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Pardonable Lies (Abridged): A Maisie Dobbs Novel Audiobook
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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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"This is the 3rd book in the Maisie Dobbs series and I found it just as interesting and well written as the other two. If you are a mystery reader this is a series you need to read. This time Maisie, who calls herself a "pyschologist and investigator", is involved with 3 cases. Tho WWI has been over for 10 years she is still being haunted by the experiences she had in France as a nurse. In fact two of the cases will take her back to France where she has to confront these memories so she can move on with her life. Winspear is so good at creating London in the 1930's. Even her descriptions of what people are wearing are so interesting. I am always so glad when I finish one of her books because I know there will others to read."
— Julie (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) -
Pardonable Lies is an all-around great audio book.
— Knight Ridder News Service -
“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 of the 2006 Macavity Award for the Sue Feder Historical Mystery
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Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
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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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Michael Crawshaw, 6/29/2017
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" This is a great series. Great vacation reads or escape from work reading. "
— Mary, 2/17/2014 -
" I like each Maisie Dobbs book more and more, although I didn't care as much for this audio book narrator as the last one, and I'm a little peeved that the narrator changes with each installment. This one did a rather annoying voice for Andrew Dean, and I couldn't tell if he was supposed to be annoying or not, and I kept expecting him to turn into a jerk (thankfully, he didn't). We get to know Maisie better with each case. The whole series is recommended if you like historical mysteries that are more about the psychology (of the crime and the crime-solving) than alibis and train schedules. "
— Jess, 2/10/2014 -
" Not the best in the series, but still pretty pleasurable read. "
— Meg, 2/1/2014 -
" I am just an avid fan of the Maisie Dobbs series and I have enjoyed everyone I have read thus far. "
— Barbara, 2/1/2014 -
" I've loved this series so far, but this book was even better than the first two! I found myself clapping and shouting bravos in my head as I finished and I couldn't wait to pick up the fourth installment. I can foresee myself feeling very sad when I finish the last book. Such a charming, enthralling, sweet, thrilling, historical mystery series! I love it! "
— Jaclyn, 1/27/2014 -
" It's Maisie Dobbs....you can never go wrong with a Dobbs mystery. "
— Monica, 1/26/2014 -
" This is the best one yet. Couldn't put it down- and for once in my life I didn't have to because I'm RETIRED. "
— Edie, 1/21/2014 -
" Another historical mystery series...female protagonist, Masie Dobbs, investigates crimes etc. in the early 1930's so there is a lot of reference to WWI and related issues. "
— Laura, 1/18/2014 -
" I love this series of mystery books. I read all of them in a year. "
— Alleyheidi, 1/11/2014 -
" Maisie continues to assist people in the aftermath of WWI, looking for lost loved ones, and finding her way through her own healing process. She's beginning to blossom as a woman in her own right. "
— Jane, 1/7/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book and I think it's my favorite one so far. I liked how Maisie's character reacted to and grew from the different challenges she faced. I also liked getting to see a bit more about her mentor Maurice and her friend Priscilla. "
— Tracie, 1/4/2014 -
" Thoroughly enjoyable mystery. Looking forward to reading the others. "
— the, 12/14/2013 -
" This series is my current book candy. "
— Beth, 11/30/2013 -
" This book continues to offer what makes Maisie Dobbs fun to read. I love how the author balances history with mystery and Maisie's personal journey. "
— Rachel, 9/23/2013 -
" Wasn't enjoying book #2 so skipped ahead to this Maisie Dobbs #3 choice and loved it. The sadness of WWI stories comes through again as Maisie works to track down an MIA aviator in France with unforseen implications for her BFF Pris. This one will tug at your tear ducts. "
— Jan, 8/29/2013 -
" And another. I'm going to the library soon for the next one... "
— Amy, 7/24/2013 -
" This is the third book in the series...and it keeps getting better! "
— Diana, 7/11/2013 -
" read this in an afternoon--Maisie just gets better "
— Kleeb, 6/8/2013 -
" I really liked this one. The plot was very interesting and I liked how so many cases were intertwined through the book and how we find out more about Maisie herself. Really enjoying this series...now I just have to wait for number four to come back to my library! "
— Rebecca, 5/31/2013 -
" I have quite gotten into these books. A bit of mystery along with culture and time period of post WWI England. "
— Leslie, 2/27/2013 -
" 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, 10/14/2012 -
" This series of mysteries is excellent I've enjoyed the historical backdrop research that went into WW1 and the characters are engaging. "
— Sharon, 6/30/2012 -
" This is a well rsearched well told tale taking Maisie along the trail of men lost to the war and brings Priscilla from the first book back. While I am not fond of the new age feel to some aspects I do know spiritualism and their debunking was a major activity since Victorian times. "
— Nicole, 5/22/2012 -
" Maybe even a 4.5. My favorite so far. Interesting character and plot development. "
— Donna, 1/18/2012 -
" I guess I like Maisie Dobbs. This is my 4th! Not my favorite of the series, but still a great read. "
— Rachel, 12/29/2011 -
" I love this series, and this installment was no exception. Looking forward to the next one. "
— Lexi, 10/5/2011 -
" OK, I needed to procrastinate--plus a reward for having and executing an excellent lesson plan today. "
— Patty, 9/25/2011 -
" Read by the author. "
— Emily, 5/19/2011 -
" Another wonderful addition to the "Maisie Dobbs" series. "
— Linda, 5/19/2011 -
" The third in a series of wonderful mysteries starring Maisie Dobbs, girl detective. "
— Marilyn, 5/17/2011 -
" I'm totally involved in Maisie's life and am looking forward to the next book. Pardonable Lies has a uniquely unexpected plot---I loved the twists and turns. "
— Linda, 5/14/2011 -
" I love this series.... Strong heroine, mysteries, London, set between WWI and WWII. Just so much up my alley. "
— Joy, 5/9/2011 -
" This series gets better and better. "
— Lynne, 5/7/2011 -
" This is the best one yet. Couldn't put it down- and for once in my life I didn't have to because I'm RETIRED. "
— Edie, 4/25/2011 -
" I love Maisie Dobbs! She's Nancy Drew all grown up. Number three in this series has been the best one yet. The story is well written with great details from WWI through 1930. <br/> "
— Helen, 4/20/2011 -
" Terrific story in the tradition of Agatha Christie. Great fun and I look forward to more. "
— Nicole, 4/4/2011 -
" Good plot, although not as good as some of the other Maisie Dobbs novels. One plot line was particular contrived, involving her mentor, Maurice. "
— Melanie, 3/24/2011 -
" Another good Maisie Dobbs mystery that sheds more light on World War I and secret missions. For a longer review, see readingwithdebra.blogspot.com. "
— Deb, 3/22/2011 -
" I loved the historical details, the characters and the depths the author was willing to mine. But I felt like the writing was a bit stiff and needed some editing. I'd read reviews comparing her to Dorothy Sayers, and while her insights into the human psyche are similar, her writing isn't. "
— Libby, 3/20/2011 -
" This series has such depth and layers to each story. Maisie Dobbs is a wonderful character in this series and I've so enjoyed each book so far. "
— Kathryn, 3/17/2011
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.