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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
It's 1933, and Maisie has encountered a case that is anything but run-of-the-mill: two Indian women have been executed, and the authorities have let the case grow cold. While Maisie tries to figure out who had it in for Usha Pramal, other issues flare up in her personal and business lives... James Compton has drawn a line in the sand, planning firmly for his move to Canada and requesting Maisie give him a decision about their marriage by a certain date, and Maisie's business associates are having troubles of their own. Billy Beale shows signs of great strain and possible illness as his home life continues to wear on him, and Sandra may be engaging in an illicit affair.
This is the 10th Maisie Dobbs book and it marks a great turning point in the series. Maisie feels a pull to travel and to retrace some of the footsteps of her mentor, Maurice, and coincidentally it happens that she is planning a trip to India at the same time she is asked to solve Usha's murder. There is a sense that Maisie has reached the end of one journey and is headed out on another; where at the end of the last book readers felt as though WWII was breathing down Maisie's neck, there is now a different urgency, one that compels Maisie to head out for points unknown in order to know herself better before moving forward with what may come. There are also parallels between the compelling presence of Usha Pramal and Maisie herself - while Maisie brings healing to people by resolving wrongdoing and exposing the truth, Usha's physical and psychic presence heals people in physical ways, through the laying on of hands and the use of herbs and potions. They are not so different after all, these two women who have shrugged away society's expectation that they marry and produce a family and instead went into service, seeking their fortunes.
And what will Maisie's future look like? As a dutiful wife to the son and heir of the Compton family, or off on adventures as an independently wealthy single woman, or to take back up the mantle of private investigator again (perhaps in a different place or under different circumstances)? Dedicated readers will not be able to wait until the next Maisie Dobbs book, planned for 2015 and tentatively titled The White Lady, to find out.
This is the 10th Maisie Dobbs book and it marks a great turning point in the series. Maisie feels a pull to travel and to retrace some of the footsteps of her mentor, Maurice, and coincidentally it happens that she is planning a trip to India at the same time she is asked to solve Usha's murder. There is a sense that Maisie has reached the end of one journey and is headed out on another; where at the end of the last book readers felt as though WWII was breathing down Maisie's neck, there is now a different urgency, one that compels Maisie to head out for points unknown in order to know herself better before moving forward with what may come. There are also parallels between the compelling presence of Usha Pramal and Maisie herself - while Maisie brings healing to people by resolving wrongdoing and exposing the truth, Usha's physical and psychic presence heals people in physical ways, through the laying on of hands and the use of herbs and potions. They are not so different after all, these two women who have shrugged away society's expectation that they marry and produce a family and instead went into service, seeking their fortunes.
And what will Maisie's future look like? As a dutiful wife to the son and heir of the Compton family, or off on adventures as an independently wealthy single woman, or to take back up the mantle of private investigator again (perhaps in a different place or under different circumstances)? Dedicated readers will not be able to wait until the next Maisie Dobbs book, planned for 2015 and tentatively titled The White Lady, to find out.
Another great story in this series, and the mystery had me stumped until the big reveal. However, I have to express some melancholy because of the changes that were made in this story. I know that there are future changes in store for Maisie. I'll just have to see there they take Maisie...and also me as a reader.
Spoiler
I will miss having Billy and Maisie working together due to his physical condition and her closing her business. I've come to love their working partnership.
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Probably the best since the inception of the series, Maisie begins investigating the murder of an Indian woman who harmed no one, but soon finds that she has a lot of mysteries to solve in her own life as well - what is best for her employees, her relationship, and her future. The related cases made this fabulous, as did the element, sometimes sad, of Maisie's personal lives and family and friends playing a larger role than usual. Top notch writing, and as always, Orlagh Cassidy does an excellent narration.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
i think the material wasn't as exciting as previous books... or maybe it was also because there were several topics that needed to be addressed that weren't going to be "nice" or "fun" topics. but i am looking forward to the next book.
Maisie investigates the death of an Indian woman working in London. Meanwhile Billy is looking for a missing boy (and not doing well) and things are getting complicated between Maisie and James.
I don't know, I felt a little dissatisfied with this and the murdered women seemed to be almost incidental to the plot.
I don't know, I felt a little dissatisfied with this and the murdered women seemed to be almost incidental to the plot.
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a slower one. The first half had of the book really dragged and I took a long time getting through it. But the second half picked up and had a satisfying conclusion. I know I’ll keep reading them.