In this latest entry in Jacqueline Winspear’s acclaimed, bestselling mystery series—“less whodunits than why-dunits, more P.D. James than Agatha Christie” (USA Today)—Maisie Dobbs takes on her most personal case yet, a twisting investigation into the brutal killing of a street peddler that will take her from the working-class neighborhoods of her childhood into London’s highest circles of power. … circles of power. Perfect for fans of A Lesson in Secrets, The Mapping of Love and Death, or other Maisie Dobbs mysteries—and an ideal place for new readers to enter the series—Elegy for Eddie is an incomparable work of intrigue and ingenuity, full of intimate descriptions and beautifully painted scenes from between the World Wars, from one of the most highly acclaimed masters of mystery, Jacqueline Winspear.
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Nuanced & poignant. So many sad stories, yet the characters find the strength to love, forgive & embrace life.
I loved all books in this series
I loved all of the Maisie Dobbs stories.
For lovers of period mysteries. I loved it!
I like all of the Maisie Dobbs books. This one maybe more than some of the more recent ones. I’m not sure where the series is going, but i will keep reading.
Like every book in her Maisie Dobbs series, this is a very well-researched book that brings out an aspect of life in England that isn’t in the history books, but was true-to-life. I am glad to have this book in my personal library. As a sister of mine texted to me: “I am enjoying time with my friend Maisie Dobbs.” I feel free to recommend this, and any book from this series to anyone and everyone.
I LOVE the Maisie Dobbs series!!! Start with the first, “Maisie Dobbs”, and follow her life… lots of world history included… romance, intrigue, a strong lead character!
This is about book 5 or 6 in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. I have enjoyed every one of the books, which deal with solving a mystery, not always murder, but always interesting. Eddie was a somewhat fragile man who had learning disabilities, but he was wonderful in dealing with horses, a real “horse whisperer”. His death was labeled an “accident”, but was it really? Maisie gets involved to investigate as a favor to old friends of her father’s in the poor area of London where they had once lived. One thing I like about Winspear’s books is that they are not filled with profanity and bedroom scenes…and they are very interesting, though not always fast moving.
Love all of her books. She is a treasure!
I have enjoyed all of the Winspere books. They are interesting and the characters are always unusual.
I love the Maisie Dobbs series!
Elegy for Eddie is another Maisie Dobbs mystery, this one set in 1930s London teeming with costers and the last of the horse-drawn vehicles, which are rapidly losing ground to the fast-rising motorcar. Maisie is in the early(ish) days of her agency, and Elegy for Eddie focuses as much on Maisie, and her finding her place in the world and being comfortable in her own skin, as it does on the mystery of Eddie Pettit’s demise. So.
A group of costers come to Maisie to request that she investigate the “accident” that befell Eddie Pettit, a man whose “simple” mind, coupled with his uncanny talents, would likely see him placed somewhere on the autism spectrum. Maisie investigates, but – unlike other Maisie Dobbs books I’ve read – this one feels rather unsatisfying, both in the resolution of the mystery(ies), as well as the amount of ink devoted to Maisie’s personal life. I realize this is necessary to create the plot elements that allow for a full series, but I’m less interested in Maisie than I am in the “cozy mystery” aspect of Jacqueline Winspear’s work. To that end, I’m not sure how many more Maisie books I will read.
(This review was originally published at https://www.thisyearinbooks.com/2019/03/elegy-for-eddie.html)
I love Maisie Dobbs and here fearless forays into danger and suspense.
Ihave enjoyed the maisiedobbs books…. but, maisie is starting tobother me. She has a world of experience and education… but she doesnt seem to take advantage of it as she could… she’s wound a little tight and is grating on my nerves.
The entire Masie Dobbs series makes for very enjoyable reading
Funnily I bought the eversion of this book and realized as soon as I read into it, that I had read it… It is hard to check off your suggested words…But what is wonderful about this group of books by Ms. Windspear open up a new world for me. Several of her books involve England during WWI, and as an American it is great to see history from another country’s perspective… Viva Windspear.. Long may she write..
This book was a disappointment. So many words were devoted to Maisies’ internal struggles to resolve personal conflict that I found it difficult to pay attention after revisiting the problem again.
I like anything by Winspear
Excellent writing with a lot of information about the period, excellent characters and insightful depictions of individuals in different situations, both economic and emotional. I presume the depictions of characters from different levels of society in England are accurate and this is a fascinating part of the novel. I highly recommend.
Such a good writer. Keeps me wanting to read until the end.