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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
reflective
I've read books 1-10 in order in this series and this one felt different. Maisie's inner dialog and constant over-thinking was more prominent in this book and a lot of it could have been left out. If you've read the other books (which you should have), then there isn't a need for the amount of recapping that was in this one and the way it ended, it felt like this was originally the end of the Maisie Dobbs series (it's not there are at least 5 more).
It felt like what Philip Kerr did with the Bernie Gunther books. They were originally a trilogy and then 15 years later he started writing them again. There isn't nearly as big of a time gap for Jacqueline for these (this one was 2013, the next was 2015), but it really felt like she was wrapping just about everything in Maisie's life up so that she (& we) could move on. Due to the time & location that these are set, I will continue to read them, but I think she could have just ended here.
It felt like what Philip Kerr did with the Bernie Gunther books. They were originally a trilogy and then 15 years later he started writing them again. There isn't nearly as big of a time gap for Jacqueline for these (this one was 2013, the next was 2015), but it really felt like she was wrapping just about everything in Maisie's life up so that she (& we) could move on. Due to the time & location that these are set, I will continue to read them, but I think she could have just ended here.
http://www.girllostinabook.com/2013/06/review-leaving-everything-most-loved-by.html
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not as good as earlier books in the series. Lots of repetition. I don't mind being told something twice, but more than that is boring. Ending especially dragged.
This is the tenth book in the Maisie Dobbs series.
I have discussed at least 2, probably 3 of the Maisie Dobbs books with the Library Book Discussion Group during my tenure.
So, when this book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I thought, I would read it before leaving it for the neighborhood readers.
This one was read sometime in 2019.
If you have never read Maisie Dobbs before, this is a good stand-alone. It gives quite a good recap of her past history.
If you have read any of the Maisie Dobbs series, you understand that Maisie is a character who's slow to change.
If you like quiet, people-oriented investigations, you'll probably be well-satisfied with Maisie.
Although this story followed Maisie's trademark methods of gentle interrogation and keen observation of character, solving the murder felt a bit clumsy in execution, tangled as it was in a major coincidence and repeated visits to question the same people over and over again.
Still, if you like historical mysteries, this is a book and series that might appeal to you. 3.5 stars
I have discussed at least 2, probably 3 of the Maisie Dobbs books with the Library Book Discussion Group during my tenure.
So, when this book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed, I thought, I would read it before leaving it for the neighborhood readers.
This one was read sometime in 2019.
If you have never read Maisie Dobbs before, this is a good stand-alone. It gives quite a good recap of her past history.
If you have read any of the Maisie Dobbs series, you understand that Maisie is a character who's slow to change.
If you like quiet, people-oriented investigations, you'll probably be well-satisfied with Maisie.
Although this story followed Maisie's trademark methods of gentle interrogation and keen observation of character, solving the murder felt a bit clumsy in execution, tangled as it was in a major coincidence and repeated visits to question the same people over and over again.
Still, if you like historical mysteries, this is a book and series that might appeal to you. 3.5 stars
Maisie investigates the death of two young Indian women while James puts on the pressure to marry. Her longing to find herself through travel to India is piqued by the intricacies of the case.
Wondered if this was the final Maisie novel as it had a feel of wrapping up all old stories. Was a fun read.
Wondered if this was the final Maisie novel as it had a feel of wrapping up all old stories. Was a fun read.
Always enjoy a Maisie Dobbs book. This one was no exception. I particularly enjoy the development of the recurring characters: Maisie, Billy, Priscilla, etc. Delightful, as usual.
Originally posted here
Maisie Dobbs is my girl. I have loved her since my friend Julie told me about her about years ago. She’s strong, she’s independent, she’s a feminist, three things that were not common during the early twentieth century. She is supported by her beau, James Compton, her father, and her group of friends, who accept her the way she is. While society around Maisie wants her to change, and turn into the proper woman, those who love her don’t want her to change.
Of course, times are changing and Winspear covers this throughout Leaving Everything Most Loved. In the first book of this series, Maisie is a young lady, now she is almost 40. The time between the two world wars was a hostile environment in the world, and Winspear does not have Maisie hide from this; particularly because Maisie served in World War I and still has those wounds, even if they are hidden. England felt those wounds possibly worse than other parts of the world.
Maisie also fears marrying, she wants to stay herself and isn’t sure she can still be herself if she marries. This has been a common theme for Maisie throughout this series. In Leaving Everything Most Loved, Maisie still worries about her life now that she has money. James has always had money, but Maisie just came into it and she is confused how to treat staff as she was always part of the staff herself. It has been interesting to see Maisie’s growth throughout these novels. Although I took a break in reading them, because I went through a historical fiction binge, I did enjoy being welcomed back into Maisie’s room. Although she often hurts my hearts, because I just want her to be happy and safe, I also recognize that it is easier said than done in Maisie’s world. James wants to marry her and move to Canada and start their life together. This panic Maisie’s and it also panics James, who loves and adores her and just wants her to be happy.
The mystery involved in Leaving Everything Most Loved involves an Indian woman who had moved to London, who is not living the life that everyone around her believes her to be living. This is one of the few mystery books that I found the mystery aspect to be the not the forefront of the novel. While Maisie is always at the forefront, this book more so than usual. James gives her an ultimatum on the marriage front, her right hand man at the agency has to leave her and Maisie has this need to leave England.
Leaving Everything Most Loved is very much an end to Maisie’s life and while the series does continue on, there is a particular tone in this novel that Winspear makes it clear, that it’s okay if part of your life ends, while it also in its own right, continues on.
Maisie Dobbs is my girl. I have loved her since my friend Julie told me about her about years ago. She’s strong, she’s independent, she’s a feminist, three things that were not common during the early twentieth century. She is supported by her beau, James Compton, her father, and her group of friends, who accept her the way she is. While society around Maisie wants her to change, and turn into the proper woman, those who love her don’t want her to change.
Of course, times are changing and Winspear covers this throughout Leaving Everything Most Loved. In the first book of this series, Maisie is a young lady, now she is almost 40. The time between the two world wars was a hostile environment in the world, and Winspear does not have Maisie hide from this; particularly because Maisie served in World War I and still has those wounds, even if they are hidden. England felt those wounds possibly worse than other parts of the world.
Maisie also fears marrying, she wants to stay herself and isn’t sure she can still be herself if she marries. This has been a common theme for Maisie throughout this series. In Leaving Everything Most Loved, Maisie still worries about her life now that she has money. James has always had money, but Maisie just came into it and she is confused how to treat staff as she was always part of the staff herself. It has been interesting to see Maisie’s growth throughout these novels. Although I took a break in reading them, because I went through a historical fiction binge, I did enjoy being welcomed back into Maisie’s room. Although she often hurts my hearts, because I just want her to be happy and safe, I also recognize that it is easier said than done in Maisie’s world. James wants to marry her and move to Canada and start their life together. This panic Maisie’s and it also panics James, who loves and adores her and just wants her to be happy.
The mystery involved in Leaving Everything Most Loved involves an Indian woman who had moved to London, who is not living the life that everyone around her believes her to be living. This is one of the few mystery books that I found the mystery aspect to be the not the forefront of the novel. While Maisie is always at the forefront, this book more so than usual. James gives her an ultimatum on the marriage front, her right hand man at the agency has to leave her and Maisie has this need to leave England.
Leaving Everything Most Loved is very much an end to Maisie’s life and while the series does continue on, there is a particular tone in this novel that Winspear makes it clear, that it’s okay if part of your life ends, while it also in its own right, continues on.