10th Anniversary Edition with a special Afterword by the author
Maisie Dobbs got her start as a maid in an aristocratic London household when she was 13. Her employer, suffragette Lady Rowan Compton, soon became her patron, taking the remarkably bright youngster under her wing. Lady Rowan’s friend, Maurice Blanche, often retained as an investigator by the European elite, recognized Maisie’s … elite, recognized Maisie’s intuitive gifts and helped her earn admission to the prestigious Girton College in Cambridge, where Maisie planned to complete her education.
The outbreak of war changed everything. Maisie trained as a nurse, then left for France to serve at the Front, where she found — and lost — an important part of herself. Ten years after the Armistice, in the spring of 1929, Maisie sets out on her own as a private investigator, one who has learned that coincidences are meaningful, and truth elusive. Her very first case involves suspected infidelity but reveals something very different.
In the aftermath of the Great War, a former officer has founded a working farm known as The Retreat, which acts as a convalescent refuge for ex-soldiers too shattered to resume normal life. When Fate brings Maisie a second case involving The Retreat, she must finally confront the ghost that has haunted her for over a decade.
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Excellent character development. I was so invested in the characters and the story that I was disappointed when the boo came to an end. Great historical references.
Really liked this book. I have read 13 of the series!!!
Of all the Maisie Dobbs books, this is still my favorite! The other books in the series are wonderful and readable, tell a good story, but this is still my favorite. It tells how Maisie got started in her life as a “detective,” a very unusual detective. You will like this story because it is so unusual! I think Maisie is almost psychic! She …
Loving a good female sleuth mystery of almost any time in history, this one fit my criteria extremely well.
The setting of the first of this successful series by Jacqueline Winspear is London, right after WWI. It is the beginning of the 20th century, and also the beginning of a big change in the way western women live.
Maisie is smart, …
Love all of these books! Great series and eye opening to the times.
I adore Maisie Dobbs and many of the other characters in the series. I have read the whole kindle series and seriously hope that Jacqueline Winspear is diligently working on the next book about Maisie et.al. I miss her.
I have read all of her books and find each one delightful The setting and characters are quite realistic, and one becomes involved in the plot .
I have read about 750 books in about 3 years this series is my favorite. It’s as if the author is reading the book to me in my room. Very original heroine and a role model. She is; self contained, smart, concerned, educated,ambitious in her goals, cultured, loyal, not flashy. I would love to be her friend, have tea.
First book in a great series!
Maisie Dobbs is a new favorite. She moves through a fascinating historic world as a bold, smart woman. Books are well plotted and beautifully written, holding my attention to the last page and leaving me waiting for the next installment.
I love the series and have read and enjoyed every Maisie Dobbs books
I have enjoyed all the Maisie Dobbs books in the series and look forward to reading the latest one.
too simplistic
Short review here – GO BUY THIS BOOK. And buy all the subsequent books. You’ll fall in love with spunky Maisie and her sidekick BIlly. Set in England, around the time of WWI, great insights into how life was back then.
Pre-World War 1 book, detailing many things I didn’t know about that terrible war and the practices of men in war. I like to think we have changed things somewhat as many things I am learning in these Maisie Dobbs stories areheartbreakingg.
That said, this is a great book! I loved the story of her early life and look forward to reading as many …
I’m surprised at how entertaining I find the Maisie Dobbs series. I do like learning about the time period–especially the time between WW I and WW II.
Book Bub needs to add these tags to its list – which I would have marked, if I’d been given the opportunity: Intelligent; unique story lines; intriguing; thought provoking;
Maisie Dobbs comes across as a woman ahead of her time. I liked following her development as she moves through the historic social and political issues of the day. Reading is enjoyable and leaves you wanting more from the author.
I really enjoyed this. Not knowing that this was a series, I read Birds of a Feather years ago and didn’t like it. It wasn’t very dynamic or engaging. Maisie Dobbs, on the other hand, was great. It delves deeply into the torment of those who saw combat during WWI and survived.
This is the first book in a wonderful, inventive mystery series that takes place after WWI in England.