Maisie Dobbs

Written by Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by Rita Barrington

Maisie Dobbs entered domestic service in 1910 at thirteen, working for Lady Rowan Compton. When her remarkable intelligence is discovered by her employer, Maisie becomes the pupil of Maurice Blanche, a learned friend of the Comptons. In 1929, following an apprenticeship with Blanche, Maisie hangs out her shingle: M. DOBBS, TRADE AND PERSONAL INVESTIGATIONS. She soon becomes enmeshed in a mystery surrounding The Retreat, a reclusive community of wounded WWI veterans. At first, Maisie only suspects foul play, but she must act quickly when Lady Rowan's son decides to sign away his fortune and take refuge there. Maisie hurriedly investigates, uncovering a disturbing mystery, which, in an astonishing denouement, gives Maisie the courage to confront a ghost that has haunted her for years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio
• Release date: Jul 15, 2008
• ISBN: 9781602831438

Jacqueline Winspear

Jacqueline Winspear is the author of the New York Times bestsellers The Consequences of Fear, The American Agent, and To Die but Once, as well as thirteen other bestselling Maisie Dobbs novels and The Care and Management of Lies, a Dayton Literary Peace Prize finalist. Jacqueline has also published two nonfiction books, What Would Maisie Do? and a memoir, This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing. Originally from the United Kingdom, she divides her time between California and the Pacific Northwest.

Reviews for Maisie Dobbs

[bettesbooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Maisie Dobbs begins her life as the child of costermonger Frankie Dobbs in East London. When Maisie’s mother dies and Frankie has bills to pay and is emotionally bereft, he has her taken into service as a housemaid in the household of Lord Julian and Lady Rowena ComptonMaisie has a need to learn and begins using the library when the family is asleep. One night she is caught but not dismissed she is instead given an education that leads her to Cambridge and a university education. When the war breaks out Maisie signs up as a nurse and serves in France in a forward section hospital. Here she sees the ravages and wounds of war.This book shines a bright light on what the Great War was – and what it wrought on English families and servicemen. – only imagine they used “garlic juice” to disinfect the wounds; even at forward hospital stations there was no time for what is now our “triage” system, lives were saved but not necessarily futures. At the same time gives us a romance and a mystery. Recommended.

[mickyfine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Newly established on her own as a detective, Maisie Dobbs is willing to take on a wide range of cases and thus takes on the case of a husband who believes his wife is being unfaithful. What she finds instead is a larger mystery around an estate who takes in those who have been physically and emotionally scarred by the Great War. As Maisie digs into what is happening at the estate, she will also have to deal with her own trauma from her time in the war.I am spectacularly late to the Maisie Dobbs party but I'm very glad to join in. I thoroughly enjoyed both the mystery and the writing, which so beautifully crafts the realities of London in the late 1920s as well as the experiences of the troops during WWI. I eagerly look forward to my next adventure with Maisie.

[magnolia2_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent read with a good historical background

[sammusher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I described this book as "charming" to the friend who recommended it, and it was at the beginning -- there's something inherently charming about 1920s England. She corrected me, though, and she was right. There is too much about the horrors of war and its aftermath to truly be "charming." Nevertheless, it was an engrossing mystery in a charming setting, and I enjoyed it immensely. My only quibble is that Maisie seemed too good to be true: so brilliant, so polite, such a good daughter and friend and pupil and boss, so hardworking it became a bit implausible. I look forward to seeing some flaws in future books.

[andrew1theqm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a book that I've kept meaning to read for a very long time, the question is why did I leave it so long! This is an excellent book and definitely sets the scene for the rest of the series. Maisie is an interesting character, especially for the time period in which it is set, and I really enjoyed finding out her back story. This book definitely brings the First World War into the forefront and its horrific ramifications. A very interesting story given this context. I definitely look forward to continuing with this story.

[daumari · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Whoops, book club was supposed to take all month but I accidentally'd it in a day. Period piece, mystery novel, but also a good piece of modern literature.

[doingdewey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Maisie Dobbs, the lead character after whom the book is named, is an intelligent, independent woman and one of the first generation of women taking on traditionally male roles following WWI. She’s also a brilliant private investigator with a personal life affected by her experience as a nurse in the war. The war also leaves it’s mark on her professional life, since many of her cases directly relate to the war’s aftermath. This includes the case which is the focus of this book which starts out as “an ordinary infidelity case” but which “soon reveals a much deeper, darker web of secrets”.I fell in love with Maisie Dobbs’ character right away. The author does an incredible job showing what Maisie’s like by starting with a stranger’s initial impression of her. She immediately comes across as capable, confident but down-to-earth, and very striking. As we go on and get more of her history, she began to remind me of Francie from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn with her constant desire to read and learn, no matter the hardships of her circumstance. And really, what bookworm can resist a protagonist who shares their love of reading?Maisie’s crime solving style also appealed to me. She depends very much on an understanding of human nature, a method I’ve loved in my mystery solvers ever since my first Agatha Christie books. Particularly interesting to me was the way she mimicked people’s body language to try to figure out what they might be feeling. She also paid great attention to detail, a trait the author shared. The many details felt distracting at first, but that feeling disappeared quickly once I got drawn into the story.There were a few problems that didn’t go away as well, particularly where the book clashed with my expectations of a mystery. First, there was a large section in the middle devoted to Maisie’s stint as a nurse during the war. By the time we got there, I was very curious about what happened and excited to read that part of the book. Sadly, it dragged on too long and made the book only half mystery with the other half a war story that distracted me from the main plot line.Another problem was the feel of the novel. Solving the mystery never felt very urgent to me. I was a little curious, but never on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happened next. And there wasn’t a clear cut crime and suspect list as in Agatha Christie’s novels, so I never in found myself trying to solve the mystery. Instead of a straightforward whodunit, the questions here was whether there was a crime at all. Additionally, the ending, where all the action took place was very short and rushed. The ending didn’t feel very conclusively, happily solved either. Overall, it was a sadder, more pensive feel than I like in my mysteries. Give me a clear cut crime and a feel-good identification of the bad guy over this any day. Of course, that’s not to say I won’t be reading more of the series – the writing and the main character are too good for me to give up hope that future books will have more defined crimes and conclusively happy endings.

[cubsfan3410 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was an ok read. Glad I read it but wouldn't highly recommend it

[dorritt_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

These days, detective fiction reminds me of that old tune from the musical "Gypsy," in which a stripper bemoans the public's constant craving for novelty: "You gotta have a gimmick/If you wanna have a chance." Maisie Dobbs' "gimmick" is two-fold: she an early 1900s gal who has escaped both her gender and her station in life (merchant class) by dint of her intelligence, a little luck, and one hell of a work ethic in order to set up practice as a consulting detective. Moreover, while she may not "do it with a horn," she does have a signature move: solving crimes by deploying a Freudian-like insight into human nature. The foundational mystery is simple: is there (or is there not) something fishy going on at a retreat camp that claims to offer sanctuary for WWI vets with disfiguring wounds? In her investigations she is assisted by her building maintenance man/war veteran Billy, who appears poised to become a regular employee in the next volume.But because this is the first novel in a series, this mystery keeps getting shunted aside by flashbacks which show us Maisie's humble beginnings as a motherless maid, followed by a happy accident that results in her being mentored by a wealthy heiress and educated by a sympathetic tutor, followed by a stint in the war as a nurse, followed by tragedy/heartbreak, followed by an apprenticeship at a detective agency before finally deciding to launch her own. So, does the "gimmick" work? I'm going to say ... yes, for the most part. Despite some unrealistic plot devices and stereotypical characters, Maisie herself is believably (more or less) intelligent, strong, and resilient. The historical melieu of the novel feels spot-on. Most of all, Maisie's method of crime-solving makes a refreshing change from the usual "looking for clues" trope: more often than not, her most useful clues are derived from a careful observation of the people with whom she interacts and an understanding of the core emotions that drive human behaviour, particularly our craving for acceptance, love, and power. Finally, I like that the novel blends history, mystery, narrative, realism, and romance in a way that feels organic, not forced. In a literary world full of detectives that cook, quilt, make wine, talk to their cats, have "second careers" as actual historical personages, etc., Maisie Dobbs' "gimmicks" may not dazzle; however, that may also explain why this novel comes off as refreshingly organic, original, empathetic, and engaging. Based on what's here, I'll gladly give #2 in the series a shot.

[melissalenhardt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent introduction to a wonderful female character. A bit different in structure than most mystery books, this first book deals more with Maisie's background than the mystery. Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series is notable for having a three dimensional main character that does more than just solve a crime. She is developing and growing as the series progresses. I highly recommend this series.

[auntie0nanuuq · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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!

[msaucier818 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a pleasant surprise of a book! A new favorite. This was not necessarily great literature, and I imagine friends of mine would be surprised to find that this is now on my list of favorites, but I love every part of this book. The main character, Maisie Dobbs, was really well done. She is perhaps a bit too perfect, but I love her story, her personality, and her brilliant mind.

The story is set in the years after the end of World War I, but a great portion of the book is a flashback to the years prior to and during the Great War. I found the writing to be fantastic, and I enjoyed the deep levels of conversation between many of the characters. I think I just enjoy reading about smart people, even when fictional. I thought the other side characters were also done, and while the book is dark in terms of the period and issues being discussed, it was done with accuracy and compassion.

I very much can't wait to continue this series.

[themulhern · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Preposterous, a bit pat, but w/ plenty of detail and texture.

[kmajort · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first of the series, so lots of set up. Still, enjoyable, am looking forward to more to see where Maisie goes!

[iralell_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

GREAT book.

[eadieb-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Maisie Dobbs was an interesting blend of history and mystery. In the first section of the book, Maisie is setting up her shop as a private investigator. The second section is a flashback of Maisie working as a maid and then a student and finally a WWI nurse. The third section has Maisie investigating a suspicious farm called The Refuge for WWI veterans deformed in battle. The book is a great glimpse into the world of London before, during and after W.W.I. I really enjoyed the character of Maisie Dobbs and found the minor characters interesting too. The mystery in this story is a little weak as most of the book is generally about introducing the characters. Maisie's personal story is woven throughout the plot and the mystery of her great love is revealed in the end. I have read book 1 and 2 in the past but have enjoyed this re-read as a fresher for reading the rest of the book in the series. I would highly recommend this book to those who love World War I books.

[jessiqa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the first in series starring the titular Maisie Dobbs as a detective in mid-late 1920s London. World War I is still fresh on everyone's minds and plays a large role in the narrative, both in a chunky flash-back section and in the ongoing effect that war has on those involved. Maisie's first case involves following a young married woman to see if she's been unfaithful. What Maisie learns about the young woman leads her to look into what happened to certain men after the war and how they coped with disfiguring injuries. Books which are the first in the series always have so much work to do in terms of world-building ad character introduction. This book is no exception. The flash-back section to Maisie's experiences during the war took up so much space as to almost make the reader forget that the main mystery was not terribly elaborate. She had it nearly solved in the first quarter of the book, then there was the flashback, then the final quarter of the book to finish the investigation and wrap things up. This isn't to say that the flash-back isn't necessary--It is, in order to establish Maisie's background in her particular brand of detective work and how she fared during the war. Maisie is an interesting character, as are many of the supporting characters. I enjoyed the book and would like to read more in the series.

[dorie.craig · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Four and a half stars. Review to come.

[fbswss · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent historical mystery, artful writing going back from present to past (which I usually hate), compelling supporting characters, but a little TOO perfect heroine/protagonist for whom all of life had gifts and opportunities drop at her uber-intelligent feet -but Maisie still manages to be a likable character due to her loyalty to her friends and family.

[kp9949 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The 1st in the Maisie Dobbs series. I thought this book was delightful. Looking forward to the next book.

[debs4jc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A new favorite! A young private investigator - Maisie Dobbs - has just taken over the practice of her mentor, Dr. Maurice Blanche. She has her struggles at first, since in the Britain of 1929 it is unusual for a woman to be in such a profession. She soon gets her first really interesting case which fist presents itself as a husband suspicious of his wife's long absences. Maisie discovers that the wife is not having an affair but is rather visiting the grave of her first love - a man who was injured in the great war. Maisie uses her skills as a psychologist to help both the wife and her husband, but she is intrigued by the circumstances of this man's death. Her investigations lead her to a retreat home for men who were disfigured or injured during the war. She is even more motivated when her former employer, Lady Rowan Compton, reveals to her that one of her family members is considering joining the mysterious retreat home. Maisie must summon all that she has learned and use all of her resources, even the caretaker of her office, to discover the truth.One of the most intriguing aspects of this book is the psychological methods that Maisie employs, such as adapting the posture of someone she is studying to see how it makes her feel. To me felt a bit like reading the Sherlock Holmes stories, as her unique methods enabled her to glean information without direct questioning. Besides the tension of the unsolved crime, there is also the mystery of Maisie's past, and a large chunk of the book flashes back to her earlier years. In fact, I enjoyed the mystery of Maisie more than the actual mystery that was presented, and I would very much like to learn more about her and her adventures. So, bravo to the author for an engaging start to a series, one I would highly recommend to fans of mysteries, especially British mysteries like those of Doyle, Sayers, or Christie.

[kamgeb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It took me a while to get into this book, but once the book went back to Maisie Dobb's childhood I was drawn in. I couldn't put the book down. Aside from an interesting story, it gave a great picture of what life must have been like for a woman in her early twenties during WW I. Aside from the climactic scene, which seemed a bit unrealistic, the book itself was great. Would definitely recommend it.

[zumbanista · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm so glad to be introduced to Maisie Dobbs. This is a very well written historical mystery series I shall enjoy. I love the setting between the War years. Thoughtful and entertaining, filled with remarkable characters and good storytelling. Maisie at first appears just this side of perfect, but we see her human side by the end of the book. Looking forward to more.

[shannon.dolgos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was introduced to Maisie Dobbs by a library patron. I am so glad she shared!

When she is discovered by her employer, Lady Rowan, in the library in the wee hours of the morning pouring over a book, Maisie is sure that she will be sacked and cause her father much disappointment. Maisie is shocked to find out that Lady Rowan wants to encourage her education with the help of her friend Dr. Maurice Blanche.

With Maurice as her guide, Maisie is accepted to university. Her education is put on hold as the Great War breaks out, and Maisie enlists as a nurse. During the war, Maisie is reunited with an acquaintance, Captain Lynch, and it seems the two are destined for love...

Now, in 1929, Maurice is retiring and setting Maisie up to replace him as psychologist and investigator. Her first client is Mr. Davenport, who is concerned that his beloved wife, Celia is having an affair. Maisie finds that Celia is not having an affair, but visiting an old love, who happens to be buried in the Nether Gardens cemetery.

As Maisie learns more of Celia's deceased friend, instinct causes Maisie to question Vincent's death while staying at "the Retreat." The war may have ended ten years prior, but the scars were still present...and all is not what seems.

[maneekuhi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Maisie Dobbs" (MD) is the first in a series of thirteen crime fiction(?) novels by Jacqueline Winspear featuring her ace investigator, Maisie Dobbs. I became attracted to this series by a review I read this summer on the Crime Fiction Lovers blog of her current release, "In This Grave Hour" , which combines London, crime fiction, and WWll - three key elements of a perfect storm for me.MD begins in the spring of 1929. Maisie has just opened a new office to ply her psychology and investigation skills. She sits, waiting for the phone to ring. Before too long and thanks to a referral by a friend she has her first client, a well-to-do gentleman who suspects his wife of improper behavior. Maisie follows the suspect woman to.....(wait for it).....a cemetery! And soon after, a rather lengthy flashback takes us to Maisie's humble origins. She was born in 1897, the daughter of a costermonger. A what? My trusty Kindle quickly replied to my query advising me that a costermonger was an old time deliverer of produce most often transported in a horse drawn cart. Mom died early, finances are tight, Dad worries for Maisie's future.Then the story takes on some of the elements of Pygmalion and Maisie becomes the project of Lady Rowan and her friend, the very wise Maurice. Lots of nice, cute, warm hearted things happen. Yet Maisie is a serious girl, the years advance quickly and Maisie is a surgical nurse at the front. As in WWl front, on a battlefield somewhere in France having lied about her age to enlist. And she encounters, once again, Dr Simon Lynch whom she met at a charming dance party only a chapter or two ago. End of flashback. Hints of sadness.Back to the case. The situation has changed considerably and now attention is focused on the Retreat, a farm of sorts, a closed society of soldiers severely damaged by wounds from the War, many hideous facial disfigurements, others emotional wounds. The Retreat is supposedly modeled on a very successful effort by the French who have had some success in rehabbing their patients back into society over time. But something about the Retreat doesn't feel right; because of Lady Rowan's personal interest in it, Maisie investigates further. Not a big huge Hollywood climax, but more interesting flashback addressing some of those questions you will have but not all of them.So I now have read the first and most recent of the series and have formed a rather good picture of where it is going. Clearly a mix of history, adventure, mystery, romance, and excellent story telling. Winspear's prose is excellent and her stories are well plotted. I find the mystery component a bit weak, and this is usually the key determining factor for me. But Winspear's stories are so well told that I will read several more at a minimum, probably in order since the stories do link in a chronological fashion. Save for the crime bit, MD would be a 5 but I must restrain myself and go with a 4 1/2 for now.. The second book is entitled "Birds of a Feather". All are on Amazon Kindle and I am sure you can find paper editions of each via Amazon as well though I haven't looked. I recommended the series to a retired neighbor lady a few months ago and recently she told me she read the entire series straight through and enjoyed it tremendously.An aside - recently I completed The Great Course's DVD of Secrets of Crime Fiction Mystery and Suspense. I jotted down a number of the numerous titles the professor cited and I plan to read a dozen or two of them. So far I have read and reviewed Ellery Queen's Penthouse Murder, and shortly (approx 9/21/17) will finish the first of fifty-five Ed McBain 78th Precinct mysteries, "Cop Hater"the series was written from 1956 to 2005 and no, I don't intend to read that whole series. If you have an interest in classic or older crime fiction you might want to check them out - available on Amazon.

[stevelindahl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you're looking for a mystery with great suspense, or for a lead character who has flaws she needs to overcome, Maisie Dobbs probably isn't the book for you. But if you are looking for an interesting, romantic, story set during World War I and in the years following, you'll like this one.Maisie is an extremely beautiful woman with superior intellect, compassion, and intuition. She does show one human failing toward the end of the novel, but most of the book's interesting character flaws are found in the people around Maisie, not in her. And even the minor characters seem to come around to the right way of thinking or have a good excuse for not doing so. There's a social climber who works for the war effort in a dangerous situation and a party girl who volunteers for the service. I won't mention others, to avoid including too many spoilers.The story starts out with a typical mystery, a man believes his wife is having an affair and hires Maisie Dobbs to check on her. But the book takes a long detour back to the war years, where we get to learn about Maisie's time as a battlefield nurse. There's a wartime romance as well as an interesting friend, who serves as an ambulance driver.The book also deals with the separation of classes that existed in England. Maisie plays a role in Winspear's portrayal of that era's social discrimination, giving the reader something to think about.I listened to the audio and enjoyed it. The narrator, Rita Barrington, did a wonderful job and Jacqueline Winspear writes with a clear, interesting style that isn't overdone. It doesn't gets in the way of the story, yet she uses colorful language appropriate for the period.Steve Lindahl - author of Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul

[marthajeanne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't usually like mysteries, but I really enjoyed this. Maisie is a great woman. The back story is what makes this book so wonderful.

[kaulsu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At last! A mystery that is NOT particularly a murder mystery, and one that is well written! Hurrah!I've been reading a lot of dreadful mysteries recently, hoping to find a new author to love. This is Winspear's first novel. I hope that the second one keeps the promise. Maisie Dobbs is a young woman who took her education into her own hands and was rewarded by both patrons and a mentor. Along the way she met many who became sincerely attached to her, as she became attached to them. She is a person who makes the world a better place.

[readerbynight · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It is 1929, midway between two world wars as a young woman opens her first investigative office. Maisie Dobbs, working under the name of Maisie Blanche, is a very unique person; educated, immensely knowledgeable, and intuitive; and, I think, a little psychic as well. She has many horrific memories of the Great War WWI, working as a nurse. Thus we begin to know her as an attractive and well-spoken adult who is not quite of the high class nor of the lower class, but somewhere in between. But who is she, exactly?Jump back to 1910-1917 and we begin the journey with her. Her mother passed on and her father trying to support their young daughter and himself as a costermonger, he is no longer able to manage as bills keep piling up. Love is not enough to feed and clothe. A decision is made that changes everything but the love between father and daughter. I found myself drawn in to their hardship and the changes they deal with when she goes "into service" with Lady Rowan in a household that is not quite what one would expect of a Lord and Lady in this time period. The work ethic and hours spent are there, but Lady Rowan is actually in a period of change among the elite. The brilliance of this young girl is discovered and plans are made to accommodate learning with working within the house. Lady Rowan has determined that Maisie should be university educated.I look at this book as an introduction to a fascinating young lady; one who cares deeply about people, intuits what they need and what she needs. We have followed her through childhood, working as a maid, going to university, leaving and joining the war as a nurse, and after the war, investigating a possible murder, leading to a lingering reminder of the war, the "walking dead" as her partner refers to it, the souls lost though the body lives on with its horrific scars both external and internal. As her investigation reaps the rewards of solving the case, she is about to embark on a career as a "Psychologist and Investigator" at the end of this first novel in the series, a career that gives the reader a taste of what is to come in future books. I really enjoyed getting to know Maisie Dobbs, her father and her "family" and can hardly wait to follow this fascinating person.

[bethetter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Thoroughly enjoyable read with a wonderful heroine and a nice twisty plot. I've already ordered the next one in the series from the library.