Scan barcode
evoorde's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Alcoholism
mjporterauthor's review
4.0
The Consequences of Fear is the first Maisie Dodds book I've read (I know, it's number 16 - but I've just 'got' into books from this time period). It won't be the last.
For a first time reader, there were a few stumbling blocks now and then throughout this book, only to be expected, of course. There are clearly well-loved, repeat characters in this book, and the author does a great job of involving as many of Maisie's friends and allies as possible. This allows the case to be quite complex as she attempts to solve it, running between London and Chelstone.
I really enjoyed how deeply embedded the story is in the history of the period, and I think Maisie will be a fascinating character to uncover in earlier books.
Thoroughly enjoyable, even for a newbie.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
For a first time reader, there were a few stumbling blocks now and then throughout this book, only to be expected, of course. There are clearly well-loved, repeat characters in this book, and the author does a great job of involving as many of Maisie's friends and allies as possible. This allows the case to be quite complex as she attempts to solve it, running between London and Chelstone.
I really enjoyed how deeply embedded the story is in the history of the period, and I think Maisie will be a fascinating character to uncover in earlier books.
Thoroughly enjoyable, even for a newbie.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my review copy.
mary_elizabeth's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
saraelizabetha's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
tessyoung's review
4.0
At 16 books, it's difficult to review these without a degree of repetition because Winspeare is consistently good across a range of measures.
Her characters, both those we know from previous books, or new characters are always well developed, rounded characters that you can identify with and that you get to know, moreover they behave in character and context so you never feel they are there purely to serve the plot. It's also always nice to see a returning character sometimes from many years previous who again serve the plot but also reflect the historical continuities and shifts over the period covered by the series.
The historical context is always nuanced and well researched and works beyond the basics of popular histories of this time period to some of the more uncomfortable truths. As such, in my view, these books are far superior than some historical crime that is all too nostalgic, twee and sometimes bordering on jingoistic for my liking.
The story, as always, is well plotted and engaging but I like that these books are never simple 'whodunits' but offer the reader so much more. The difficult choices, the compromises, the costs of decision made both in the past and the present all come together in a rich novel such that even after 16 books, the series does not feel stale.
Her characters, both those we know from previous books, or new characters are always well developed, rounded characters that you can identify with and that you get to know, moreover they behave in character and context so you never feel they are there purely to serve the plot. It's also always nice to see a returning character sometimes from many years previous who again serve the plot but also reflect the historical continuities and shifts over the period covered by the series.
The historical context is always nuanced and well researched and works beyond the basics of popular histories of this time period to some of the more uncomfortable truths. As such, in my view, these books are far superior than some historical crime that is all too nostalgic, twee and sometimes bordering on jingoistic for my liking.
The story, as always, is well plotted and engaging but I like that these books are never simple 'whodunits' but offer the reader so much more. The difficult choices, the compromises, the costs of decision made both in the past and the present all come together in a rich novel such that even after 16 books, the series does not feel stale.
kangokaren's review
4.0
I can feel the approaching end of Maisie’s journey. It makes me so sad. I also don’t know why she fell in love with Mark Scott. Just missed the boat completely on that love affair.
“Never let fears get in the way of happiness, because fear can lead to such irrational reasoning, and we can make dreadful mistakes, saying things we can't take back.”
“Fear was the scariest of emotions and it nestled there, growing ever stronger and sprouting shoots, a seed in the fertile soil of doubt.”
“Fear had to be handled with care, managed so it became a tool, not a weight
“And as she grieved, she realized that she had never trusted the world to keep herself or those she loved safe. From the moment of her mother’s death, she had known that terror could be around the next corner at any moment. Had there ever been a time when she felt the clutch of fear in her gut loosen its grip, so that she could have faith in the future?”
“Never let fears get in the way of happiness, because fear can lead to such irrational reasoning, and we can make dreadful mistakes, saying things we can't take back.”
“Fear was the scariest of emotions and it nestled there, growing ever stronger and sprouting shoots, a seed in the fertile soil of doubt.”
“Fear had to be handled with care, managed so it became a tool, not a weight
“And as she grieved, she realized that she had never trusted the world to keep herself or those she loved safe. From the moment of her mother’s death, she had known that terror could be around the next corner at any moment. Had there ever been a time when she felt the clutch of fear in her gut loosen its grip, so that she could have faith in the future?”
melissa_who_reads's review
5.0
Loved it. War and death and secrets and spies and the care of children and of love.
rachel_reads_regularly's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thisgirlelle's review
4.0
Enjoyed this one in the series - an easy and enjoyable time period mystery piece.