I've been in the mood for historical mysteries lately and satisfied that mood with books 3 and 4 in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear.
Pardonable Lies and Messenger of Truth take place in 1930 and both plots still revolve around the aftermath of WWI (or the Great War), although we get a hint of the growing unease in Europe in Messenger of Truth with Hitler mentioned a few times.
I really enjoy these books, and Maisie is an interesting, complex heroine. I like her self-reflection, which reminds me of another favorite mystery heroine, Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon. They both deal with demons, self-doubt, and have a strong conscience and need to do the right thing. They don't always know what they want out of life, but they do know what they don't want.
I enjoy Winspear's attention to detail--the clothes Maisie wears, the food she eats, her hairstyle, the car she drives, etc. This provides me with a real feel for the England that Maisie lives and works in.
I read the first two a year apart a year and it was nice to read these back to back as the continuity was strong from one to the next. I hope to get to book 5 before year's end.
I like Maisie--I like her need for independence and her compassion. I like the way she straddles several different classes--she's very much a modern woman who values tradition. She's a character that works for me. I also like the mysteries and the secondary characters--all in all, a great series for relaxing and losing yourself in an interesting world with interesting people.
I can't help thinking this series would make a terrific TV series--I hope others with a bit more clout think the same.
I agree. She's just a character that works for me too. I need to get back to that series!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this series explores some of the realities of the time that it is set in. It was an interesting time, thus this seems appealing.
ReplyDeleteReading books in a series back to back has its advantages. I have had good experiences doing so in the future when it comes some to books series.
I have not read this series yet, but they always get good reviews. I should give Maisie a try! Winspear sounds like she does a lot of research for the time periods. Thx for the review. a book to lose yourself in.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the first Maisie Dobbs book and enjoyed it for all the reasons you mention... my kind of mystery! Not sure why it's taking me so long to return to the series. Thanks for the reminder :)
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries and I love historical novels, so these books sound like the perfect mix. My library has most of the titles, so I will check them out soon.
ReplyDeleteI think it would make a good tv show too. thanks for posting the review and glad you like these books .
ReplyDeleteI really wish I would have started this series from the beginning - I've enjoyed the books I've read but think the continuity of reading them in order would have helped me enjoy them more.
ReplyDeleteI want to read these! The historical setting is a plus, along with the bery essential feature of her good writing! I 'd love a PBS mystery series on these too. Perhaps not "hard-boiled" enough in the past, but with Midwives and other wartime stories, I think Maisie would work well as drama.
ReplyDeleteMidwives is not the one I meant. There was an excellent series last year about WWI nurses that I liked very much.
DeleteNow, I'm curious--I would love a series about WWI nurses, but haven't stumbled across which one you mean. Love Call the Midwife!
DeleteMaybe she means Crimson Field? I had great hopes for that series but it was disappointing. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight and then forgot to even watch it. I did like the recent movie of Testament of Youth, one of my favorite WWI books, which you would like, Jane.
ReplyDeleteI keep on meaning to read Testament of Youth and I want to watch the movie too, glad to hear you liked them both!
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