What a wonderful book this is!
I was so happy to get re-acquintated with Maisie Dobbs and her unorthodox methods, Billy, Maurice Blanche, and all their clients. I adore the setting in in-between-war London - England, and the story was both believable and thrilling. It is definitely not the typical mystery, but the research of the time, the portrait of the characters, and the setting is so convincing.

There were certain aspects of this story that I loved, but the mysticism and homosexuality (both of which are unbiblical and against God’s law) were too much. I’m really disappointed in this book. Jacqueline Winspear could have done a much better job. Agatha Christie is by far the superior author.

Didn't like it

I have long intended to read this series, because it was recommended by a respected GR Friend.I was going to start with #1; but this book jumped out at me from the shelf in the library. How could I deny it a chance? (I hope that I don't regret starting at #3!)

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As I had feared, I think I should not have started with Book 3 of this series. I cannot say much about this novel because it did not move me. As most of my friends know, I do enjoy mysteries, but I would not classify this as a more compelling read.

One of my problems was that I did not gain much appreciation for Masie. She was too cool, emotionless and restrained. It would have been nice to see her become more invigorated by some of the events which surrounded her. I also felt that her sense of intuition was barely credible. This would include the final solution of one of the criminal activities in the story.

Winspear did impart a good sense of the period and the atmosphere rather well. Many times I lost the thread of the tale when she introduced another one of the many characters.

It was a fairly pleasant interlude reading Winspear's opus, but I wonder if I would feel differently if I returned to Episode #1?