Ratings6
Average rating4.3
In the latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series, a series of possible attacks on British pilots leads Jacqueline Winspear's beloved heroine Maisie Dobbs into a mystery involving First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. October 1942. Jo Hardy, a 22-year-old ferry pilot, is delivering a Supermarine Spitfire—the fastest fighter aircraft in the world—to Biggin Hill Aerodrome, when she realizes someone is shooting at her aircraft from the ground. Returning to the location on foot, she finds an American serviceman in a barn, bound and gagged. She rescues the man, who is handed over to the American military police; it quickly emerges that he is considered a suspect in the disappearance of a fellow soldier who is missing. Tragedy strikes two days later, when another ferry pilot crashes in the same area where Jo’s plane was attacked. At the suggestion of one of her colleagues, Jo seeks the help of psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs. Meanwhile, Maisie’s husband, a high-ranking political attaché based at the American embassy, is in the thick of ensuring security is tight for the first lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, during her visit to the Britain. There’s already evidence that German agents have been circling: the wife of a president represents a high value target. Mrs. Roosevelt is clearly in danger, and there may well be a direct connection to the death of the woman ferry pilot and the recent activities of two American servicemen. To guarantee the safety of the First Lady—and of the soldier being held in police custody—Maisie must uncover that connection. At the same time, she faces difficulties of an entirely different nature with her young daughter, Anna, who is experiencing wartime struggles of her own.
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The adventures and perils of Maisie Dobbs continue in volume 17.
It is 1942. Maisie is no longer working for the Special Operations Executive. She intends to devote more time to her family and her private practice. But, the all-encompassing war continues to impact with her work as a private investigator.
In this story, Maisie is approached by a young ferry pilot who has stumbled across something very odd. The proper officials don't seem very interested in it and Maisie agrees to take up her case.
At the same time, Maisie's husband is tasked with protecting a very important American while she is in England. Oddly enough, as things develop, it begins to seem that elements Maisie is investigating may have some bearing on his job.
And as if that were not enough, Maisie's adopted daughter is having problems at school. Things there, also, are not as simple as they at first seem, and the problems may have deep roots.
In Maisie's seventeenth outing Jacqueline Winspear gives us a good story involving multiple characters and intertwined mysteries.
Solid 4 stars.
P.S. After writing the above, I read some of the other reviews. I noticed a few negative comments that seem to be applying present day attitudes about male/female dialogs and relationships to the story. It was a different time – 80 years ag0 at the time I write this! I commend Jacqueline Winspear for doing her best to show the world as it was rather than as some think it should have been.
Featured Series
15 primary booksMaisie Dobbs is a 15-book series with 15 primary works first released in 2003 with contributions by Jacqueline Winspear.