Status
Available
Series
Description
Maisie Dobbs is back and this time she has been hired to find a wealthy grocery magnate's daughter who has fled from home. What seems a simple case at first becomes complicated when Maisie learns of the recent violent deaths of three of the heiress's old friends. Is there a connection between her mysterious disappearance and the murders? Who would kill such charming young women? As Maisie investigates, she discovers that the answers to all her questions lie in the unforgettable agony of The Great War.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lman
With Birds of a Feather, I firmly believe this second instalment of Maisie Dobbs will appease those readers irked at the lesser emphasis on mystery in the first; crime holds a much greater sway in this story. However, happily for me, the historical and societal elements of the era are still at
Placed a year after our first introduction, the beginning of this book finds Maisie with her business - 'M. Dobbs, Psychologist and Investigator' - consolidated and obviously successful, for she has relocated to a better neighbourhood; the improved premises and more pleasant environs decidedly advantageous in securing prospective clients. Hence she is summoned by the wealthy businessman, Joseph Waite, and engaged to locate his daughter, Charlotte, who has run away again; and to return her home regardless of the circumstances, while insisting on the utmost discretion in doing so. But when a close friend of Charlotte’s is murdered, along with another from her past, plus a third committing suicide, Maisie’s dependable radar is alerted to there being more to this case than an unhappy daughter simply fleeing from a domineering father. And once more the chilling legacy of the war raises its ugly head as Maisie, using her unfailing intuition and highly-wrought detective skills, races to find Charlotte, fearing she may also be at risk.
There is no doubt that this next chapter in Maisie’s life embraces a more customary approach to the genre, in the story-line, and in the general build of the book. And Jacqueline Winspear also attempts to address the areas of disquiet, mentioned by some (myself included) in regards to the previous book – though I am still unsure if successfully. Nevertheless, this is another engrossing read, embracing a clever construct by mixing historical facts, repellent attitudes and areas of bias, ignorance and unawareness (distasteful now, tenable at the time) within a cracking good murder mystery – or three! I learnt so much: about post-war drug addiction; about The Order of the White Feather; about ongoing family anguish, and the terrible decisions taken and devastating actions performed, all in the name of patriotism; and I was charmed, I despaired and I was royally entertained throughout.
Finally, despite her potent intellect and notwithstanding her startling powers of deduction, Maisie is only now coming to terms with her own repressed emotional discord – though superbly capable at the "forensic science of the whole person", as her mentor and teacher aptly describes their profession, she needs to be whole herself, to thrive. I’m rather confident in a successful outcome…
(Feb 1, 2009)
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play, but better balanced amidst the action with possibly more delicacy, in my opinion at least, than in the first account. Once again, I was totally absorbed - there is an aspect to the writing conducive to me speeding through these books - and I greatly admire the ingenuity behind the title of the work! Placed a year after our first introduction, the beginning of this book finds Maisie with her business - 'M. Dobbs, Psychologist and Investigator' - consolidated and obviously successful, for she has relocated to a better neighbourhood; the improved premises and more pleasant environs decidedly advantageous in securing prospective clients. Hence she is summoned by the wealthy businessman, Joseph Waite, and engaged to locate his daughter, Charlotte, who has run away again; and to return her home regardless of the circumstances, while insisting on the utmost discretion in doing so. But when a close friend of Charlotte’s is murdered, along with another from her past, plus a third committing suicide, Maisie’s dependable radar is alerted to there being more to this case than an unhappy daughter simply fleeing from a domineering father. And once more the chilling legacy of the war raises its ugly head as Maisie, using her unfailing intuition and highly-wrought detective skills, races to find Charlotte, fearing she may also be at risk.
There is no doubt that this next chapter in Maisie’s life embraces a more customary approach to the genre, in the story-line, and in the general build of the book. And Jacqueline Winspear also attempts to address the areas of disquiet, mentioned by some (myself included) in regards to the previous book – though I am still unsure if successfully. Nevertheless, this is another engrossing read, embracing a clever construct by mixing historical facts, repellent attitudes and areas of bias, ignorance and unawareness (distasteful now, tenable at the time) within a cracking good murder mystery – or three! I learnt so much: about post-war drug addiction; about The Order of the White Feather; about ongoing family anguish, and the terrible decisions taken and devastating actions performed, all in the name of patriotism; and I was charmed, I despaired and I was royally entertained throughout.
Finally, despite her potent intellect and notwithstanding her startling powers of deduction, Maisie is only now coming to terms with her own repressed emotional discord – though superbly capable at the "forensic science of the whole person", as her mentor and teacher aptly describes their profession, she needs to be whole herself, to thrive. I’m rather confident in a successful outcome…
(Feb 1, 2009)
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LibraryThing member ctpress
Another good crime story and again with an aspect of WWI as part of the crime.
It will be interesting to see if Maisie Dobbs ever get out of her shell and find happiness and love - she’s cold and reserved most of the time and I feel even as we read about her inner life and thoughts there a places
That is also reflected in the story of her sidekick Billy Bean - the old war-veteran who tries to hide his pain and wounds with morphine pills.
Interesting series that shows the effect of the wounds after WW1.
It will be interesting to see if Maisie Dobbs ever get out of her shell and find happiness and love - she’s cold and reserved most of the time and I feel even as we read about her inner life and thoughts there a places
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she don’t want to go - where it hurts too much. But of course its the psycholigical part of the novels that are made more interesting as she struggles herself.That is also reflected in the story of her sidekick Billy Bean - the old war-veteran who tries to hide his pain and wounds with morphine pills.
Interesting series that shows the effect of the wounds after WW1.
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LibraryThing member Turrean
Meh. I liked the first one well enough--the main character certainly had the backstory for some personal angst, so I didn't mind that the story was a bit dark. My issues were largely ones of plotting--how the Cockney guy passed as her brother, etc. In this book, I'm with the reviewers who point out
There are many comparisons to Alexander McCall Smith's detective books. While both authors have a spare, straightforward style, I come away from reading a Mma Ramotswe novel with a sense of peace; I finished this novel feeling depressed.
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the sort of "psychic" overtones of the story. Blah. I liked Maisie better when I thought she was SMART, not pseudo-haunted. Perhaps I was meant to think that feeling as if a hand had dropped on her shoulder in an empty room was her subconscious pointing her to a clue, but it came off all Ghost-Whispery. There are many comparisons to Alexander McCall Smith's detective books. While both authors have a spare, straightforward style, I come away from reading a Mma Ramotswe novel with a sense of peace; I finished this novel feeling depressed.
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LibraryThing member vancouverdeb
Birds of a Feather, is the second book in the Maisie Dobbs series. It's a wonderful cozy , engaging, well written read.
In post WW1 Britain, in 1930, Maisie Dobbs and her assistant , Billy Beale ( not a romantic connection ) are called on to investigate the disappearance of an heiress. Charlotte
Maisie employs her wonderful powers of intuition, knowledge and resourceful thinking in her capacity as a Private Sleuth . I really enjoy the time period and the fascinating side characters in the series. 4 stars.
In post WW1 Britain, in 1930, Maisie Dobbs and her assistant , Billy Beale ( not a romantic connection ) are called on to investigate the disappearance of an heiress. Charlotte
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Waite is in her early thirties and has lived at home with her very fierce and controlling father, Joseph , and he wants her found and returned home. Has she run away , as her father suspects, or is there more to the story? As three of Charlotte's old friends turn up dead, the case become more complex. Meanwhile Billy Beale seems to be having both mood and physical problems as he deals with the his amputated leg, a legacy of WW1. Could the answer to the missing woman be in some way connected with WW1?Maisie employs her wonderful powers of intuition, knowledge and resourceful thinking in her capacity as a Private Sleuth . I really enjoy the time period and the fascinating side characters in the series. 4 stars.
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LibraryThing member AntT
I like these Masie Dobbs stories for their easy readability, their sharp characterization, and gently molded plots.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Maisie Dobbs is hired by grocery magnate Joseph Waite to find and return his runaway, adult daughter, Charlotte. However, it quickly becomes clear that Charlotte's disappearance has some sort of tie to the recent well-publicized murder of another woman in London. Now Maisie must not only find
This second entry in the Maisie Dobbs series is a sedately paced mystery. Winspear does an excellent job of setting the scene in London in 1930 and makes the world seem very real immediately. The mystery is well-crafted, even if I had the murderer figured out before the big reveal (although not too far in advance so I mostly felt smug rather than bored). However, there are some scenes that feel a bit... mystical and it's unclear whether Maisie is finding some clues because of her Buddhist training, her woman's intuition, or some other slightly beyond the normal ability. But it feels a bit out of place in this otherwise logical mystery series which otherwise feels reminiscent of Agatha Christie's and Arthur Conan Doyle's more deductive detectives. Enjoyable enough that I plan to continue with the series.
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Charlotte but determine what binds her to the murdered woman.This second entry in the Maisie Dobbs series is a sedately paced mystery. Winspear does an excellent job of setting the scene in London in 1930 and makes the world seem very real immediately. The mystery is well-crafted, even if I had the murderer figured out before the big reveal (although not too far in advance so I mostly felt smug rather than bored). However, there are some scenes that feel a bit... mystical and it's unclear whether Maisie is finding some clues because of her Buddhist training, her woman's intuition, or some other slightly beyond the normal ability. But it feels a bit out of place in this otherwise logical mystery series which otherwise feels reminiscent of Agatha Christie's and Arthur Conan Doyle's more deductive detectives. Enjoyable enough that I plan to continue with the series.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
This book is rather a conundrum for me. I'm not particularly fond of mysteries where psychic promptings figure and spiritual visitations play a part in the solution. About halfway through the book (which is way too early) I said, "So-and-so dunnit," and was right. There are a lot of stock (might I
Why, then, did I finish this second in the series and do I now have intentions of tackling the third?
I don't know. There's something about Maisie Dobbs—and I can't put my finger on what it is, so I won't try—that I just find enjoyable. I can see why Jacqueline Winspear has the legion of fans (6,600+ LibraryThingers giving her a close to 4 star rating overall) and chalk this up to an exception to my rules.
I will note that I'm listening to them on audio book as I drive and their undemanding nature is perfect for it. And those who said the second book was better than the first were correct. Perhaps that trend will continue.
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say cliché?) characters, including a rather sententious and pompous mentor...a type I tend to dislike reading. Why, then, did I finish this second in the series and do I now have intentions of tackling the third?
I don't know. There's something about Maisie Dobbs—and I can't put my finger on what it is, so I won't try—that I just find enjoyable. I can see why Jacqueline Winspear has the legion of fans (6,600+ LibraryThingers giving her a close to 4 star rating overall) and chalk this up to an exception to my rules.
I will note that I'm listening to them on audio book as I drive and their undemanding nature is perfect for it. And those who said the second book was better than the first were correct. Perhaps that trend will continue.
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LibraryThing member rennerra
LIked this one better than the first, mostly because of the info on the "white feather society." Really interesting to be reading this while I was working on Nanowrimo 2005, since I was writing on WWI.
LibraryThing member verbafacio
Birds of a Feather is the second book in Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series. Maisie is a 30-something single woman in 1920s London who makes her living as a private investigator. When she is called upon to find the missing daughter of a grocery store tycoon, she discovers 3 interlinked
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the original Maisie Dobbs book, perhaps because this one more closely fit the standard mystery genre. However, the excellent period details, including insights on class and gender, make all of the Maisie Dobbs books enjoyable, interesting reads.
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murders that all go back to one terrible secret. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the original Maisie Dobbs book, perhaps because this one more closely fit the standard mystery genre. However, the excellent period details, including insights on class and gender, make all of the Maisie Dobbs books enjoyable, interesting reads.
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LibraryThing member ethelmertz
This was a good read. I was involved in the story from the beginning. I did know who the killer was prior to the big reveal, but these books are about more than just the mystery.
LibraryThing member JanicsEblen
Love Jacqueline Winspear's Masie Dobbs series. If you read carefully there are some wonderful points for rumination between Masie and some of the other ongoing characters. This particular book gives us hope that Masie is going to move on a little from her first love. We also have the opportunity to
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see some more positive changes in the life of Billy Beale, and his home life, with Masies help that that of her friends. I hope if you have never read on of Ms. Winspear's books you will give one a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
While parts of this inter-war story are a little modern I still enjoyed it. Maisie Dobbs is an interesting character and the aftermath of World War I are tackled her. Including such issues as addiction and the White Feather Society. When the daughter of a self-made man goes missing, Maisie
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investigates, what she finds is very complicated and very interesting. There were moments where it did drag a little and I was unimpressed with some of the attitudes but still I found it quite enjoyable. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennyo
I forgot to make an entry on this one yesterday, but I read it over the weekend and really enjoyed it. This is the second book in Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series. Maisie's an intriguing heroine; she went in service to an English Lady when she was 13. Fortunately, the Lady was progressive, recognized
The first book had flashbacks to WWI. This one doesn't, but the war has obviously left its scars on everyone in the story. The mystery here is satisfying (if a bit predictable), but Winspear's strength is in her characterization and setting.
I've had the third book in this series on my shelf for a while now, so I'll probably pick it up soon and read it too. I'm glad I got the chance to read them in order.
Oh, and it looks like Winspear will be at the Texas Book Festival this fall. I hope I'll get to hear her speak there.
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Maisie's quick wit, and encouraged her schooling. Now that Maisie's a young woman (early 30s in this book), she has her own detective agency.The first book had flashbacks to WWI. This one doesn't, but the war has obviously left its scars on everyone in the story. The mystery here is satisfying (if a bit predictable), but Winspear's strength is in her characterization and setting.
I've had the third book in this series on my shelf for a while now, so I'll probably pick it up soon and read it too. I'm glad I got the chance to read them in order.
Oh, and it looks like Winspear will be at the Texas Book Festival this fall. I hope I'll get to hear her speak there.
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LibraryThing member librisissimo
Thoroughly researched but contains too much detail, especially just naming things we no longer know by name, so there is no association of appearance or function. Does not have the immediacy of Sayers' novels actually written in the same period (post WWI England). The mystery was fairly done, but
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the protagonist seemed a bit dense and even stupid at times; her use of 'spiritual senses' to obtain and process clues was appropriate for the times (cf. Doyle's dabbling in spiritualism), but functioned sometimes as a 'deus ex machina'. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookchickdi
As part of the I'm Mad for Maisie Read Along sponsored by the bookclubgirl, I read the second book in the Maisie Dobbs series, Birds of a Feather. Although it is set in 1930, and World War I had been over for little more than a decade, the effects of the war are still being felt.
Maisie's assistant
The main mystery concerns the disappearance of a young woman whose wealthy father owns many grocery stores. Her disappearance comes on the heels of the deaths of three other women, women whom Maisie discovers were friends of the missing woman.
There are many possible suspects, but when the police narrow it down to one of the dead women's husbands, Maisie believes they have the wrong man. She uses the methods taught to her by her mentor Dr. Blanche, both scientific and intuitive, to find the killer. (Again, it could be a forerunner of the popular TV series CSI crossed with The Mentalist.)
My favorite line in the book is one of Dr. Blanche's teachings to Maisie:
"Coincidence is a messenger sent by truth. (That) there are no accidents of fate."
Maisie still visits Simon, the doctor she fell in love with during the war, at the hospital where he will never recover. Her compassion is touching, but in this book it appears that Maisie is ready to move on to having a romantic relationship with another man. She has two possible suitors: Dr. Dene and Inspector Stratton. It will be interesting to see in future books which man may win her heart, and whether either man can stand up to the memory of Simon.
Again, I loved the description of Maisie's clothes. I would love to see illustrations in the book of Maisie's outfits.
I also found the characters in this book more rounded out. Joseph Waite, the wealthy father of the missing girl, is intriguing. He is overbearing with his daughter, but he is kind to his customers and to the families who lost sons and husbands during the war. Joseph's relationship with his daughter caused Maisie to reflect more on her own relationship with her father, which seems more distant as the years go by.
The Order of the White Feather was something I had never heard of before this book, and it was incorporated well into the story. Young women tend to be dramatic, and the way in which these young ladies thought they were helping the war effort caused more pain than they could have ever imagined. And in the end, it caused them much pain too.
I'd like to see Maisie become more emotionally open, and hope that in future books in the series, we see her find some happiness. Perhaps in the next novel in the series, Pardonable Lies. If you enjoy historical fiction and female protagonists, Maisie is the lady for you.
Maisie's assistant
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Billy, who was badly injured during the war, has become addicted to pain killers. His wife comes to Maisie concerned about her husband, and confirming Maisie's own suspicions that something is wrong with Billy.The main mystery concerns the disappearance of a young woman whose wealthy father owns many grocery stores. Her disappearance comes on the heels of the deaths of three other women, women whom Maisie discovers were friends of the missing woman.
There are many possible suspects, but when the police narrow it down to one of the dead women's husbands, Maisie believes they have the wrong man. She uses the methods taught to her by her mentor Dr. Blanche, both scientific and intuitive, to find the killer. (Again, it could be a forerunner of the popular TV series CSI crossed with The Mentalist.)
My favorite line in the book is one of Dr. Blanche's teachings to Maisie:
"Coincidence is a messenger sent by truth. (That) there are no accidents of fate."
Maisie still visits Simon, the doctor she fell in love with during the war, at the hospital where he will never recover. Her compassion is touching, but in this book it appears that Maisie is ready to move on to having a romantic relationship with another man. She has two possible suitors: Dr. Dene and Inspector Stratton. It will be interesting to see in future books which man may win her heart, and whether either man can stand up to the memory of Simon.
Again, I loved the description of Maisie's clothes. I would love to see illustrations in the book of Maisie's outfits.
I also found the characters in this book more rounded out. Joseph Waite, the wealthy father of the missing girl, is intriguing. He is overbearing with his daughter, but he is kind to his customers and to the families who lost sons and husbands during the war. Joseph's relationship with his daughter caused Maisie to reflect more on her own relationship with her father, which seems more distant as the years go by.
The Order of the White Feather was something I had never heard of before this book, and it was incorporated well into the story. Young women tend to be dramatic, and the way in which these young ladies thought they were helping the war effort caused more pain than they could have ever imagined. And in the end, it caused them much pain too.
I'd like to see Maisie become more emotionally open, and hope that in future books in the series, we see her find some happiness. Perhaps in the next novel in the series, Pardonable Lies. If you enjoy historical fiction and female protagonists, Maisie is the lady for you.
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LibraryThing member tangential1
The second book in the Maisie Dobbs series, this one really grabbed my mind. I'm not sure what about it struck me, really. I thought it was a very well orchestrated mystery, although a little disappointing in the wrap-up (not much satisfaction in the arrest, really...just kind of a sad ending).
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Maisie's personal struggle seemed a bit contrived at parts; she kind of started coming off as a Mary Sue (except it's an original work, so she can't be): It's post WWI Britain and the author takes pains to make the point that there are a lot of woman without so many men, and yet Maisie has two admirers that she is leading on (well, sort of). I chose to look past this, though, because obviously it was meant to add a bit of romantic flair back to the books, which we lost at the close of the first with the wrap up of Maisie's personal mystery. There's also this weird, supernatural kind of vibe to how Miss Dobbs does her investigations; she gets these feelings like she missed something or should look closer at something and there's no real reason for it. The author likes to play up "intuition" as a very important ability that most people don't tap into. It isn't too bad here; it kind of reminds me a lot of the TV show Profiler, actually, because she's trying to stress psychology and reading people. Perhaps that's why it didn't bother me too much when in general I would be rolling my eyes at the comments about "intuition" and "feelings" during an investigative mystery. (One of the reader reviews I saw was very negative about this, commenting that Maisie came across as "super-human" at times. I can see what she's talking about, but again, it didn't bother me that much and I think it was because of the Profiler vibe.) But yeah, in general I really, really enjoyed this one. Enough so that on Sunday, when I had about 40 pages left, I rode downtown to make sure I had the third (and the fourth) one ready and waiting for when I finished the second. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
The second book in the Maisie Dobbs series, this story deals with a case of finding a young woman in her 30’s who runs away from her father’s house and the wealthy father wants her returned. As Maisie searches for the girl she finds a connection with 2 murders that the police are investigating
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and also with a supposed suicide. The key clue is white feathers left at the scene of the crime. When the significance of these clues is revealed I was curious if Winspear had invented the organization, The Order of the White Feather. I should have trusted her—I googled it and not only did the organization exist but there was a picture of the advertisement for it that was mentioned in the book and a report from the daughter of one of the recipients that bore out Winspear’s “take” on the organization. This series seems to be winner! Show Less
LibraryThing member PirateJenny
Maisie Dobbs is hired by a self-made grocery store magnate to find his missing daughter. What starts as a relatively routine case develops ties with a murder being investigated by the police and possibly a suicide. A worthy sequel, highly recommended.
LibraryThing member miyurose
A rare series that I'm reading in order! This series feels fresh to me, perhaps because I don't read very many books that are set in this time period or that deal at all with WWI or its aftermath. Maisie is a heroine with depth, and I'm often surprised by her actions and reactions.
LibraryThing member Kimaoverstreet
Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear is the second installment in the Masie Dobbs series. Building off the first book, the loveable cast of characters, is further developed. This is definitely a series to read in order, and one I would reccomend highly.
In Birds of a Feather, Maisie is
In Birds of a Feather, Maisie is
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presented with a missing persons case that leads to a frantic search for a serial killer. Using her unique blend of street smarts, pschology, and intuition, Masie is a worthy protragonist. Show Less
LibraryThing member horacewimsey
Another good one from Winspear. A bit better than her first, I think, because the character was developed from the start in this one. (In the first in the series, it takes a good hundred or so pages before the character is sufficiently developed to tell the story.) Certainly looking forward to the
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next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member riverwillow
Although I love crime fiction what really fascinates me about these books is the research and the reminder that WWI destroyed a generation of lives. Maisie is also a compelling character.
LibraryThing member thornton37814
The owner of a grocery store hires Maisie to locate his 30+ year old daughter who has run away from home. Meanwhile, the police are investigating the murder of someone who is a friend of the runaway daughter which appears to be a copycat of another murder. The timing is a little too coincidental so
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Maisie begins to investigate. The more she investigates, the more she is convinced the police have it all wrong. There's another thread running alongside of the main one that involves Maisie's assistant, Beale, who became addicted to pain medications due to his war injuries and yet another that involves Maisie's relationship with her father. It's an interesting puzzle. Readers will sometimes be frustrated that we don't know exactly what Maisie has found or seen until she gets ready to share it with someone else, but it is an effective tool to keep interest and make the plot less predictable. Show Less
LibraryThing member bell7
In the second book in the Maisie Dobbs series, a father asks Maisie to find his runaway adult daughter without alerting the police or press. He is a businessman, and it could damage his prospects if word were to get out. His daughter may be in danger...or may be a killer. It's up to Maisie and her
The audiobook I listened to was read by Kim Hicks, who did an excellent job with many characters, even making the men sound individual, and also had to deal with multiple accents (I'm no expert on how well she did there). Though a true cozy with much death off-screen (which I prefer), the psychological thrill of wondering whether Charlotte is in danger or is perpetuating these murders kept me interested as a listener and made this a rather difficult book to listen to before going to bed.
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assistant, Billy Beale to get to the bottom of this.The audiobook I listened to was read by Kim Hicks, who did an excellent job with many characters, even making the men sound individual, and also had to deal with multiple accents (I'm no expert on how well she did there). Though a true cozy with much death off-screen (which I prefer), the psychological thrill of wondering whether Charlotte is in danger or is perpetuating these murders kept me interested as a listener and made this a rather difficult book to listen to before going to bed.
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LibraryThing member regina.arbeia
Maisie Dobbs is a terrific series that seems to get better with each book. The characters - especially the criminals - are always interesting and complex, and the historical background is always excellent.
Awards
Agatha Award (Nominee — Novel — 2004)
Dilys Award (Nominee — 2005)
Lefty Award (Nominee — 2005)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2005)