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kimveach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I eagerly awaited the next Maisie Dobbs mystery, so I was disappointed to learn this story had a different protagonist. However, I enjoyed this book so much. Miss White is an intriguing character, and the various timelines (WWI, WWII, 1947) were equally interesting. This book didn't have some of the depth I'm used to from some Maisie Dobbs stories, but it still had plenty of emotional moments. This book could stand alone or be the start of a new series. I will read more if this series continues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, War, Death, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Child death, Classism, Genocide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Grief, and Gun violence
carireadsbooksandtarot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In 1947, Elinor White is finally resting in her grace-and-favor house in the woods of Kent. However, she is constantly on guard, unable to move beyond the feeling of danger she is so used to after serving under cover roles in both world wars. When a new family moves in to a cottage close by, peace is threatened by the family’s connection to a London crime family, the Mackies. Elinor finds she can’t stand by when the family’s little girl could be in peril.
In this dual timeline narrative, we follow Elinor as she gathers information on the Mackie family in 1947 and travel back in time to learn of her covert involvement in both world wars, first as a child in Belgium, then as an army operative again based in Belgium. Her past haunts her in the present day as she tries to protect the young family down the road.
I love Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and will always read her fiction. However, I found this to be a bit slow-moving. I missed Maisie and the other characters from the Maisie Dobbs series that I have grown to love so much. I could see myself becoming attached to Elinor should we encounter her in further novels but as a stand-alone, I don’t think this novel will stand out in my memory. I also feel like I missed something in the resolution of the present-day situation, I didn’t quite understand the ending. My enjoyment and continued engagement was in large part due to the excellent narration of Orlagh Cassidy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, War, Child death, and Suicide attempt
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