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Messenger of Truth: A Maisie Dobbs Novel Audiobook
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Publisher Description
Maisie Dobbs investigates the mysterious death of a controversial artist—and World War I veteran—in the fourth entry in the bestselling series London, 1931. The night before an exhibition of his artwork opens at a famed Mayfair gallery, the controversial artist Nick Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police rule it an accident, but Nick's twin sister, Georgina, a wartime journalist and a infamous figure in her own right, isn't convinced. When the authorities refuse to consider her theory that Nick was murdered, Georgina seeks out a fellow graduate from Girton College, Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator, for help. Nick was a veteran of World War I, and before long the case leads Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, and into the sinister underbelly of the city's art world. In Messenger of Truth, Maisie once again uncovers the perilous legacy of the Great War in a society struggling to recollect itself. But to solve the mystery of Nick's death, Maisie will have to keep her head as the forces behind the artist's fall come out of the shadows to silence her. Following on the bestselling Pardonable Lies, Jacqueline Winspear delivers another vivid, thrilling, and utterly unique episode in the life of Maisie Dobbs.
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"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."
— Peggy (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The author provides an insightful look at class divisions and dangerous political undercurrents of homegrown fascism in early 1930s Britain…Fans of quality period fiction will be well satisfied.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“A cast of vivid characters and plenty of rich period detail boost Winspear’s somewhat lethargic plot.”
— Booklist -
“What makes this book delightful is how Winspear shows Maisie’s emotional development amid the bitter legacy of the Great War. Her growing fan base should enjoy this latest entry.”
— Library Journal -
“What makes the British-reared, award-winning Winspear so special is her ability to write convincing historical fiction…Winspear chronicles the uncharted, sometimes rocky path chosen by her protagonist and delivers results that are educational, unique and wonderful.”
— USA Today -
“Maisie captivated me immediately. She's sensitive, smart and dogged. It was an all-around great audiobook.
— Philadelphia Inquirer on Pardonable Lies -
Winspear excels in depicting trauma.... Descriptions of body language are unsurpassed. Orlagh Cassidy's narration creates a unique voice for each character…she is able to keep Maisie's accent unique and change it slightly as she interacts with a plethora of supporting characters.
— AudioFile on Pardonable Lies, Winner of AudioFile’s Earphones Award for truly exceptional presentations
Awards
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A 2006 Agatha Award Finalist for Best Novel
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A 2007 Macavity Award Finalist for the Sue Feder Historical Mystery
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Nominated for Macavity Award - Nominee, 2007
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Nominated for Agatha Awards - Nominee, 2006
Messenger of Truth Listener Reviews
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Nili leemon, 7/1/2020
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Michael Crawshaw, 3/12/2017
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" 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. "
— 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. "
— Diane, 2/20/2014 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Kay, 2/17/2014 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— John, 2/16/2014 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Deb, 2/5/2014 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Ami, 2/2/2014 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Annette, 1/29/2014 -
" 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. "
— Peggy, 1/24/2014 -
" 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. "
— Grace, 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. "
— Laura, 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. "
— Grace, 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. "
— Laura, 1/15/2014 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Tammy, 1/11/2014 -
" Blah.....when is Maisie going to have some fun? "
— Su, 1/9/2014 -
" Blah.....when is Maisie going to have some fun? "
— Su, 1/9/2014 -
" I really like this character and this interestingly different kind of mystery. "
— Chris, 1/5/2014 -
" I really like this character and this interestingly different kind of mystery. "
— Chris, 1/5/2014 -
" Not quite as good as the other books in the series, but still a good read. "
— Allison, 12/27/2013 -
" Not quite as good as the other books in the series, but still a good read. "
— Allison, 12/27/2013 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Lea, 12/24/2013 -
" Maisie Dobbs never disappoints. "
— Lexi, 12/10/2013 -
" Maisie Dobbs never disappoints. "
— Lexi, 12/10/2013 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Trudy, 7/20/2013 -
" My least favorite of the books so far. "
— Marci, 7/5/2013 -
" My least favorite of the books so far. "
— Marci, 7/5/2013 -
" see Maisie Dobbs review. "
— refgoddess, 7/4/2013 -
" see Maisie Dobbs review. "
— refgoddess, 7/4/2013 -
" Loved this one just as much as the three previous ones. Looking forward to the next! "
— Eleanor, 4/30/2013 -
" Loved this one just as much as the three previous ones. Looking forward to the next! "
— Eleanor, 4/30/2013 -
" 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! "
— 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! "
— Willa, 2/12/2013 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Becky, 6/26/2012 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Mary, 3/1/2012 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Jamie, 9/2/2011 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Correen, 8/11/2011 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Bryn, 8/5/2011 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Judy, 5/22/2011 -
" Admittedly, my least favorite thus far of the Maisie mysteries. "
— Michele, 5/1/2011 -
" Admittedly, my least favorite thus far of the Maisie mysteries. "
— Michele, 5/1/2011 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Elizabeth, 4/16/2011 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Karen, 4/11/2011 -
" 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. "
— 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. "
— Michele, 3/31/2011 -
" My favorite Maisie Dobbs yet.... "
— Linda, 3/24/2011 -
" My favorite Maisie Dobbs yet.... "
— Linda, 3/24/2011 -
" A tale of art, smuggling, class struggles in the Maisie Dobbs series. I rate 3 plus to 4-. "
— Mary, 3/1/2011 -
" A tale of art, smuggling, class struggles in the Maisie Dobbs series. I rate 3 plus to 4-. "
— Mary, 3/1/2011 -
" I am completely hooked on these books. This 4th book in the series does not disappoint. "
— Christine, 2/21/2011 -
" I am completely hooked on these books. This 4th book in the series does not disappoint. "
— Christine, 2/21/2011 -
" Definitely my new favorite mystery series. Loving every moment of reading them. "
— Trina, 2/19/2011 -
" Definitely my new favorite mystery series. Loving every moment of reading them. "
— Trina, 2/19/2011
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.