Maisie Dobbs

Masie Dobbs

Jacqueline Winspear

★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2

Although I have put off reading this book for many years, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really enjoyed this book/character. Maisie Dobbs is a refreshing breath of air, similar to Phryne Fisher in that she served in France in WWI, was well educated, intelligent, & innovative but the similarities end there.

The odd thing about the book is it begins w/ Maisie's current state of employment as a Private Investigator, working for a man whose wife disappears for several hours twice a week. Believing his wife is having an affair he hires Maisie to investigate. What Maisie finds (I'm not spoiling) leads her to meet up with and heal her past.......

The second part of the book goes on to tell: Maisie Dobbs was a very bright child whose parents dreamed & saved for the day that she would rise up above and go to school. Those dreams were dashed when Maisie's mum died and she was left to work to help make ends meet. Maisie's father finds her a job w/ a local well off family, the Comptons. When Maisie is caught reading by Lady Rowan, she is taken aside and interviewed by Lady Rowan & her good friend, Dr. Maurice Blanche......

Dr. Blanche is a forensic doctor, a psychologist, Philosopher & detective..... a very trained and detailed thinker.... He trains Maisie in the same manner of thought & inquiry..... He also teaches Maisie to trust her intuition and carefully examine "coincidences" as they are usually an aforethought of what is to come.....

Well written, interesting w/ very likable characters and a graceful touch of humanity throughout the book. I do believe I'll read another of the series!