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Diane | 2/20/2014
" The first book in this series grabbed me right away. This fourth one? Not so much. I "got it" early on in the book and just slogged through it afterwards to get to the end. The direction the series is taking, with Maisie knowing what's best for everyone in each and every situation, and with guidance from the beyond, is taking me further away from enjoyment thereof. "
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Kay | 2/17/2014
" I enjoyed this installment in the Maisie Dobbs series very much. The series as a whole is so interesting and involving -- can't believe there's only one more to go. This particular mystery...about a painter who may or may not have been accidentally killed...was interesting, though not to the level of the prior two in my estimation. The subplot involving Billy's family was a highlight. "
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John | 2/16/2014
" Not as much fun as the first three Maisie Dobbs books. The plots is more complex and Maisie follows many leads that create a backstory but do not contribute to solving the mystery at hand. Maisie continues to become increasingly independent as she mingles with people who introduce her to cultural and social issues that she missed out on during her sheltered adolescence in service and under the tutelage of Maurice. And the Great War continues to cast forth its wounded participants into all sorts of post-war difficulties. The plight of the underclass, personified by Billy Beale and his family, moves toward center stage in this book. "
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Deb | 2/5/2014
" This series is still keeping me engrossed. Maisy Dobbs is a fascinating protagonist and each novel deepens the dimensions of her character. These are not "happy" books, but they are quite satisfying. The author raises serious issues and invites the reader to wrestle with them along with Maisie. "
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Ami | 2/2/2014
" This is probably my least favorite Maisie Dobb's book thus far. I felt that the mystery wasn't very exciting and Maisie's development felt rather stagnant. Hopefully the next installment is better. "
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Annette | 1/29/2014
" Maisie Dobbs #4-- she's getting better. So far this is the most promising novel and gives me hope that Jaqueline Winspear can write a really good detective story. Even though Maisie still relies on her spiritual connections to others, this story avoids the weirdness of that theme from the previous novel. Plus, I discerned from the clues who the guilty party was before the final wrap-up. That shows her growth as an author because a good detective story should give the reader all the pieces of the puzzle (even if she doesn't give them all to the the Detective Inspector assigned to the case). Like all the stories so far, continued emotional pain from the atrocities witnessed during WWI is at the heart of the drama. And, of course, the shadow of WWII is edging closer. "
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Peggy | 1/24/2014
" I'm a Maisie Dobbs fan. Her character is developing over the series. In this book, she tests her independence on several fronts: professionally, by not calling on her mentor, Maurice Blanche, domestically, by living alone, and romantically, by separating from her suitor. She is investigating the death of an artist, meanwhile observing much about the society around her (1931, London), including veterans, the brutality of war, the rise of fascism, class differences, poverty, family relationships, and access to health care, as well as a criminal operation. Maisie is smart, but does not move easily in the world, owing to her own intimate losses and need for individual expression, which she accomplishes through her work. There are just a few dull passages; they are necessary for the plot, but they reference police procedures rather than the rich psychological techniques that Maisie relies upon. "
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Grace | 1/15/2014
" I enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs books, but did not find this book to be particularly good. I will continue to read the next few books in the series to see if the story picks up. "
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Laura | 1/15/2014
" Liked it, didn't love it. The topic of art was interesting and made for a good moral discussion of war. But the "who dunnit" was very obvious, and even the "why" was easy to figure out. I'm fine with knowing one part of the mystery, but knowing both parts isn't great. "
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Tammy | 1/11/2014
" This one isn't pulling me in quite like the other ones did. It's dragging a bit. don't feel much sympathy for the characters yet, the plot isn't as interesting. I'll push through all the same. "
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Su | 1/9/2014
" Blah.....when is Maisie going to have some fun? "
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Chris | 1/5/2014
" I really like this character and this interestingly different kind of mystery. "
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Allison | 12/27/2013
" Not quite as good as the other books in the series, but still a good read. "
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Lea | 12/24/2013
" I absolutely love Winspear's writing voice. She reads like an Agatha Christie book and has won the Christie awards so that speaks volumes. Her character, Maisie Dobbs, is a simple lady with the ability to deduce and figure out crimes. Love to puzzle out the mystery in each book. "
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Lexi | 12/10/2013
" Maisie Dobbs never disappoints. "
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Trudy | 7/20/2013
" I like the stories told by Jacqueline Winspear in her Masie Dobbs mysteries. An added bonus is her command of the english language. I find way too may dangling participles and split infinitives in literature today. It is nice to read a book from Jacqueline. "
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Marci | 7/5/2013
" My least favorite of the books so far. "
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refgoddess | 7/4/2013
" see Maisie Dobbs review. "
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Eleanor | 4/30/2013
" Loved this one just as much as the three previous ones. Looking forward to the next! "
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Willa | 2/12/2013
" Another wonderful Maisie Dobbs mystery, I really relate to Maisie & she seems to capture my internal landscape while coming up with murder mysteries that are fun to guess "who done it'. I guessed wrong in this one but for the right motive- loved it! "
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Becky | 6/26/2012
" This book was a disappointment. It was slow and boring. Not sure I will continue the series. Although I really enjoyed the first 3 books. "
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Mary | 3/1/2012
" Even though I figured it out way before the end I was was still intrigued all the way through. I am thoroughly enjoying this series. "
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Jamie | 9/2/2011
" I have enjoyed all of the other Maisie Dobbs books, but was turned off on the amount of detail and not important detail at that, that was part of this story. I listened to the book, rather than read, so i could have noticed it more. The book seemed to drag on at the end. "
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Correen | 8/11/2011
" A not very satisfying book. Maizie becomes increasingly involved in extra-sensory perception. She has a fascinating art mystery to solve but her techniques increasingly take her away from normal human experience. I will probably not read more in this series. "
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Bryn | 8/5/2011
" This is an amazing book. Now I want to read everything Winspear has written. It's a series of mystery novels taking place in England in the 20s and 30s. The main character is very intuitive and very aware of the hearts and most inner thoughts of the people around her. "
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Judy | 5/22/2011
" This is the 4th in a series about a female private detective in pre-WWII London. Like the first, it is a mystery without a lot of gory detail. It's a good light, entertaining read.
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Michele | 5/1/2011
" Admittedly, my least favorite thus far of the Maisie mysteries.
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Elizabeth | 4/16/2011
" Saw the plot developments coming before they happened, but still really enjoyed how the story was revealed. The balance between work and life for a single woman is well reflected in Maisie's character.
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Karen | 4/11/2011
" I love this character. Her cases are not straight forward as some mysteries which is good. This was the 1st in the series that I knew "who dunnit" before the end.
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Michele | 3/31/2011
" strong, well educated woman solves mysteries during depression era in London and rural england. I like it and am reading as many in this series as I can.
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Linda | 3/24/2011
" My favorite Maisie Dobbs yet....
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Mary | 3/1/2011
" A tale of art, smuggling, class struggles in the Maisie Dobbs series. I rate 3 plus to 4-.
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Christine | 2/21/2011
" I am completely hooked on these books. This 4th book in the series does not disappoint.
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Trina | 2/19/2011
" Definitely my new favorite mystery series. Loving every moment of reading them.
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