The Maisie Dobbs series is more than just a collection of stories about a female sleuth tumbling headlong into private investigation. Jacqueline Winspear takes Maisie's intriguing cases and weaves in historical events and social issues in England in the years after WWI. Maisie and her sidekick Billy Beale are an interesting duo. Their investigative dance is quite graceful, especially given their opposite personalities and lifestyles. They are a good pair!

In Messenger of Truth, Winspear once again presents lingering problems in the aftermath of the Great War and juxtaposes them with domestic issues of poverty and injustice. Messenger of Truth also sees Maisie continue to grow into an independent woman who recognizes the need to make hard personal choices and recognizes the need to let go and move forward.

Without giving anything away, this installment of Maisie Dobbs is engaging, touching, and full of good old-fashioned mystery. Maisie knows her business, and she's not afraid to get her hands dirty and ask difficult questions. I like her and her methods, both traditional and unorthodox. She's vulnerable yet strong minded. She's gently forthright.

I am thoroughly enjoying these books!

***
"'Sometimes help takes the form of directing. And peace is something we find when we have a companion on the journey.'" ~ prologue

"At the end of the day, wasn't it all about who had money, and who hadn't; who could make money, and who couldn't? And no matter how pleasant the people might be, wasn't it just plain unfair that there were those who had the wherewithal to paint all day, when others knew only the bitterness of unemployment, the gnawing hunger of want?" ~ chapter 9

"these were men——and women——whose country had needed them but who were now without a means to support themselves. They were the forgotten heroes now waging another battle for honor." ~ chapter 9

I really enjoy Maisie Dobbs. I like how she works and how she is almost seemingly not even investigating just gathering information and then it all ties together. It's also interesting watching her grow as a person in each book and how her personal life keeps evolving.

Once again, Maisie Dobbs did not disappoint. I love historical mysteries, and author Jacqueline Winspear gets extra points for having the detective be a woman, which in 1931 would have been unprecedented. It was a 2006 Agatha Award Nominee for Best Novel—always a good sign. (Incidentally, Louise Penny has won the award seven times.)

Nicholas Bassington-Hope was commissioned to paint war propaganda after sustaining injuries in combat. On the night before the opening of his exhibition at a celebrated Mayfair art gallery, he falls from a scaffolding to his death. The police rule it an accident, but the dead man’s twin sister suspects foul play. Where is the painting he was hanging?

When the authorities close the case, Georgina—a renowned wartime journalist—hires Maisie Dobbs to investigate. The case takes Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness and the underbelly of the art world. To solve the mystery, she will have to remain steady as the forces behind his death try to silence her.

Winspear adds plenty of vivid period details to Messenger of Truth, and she juxtaposes the extravagances of the aristocracy with the plight of the poor. The twist at the end was stupendous… the identity of the murderer shocked me! The book concludes with a sense of hope as Maisie is ready to begin a new adventure. Jacqueline Winspear delivers another thrilling episode in the life of Maisie Dobbs. This was book number four in the series for me and I’m eager to read the next installment.

I really like Maise Dobbs, but could not finish this book. I have tried and failed multiple times. I couldn't connect with their case and felt like I didn't care how it ended. I have been told by multiple people this was their least favorite of the series. I am still interested in Maise and will try with the next one.

Another interesting listen as the life of Maisie Dobbs unfolds. As with any series the continuing saga of the main character & her friends becomes the real draw. Onto #5.

Book 4

Once again Maisie Dobbs steps up to the plate to solve the murder. I love this series and everything the author puts into it.

Historical fiction at it's best.

Highly Recommended!!

This story about art, an accident that might not have been an accident, and the pain of war, was the weakest of the series to date. The end was disappointing. I'll try another, but I wouldn't recommend this one at all.

Maisie Dobbs is asked to investigate the accidental death of an artist. His sister does not believe the fall was clumsiness, but the act of will. Also, the artist's main work has not been found. Maisie starts digging, and a truth about the artist emerges that many would prefer wasn't shown. Again, a lot of the trauma and plot line harks back to World War I, which had ended a decade and a half earlier. Wounds had not healed by the 1930's.

Maisie Dobbs is a fascinating character, with her own World War I trauma - her fiancé was damaged beyond repair and she herself was a nurse in the war. At the same time, she is brave and curious, a more ravaged form on Nancy Drew. I will pick this series up again, definitely.

I'm really loving this series.

The year is : 1931. The night before the opening of his new art exhibition, Nicholas Bassington-Hope falls to his death. It is ruled an accident by the police, but his sister Georgina Bassington- Hope isn’t so sure. She asks Maisie Dobbs to investigate.

What I appreciate about Winspear’s novels is how she incorporates the time into her story. It is 13 years post the Great War, but people are still suffering. Oswald Mosley makes an appearance as England’s potential saviour. Diphtheria is quite rampant, especially in London’s East end. I loved the inclusion of all these details. As well, she really delves into the art world.

I really enjoyed both listening and reading this book. Maisie is a memorable investigator.

The book was read by Orlagh Cassidy. Loved listening to her voice.

Publication: 2006

The first book in this series grabbed me right away. This fourth one? Not so much. I "got it" early on in the book and just slogged through it afterwards to get to the end. The direction the series is taking, with Maisie knowing what's best for everyone in each and every situation, and with guidance from the beyond, is taking me further away from enjoyment thereof.

I realized as I was finishing this book that I've now experienced all of the Maisie Dobbs series as audiobooks. I think this is definitely a benefit, as I am now used to the readers' characterizations, but I am certain I would like these books even reading them from printed pages.

In this book, a twin sister of an up-and-coming artist employs Maisie to investigate her brother's death. It has been ruled an accident, but the sister finds it hard to believe that is the case. Maisie has been recommended by the headmistress of the school both women attended - at different times - but she agrees to take the case. It is a really interesting mystery, with shades of betrayal, jealousy, and even diamond smuggling becoming part of the plot.

Also part of this particular story is Maisie realizing that she is not interested or ready to settle down into an engagement or marriage to Andrew Dean, a young doctor that she has been involved with for a while. Though to some degree she is pained by this realization, she is also determined not to talk herself into doing something that would interfere with her career or the level of independence she enjoys.

The reader is also exposed to the impoverished life of Billy Beale, Maisie's assistant. When Billy's young daughter becomes seriously ill, and Maisie steps in to help, she is faced with the way the family and so many others in similar situations have to exist.

I really enjoyed this book. Maisie is a multifaceted woman, who is both a product of her time and someone who is not of her time. Her work is something she both values and takes very seriously, and at least at this point in the series, the solutions are neither obvious nor cut and dried.