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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
First of all, this book should have been the end of the Maisie Dobbs series instead of jettisoning our heroine off to various international locales (who also jettisoned her entire life's work, employees, boyfriend (as boring as he is), friends, family, and responsibilities). The end of this book spends a lot of time doing a "final accounting" of Maisie's life during the first 10 books and would have appeared to be a series end to the average reader. While I totally respect that Jacqueline Winspear probably didn't want to walk away from the publisher's promise of more money for continuing this series, I also wish this was the bow on the box.
I mean, is the current-as-of-book-10 Maisie Dobbs the same as the character we met in the first book? This one chastises her Dad to hurry up and get married so she can attend before shipping off to wherever! There is also about 5 minutes spent on her beloved Dad's wedding and far more time spent on getting onto the ship at the end of the book!
This particular mystery was kind of interesting, but I also felt it dragged on way too long. I knew who the killer was about 30% of the way in.
I've complained during the past few installments' reviews about the insufferable boring James Compton. And my complaints do not stop because he's become even more milquetoast and bland. Just chuck him already, Maisie!
Will I keep on with Maisie? Well, I have to because we have the same last name (no relation haha)! I also want to see if she gets any less flaky and remembers that she is a strong/smart person.
I mean, is the current-as-of-book-10 Maisie Dobbs the same as the character we met in the first book? This one chastises her Dad to hurry up and get married so she can attend before shipping off to wherever! There is also about 5 minutes spent on her beloved Dad's wedding and far more time spent on getting onto the ship at the end of the book!
This particular mystery was kind of interesting, but I also felt it dragged on way too long. I knew who the killer was about 30% of the way in.
I've complained during the past few installments' reviews about the insufferable boring James Compton. And my complaints do not stop because he's become even more milquetoast and bland. Just chuck him already, Maisie!
Will I keep on with Maisie? Well, I have to because we have the same last name (no relation haha)! I also want to see if she gets any less flaky and remembers that she is a strong/smart person.
I'm giving this a "good" rating because the mystery was interesting and because of my fondness for the series as a whole. But I think my patience has reached its end.
I found many of the story elements to be preachy, or worse, repetitive. There were times when the coincidences became too much, and the answers proffered were way too pat to ring true.
And I'm so, so tired of Maisie's relationship with James. So much dithering!
I feel like a tremendous stick in the mud, but I believe that I'm done with this series.
I found many of the story elements to be preachy, or worse, repetitive. There were times when the coincidences became too much, and the answers proffered were way too pat to ring true.
And I'm so, so tired of Maisie's relationship with James. So much dithering!
I feel like a tremendous stick in the mud, but I believe that I'm done with this series.
Checking back through the series, I noticed that I DID read this book, but I can't really remember when: I have a summer feeling about it, so I'll say it was last summer. I'm experiencing the same diminishing satisfaction with this series as many other folk have noted. I DO find these to be better as audios, since the lovely accent and delivery keep me focused on the plot vs. Winspear's pedantic writing and Maisie's annoying and recurring traits. HOWEVER, I do keep reading them! Ah well. This one was not one of Winspear's best; few of the series have met the insight and social context Winspear provided in the first few, which I found fascinating.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Reading two Maisie Dobbs stories in close proximity was unadvisable, because it highlighted for me the flaws in Winspear's writing style. Reminiscent of Kerry Greenwood's Phryne Fisher stories but without the sparkle and with far too much repetition of detail. Shan't go back and read from number 1.
slow-paced
Racism rears it's ugly head in the treatment of Indian women in London. Lots of twists in this one.
This was less about solving a murder than about Maisie's need to leave everything most loved. But thankfully as she'll be back as I would miss her terribly.
Interesting read and look into cross-cultural living in London between the world wars.
Back between the wars in London and the familiar tread of Maisie and her cohort. Another engaging story in the series.