An easy to read 2 in 1 mystery!

More about WW1 than who dun it murder at some points which I found fascinating.

Wonderful characters and I love the time period

Masie Dobbs. the first book of a wonderful series of mysteries, establishes the historical and psychological basis for Masie’s behavior. The reader is introduced to an intellectual, motivated to succeed adolescent who by demonstrating her intellect and by accepting the help of her patrons becomes a compassionate detective in post World War I England. The damage that WWI did to its soldiers is a major component of these first two books.
A striking feature of the first book is the quoting of Masie’s mentor, Maurice. While these quotes may indicate good dectective work, they are also a model for behavior.
“Truth walks toward us on the path of our questions.” (pg 32)
“Never follow a story with a question, Maisie. not immediately. And remember to acknowledge the storyteller …(pg 47),
"Sitting in a chair gives too much opportunity to retreat into the self, Blache had said. Keep the person moving, in the way an artist keeps the oil moving when he is painting. Don't give them a chance to dry up; don't allow the client to shut you out. (pg 51)
"Stay with the question. The more it troubles you, the more it has to teach you. In time, Maise, you will find that the larger questions in life share such behavior. (pg 104)
" Pay attention to the reactions of your body. It is the wisdom of self speaking to you." (pg 228)
"Remember, Maise, while there is always a victor and a vanquished , on both sides are innocents. Few are truly evil, and they do not need a war to work among us, although war provides them with a timely mask. (when giving her a copy of All Quiet on the Western Front.) (pg 223 )

Although other reviews are lukewarm about this series, I enjoy it very much. It requires something from the reader to "read between the lines" when the story line moves back and forward. I do like the psychological aspect as characters must face their own fears and grief. I believe it is fairly historically accurate; post-WWI England. I've read the first 3 in the series and intend to keep going!

Excellent series - this is the second book. Highly recommend if you like mysteries where it is hard to guess "who done it."

this book is so bad that i have to take breaks. it is kind of great, too. post wwi, plucky young heroine detective, hijinks of the serious sort, etc. it is small and is perfect for ferry boats. and bath tubs.

I enjoyed this series of books about a strong young woman who works hard to make herself a success in the period between WW1 and WW2. Not only is she a nurse, she also develops a successful career as a criminal investigator which adds lots of interesting twists and turns to the stories. I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series, which is due out next month.

Disappointing. I review these together because they came together in an omnibus edition and I read them together. Seems like everybody in my online book group loves Winspear and thinks these stories are terrific. (I know that is just how it looks and everybody who didn’t think so much of them just didn’t say so once the positive reviews got rolling.) Anyhow, I found them not terrible but not very good either. I quite disliked the rather pompous and entirely improbable angle that makes her not just a private investigator but a psychologist/p.i. and how she insists on counselling clients – and they put up with it. Pft. Both stories were also too long and dragged along, much tiresome repetition and tedious speculation. Zzzz. Oh well, a fat book off my shelves.

I love Winspear's writing style.

I have read and enjoyed the first 9 of Maisie Dobbs. They kept me so involved that I would wait anxiously for the next one to come in the mail. I have not read the White Lady, but will be, as soon as I can get it. Jacqueline Winspear weaves a tale that keeps the reader turning the page to find the outcome of the predicaments that Maisie gets herself involved in. Each one had some connection with the next, but they could be read in any order and enjoyed. There was enough history to put the reader into a time that enabled a sense of reality. Definitely a good read for the mystery and history.

Great historical series in early 20th century in England with a strong female main character

Loved it. once again Maisie Dobbs go over and beyond to find a solution to the mystery at hand.

Fun book. I will read more of this character.