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A Lesson in Secrets: A Maisie Dobbs Novel Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,319 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Private investigator Maisie Dobbs receives her first assignment from the British Secret Service in A Lesson in Secrets, the eighth book in Jacqueline Winspear’s award-winning mystery series. Sent to pose as a junior lecturer at a private college in Cambridge, she will monitor any activities “not in the interests of His Majesty’s government.” When the college’s pacifist founder is murdered, Maisie finds herself in the midst of sinister web of murder, scandal, and conspiracy, activities that point towards members of the ascendant Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei—the Nazi Party—on Britain’s shores. An instant classic, and sure to captivate long-time Maisie Dobbs fans as well as readers of Agatha Christie, Elizabeth George, and Alexander McCall Smith, A Lesson in Secrets is “a powerful and complex novel, one that will linger in memory as a testament to her talent and her humanity” (Richmond Times-Dispatch).
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"Maisie Dobbs undertakes a top secret job as a professor while Europe barrels towards WWII. The mystery isn't as solid as usual but three cheers for the lack of newagey mystical Maisieness. It owes something to Gaudy Night but mostly is concerned with rising Fascism and Communist panic."
— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A powerful and complex novel, one that will linger in memory.”
— Richmond Times-Dispatch -
“The combination of period detail and intricate storytelling makes A Lesson in Secrets seem distant enough to be romantic but sufficiently modern to engage our sympathies.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Series fans will be pleased with both Maisie’s latest investigations and the developments in her private life.”
— Booklist -
“Orlagh Cassidy shines as the intrepid Maisie. Her crystal-clear British accent deftly segues into German, French, American, and Scottish accents when needed. All the story’s pivotal personas and period authenticity are believable and striking. Masterfully juggling several plot threads, including Maisie’s clandestine professorial job, a tumultuous romance, and the suspicious death of her secretary’s young husband, Cassidy delivers an engaging listen.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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Indie Next List
A Lesson in Secrets Listener Reviews
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" Not as good as previous novels but still fun. "
— Sandra, 2/18/2014 -
" Not my favorite, but still fun and and quick read. The first three, and the Mapping of Love and Death are the definitive ones for me thus far. "
— Suzanne, 2/17/2014 -
" The Maisie Dobbs series continues to build toward the eventuality of WWII Europe. The books continue to be wonderful period mysteries with a terrific, competent heroine. "
— Margo, 2/2/2014 -
" I can't help it, I'm addicted to these Maisie Dobbs books. They're like chips. You know you shouldn't eat them all in one go, but it's impossible to stop. "
— Whitney, 1/25/2014 -
" Not my favorite in the series, but enjoyable listen/read. "
— Anastasia, 1/15/2014 -
" I couldn't get into it :/ "
— Erin, 1/8/2014 -
" This series keeps getting better and better! "
— Kristen, 1/7/2014 -
" I have enjoyed all of the Masie Dobbs books and like learning about what was happening in England between the 2 world wars. There is intrigue, some politics and a little romance and it all makes for a fast paced book. "
— Jose, 1/5/2014 -
" This moved a little slow for my taste. I got bogged down and took longer than usual to get through. Bottom line, I liked it, but didn't love it. "
— Traci, 11/18/2013 -
" There's nothing more satisfying to me than having the time to sit and relish the wonderful world of Jacqueline Winspear and Maisie Dobbs. I've been looking forward to this next book!!!!! "
— Cameron, 10/14/2013 -
" The 8th in a series, Masie Dobbs continues to find herself and heal from her many losses stemming from World War one, even as Britain stumbles toward war. This one continues to explore the many losses that WWI imposed the soldiers who fought. "
— Charlotte, 10/2/2013 -
" Another great installment of the Maisie Dobbs series. Although the nature of her relationship with James is disappointing - get married already! "
— Marleah, 9/7/2013 -
" I enjoyed Jacqueline Winspears previous books and this one did not disappoint. It isn't the best of her books, but it did entertain. Plus it did provide historical reference to the period after WW1 and before WW2. "
— Doug, 8/19/2013 -
" Not my favorite Maisie Dobbs -- but still enjoyable. I'm interested in the oncoming threat of WWII as it pertains to Maisie's work, I just hope the "adventure" next time around is slightly less dry. "
— Susie, 1/7/2013 -
" Not as unusual as her first 3 books which focused on awareness and observation a la Sherlock with a touch of spiritual. I found it more a run-of-the-mill mystery. "
— Mary, 11/10/2012 -
" Maisie Dobb's latest adventure; Maisie recruited by the British Secret Service to keep tabs on a peace activist at a private university; while undercover as a philosophy teacher, the murder of a staff member has Maisie reverting to her own profession "
— Ken, 9/15/2012 -
" Series is filled with a period of history that I do not know well. Book is well-written and very enjoyable. I am going to read some others in the series. "
— Roberta, 7/13/2012 -
" this series keeps improving and I partiularly enjoyed this latest addition. "
— Sharron, 4/27/2012 -
" I love this "Between the Wars" mystery series. This one is intriguing surrounding a murder at a Cambridge college where Maisie is teaching and sleuthing. "
— Mary, 2/19/2012 -
" Not as exciting as the first six in the series. "
— Lois, 1/14/2012 -
" Jacqueline Winspear always a good read. "
— Gene, 1/8/2012 -
" Too many sub-plots. Author was trying to do too much. Okay mystery. "
— Lesia, 8/4/2011 -
" Another great read from Jacqueline Winspear! "
— Rebecca, 5/17/2011 -
" The best Maisie Dobbs book in the series. Really enjoyed it. It is so easy to like Maisie. "
— Sandy, 5/17/2011 -
" I'm sad that I've come to the current book in the series. I want another one to read NOW. "
— Lisa, 5/17/2011 -
" I love this heroine and the historical period of WWI. Maize's world is painted with a rich palette of characters. I can't wait for each new installment. This must become an IPBN series! "
— Micky, 5/16/2011 -
" One of the strongest entries in the always excellent Maisie Dobbs series. The poignancy of the historic times (post World-War I) and the complexity of the characters combine to make these books terrific reads. Highly recommended. "
— Homerun2, 5/16/2011 -
" I gobble these down and then can't wait for the next one. The stuff about the English view of the rise of Hitler was very interesting. "
— Jane, 5/16/2011 -
" Another great Maisie Dobbs! If you're not reading them, you should be. "
— Marlene, 5/12/2011 -
" Good mystery series set in post WWI London. "
— Jo, 5/9/2011 -
" Maisie is up to her usual, this time mostly in Cambridge. I may be getting tired of Masie and the formulaic writing in the series. "
— Karen, 5/8/2011 -
" 3+--I enjoy escaping into this little mystery series when I need a break from daily life.... "
— Linda, 5/7/2011 -
" It was a bit slow to get going, but about 1/2 way through I got more interested. Some of the dialogue felt forced, but I remain interested in Maisie and Billy. "
— Heather, 5/6/2011 -
" I am a long-time Maisie Dobbs fan, but sadly, this latest novel in the series was rather disappointing. It never really hooked me. Hopefully this is just an unfortunate derivation that will be corrected with Winspear's next publication. "
— Bryn, 5/5/2011 -
" I would give this 3 and 3/4 stars. I liked the setting (Cambridge and the years leading up to WWII), but I feel she glossed over a few things on this one, didn't dig into it enough. I still love the series, but this one wasn't as good as the last one. Although, it left me wanting more! "
— Tiffany, 5/4/2011
About Jacqueline Winspear
Jacqueline Winspear is the author of several New York Times bestsellers in her historical fiction series featuring Maisie Dobbs. She has won numerous awards for her work, including the Agatha, Alex, and Macavity awards. She was born and raised in the county of Kent in England. Her grandfather had been severely wounded and shell-shocked in World War I, and learning his story sparked her deep interest in the “war to end all wars” and its aftereffects, which would later form the background of her novels. She studied at the University of London’s Institute of Education and later worked in academic publishing, in higher education and in marketing communications in the United Kingdom before emigrating to the United States.
About Orlagh Cassidy
Orlagh Cassidy, an American actress of stage, television, and film, is an audiobook narrator who has twice won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, as well as many AudioFile Earphones Awards. She is a graduate of SUNY at Purchase and a recipient of the Princess Grace Foundation Scholarship. She has been seen on and off Broadway and in films, including Definitely Maybe and Calling It Quits. Her television credits include roles in Law & Order and Sex and the City and as Doris Wolfe on Guiding Light.