Currently reading...

Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss, I am now in possession of the new Maisie Dobbs book by Jacqueline Winspear - To Die But Once (Book #14 in the series).  It doesn't get released until March 27th, but I just couldn't wait.  I am now midway through and absolutely LOVING it!!

(Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for providing me with a copy of this book!)

In This Grave Hour: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

“A female investigator every bit as brainy and battle-hardened as Lisbeth Salander.” — Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air, on Maisie Dobbs

Sunday September 3rd 1939.  At the moment Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain broadcasts to the nation Britain’s declaration of war with Germany, a senior Secret Service agent breaks into Maisie Dobbs’ flat to await her return. Dr. Francesca Thomas has an urgent assignment for Maisie: to find the killer of a man who escaped occupied Belgium as a boy, some twenty-three years earlier during the Great War.

In a London shadowed by barrage balloons, bomb shelters and the threat of invasion, within days another former Belgian refugee is found murdered.  And as Maisie delves deeper into the killings of the dispossessed from the “last war,” a new kind of refugee — an evacuee from London — appears in Maisie’s life. The little girl billeted at Maisie’s home in Kent does not, or cannot, speak, and the authorities do not know who the child belongs to or who might have put her on the “Operation Pied Piper” evacuee train.  They know only that her name is Anna.

As Maisie’s search for the killer escalates, the country braces for what is to come.  Britain is approaching its gravest hour — and Maisie could be nearing a crossroads of her own.

my thoughts:

Maisie Dobbs is my jam. You know I love this series to bits. I've re-read all of the books so many times, that I can tell you about any of them without even thinking about it. I am an addict and I enjoy it. I can't help myself. I love me a good detective story and Maisie Dobbs is the queen of sleuths as far as I'm concerned. She's smart, savvy, resourceful, determined, and gung-ho about getting the job done.  I love her practicality, her strong sense of self, and her continued commitment to helping her family and friends. She is truly one of a kind and I enjoy reading about each of her new adventures (even thought they seem to get more and more dangerous).  I am a fan with a capital "F".

So, what is Maisie up to in this latest book, In This Grave Hour?  Well, London is officially at war with Germany - yikes!  Sandbags are everywhere, people MUST carry their gas masks when they leave the house, children are being evacuated to the country, and everyone is frightened by what this war could mean for them all. Billy's older son wants to join up and serve his country. Pris is terrified that her oldest son will be sent to fight. Sandra is pregnant and the war is stressing her out.  And Maisie fears all of the danger and loss her family and friends will experience during this war.  Of course, there are still cases to work amidst all of this new tension.  Yep, Maisie is still investigating and solving crimes, mysteries, you name it. This time round, she gets hired by none other than Francesca Thomas - a woman involved with secret branches with the British and Belgian governments. She's come by Maisie's home to ask her to look into the death of a Belgian man.  She tells Maisie that the case needs to be solved before anyone else is killed. Maisie agrees to the case and sets out to uncover the truth behind Thomas's involvement and who the murderer is.  Along the way, she must also deal with a little girl named Anna who doesn't talk. She has been evacuated from the City and now resides in Maisie's home out in the country. Her father and step-mum are taking care of her.  No one knows where her parents are or where she came from.  Anna refuses to speak aloud and drags her belongings with her everywhere she goes.  Maisie is determined to find the little girl's family and figure out how to get her to speak.  Suffice it to say, a lot is happening.

Winspear returns with another terrific tale in the Maisie Dobbs series. She manages to keep the stories fresh and the characters growing as the world around them changes. I love the feel of familiar mixed in with the new.  And of course, I love reading about London.  The writing is top notch and filled with great historical tidbits that provides such an authenticity to the story's setting.  I always feel like I'm learning something new when I read these books, which I just love.  As for Maisie, I am all for her figuring out her place in the world after having experienced so much loss.  I just wish that we could see her smile more.  So much loss in her life has left her a bit broken, which is understandable.  And, I just know that this war is going to leave its mark on her, but I also believe that it will push her to flourish in her personal life.  Or at least I hope it will.   I guess we'll just have to wait and see what Winspear has in store for Maisie in the next book - I hear she is currently working on it (Hurrah!) and I can't wait to read it!!

In This Grave Hour is a book I would happily recommend to fans of this popular series and anyone looking to start a terrific sleuthing series - you will LOVE this book (and series)!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: In This Grave Hour

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

London, 1931. The night before an exhibition of his artwork opens at a famed Mayfair gallery, the controversial artist Nick Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police rule it an accident, but Nick’s twin sister, Georgina, a wartime journalist and a infamous figure in her own right, isn’t convinced.

When the authorities refuse to consider her theory that Nick was murdered, Georgina seeks out a fellow graduate from Girton College, Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator, for help. Nick was a veteran of World War I, and before long the case leads Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, and into the sinister underbelly of the city’s art world.

my thoughts:

You know me, I love me some Maisie Dobbs. So, of course I jumped at the chance to read (or in my case re-read) one of her earlier works for the TLC Book Tours Month of Maisie Readalong - how could I not join in on the fun?  Plus, next month I'll be posting a review of the newest book in the series, In This Grave Hour - talk about EXCITING!!

Messenger of Truth centers on art.  Or in this case the death of an artist.  Nick BH has died and his sister, Georgina BH, is convinced he was murdered.  The police do not believe foul play was involved so they do not dissuade her from hiring Dobbs to look into Nick's death.  You see, the police are working with some higher ups on a much more important case and need to get GBH out of their hair.  Dobbs decides to take on the case and along with her faithful assistant, Billy, sets out to uncover the truth behind Nick's early demise.  Along the way, she comes across a smuggling ring, breaks up with her boyfriend Dene, and suffers a devastating loss.  Talk about a book chock full of melodrama!

I loved reuniting with Maisie and her gang - its always such a treat.  As usual she solves the case, but this time the reveal is not so neat and tidy.   Seems that Nick's family has some skeletons in its closets.  Oh, and did I mention that a painting is the key to the murder.  Yep, art can definitely kill.  Or at least in this case, it can incite people into such a rage that they can't control their actions.  As for the other story lines, the only one that truly grabbed me was that of Billy and his family.  Yes, little Lizzie Beale succumbs to death after falling ill.  I didn't understand why Billy didn't ask Maisie for help sooner or why Maisie didn't insist on visiting the sick child.  It frustrated me and saddened me.  Especially with all the talk about the rich versus the poor that this case had opened up.  I wanted Maisie to stop talking and do something instead - HELP LIZZIE!  Ack!  I teared up reading about her passing - it broke my heart.  Reading this series, I always hate how much bad luck seems to fall upon the Beale family.  It just doesn't seem fair.  Of course, that is life, right?

All in all, Messenger of Truth was a fantastic re-read.  Winspear always writes a strong, engaging, and unputdownable story - this book attests to that fact.  I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the series and fans of sleuth novels - you will LOVE this book!! 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Messenger of Truth

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Journey To Munich: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Working with the British Secret Service on an undercover mission, Maisie Dobbs is sent to Hitler’s Germany in this thrilling tale of danger and intrigue—the twelfth novel in Jacqueline Winspear’s New York Times bestselling “series that seems to get better with each entry” (Wall Street Journal).

It’s early 1938, and Maisie Dobbs is back in England. On a fine yet chilly morning, as she walks towards Fitzroy Square—a place of many memories—she is intercepted by Brian Huntley and Robert MacFarlane of the Secret Service. The German government has agreed to release a British subject from prison, but only if he is handed over to a family member. Because the man’s wife is bedridden and his daughter has been killed in an accident, the Secret Service wants Maisie—who bears a striking resemblance to the daughter—to retrieve the man from Dachau, on the outskirts of Munich.

The British government is not alone in its interest in Maisie’s travel plans. Her nemesis—the man she holds responsible for her husband’s death—has learned of her journey, and is also desperate for her help.

Traveling into the heart of Nazi Germany, Maisie encounters unexpected dangers—and finds herself questioning whether it’s time to return to the work she loved. But the Secret Service may have other ideas. . . .

my thoughts:

I'm not going to lie, when I received this book in the post I cheered for joy.  Yes, I really did.  I was so thrilled to have in my hands, the latest book in the Maisie Dobbs series - it felt like pure bliss. Finally, I would find out what happened to Maisie after we last left her in Spain.  You see, in the last book, A Dangerous Place, we find her mired in grief.  She had lost her husband, her baby, and her sense of self all in one fell swoop - it was beyond heartbreaking.  She decided to remain in Spain and help a nun provide medical care for wounded soldiers.  She had found something to keep her going and that was what she needed at the time. Fast forward...

Maisie is staying at her BFF Priscilla's home in London.  Yes, she's back in Old Blighty.  She's still not back to her old self completely, but she's slowly working on it.  She's avoiding her in-laws and pretty much anything that reminds her of James.  Its still a hard time for Maisie. Of course, the Secret Service is not one to wait around for someone to work through their grief when they need something done ASAP.  So, they track her down when she's out on a walk near her old office.  They inform her about a job that is of vital importance to their country.  It will be difficult and dangerous - will she accept?   Unable to handle dealing with her true feelings about everything in her personal life head on (family, love, loss), she accepts the job.

Maisie will be heading off to Germany to pick up an asset of the British government.  The only catch is that the German prison where he has been interned will only release him to someone in his family.  So, Maisie will need to impersonate his daughter if she is to succeed at her mission.  Training commences.  And soon, she is on a train heading to Nazi Germany, a country that is being held hostage by a ruthless dictator.  Once there, Maisie sets about her mission and soon finds herself in real danger - wondering why she ever agreed to this job in the first place.  Yet, its this life or death experience that forces her to face the fact that she does want to live and that she does have family and friends that she wants to see again.  Upon  her return to England, Maisie finally moves forward with her plans for her new future. She reunites with Sandra and Billy at their old office and the trio find themselves looking at the new improvements that have been made to their space.  They also look at the nameplate Billy had made, it reads  'M. Dobbs - Psychologist & Investigator'. Yes, they are back to work!!  In the end we find Maisie hosting a meal with all of her family and friends - grateful for her freedom and the love surrounding her.  Talk about a wonderful way to end a story - I absolutely loved it!

I know that I gave away the ending, but I couldn't help myself.  I was just so happy to see Maisie finally realize that though she has experienced such great loss in her life, she is surrounded by love, family, friendship, and a future.  Winspear has written a compelling and engaging story that brings us up to date with a much beloved character, Maisie Dobbs.  I am truly enjoying this journey she is taking us on and look forward to finding out what more she has in store for dear Maisie. 

Journey to Munich is my new favorite book in the series. I loved it to bits. The writing, characters, and story were superb. I found myself unable to stop reading this book and experiencing so many emotions - it was such a great reading experience!  I loved seeing Maisie back in London with Priscilla - they are quite the duo.  Of course, I worried for Maisie when she agreed to take on this new job for the Secret Service, because I feel like she is agreeing to more than just one job - she's agreeing to a future with them.  I was stressed out when she was in Germany and things were not happening as they were supposed to.  I hated the cruel and evil Nazis who Maisie had to interact with - it made me fear for her life.  I even wondered if this would be the end for Maisie; which I knew was ridiculous to think - she's Maisie and Maisie will survive!!  And when she succeeded with her mission - I whooped for joy.  I was thrilled with her strength and fortitude to make it all happen, no matter the consequences.  She truly is one of a kind. 

I can't wait for the next book in the series - I just have to read about Maisie, Billy, and Sandra working together again on a new case!  Until then, I will dip in and out of the series (something that I love to do) to get my fix of Maisie Dobbs, Psychologist & Investigator. 

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Journey to Munich

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

A Dangerous Place: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Maisie Dobbs returns in a powerful story of political intrigue and personal tragedy: a brutal murder in the British garrison town of Gibraltar leads the investigator into a web of lies, deceit, and danger.

Spring 1937. In the four years since she left England, Maisie Dobbs has experienced love, contentment, stability—and the deepest tragedy a woman can endure. Now, all she wants is the peace she believes she might find by returning to India. But her sojourn in the hills of Darjeeling is cut short when her stepmother summons her home to England: her aging father, Frankie Dobbs, is not getting any younger.

On a ship bound for England, Maisie realizes she isn’t ready to return. Against the wishes of the captain who warns her, “You will be alone in a most dangerous place,” she disembarks in Gibraltar. Though she is on her own, Maisie is far from alone: the British garrison town is teeming with refugees fleeing a brutal civil war across the border in Spain.

And the danger is very real. Days after Maisie’s arrival, a photographer and member of Gibraltar’s Sephardic Jewish community, Sebastian Babayoff, is murdered, and Maisie becomes entangled in the case, drawing the attention of the British Secret Service. Under the suspicious eye of a British agent, Maisie is pulled deeper into political intrigue on “the Rock”—arguably Britain’s most important strategic territory—and renews an uneasy acquaintance in the process. At a crossroads between her past and her future, Maisie must choose a direction, knowing that England is, for her, an equally dangerous place, but in quite a different way.

my thoughts:

They day my postman delivered my copy of A Dangerous Place I literally whooped for joy.  I was so happy to have in my hands the latest book in the Maisie Dobbs series - the eleventh novel in fact.  So, I settled into my favorite reading spot and dove straight in.  For the next few hours all I did was sob and sigh.  Yes, I was an emotional mess as I learned about everything our beloved Maisie had endured since leaving to India.  For poor Maisie had experienced some MAJOR losses during her time away from us. Instead of the "happily ever after" that I was hoping to read about, I found myself learning how Maisie became so sad and depressed.  At long last they married -  James Compton and Maisie Dobbs.  Hurrah!  They moved to Canada together and were living a wonderfully, happy smug married life.  There was even a baby on the way.  Talk about exciting!  I was thrilled to learn about Maisie's new life.  And then I read about the end of it all.  You see, James was still involved with the creation of new war planes and even though he had promised Maisie he would now be a man on the ground, he agreed to fly once more.  Maisie saw the flight that day and she saw her husband come crashing down to the ground.  She lost James and the baby in one fell swoop.  I was devastated. Oh, how I cried for Maisie and her family.  I couldn't believe that Winspear would do this to Maisie after all she has been through - her mother, the war, Simon, Maurice.  But she did.  And now we have Maisie the widow, the bereaved.  Oh, how my heart broke for her.

In A Dangerous Place, we find Maisie literally and figuratively in dangerous places.  Mired in grief, Maisie has spent some time alone, lost in her thoughts and sadness.  But, after receiving a letter from her stepmother, she has decided to head back home to Old Blighty.  Except, that she's not ready to face the familiar, so she settles in Gibraltar - a place close to home, but not too close.  Also, a place bordering a civil war next door in Spain, which means that danger is near.  Of course, Maisie takes it all in stride, thanks to her morphine pills.  Yes, Maisie has taken to popping pills now and again to dull the pain that overwhelms her.  She's even taken up smoking - if only Pris could see her now!  However, one night when she is out walking she stumbles upon the body of a dead man and soon finds herself investigating his death.  Maisie packs away the morphia and draws a case map in the hopes of getting lost in her work once again.  Unfortunately, she soon finds herself being tailed by a local man named Arturo Kenyon and eventually by Macfarlane.  Yeah, Maisie just can't seem to lose herself completely from family and friends - they all want to know where she is and how she's faring.  In the end, she does eventually figure out what she needs to do in order to slay this new dragon that won't let her go and investigative work, England, and morphia are certainly not the answers.  To find out what happens to Maisie, you must pick up a copy and read.  Fans of this series will be so happy they did.  I absolutely LOVED A Dangerous Place.  It is now one of my favorite books in the series.  Of course, I was gobsmacked to find out what had transpired since we last heard from Maisie, but in the end Winspear brought our beloved Maisie back to life (and I just loved reading all about it).  I most definitely can't wait for the next book in the series and can only hope that it comes out much sooner than later.

To find out what other bloggers are saying about Jacqueline Winspear's latest Maisie Dobbs book, check out the 
link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: A Dangerous Place

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

In the summer of 1932, the career of psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs takes an exciting new turn when she accepts an undercover assignment from the British Secret Service. Sent to pose as a junior lecturer at a private college in Cambridge, she will monitor any activities “not in the interests of His Majesty’s government.”

When the college’s controversial pacifist founder, Greville Liddicote, is murdered, however, Maisie is directed to stand back as her colleagues in Scotland Yard spearhead the investigation. But she soon discovers that the circumstances of Liddicote’s death appear inextricably linked to the suspicious comings and goings of faculty members and students under her surveillance. To unravel this web, the investigator must overcome a reluctant Secret Service, discover shameful hidden truths about Britain’s conduct during the Great War, and face off against the rising power of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei—the Nazi Party—as the storm clouds of World War II gather on the horizon.

my thoughts:

TLC Book Tours is proclaiming March to be the "Month of Maisie Readalong for Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series" - how exciting!  Especially, since later this month the eleventh book ( A Dangerous Place )in the series will be released - hurrah!  I can't wait to tell you all about it!  For now, I will be sharing with you my thoughts on Winspear's eighth novel in the series titled, A Lesson in Secrets.  Here goes:

Maisie Dobbs is being followed and she's not in the mood to keep ignoring the two men in the black car any longer.  So, she confronts them and discovers that Special Branch (from Scotland Yard) is behind the tail and books an appointment to speak with Macfarlane later in the day.  Turns out he's working alongside the Secret Service and they want her for a special job.  Seems that a private college may or may not have the best interests of the country at heart, so they need someone to be their eyes and ears on campus.   And, since Maisie has the academic and professional resume needed to fill the recently open teaching position at the school, well - she's the woman for the job.  Plus, they know she's rather good on reading people and investigating situations.  With a thought about her old mentor Maurice (who recently passed away), Maisie decides to accept the job.  She tells everyone that Maurice has always wanted her to teach, which is why she has decided to spend the next few months teaching at a small college in Cambridge.

Once settled into her new digs and role as junior lecturer, Maisie is on the case.  She observes and reports her findings to Huntley (from the Secret Service), but soon her position is tested when the founder of the college is murdered.  Torn between sticking to her job as school monitor for the Secret Service (and the Yard) and her investigator inklings to find the murderer, Maisie decides to do it all - on the down low, of course.  Soon enough, she finds out more than a few hidden secrets about the staff she now works with.  And she also manages to solve a case close to home, discover her father's new love life, and get a surprise from her beau James Compton.  Talk about all in one - this book is chock full of suspense, mystery, intrigue, and love.  A Lesson in Secrets is a terrific addition to the Maisie Dobbs series.

I absolutely loved catching up with Maisie following Maurice's death.  It was great to see her moving forward and making plans for her self and her loved ones - think urging her father Frank to move into her new huge house (The Dower House) and figuring out how to get the Beales' to rent a new home from her for next to nothing.  Yep, all Maisie can think of to do with her new money is to help others.  Plus, she is trying to settle into her new home as well.  She's surrounded her self with Maurice's old files and documents to read through, so that she can continue to learn more about him and from him.  So much is changing in Maisie's personal life, but not her professional life leading her to believe that this new assignment is just what she needs to shake her out of her doldrums (well, work doldrums). And believe you me she gets shaken up.

If you want to find out what other bloggers are posting about Winspear's fantastic Maisie Dobbs series, here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Month of Maisie

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Leaving Everything Most Loved: A Maisie Dobbs Novel by Jacqueline Winspear

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

London, 1933. Two months after Usha Pramal’s body is discovered in the waters of a city canal, her brother, newly arrived in England, turns to Maisie Dobbs for help. Not only has Scotland Yard made no arrests, but evidence indicates they failed to conduct a full investigation. Usha had been staying at an ayah’s hostel, a refuge for Indian women. As Maisie learns, Usha was different from the hostel’s other residents. But with this discovery comes new danger, as a fellow lodger who was close to Usha is found murdered.

As Maisie is pulled deeper into an unfamiliar yet captivating subculture, her investigation becomes clouded by the unfinished business of a previous case, and by a growing desire to see more of the world. At the same time, her lover, James Compton, gives her an ultimatum she cannot ignore. Bringing a crucial chapter in the life and times of Maisie Dobbs to a close, Leaving Everything Most Loved signals a vital turning point in this remarkable series.

my thoughts:

I love me some Maisie Dobbs, so of course I jumped at the chance to read her latest book in Winspear's wonderful series.  Now, I'm going to admit that I have not read all of the books, so at times there were bits of information that surprised me and kind of threw me for a loop, but overall I felt right at home with Maisie and 1930s London.

In this latest installment we have murders to solve, a runaway to find, and a HUGE decision to make.  Life is getting a bit more complicated for Maisie Dobbs and I'm not referring to the cases she's working on.  Maisie is now living with James Compton and their relationship has reached an impasse.  He wants to get married and she doesn't.  James is about to embark on a lengthy trip to North America and would like for Maisie to accompany him.  He wants reassurance that their relationship is moving forward in the right direction.  However, Maisie is feeling the need to travel to India - she wants to see the world and experience it on her own.  As much as she loves James, she's not ready to commit to him in such a permanent manner - of course, she's not ready to let him go either.  Hmmm....decisions, decisions.  Along with her personal drama, Maisie has to deal with her work and her employees' own dramas.  Looks like Billy has never fully recovered from the traumatic beating he took when he was investigating a case for Maisie - his work is sub par and his mind is distracted by a co-worker (yep, Sandra is making eyes at Billy and Maisie is not happy about it at all).  Oh, and did I mention that Maisie's father has been acting a bit strange lately - he's a got a secret!

Winspear has once again written a terrific story involving the inimitable Maisie Dobbs.  There is mystery, intrigue, danger, romance, and unexpected surprises.  I found myself falling in deep all over again with familiar characters, London, and Winspear's writing.  Leaving Everything Most Loved was a such a treat to read.  I would most definitely recommend this book to fans of Winspear's Maisie Dobbs' series and to readers looking for a new series to get lost in - you will LOVE this book!

Here's the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Leaving Everything Most Loved

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!