led her not only to the edge of madness but to the doors of those who practice the dark arts and commune with the spirit world. In accepting the assignment, Maisie finds her spiritual strength tested, as well as her regard for her mentor, Maurice Blanche. The mission also brings her together once again with her college friend Priscilla Evernden, who served in France and who lost three brothers to the war—one of whom, it turns out, had an intriguing connection to the missing Ralph Lawton. Following on the heels of the triumphant Birds of a Feather, Pardonable Lies is the most compelling installment yet in the chronicles of Maisie Dobbs, “a heroine to cherish” (Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times Book Review).


My Thoughts: The more I read of this series, the more I like it! In this novel, Maisie Dobbs must return to France in order to prove that a client's son died during World War I. While it may seem like a tough case, Maisie takes it on and decides to help a close friend discover whatever happened to her brother during his service. Maisie served as a nurse in the battlefields of France, so the novel is leading up to her return to the country. For me, one of the best things about this book is the plot. There were a lot of loose ends out there, but everything wrapped up perfectly and it was never too much to keep track of.


This is a cozy mystery series, but it's so well written that there are times when I am reading quickly to try and figure out what will happen next! Jacqueline Winspear is a fabulous writer and it seems so effortless for her. She is able to pull you into the story and have you emotionally invested in the outcome. I have read few other books that are able to do that. I also love the time period that Winspear has chosed to write about. This book takes place in 1930, but as in her previous novels, there is always some connection to WWI. It's so interesting to read about (since I typically read books dealing with WWII) and it is well researched.


For me, this was the perfect series to fall into. Winspear writes wonderfully, the characters are engaging, and the stories are always interesting. Will definitely be keeping up with this series!

Review: Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear

Birds of a Feather (Maisie Dobbs #2)
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: January 1, 2004
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 311 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 3 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): An eventful year has passed for Maisie Dobbs. Since starting a one-woman private investigation agency in 1929 London, she now has a professional office in Fitzroy Square and an assistant, the happy-go-lucky Billy Beale. She has proven herself as a psychologist and investigator, and has even won over Detective Inspector Stratton of Scotland Yard's Murder Squad - an admirable achievement for a woman who worked her way from servant to scholar to sleuth, and who also served as battlefield nurse in The Great War. It's now early Spring of 1930, Stratton is investigating a murder case in Coulsden, while Maisie has been summoned to Dulwich to find a runaway heiress. The woman is the daughter of Joseph Waite, a wealthy self-made man who has lavished her with privilege but kept her in a gilded cage. His domineering ways have driven her off before, and now she's bolted again. Waite's instructions are to find his daughter and bring her home. When Maisie looks into the disappearance she finds a chilling link to Stratton's murder case, and to the terrible legacy of The Great War.


My Thoughts: Continuing with the Maisie Dobbs series, I jumped into this novel with great anticipation. I really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to reading the next book in the series. This time around, Maisie has a few more clients under her belt and is comfortable with how her business is proceeding. With her latest case, she is searching for a missing girl, but her search expands into finding a murderer who is killing a group of friends. The premise of the novel is intriguing, but the story does move a bit slowly. The historical details in the book are wonderful and it's clear that Winspear has done her research into this time period. The way she describes the fashion of the time is fantastic and I can envision what the women are wearing. However, that doesn't always help to move the book along, making it long at times. 


I liked how Winspear allows World War I to still play a part in her novel, although we are ten years removed from the conflict. She conveys how deeply it affected people, even though it happened a decade before. I also liked how she centered this novel on the pain of war, in many different aspects. There is the physical pain that Maisie's assistant, Billy Beale, experiences from an old war wound. There is the pain that Maisie feels for losing her love to the war. And there is the pain that a parent feels at losing their child. It was nice to read how the pain of war can affect people in so many different ways. I cannot wait to continue with this series and see Maisie continue to grow as a character. If you are looking for a series to take up, I would recommend this one. While it is a mystery series, it's never too gory.

Review: Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
Published: July 1, 2003
Genre: mystery
Hardcover: 294 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 4 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): Lady Rowan Compton first met Maisie when, at thirteen, she went into service as a maid at her ladyship’s Belgravia mansion. A suffragette, Lady Rowan took the remarkably smart youngster under her wing and became her patron. She encouraged Maisie to study at Cambridge, and was aided in this by Maurice Blanche, a friend often retained as an investigator by the elite of Europe when discretion and results were required. It was he who first recognized Maisie’s intuitive gifts. The outbreak of war changed everything. Maisie left for France to train as a nurse, then served at the front, where she fell in love with a handsome young doctor. After the Armistice, in the spring of 1929, Maisie hangs out her shingle:M. Dobbs, Trade and Personal Investigations. Her very first case involves suspected infidelity but turns up something else, a tombstone with only a first name—Vincent. And then she finds another. The deceased had lived on a cooperative farm called The Retreat, a well-regarded convalescent refuge for those grievously wounded in the war, ex-soldiers too shattered to resume normal life. When Lady Rowan’s son makes plans to join the reclusive community, Maisie hurriedly investigates and finds a disturbing mystery at its core whose resolution gives her the courage to confront the ghost that has haunted her for ten years.


My Thoughts: When I first heard about Masie Dobbs, I was wondering around my local Borders (RIP), and saw this amazing art deco cover from a few feet away. I made a beeline towards the book to see what it was about. After reading the description and realizing that this was part of a series, I knew that it was something that I wanted to read. Now, over a year later, I'm finally getting around to it! And let me say, after finishing this book, I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series.


This is a mystery book, but not a scary, murder mystery/oh my goodness I'm too scared to fall asleep now (which is what normally happens to me when I read a mystery book). Maisie is a true detective, trying to learn why a woman goes to visit grave two days every week. It turns into an investigation that leads her to help many injured World War I vets. It's an easy read, but also very engaging. I didn't want to put it down once I started!


The book is divided into three parts: the present (which is 1929), 1910-1917, and the present (1929). You start into this investigation, then you are taken back into Maisie's past. I loved how Winspear did this. It wasn't awkward and it flowed with the rest of the story, which isn't always the case when an author does a flashback in the middle of a book. You are able to see Maisie become the woman that she is today and how she handled some of the horrific things that she has seen.


The characters were fantastic, the plot intriguing, the writing well done. To say that I cannot wait to continue with this series would be an understatement!

TGIF and Follow Friday (3-2-12)

Happy Friday, everybody! Where ever you are, I hope that you are having great weather like we are here in Pittsburgh. Today's forecast? 60 and sunny. Gorgeous! (But it's supposed to snow the next two days, so we only get a little teaser of spring). I hope that everyone had a great Leap Day ... I was working, but I think most people were. Now, onto the Friday fun ...

Parajunkee asks:

What book would you love to see made into a movie or television show?

Well, I don't like most movie adaptations of books since they are never as good as the book. Some TV shows work, though, but I think that's because they get so far away from the book that it creates enough distance between the two to resist comparisons (I'm thinking of Gossip Girl). However, I did just finish Maisie Dobbs (review will be up in a few weeks) and think that would make a great TV show (it reminds me of Downton Abbey, just a bit).

GReads asks:

Book Moments: What has been your favorite moment (scene) in a book that you've read so far in 2012? Please be kind & not include spoilers.

Great question! I would have to say The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost (link to my review) by Rachel Friedman had quite a few moments that had me thinking. Rachel points out (several times) that as Americans, we are born to work and make money. There's not much time for travel and exploration of the world around us. The way that she stated it, though, was just so thought-provoking that I had to put the book down for a few minutes to take her point in. We are raised with the idea that we will work (either once finishing high school or college), and we do it nonstop until we retire. Sure, we have a few vacation weeks every year, but not the amount that other people get in different countries. It just really made me stop and think and want to change this "just keep working and making money" attitude that we have as Americans.

So, what book would you like to see turned into a movie/TV show? Favorite book moment of 2012 so far? Let me know, and have a great weekend!