Promotional Information

Much-loved Maisie Dobbs returns to investigate her third case, a thrilling story of family tensions and mysterious deaths in World War I

Promotional Information

Much-loved Maisie Dobbs returns to investigate her third case, a thrilling story of family tensions and mysterious deaths in World War I

About the Author

Jacqueline Winspear was born and grew up in Kent. The Maisie Dobbs mysteries have won acclaim from readers and reviewers alike, and have been nominated for many awards. The first two novels in the series, Maisie Dobbs and Birds of a Feather are available now in paperback, published by John Murray.

Reviews

'These clever mysteries, their period settings and the unusual character of Maisie herself are bang on target for the classic crime buyer' -- Sue Baker, Publishing News 20051125 'In Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear has given us a real gift. Maisie Dobbs has not been created -- she has been discovered. Such people are always there amongst us, waiting for somebody like Ms. Winspear to come along and reveal them. And what a revelation it is!' -- Alexander McCall Smith 20060515 'The British counterpart to Alexander McCall Smith's The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' -- Associated Press 20060515 'A fine new sleuth for the twenty-first century' -- Elizabeth George 20060515 'A heroine to cherish' -- New York Times 20060515 'A wry and immensely readable beginning to what promises to be a vivid new addition to crime fiction' -- Praise for MAISIE DOBBS, Daily Mail 20060515 'Feisty, working-class heroine Maisie is a deliberate throwback to the sleuthettes of old-fashioned crime writing. The well-plotted story, its characters and the picture of London between the wars are decidedly romantic. American readers loved it; many Brits will, too.' -- Guardian 20060515 'A terrific mystery ! Intriguing and full of suspense, it makes for an absorbing read' -- Observer 20060515 'For readers yearning for the calm and insightful intelligence of a main character like P D James's, Maisie Dobbs is spot on' -- Boston Globe 20060515 'Even if detective stories aren't your thing, you'll love Maisie Dobbs' -- New Woman 20060515 '(Maisie Dobbs') most engaging adventure so far' -- Sydney Morning Herald 20060515 'It is only a question of time before this series hits the television screens, for it is just made for it' -- The Irish Times 20060520 'Altogether an excellent mystery story, which grips the reader all the way through. Contains many ideas which would interest book groups' -- New Books Magazine 20060701 'Wonderfully nostalgic and traditional sleuthing in post-First World War London' -- Bookseller 20050909 'Maisie Dobbs is a delightful character... The war's long shadow over Maisie and her clients and suspects lends emotional depth to an enjoyable mystery' -- Literary Review 20060301 'Think Upstairs Downstairs meets Miss Marple -- with a touch of chirpy cheerful Cockney from the Dick Van Dyke school' -- Yorkshire Post 20060301 'The classic crime buyer' -- Publishing News 20060519

A pilot's death forces London investigator Dobbs to face the trauma of her World War I memories, as well as grave danger in this third volume of the best-selling series. Winspear lives in Southern California. With a 12-city author tour. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Adult/High School-It is 1930 and Maisie Dobbs has been operating her detective cum psychiatric agency for more than a year. Her mentor, Maurice Blanche, a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot, has retired and she has been successful on her own. But a new case threatens to take her back to a place she has been trying to forget: France, where she was a nurse during the Great War. She has been hired by a successful QC (Queen's Counsel) to prove that his only son did die in the war and was not still alive as his recently deceased wife believed. The case seems to pit her against Blanche, and she becomes as fearful of him as of the strange man following her. This case and one she casually takes on for a friend seem to converge frighteningly, and she is emotionally and physically exhausted by the time she wraps them up. Teens will get a great feel for the time between the World Wars and the social and economic milieu as the Depression approaches and the losses of 1914-'18 seem more trenchant. Maisie is indomitable and inspiring, and she must try to find space in her increasingly busy life for her father and her beau while helping her clients to deal with the scars they carry. A thought-provoking series entry, the story contains revelations of secret missions, homosexuality, the lives of persons from all layers of society, and a winning heroine who is not perfect and is willing to learn from her mistakes.-Susan H. Woodcock, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.