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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One of my favorite historical fiction writers and one of my favorite heroines. This is the first in a series. It introduces Maisie Dobbs pre-WWI and covers 1910-1929 taking her from a 13 year old maid hungry for knowledge and education to nurse in WWI to private investigator specializing in the psychological aspects of cases and suffering herself …
This is the first in a fantastic series. It introduces some very interesting characters and leaves you wanting more! The story and character development throughout the series are awesome.
One of my all-time favorite series!! I feel like I know Maisie Dobbs and I live and move within her London world and beyond it. Such an engaging and intriguing heroine. The psychology behind the character’s painful past and trauma is something that modern-day readers with pain and trauma in their own past can relate to and perhaps even see …
The narrative was really good, otherwise I might have gotten bored listening to this one. It was an okay story, kind of sad towards the end, but interesting. I don’t know that I enjoyed it though.
I would enjoy another in this series.
I really liked the writing style!!
Realistic view of war and the people who suffer from it.
Loved all of them!
…the beginning of a delightful series. This is at the top of my list when recommending a sleuth series for historical fiction buffs.
I just love her books. A good mystery with great character building.
Wonderful
Strong and compassionate heroine
Easy read.
OH MY WORD! I enjoyed Maisie Dobbs so much. It’s not an average mystery novel. Maisie is a very insightful sleuth. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
I borrowed a copy from my local library. All views are my honest opinion.
Want to read more of her books
Great reminder that the effects of war have been with us for generations.
The Maisie Dons books are one of my favorite series. Great characters. Holds your interest.
I love Maisie Dobbs!
I really like this series I like .I like the story and the era. Just great.
Light reading about likeable characters . The mystery element seemed to be almost an afterthought. It made me appreciate the difficulties that many men experienced when trying to reintegrate into normal life after serving in WWI.