Publication
New York : Harper, c2011.
Collection
Call number
Fiction W
Physical description
323 p.; 21 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Maisie Dobbs' first assignment for the British Secret Service takes her undercover to Cambridge as a professor, and leads to the investigation of a murderous web of activities being conducted by the up-and-coming Nazi party.
Series
Media reviews
The plot of A Lesson in Secrets is not so much suspenseful as intellectually provocative.
Maisie’s current assignment finds her working undercover as a junior lecturer in philosophy at a Cambridge college.... British intelligence suspects that the school’s predominantly foreign student body might be inculcating idealistic British youth with radical ideas imported from Russia. But
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Maisie, who is prescient in the way heroines tend to be in historical fiction, is more concerned about the impact of National Socialism in Germany. The story isn’t half bad, but Maisie’s sortie into group psychology can’t touch the sensitive work she once did with shell-shocked soldiers.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member Chatterbox
I confess: I find it very hard to love Jacqueline Winspear's sleuth, Maisie Dobbs. She's just too perfect. She's compassionate, particularly toward those who deserve it (who are always grateful.) She's wise, and sees into the minds of those around her. (In this book, she knows just how to help her
That reservation is one of the reasons I can't fall in love with this series, however well Winspear conveys a sense of time and place -- in this case, England in the early autumn of 1932. All the elements are there -- the lingering effects of WWI, in the form of a college devoted to pacifist ideals, at which Maisie goes undercover to teach at the behest of the secret service, and the looming menace of fascism, in the shape of the attraction of some characters to embryonic Nazism. Maisie's actual assignment ends up taking a back seat to her investigation of a death that follows rapidly on her arrival at the college, and she pursues the trail of clues to its conclusion with very few false steps. (Even the Scotland Yard detectives and the secret service folks aren't enough to derail her!)
If you're looking for a mystery novel rich in character development and ambiance, this isn't it. On the other hand, I could see Agatha Christie, if she were alive and writing today, crafting this type of novel -- a straightforward whodunnit with a cast of supporting characters and just enough red herrings to keep life interesting. (Although to be fair, Winspear is far better a writer than Christie!) If that's the kind of mystery you like, this will be right up your alley, and if you've enjoyed previous offerings in the series, you'll find this one of the better ones. (A tip: don't try reading it without having read at least a few of the earlier books, or the offhand references to "offstage" characters and an understanding of Maisie's circumstances will elude you.)
I'm glad to see that Winspear is moving the series forward not only in time (it's 1932 in this episode) but also in theme -- Maisie's investigations involve, at least indirectly, the fascist menace. This may not be a terrifically memorable book for me, but it's a serviceable mystery that helped me pass several hours in an entertaining fashion, and a solid enough read to warrant 3.5 stars. Recommended primarily to fans of the series.
Full disclosure: I received an advance copy from the publishers via NetGalley.
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assistant, Billy, and his family, without offending Billy's pride.) She's clever and solves mysteries. She's always poised and rarely flustered. Is she altogether human??That reservation is one of the reasons I can't fall in love with this series, however well Winspear conveys a sense of time and place -- in this case, England in the early autumn of 1932. All the elements are there -- the lingering effects of WWI, in the form of a college devoted to pacifist ideals, at which Maisie goes undercover to teach at the behest of the secret service, and the looming menace of fascism, in the shape of the attraction of some characters to embryonic Nazism. Maisie's actual assignment ends up taking a back seat to her investigation of a death that follows rapidly on her arrival at the college, and she pursues the trail of clues to its conclusion with very few false steps. (Even the Scotland Yard detectives and the secret service folks aren't enough to derail her!)
If you're looking for a mystery novel rich in character development and ambiance, this isn't it. On the other hand, I could see Agatha Christie, if she were alive and writing today, crafting this type of novel -- a straightforward whodunnit with a cast of supporting characters and just enough red herrings to keep life interesting. (Although to be fair, Winspear is far better a writer than Christie!) If that's the kind of mystery you like, this will be right up your alley, and if you've enjoyed previous offerings in the series, you'll find this one of the better ones. (A tip: don't try reading it without having read at least a few of the earlier books, or the offhand references to "offstage" characters and an understanding of Maisie's circumstances will elude you.)
I'm glad to see that Winspear is moving the series forward not only in time (it's 1932 in this episode) but also in theme -- Maisie's investigations involve, at least indirectly, the fascist menace. This may not be a terrifically memorable book for me, but it's a serviceable mystery that helped me pass several hours in an entertaining fashion, and a solid enough read to warrant 3.5 stars. Recommended primarily to fans of the series.
Full disclosure: I received an advance copy from the publishers via NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member themulhern
Still interesting as Maisie goes undercover (sort of). She keeps being picked up in cars for chats, and she always "alights the car". "alights" does not take an object. Maybe I'm doing the author a disservice and it's the reader who is misreading?
LibraryThing member akswede
This is my least favorite in the series so far. It was boring, to be quite honest. The plot in a nutshell: Maisie drives back and forth from London. Repeat. Scotland Yard police hang around, inconceivably not bothered by the fact that the person who found the body just up and disappeared. They
I kept looking for some meat in the plot, but sadly, it wasn't to be found. I hope the next book returns to Winspear's usual standards.
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don't care that the haven't interviewed one of the major suspects? Entirely unbelievable. Predictable Sandra side story. Maisie drives around some more. The end. I kept looking for some meat in the plot, but sadly, it wasn't to be found. I hope the next book returns to Winspear's usual standards.
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LibraryThing member elliezann
Unfortunately for me, this is the first Maisie Dobbs novel I have read. This will be changed very soon.
Jacqueline Winspear has created one of the most authentic characters in mystery fiction. Maisie Dobbs is an English Inquiry Agent(private detective in USA) who gets tricked into working with the
Of course, Liddicote gets killed and even though the government wants Maisie to stay on the spy ring, she gets immersed in solving the crime. All this in conjunction with helping her friends and assistants solve their problems makes this one of the best mystery novels I have read. Besides plot and character, Ms. Winspear has stayed true to the time and place of her character deftly interweaving pieces of history with fiction. She has written eight novels about Maisie so I have some catching up to do but I can't wait. Everyone who likes mysteries will not be disappointed with this delightful series.
Jacqueline Winspear has created one of the most authentic characters in mystery fiction. Maisie Dobbs is an English Inquiry Agent(private detective in USA) who gets tricked into working with the
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British Secret Service.Capable and well-to-do, Maisie becomes a teacher in a small college founded by Grenville Liddicote which the British government feels may not be a peaceful institution and filled with illegal aliens. This is because during WWI Liddicote wrote a book urging pacifism not fighting.Of course, Liddicote gets killed and even though the government wants Maisie to stay on the spy ring, she gets immersed in solving the crime. All this in conjunction with helping her friends and assistants solve their problems makes this one of the best mystery novels I have read. Besides plot and character, Ms. Winspear has stayed true to the time and place of her character deftly interweaving pieces of history with fiction. She has written eight novels about Maisie so I have some catching up to do but I can't wait. Everyone who likes mysteries will not be disappointed with this delightful series.
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LibraryThing member lbswiener
A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs novel is a story that keeps its pace for a long time. The story just goes on and on. The lead character, Maisie Dobbs, is just so perfect and wonderful that it is just too much. Our perfect and wonderful character is able to solve crimes that even Scotland Yard
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cannot. Consequently, only three stars were given in this review. Show Less
LibraryThing member Glenajo
Set in the years following WWI in England, the Masie Dobbs series employs a pervading sense of gloom felt as the people deal with the deaths of so many, disabled veterans, high unemployment, and the truly poor lower class. This series allows a ‘richer’ society to glimpse the difficulty of the
The darkness from some of Winspear’s earlier Masie Dobbs novels lightens as Masie feels less pressure to count pennies, deepens her relationship with James Compton, and uses her fortune to help Billy Beale and his family. Darkness looms again on the horizon as Special Branch requests that Masie investigate a college founded to study peace. When Masie moves to the college to teach, a murder interrupts her original investigation plans. As usual, Masie moves slowly and discovers all the undercurrents by the end of the book.
I have enjoyed each Masie Dobbs book, because I find this time particularly interesting, and all the characters have such depth. I find myself retaining the story, and returning to different parts to examine them further as an excellent story should.
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time, and the amazing changes as one of the poor, Masie, begins to climb the ladder to a better life, albeit with the help of those above her and her brilliant mind. While some may argue that this was unusual for the time with the stability of the British class system, it is doubtful that anyone in any country climbed that ladder without help. That being said, Masie is very aware of her class, and even though her former mentor bequeathed her a fortune, she does not feel easy stepping into the middle class. The darkness from some of Winspear’s earlier Masie Dobbs novels lightens as Masie feels less pressure to count pennies, deepens her relationship with James Compton, and uses her fortune to help Billy Beale and his family. Darkness looms again on the horizon as Special Branch requests that Masie investigate a college founded to study peace. When Masie moves to the college to teach, a murder interrupts her original investigation plans. As usual, Masie moves slowly and discovers all the undercurrents by the end of the book.
I have enjoyed each Masie Dobbs book, because I find this time particularly interesting, and all the characters have such depth. I find myself retaining the story, and returning to different parts to examine them further as an excellent story should.
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LibraryThing member mountie9
The Good Stuff
* Lovely slow but interesting mystery story which sort of reminded me of Agatha Christie
* Delightful inquisitive heroine with tons of perseverance and dry wit
* Very British which I adore -must be why I married a man with British parents --even when they swear they sound so polite
*
* I was really impressed with the fact, that you didn't have to read the other books in the series to know what was going on and a sense of who people are
* Maisie is a very realistic heroine
* Enjoyed the message about Woman and War and of Peace
The Not so Good Stuff
* Won't lie, it was a little slow at times for me
* A little too overly proper -- but hey that was how it was like in that point in history
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"She's like a good many women, Maisie; they toe the line very well until someone they love-a child, a spouse - is threatened or harmed, and then you see a completely different side to them. Had that not been so, then this country would never have come through the war. Wars are fought by men, Maisie-but the winning is down to women who are prepared to break windows for their own."
"A man who stands up for what he believes in instead of fighting for what someone else believes in is a threat -- people cannot bear someone who has that sort of strength and fortitude."
" You should know, however, that I do not work for His Majesty's gratitude, honor that it is. I prefer my payment to be more tangible."
" Are you sure you're not a Scot?" MacFarlane smiled as Huntley passed a series of documents to Maisie."
What I Learned
* about conscientious objectors
* Some history of the war - especially the period between the two World Wars
Who should/shouldn't read
* Perfect for mystery lovers and fans of Agatha Christie
* Definitely not for those who need constant excitement
4 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review
* Lovely slow but interesting mystery story which sort of reminded me of Agatha Christie
* Delightful inquisitive heroine with tons of perseverance and dry wit
* Very British which I adore -must be why I married a man with British parents --even when they swear they sound so polite
*
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Lots of twists and turns in the mystery so keeps you guessing on whodunit* I was really impressed with the fact, that you didn't have to read the other books in the series to know what was going on and a sense of who people are
* Maisie is a very realistic heroine
* Enjoyed the message about Woman and War and of Peace
The Not so Good Stuff
* Won't lie, it was a little slow at times for me
* A little too overly proper -- but hey that was how it was like in that point in history
Favorite Quotes/Passages
"She's like a good many women, Maisie; they toe the line very well until someone they love-a child, a spouse - is threatened or harmed, and then you see a completely different side to them. Had that not been so, then this country would never have come through the war. Wars are fought by men, Maisie-but the winning is down to women who are prepared to break windows for their own."
"A man who stands up for what he believes in instead of fighting for what someone else believes in is a threat -- people cannot bear someone who has that sort of strength and fortitude."
" You should know, however, that I do not work for His Majesty's gratitude, honor that it is. I prefer my payment to be more tangible."
" Are you sure you're not a Scot?" MacFarlane smiled as Huntley passed a series of documents to Maisie."
What I Learned
* about conscientious objectors
* Some history of the war - especially the period between the two World Wars
Who should/shouldn't read
* Perfect for mystery lovers and fans of Agatha Christie
* Definitely not for those who need constant excitement
4 Dewey's
I received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review
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LibraryThing member Lindoula
This is my least favorite in the series so far. It was boring, to be quite honest. The plot in a nutshell: Maisie drives back and forth from London. Repeat. Scotland Yard police hang around, inconceivably not bothered by the fact that the person who found the body just up and disappeared. They
I kept looking for some meat in the plot, but sadly, it wasn't to be found. I hope the next book returns to Winspear's usual standards.
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don't care that the haven't interviewed one of the major suspects? Entirely unbelievable. Predictable Sandra side story. Maisie drives around some more. The end. I kept looking for some meat in the plot, but sadly, it wasn't to be found. I hope the next book returns to Winspear's usual standards.
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LibraryThing member cbl_tn
Maisie Dobbs has worked with Scotland Yard in the past, and now she has the opportunity to work with British intelligence. Something isn't quite right at a Cambridge college built on pacifist ideals, and Maisie's job is to uncover anything that might be a danger to the country while she works
Maisie's personality is suited for academia. I've read a number of mysteries with academic settings, and most of the time the professor/sleuth seems to do everything but what s/he is paid to do – teach. Maisie's position is a means to an end, yet she takes her teaching responsibilities seriously and fits her investigative work around her class schedule. She seems to enjoy teaching, and I wish there had been more interaction between Maisie and her students in the book.
Maisie's assignment seemed a bit vague to me. Solving the murder was tangential to her assignment, yet she considered her work complete once the murder had been solved (except for finishing out her teaching responsibilities for the term). I'm not sure that espionage brings out the best in Maisie's character. She has always been tactfully forthright, but as a consequence of her intelligence work she finds herself having to lie convincingly on a number of occasions. It will be interesting to see how deeply Maisie can become involved in intelligence work before having a crisis of conscience.
I'm not sure how I feel about this new direction for the series. So far, I prefer Maisie as private investigator rather than spy. However, as the series progresses closer in time to World War II, I have a feeling that national security is going to play a bigger role in Maisie's cases.
This review is based on an advance reader's e-proof provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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undercover as a philosophy lecturer. No sooner has the term started than a murder is discovered. Meanwhile back in London, Billy works on a case for an old friend of Maisie's.Maisie's personality is suited for academia. I've read a number of mysteries with academic settings, and most of the time the professor/sleuth seems to do everything but what s/he is paid to do – teach. Maisie's position is a means to an end, yet she takes her teaching responsibilities seriously and fits her investigative work around her class schedule. She seems to enjoy teaching, and I wish there had been more interaction between Maisie and her students in the book.
Maisie's assignment seemed a bit vague to me. Solving the murder was tangential to her assignment, yet she considered her work complete once the murder had been solved (except for finishing out her teaching responsibilities for the term). I'm not sure that espionage brings out the best in Maisie's character. She has always been tactfully forthright, but as a consequence of her intelligence work she finds herself having to lie convincingly on a number of occasions. It will be interesting to see how deeply Maisie can become involved in intelligence work before having a crisis of conscience.
I'm not sure how I feel about this new direction for the series. So far, I prefer Maisie as private investigator rather than spy. However, as the series progresses closer in time to World War II, I have a feeling that national security is going to play a bigger role in Maisie's cases.
This review is based on an advance reader's e-proof provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
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LibraryThing member michigantrumpet
Can it be? Already up to the eighth installment in the Maisie Dobbs series! I'm not one for series generally, but being intrigued by Europe in the period between the two World Wars, am immediately drawn in. No sooner has Maisie arrived to teach at a small college in Cambridge (having been recruited
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by the Secret Service to monitor potential anti-British activities there) than the head of the college is discovered murdered in his study. Winspear uses this volume as an opportunity to ponder and elucidate upon the rise of facism (and its converse, pacificism) in England during this time period. (The series has advanced to 1932.). The murder mystery itself is intriguing enough, but her remit from the Secret Service seems rather unspecific and lacks any sort of resolution. I suspect we'll see more of ts theme in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member wkelly42
Since I first received the third book in this series, Pardonable Lies, I’ve been hooked on this historical-fiction-mystery series. It’s set in a pretty fascinating time period — the early 1930s, just before the Second World War began. It details the rise in status of a young woman who is
Book eight finds Maisie Dobbs adjusting to her new life. She has just inherited a rather substantial fortune thanks to her mentor, the late Dr. Maurice Blanche. She has also inherited a fairly permanent assignment with the British government, working with His Majesty’s Secret Service to root out threats to the crown. Her first assignment is to go under cover at a Cambridge college to determine if there are any activities going on there that the government should be concerned about. Of course, this is a Maisie Dobbs book, so that assignment is immediately complicated — in this case, by the apparent murder of the school’s founder. Maisie is immediately involved in both her investigation for the government AND the investigation of the murder, because she sees the two as intimately related.
In addition to this (as if it isn’t enough!), Maisie’s personal life is growing increasingly complex. Her budding relationship with James Compton is a bit stressed, with his trip to Canada lasting much longer than he had intended. Her father is courting, her assistant Billy is about to become a father again, and her new secretary is convinced that her husband’s death was more than just an accident. Can Maisie keep all of these plates spinning, or will everything come crashing down around her in chaos?
Dedicated readers know the answer to that one; the truly fascinating part of these books is the HOW as much as anything.
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quite the investigator, who rises above both her station and her gender to become a rousing success in her field. The mysteries are fascinating, the characters are believable, and all in all the series is one that it’s very easy to get hooked on. I know I have become a bit addicted to the books in the last almost six years.Book eight finds Maisie Dobbs adjusting to her new life. She has just inherited a rather substantial fortune thanks to her mentor, the late Dr. Maurice Blanche. She has also inherited a fairly permanent assignment with the British government, working with His Majesty’s Secret Service to root out threats to the crown. Her first assignment is to go under cover at a Cambridge college to determine if there are any activities going on there that the government should be concerned about. Of course, this is a Maisie Dobbs book, so that assignment is immediately complicated — in this case, by the apparent murder of the school’s founder. Maisie is immediately involved in both her investigation for the government AND the investigation of the murder, because she sees the two as intimately related.
In addition to this (as if it isn’t enough!), Maisie’s personal life is growing increasingly complex. Her budding relationship with James Compton is a bit stressed, with his trip to Canada lasting much longer than he had intended. Her father is courting, her assistant Billy is about to become a father again, and her new secretary is convinced that her husband’s death was more than just an accident. Can Maisie keep all of these plates spinning, or will everything come crashing down around her in chaos?
Dedicated readers know the answer to that one; the truly fascinating part of these books is the HOW as much as anything.
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LibraryThing member akmargie
I dropped this down to a three because after the awesome of last book this wasn't as strong. The mystery was so so, the side story with British Intelligence was mostly to set up the next book, I think. Also there was this weird side story with James Compton that kinda went no where.
LibraryThing member lit_chick
2011, Harper Collins, Read by Orlagh Cassidy
Publisher’s Summary: from Audible.com
In the summer of 1932, Maisie Dobbs' career takes an exciting new turn when she accepts an undercover assignment directed by Scotland Yard's Special Branch and the Secret Service. Posing as a junior lecturer, she is
My Review:
Following the death of Maurice Blanche in the last novel, Maisie steps into her beloved mentor’s shoes with her first foray into working with the British Secret Service. And our girl rocks it! (not that there was ever any doubt that she would). Hindsight being what it is, it is clear to readers that the activities being investigated at Cambridge as concerns the rising powers of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei – the Nazi Party– in Britain – foreshadow the coming of WWII.
There’s much to celebrate, too, in A Lesson in Secrets. Maisie, who was surprised in the previous novel to find herself caring for a certain gentleman – is now deeply in love. And Billie and Doreen Beale will announce wonderful news at the end of the novel. Full credit here to Winspear whose characters have become so endeared to me.
Highly recommended!
Publisher’s Summary: from Audible.com
In the summer of 1932, Maisie Dobbs' career takes an exciting new turn when she accepts an undercover assignment directed by Scotland Yard's Special Branch and the Secret Service. Posing as a junior lecturer, she is
Show More
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 must stand back as Detective Chief Superintendent Robert MacFarlane and Detective Chief Inspector Richard 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.My Review:
Following the death of Maurice Blanche in the last novel, Maisie steps into her beloved mentor’s shoes with her first foray into working with the British Secret Service. And our girl rocks it! (not that there was ever any doubt that she would). Hindsight being what it is, it is clear to readers that the activities being investigated at Cambridge as concerns the rising powers of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei – the Nazi Party– in Britain – foreshadow the coming of WWII.
There’s much to celebrate, too, in A Lesson in Secrets. Maisie, who was surprised in the previous novel to find herself caring for a certain gentleman – is now deeply in love. And Billie and Doreen Beale will announce wonderful news at the end of the novel. Full credit here to Winspear whose characters have become so endeared to me.
Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member cyderry
The British Secret Service enlist Maisie's unique talents in this installment sending her to teach at a college that stresses pacifism. Before she is even settled in the head of the college is found dead Maisie is forced to walk a tight line between assignment for the Secret Service and the murder
Maisie is also juggling her relationships with her assistant Billy (trying to get him to accept help for his young family), Sandra (a former servant for the Comptons who has been widowed my murder), and her own relationship with James Compton. The interactions are cleverly woven throughout the story.
I'm ready for the next one!
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investigation. Maisie is also juggling her relationships with her assistant Billy (trying to get him to accept help for his young family), Sandra (a former servant for the Comptons who has been widowed my murder), and her own relationship with James Compton. The interactions are cleverly woven throughout the story.
I'm ready for the next one!
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LibraryThing member delphimo
Jacqueline Winspear has taken us through World War I and the aftermath, and now the focus is the gathering storm in Germany and Adolf Hitler. Maisie Dobbs has been asked by the Secret Service to teach at a university and attempt to uncover plots against the Crown. Of course, a disaster happens when
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the director/principal of the university is murdered, leaving Maisie with a murder to solve. These are not the only problems in Maisie's life. She must try to help Billy and pregnant Doreen find a better home, attempt to sort her feelings for James, try to understand her father's new phase in his life, and help widowed Sandra with her problems. The story is interesting and of course, Maisie is one-of-a kind. Show Less
LibraryThing member wakela
I want to be completely honest in why I had chosen this book from Netgalley. There were actually two main reasons. The first is because growing up, my mom always said that she rarely knew anyone with her name, Maisie. It was a name that was passed down in the family for generations. However, my mom
The second reason is because I have actually been looking into this period of history as I work on my family tree. So it was nice to see a fictitious piece about England set between the two World Wars.
Even though this was the eighth book in the series and the first one I have read, I did not feel lost at all. I absolutely fell in love with the writing style of Jacqueline Winspear.
I felt myself being transported back in time as I read through the adventures of Maisie as she hunted down clues to help solve the murder. This was not one of those mysteries with chase scenes, shoot outs, or other such action. Instead, it was more of a cerebral mystery where you follow along as she uncovers the truth.
Now my sister loves to read cozy mysteries, but she has never read any of hers yet. So of course, I had to tell her all about it. She has already bought the first few books. She is going to pass them on to me so that I can start reading through the series.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
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refused to name any of us with it because she felt it was too old fashioned.The second reason is because I have actually been looking into this period of history as I work on my family tree. So it was nice to see a fictitious piece about England set between the two World Wars.
Even though this was the eighth book in the series and the first one I have read, I did not feel lost at all. I absolutely fell in love with the writing style of Jacqueline Winspear.
I felt myself being transported back in time as I read through the adventures of Maisie as she hunted down clues to help solve the murder. This was not one of those mysteries with chase scenes, shoot outs, or other such action. Instead, it was more of a cerebral mystery where you follow along as she uncovers the truth.
Now my sister loves to read cozy mysteries, but she has never read any of hers yet. So of course, I had to tell her all about it. She has already bought the first few books. She is going to pass them on to me so that I can start reading through the series.
In conjunction with the Wakela's World Disclosure Statement, I received a product in order to enable my review. No other compensation has been received. My statements are an honest account of my experience with the brand. The opinions stated here are mine alone.
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LibraryThing member Kathy89
Maisie is one of my favorite heroines. This book has Maisie working for Britain's Secret Service and working as a teacher at one Cambridge's Colleges. She is to uncover any radical activity that would threaten the Crown. She's only there one day when the head of the college is murdered. Meanwhile
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back in London, a former house maid, Sandra, of Lady Rowan's shows up at Maisie's office looking for work after her husband has been murdered. Billy has to investigate that on his own while awaiting the birth of another baby and his wife's fragile health. I miss the struggling making-ends-meet Maisie now that she's well-to-do and being courted by Viscount James Compton. I was hoping that she would get together with Straton. Show Less
LibraryThing member MusicMom41
I have loved this series from the beginning. I enjoy the depiction of both sides of English society during the period between the two Great Wars with the bonus of also having an interesting mystery in each one. Maisie dobbs is a fascinating character and we have seen her learn and grow while
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dealing with the effects of WWI on her life. In this episode we see her expanding her horizons in several ways and we get a glimpse of the problems facing England near the end of the long “weekend” before the breakout of WWII. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beth350
Once again Jaqueline Winspear has created a delightful mystery featuring Maisie Dobbs. In this seventh book, Maisie finds herself working both on her own cases and for His Majesty's government while simultaneously trying on the mantle of junior lecturer in philosophy at St Francis College in
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Cambridge. One of the more interesting aspects of this particular book has to do with information about the use of women in the British Secret Service during WWI. Winspear continues to people her book with familiar and new characters who are multi-leveled and well described. As with the other Maisie Dobbs mysteries, I would highly recommend it. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookchickdi
We've followed Maisie from her days as a maid in Lady Rowan Compton's estate, through her schooling and tutelage under the brilliant Dr. Maurice Blanche, her WWI service as a nurse in France, opening up her own private investigations/psychologist office, and now working undercover for the British
Maisie takes on the job working to discover if there are any terrorists at the University. She hesitates at first, but remembers her late mentor Maurice's words to her that she needs to be open to the unexpected. While at the school, the dean is murdered, and Maisie finds herself assisting the police in their investigation as well.
The dean had written a famous children's book about soldiers putting their weapons down and refusing to fight. There were rumors that this book had caused a large mutiny in France during WWI, with British and German soldiers laying down their weapons. This book plays a big part in the mystery, one that is intriguing indeed.
I liked how this novel not only took Maisie out of her comfort zone of work, but forced her to face personal challenges as well. Her friend Sandra lost her husband, and Maisie took Sandra into her home and offered her a job. Sandra uses her position with Maisie to investigate her husband's death. I would like to see Sandra stay on as part of Maisie's office staff.
Maisie worries about her father's health, and his refusal to move in with her at Maurice's home frustrates her. It is ironic that Maisie is so in tuned with other people's secrets and feelings, yet her father is able to hide something big from her.
Billy Beale, her faithful assistant, is stubborn as well. Maisie has offered Billy a downpayment on a new home, one that will change his family's life forever and for the better, but Billy is hesitant to accept. The men in Maisie's life are frustrating her.
And then there is her boyfriend James Compton, son of her benefactor, Lady Rowan. He is supposed to be away on business in Toronto, but Maisie finds out he has been in London. Is their relationship in trouble?
I always learn something of historical interest in these novels, and in this one, we learn that women played a big part in wartime intelligence. Over 10,000 women worked for the Secret Service in London during the war, reporting troop movements, sabotaging the German enemy, and consorting with the enemy to get information. I will definitely be looking for information on this subject.
The rise of the German Socialist Party, the Nazis, is on the horizon, and we see the beginning of the debate between the Brits who, weary of the lingering WWI problems, do not to wish to get involved in Germany's issues, and those Brits who see the dangers of the Nazi Party and Hitler's rise. I can't wait to see where Winspear takes this in future books.
I really enjoyed reading the Maisie Dobbs series; I like Maisie as a strong female character, one young ladies can look up to. Not only is Maisie interesting, but the secondary characters are as well, and Winspear introduces many new ones in each book, rather than just relying on the ones we already know.
I've learned much about Britain following WWI, an era I was unfamiliar with. It seems that while the methods of war have changed over the decades, the effects of it on the people who fought it, and those who love them, remain the same.
If you like historical fiction with a strong female protagonist, and cozy mysteries, I highly recommend the Maisie Dobbs series.
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secret intelligence as a university instructor in the current novel.Maisie takes on the job working to discover if there are any terrorists at the University. She hesitates at first, but remembers her late mentor Maurice's words to her that she needs to be open to the unexpected. While at the school, the dean is murdered, and Maisie finds herself assisting the police in their investigation as well.
The dean had written a famous children's book about soldiers putting their weapons down and refusing to fight. There were rumors that this book had caused a large mutiny in France during WWI, with British and German soldiers laying down their weapons. This book plays a big part in the mystery, one that is intriguing indeed.
I liked how this novel not only took Maisie out of her comfort zone of work, but forced her to face personal challenges as well. Her friend Sandra lost her husband, and Maisie took Sandra into her home and offered her a job. Sandra uses her position with Maisie to investigate her husband's death. I would like to see Sandra stay on as part of Maisie's office staff.
Maisie worries about her father's health, and his refusal to move in with her at Maurice's home frustrates her. It is ironic that Maisie is so in tuned with other people's secrets and feelings, yet her father is able to hide something big from her.
Billy Beale, her faithful assistant, is stubborn as well. Maisie has offered Billy a downpayment on a new home, one that will change his family's life forever and for the better, but Billy is hesitant to accept. The men in Maisie's life are frustrating her.
And then there is her boyfriend James Compton, son of her benefactor, Lady Rowan. He is supposed to be away on business in Toronto, but Maisie finds out he has been in London. Is their relationship in trouble?
I always learn something of historical interest in these novels, and in this one, we learn that women played a big part in wartime intelligence. Over 10,000 women worked for the Secret Service in London during the war, reporting troop movements, sabotaging the German enemy, and consorting with the enemy to get information. I will definitely be looking for information on this subject.
The rise of the German Socialist Party, the Nazis, is on the horizon, and we see the beginning of the debate between the Brits who, weary of the lingering WWI problems, do not to wish to get involved in Germany's issues, and those Brits who see the dangers of the Nazi Party and Hitler's rise. I can't wait to see where Winspear takes this in future books.
I really enjoyed reading the Maisie Dobbs series; I like Maisie as a strong female character, one young ladies can look up to. Not only is Maisie interesting, but the secondary characters are as well, and Winspear introduces many new ones in each book, rather than just relying on the ones we already know.
I've learned much about Britain following WWI, an era I was unfamiliar with. It seems that while the methods of war have changed over the decades, the effects of it on the people who fought it, and those who love them, remain the same.
If you like historical fiction with a strong female protagonist, and cozy mysteries, I highly recommend the Maisie Dobbs series.
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LibraryThing member etxgardener
I love the Maisie Dobbs mystery series. Unlike so many on bookstore shelves these days, it's intelligently written and historically accurate. This, the eighth volume in the series, finds us at 1932. Maisie's mentor, Dr. Maurice Blanche, has died leaving her his entire estate, so Maisie is now in a
The main plot, however, involves a new assignment given to Maisie by the British Secret Service. She is to pose as a lecturer in Philosophy at the College of St. Francis - a new school in Cambridge founded by a famous (or infamous?) pacifist - and to see if any suspicious activities "not in the interest of the Crown" are occurring. When the head of the college dies, Maisie is drawn into yet another murder investigation.
In her investigations, she does find suspicious activities - group of Nazi sympathizers. However, the government men seem more concerned about the possibility of Communists at the college.
With this volume we pass from the aftermath of World War I to events that will lead to the next war. Maisie's personal life, also seems to be becoming more settled as her relationship with James Compton seems to be growing into something more permanent and even her father is developing a late in life romantic attachment. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment in Maisie's life.
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much more secure financial position. She uses her new wealth to buy a house for her assistant, Billy Beale and his pregnant wife, Doreen. She also assists a former servant, Sandra, after her husband is killed in a suspicious industrial accident.The main plot, however, involves a new assignment given to Maisie by the British Secret Service. She is to pose as a lecturer in Philosophy at the College of St. Francis - a new school in Cambridge founded by a famous (or infamous?) pacifist - and to see if any suspicious activities "not in the interest of the Crown" are occurring. When the head of the college dies, Maisie is drawn into yet another murder investigation.
In her investigations, she does find suspicious activities - group of Nazi sympathizers. However, the government men seem more concerned about the possibility of Communists at the college.
With this volume we pass from the aftermath of World War I to events that will lead to the next war. Maisie's personal life, also seems to be becoming more settled as her relationship with James Compton seems to be growing into something more permanent and even her father is developing a late in life romantic attachment. I'm eagerly looking forward to the next installment in Maisie's life.
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LibraryThing member riverwillow
Its 1932 and Maisie is asked by the Secret Service and Special Branch to become a junior lecturer in a private college in Cambridge in order to report back on any activities that might not be in British interests. As always the events and repercussions of WWI loom large, the college has been
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founded by the writer of a children's book which may or may not have caused both Allied and German soldiers in the trenches to mutiny. As her investigation continues, Maisie becomes concerned about the influences that the Nazi Party has in certain quarters of British Society. But Maisie also has personal concerns, she wants help her assistant, Billy Beale find a new home, as well as help a friend from service, Sandra, who is newly widowed. Winspear brings all the threads together in an unsentimental snapshot of British Society in the early 1930s, where the sorrows and pains of WII were slowly being replaced by concerns as to what the political upheavals in Germany might bring. Show Less
LibraryThing member BLBera
The great thing about this series is that time passes, and people change. The first book started after WWI, and now, in the latest, it's 1932, and Hitler is starting to be seen as a threat. Maisie, too, has changed from the grieving and shell shocked young woman of the first book.
LibraryThing member mks27
This 8th installment of the Maisie Dobbs series presents a compelling murder mystery and, as always, digs deeper into the society and issues of the day.
Here, Winspear examines the role of women in the underground during World War I, the role of women working in war intelligence both on the home
Maisie sets to work using her new found wealth to give back and help those in need, just as she was once helped herself, and her relationship with James Compton adds a small bit of romance. I highly recommend this book and the entire series; however, I will suggest reading them in order.
Here, Winspear examines the role of women in the underground during World War I, the role of women working in war intelligence both on the home
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front and on the Continent, and the role of the National Socialist Party and Fascism in England in the years between the World Wars. The most interesting aspect of this story, for me, was learning about the treatment of Pacifist in England during World War I. Maisie sets to work using her new found wealth to give back and help those in need, just as she was once helped herself, and her relationship with James Compton adds a small bit of romance. I highly recommend this book and the entire series; however, I will suggest reading them in order.
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LibraryThing member shazjhb
Nice to find a new detective to read. Obviously not a new writer but new for me. Interesting character and setting
Awards
Macavity Award (Nominee — Historical Mystery — 2012)
Agatha Award (Nominee — Historical Novel — 2011)
Lefty Award (Nominee — 2012)
Language
Original publication date
2011-03-22
ISBN
9780061727719