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Pardonable Lies: A Maisie Dobbs Novel Audiobook
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(4.00) - 7,836 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In Pardonable Lies, the third novel of this bestselling series from Jacqueline Winspear, London investigator Maisie Dobbs faces grave danger as she returns to the site of her most painful WWI memories to resolve the mystery of a pilot's death. A deathbed plea from his wife leads Sir Cecil Lawton to seek the aid of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. As Maisie soon learns, Agnes Lawton never accepted that her aviator son was killed in the Great War, a torment that led her not only to the edge of madness but to the doors of those who practice the dark arts and commune with the spirit world. In accepting the assignment, Maisie finds her spiritual strength tested, as well as her regard for her mentor, Maurice Blanche. The mission also brings her together once again with her college friend Priscilla Evernden, who served in France and who lost three brothers to the war—one of whom, it turns out, had an intriguing connection to the missing Ralph Lawton. Following on the heels of Winspear's triumphant Birds of a Feather, Pardonable Lies is another compelling installment in the chronicles of Maisie Dobbs, "a heroine to cherish" (Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review). Includes a bonus interview with the author.
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"When is it better to lie than to tell the truth? There are many lies in this Maisie Dobbs' installment. Maisie must make some difficult decisions about what to tell a client, and she discovers that even those she trusts are capable of telling lies. Maisie travels to France to investigate the deaths of two WWI aviators. In the process she faces up to some lies she's told herself, and undergoes some serious soul-searching. Another engrossing read!"
— Deb (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“It’s rare to find a hired sleuth as mindful of her clients’ psychic needs as Jacqueline Winspear’s World War I military nurse, Maisie Dobbs…Maisie is a sleuth to treasure.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Maisie’s most assured outing to date …The mood and atmosphere of the period ring with authenticity, and the class tension that underlies many of Maisie’s dealings lends the narrative extra sparkle.”
— San Francisco Chronicle -
“I couldn’t put the book down and rushed out right away to get the other two. Maisie Dobbs is a joy.”
— Globe and Mail (Toronto) -
“Jacqueline Winspear’s historical mysteries prove exactly what this subgenre can achieve, offering a prism of the past and a mirror of the future…Fascinating.”
— Sun-Sentinel -
“Winspear twists the suspense to a high pitch in this dark and moody tale that will please newcomers to the series as well as Winspear’s many fans.”
— Rocky Mountain News -
“Filled with convincing characters, this is a complex tale of healing, of truth and half-truth, of long-held secrets, some, perhaps, to be held forever. Winspear writes seamlessly, enriching the whole with vivid details of English life on a variety of social levels.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“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.”
— School Library Journal -
“A pitch-perfect blend of compassion and panache.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
Startlingly original...A deft debut novel...Be prepared to be astonished at the sensitivity and wisdom with which Maisie resolves her first professional assignment.
— The New York Times on Maisie Dobbs
Awards
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A 2005 Agatha Award Finalist for Best Novel
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Winner for the 2006 Macavity Award for the Sue Feder Historical Mystery
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Nominated for Agatha Awards - Nominee, 2005
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Winner of ABC E.B. White Read Aloud Award, 2005
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Winner of Macavity Award - Winner, 2005
Pardonable Lies Listener Reviews
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" My favorite Maisie Dobbs book thus far. Perhaps a bit more predictible than the last two, but I finally actually like and identify with Maisie in a way that I had not in the prior books. Sometimes Winspear gets a touch verbose in the descriptions of things (in this one clothes seemed to be a big deal). But for people who like that style of writing then they'd appreciate it. "
— Shawna, 2/20/2014 -
" As excellent as the previous two--maybe even better. "
— Cayenne, 2/16/2014 -
" The second Maisie Dobbs book I've read (I missed the first one), it's a good read. A bit denser than your typical cosy mystery, but entertaining and surprising. Each Maisie story is as much a journey into Maisie's life as it is about the crime she's solving. Sometimes it's a bit heavy on the personal drama (Maisie has a breakdown in this one) and spiritualism (like creating psychic sheilds against ghosts) but the core is solid. "
— Lexi, 2/12/2014 -
" Another great mystery in the Maise Dobbs series. "
— Sandy, 1/27/2014 -
" good read, A few decent twists, a bit too coincidental on two cases being intertwined, but still, well thought out. interesting read. "
— Beth, 1/24/2014 -
" One of her very best, and that's saying a lot! "
— Kate, 1/15/2014 -
" This is the third in the Maisie Dobbs novels and my favorite one so far. "
— Amy, 1/14/2014 -
" OK, I needed to procrastinate--plus a reward for having and executing an excellent lesson plan today. "
— Patty, 1/7/2014 -
" Another wonderful Maisie Dobbs book. With this book Winspear begins to set up Hitler's rise to power in Germany and the 2nd great war to come. Maisie is forced to face the demons she thought she had left in France while researching how two soldiers died. "
— Becky, 12/7/2013 -
" Listened to this one on tape as well. Enjoyed it more than the second one. "
— Katelyn, 12/2/2013 -
" This series is my current book candy. "
— Beth, 11/30/2013 -
" A period piece set after WWI starring investigator and psychologist Maisie Dobbs. "
— Barbara, 11/30/2013 -
" Another good book in the series. I do suggest that you not start reading the series with this book as the author refers to events that happened in Books 1 and 2. Also, she relies upon your memory as to the background of the characters. "
— Carol, 1/16/2013 -
" This one was my favorite so far. I just love Winspear's character development. On to #4!!!!!!!!!! "
— Bryn, 7/4/2011 -
" Set in England and France in 1930, this character brings a new dimension to crime novels. Very well written and very interesting. Because of the setting the modes and manners are so different from today that it is refreshing to read. "
— Cheryle, 2/11/2011 -
" Read by Orlagh Cassidy. "
— Emese, 9/21/2010 -
" I haven't updated this list in a while, but when I saw that I was last reading "Pardonable Lies," I had a hard time remembering what the book was about. So, it may have all right, but I really don't remember it well at all. "
— adrienne, 9/7/2007 -
" Fun series- Maisie is a detective in London as they all recover from World War 1. "
— Terri, 8/25/2007 -
" I love this series, almost more for the historical fiction part than the mystery part, but they're really good all the same. "
— Heidi, 3/11/2007 -
" I wish I could have sat down and read without interruption as, at times, it felt as though there were too many issues going on at once, (though this mirrored Maisie's state of mind). Once again, the author has created a very interesting historical read about the post-WWI time period in England. "
— Nicole, 9/7/2006 -
" Another wonderful Maisie Dobbs book. "
— Julie, 8/16/2006
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.