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mouseczko's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shropgirl's review against another edition
4.0
268pp - this might be a typo
library book - paperback
Maisie Dobbs - book 13
library book - paperback
Maisie Dobbs - book 13
reikista's review
5.0
Dr. Thomas asks Maisie to help her uncover who is behind an apparent robbery gone wrong, that resulted in the murder of a Belgian refugee, just as Britain enters what will be known as WWII
melissa_who_reads's review
5.0
Loved this latest installment in the Maisie Dobbs story. In earlier books, I hit places where the writing seemed stilted, but in these last few the writing is increasingly better and better - the author has really settled into the flow of Maisie's story.
The book opens with Maisie listening to the announcement of war at her friend Priscilla's house: World War II has just begun, with all the trauma that stirs up for the survivors of World War I. She is called away from Priscilla's by the demands of Dr. Francesca Thomas, who works at the highest and most secret levels for both the Belgians and the British: currently with offices in the Belgian embassy. She asks that Maisie investigate the execution-style death of a Belgian refugee, a man who came as a boy during World War I and settled in England, marrying an English wife. She hints there may be more deaths forthcoming --
And indeed they are. As Maisie races to find the killer (and the story behind the killings) she is also coping with cries for help from Chelstone, where her in-laws still live. They are coping with evacuees - children and their schoolmaster who have been evacuated from London for fear of German bombs (the actual bombing started some months after this story takes place). One little girl has arrived without papers, unknown, and won't speak to anyone - and they turn to Maisie to help cope.
The history is always enjoyable, the plotting is excellent, and if Maisie pulls strings towards the end to find out the final history -- well, she has earned those strings in her previous books. I didn't quite read it in one sitting -- but I would have liked to. Did read it in two days.
The book opens with Maisie listening to the announcement of war at her friend Priscilla's house: World War II has just begun, with all the trauma that stirs up for the survivors of World War I. She is called away from Priscilla's by the demands of Dr. Francesca Thomas, who works at the highest and most secret levels for both the Belgians and the British: currently with offices in the Belgian embassy. She asks that Maisie investigate the execution-style death of a Belgian refugee, a man who came as a boy during World War I and settled in England, marrying an English wife. She hints there may be more deaths forthcoming --
And indeed they are. As Maisie races to find the killer (and the story behind the killings) she is also coping with cries for help from Chelstone, where her in-laws still live. They are coping with evacuees - children and their schoolmaster who have been evacuated from London for fear of German bombs (the actual bombing started some months after this story takes place). One little girl has arrived without papers, unknown, and won't speak to anyone - and they turn to Maisie to help cope.
The history is always enjoyable, the plotting is excellent, and if Maisie pulls strings towards the end to find out the final history -- well, she has earned those strings in her previous books. I didn't quite read it in one sitting -- but I would have liked to. Did read it in two days.
gbeckner's review
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
evoorde's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: War
Minor: Ableism
meaganmart's review against another edition
4.0
I will say I read this book out of the series order and still thoroughly enjoyed it. I was surprised at just how delightful I found this novel. I loved Maisie’s character and will look forward to starting at the beginning of the series so I can properly appreciate her character arc!
aoosterwyk's review
4.0
I just love this series. Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC. The setting for this story is the cusp of WWII. England has just declared war on Germany and everyone is adjusting. The last war doesn't seem too far away and this story proves that some are still suffering it's effects.
Maisie continues to use the skills she's spent her life learning. The cast of characters expands as she keeps the old and makes new friends. This all creates a community that makes the reader feel on familiar ground, while absorbing new information and perhaps considering some aspects of war that have not been addressed before.
Maisie continues to use the skills she's spent her life learning. The cast of characters expands as she keeps the old and makes new friends. This all creates a community that makes the reader feel on familiar ground, while absorbing new information and perhaps considering some aspects of war that have not been addressed before.