Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear

Jessica at Quirky Bookworm created a summer reading program--one of my favorite things ever! Click over to her website for other reviews of Pardonable Lies. I've also reviewed another Maisie book--click here to read it.

Read while home alone? sure

Tissues needed? not really

Overall rating: 5 stars

Summary:

In book 3 of the Maisie Dobbs series “Psychologist and Inspector” Maisie seeks to uncover the truth about two young English soldiers who didn’t come home. Her efforts are hampered by the secrecy of officials, being followed, revisiting her own service in WWI France, and even attempts on her life. Will Maisie’s usual cool, determined demeanor overcome these obstacles as she pursues the truth?

Reaction:

I love Maisie Dobbs! Her time seems more proper, so even in the midst of murder and mayhem it somehow appears gentler. It’s been awhile since I read the early books in this series, and though I enjoy the later books, this was even better. There’s suspense, danger, and excitement, as well as quiet introspection—a masterfully woven story!

Is there a time period you especially enjoy reading? Do you tend to prefer the earlier or later books in a series? What series are your favorites?

Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear

Read while home alone? yes           

Tissues needed? probably not

Overall rating: 5 stars

Summary:

Elegy for Eddie is the 9^th installment of the Maisie Dobbs series. Maisie, investigator and psychologist, grew up poor in early 20^th century London. A group of workers she knew growing up approach Maisie to investigate the death of Eddie, a young man who was a little older than Maisie, but from the same neighborhood. The truth of Eddie’s demise takes Maisie down some unexpected roads and is ultimately a bit unsatisfying. Elegy for Eddie also gives some insight into Maisie’s own identity and love life.

Reaction:

I love this series! Jacqueline Winspear’s books are well-written mysteries that sometimes include rather heinous acts, but they’re shared in such a “proper” way that the discoveries are the highlight rather than the gore. I especially enjoyed this book because Maisie had some self-doubts that made me like her even more; in previous books I’ve seen her as lovingly perfect. Maisie is dating the son of her former employer, and their story was woven into the bigger story well enough that it didn’t seem like an added bit of romance just to make things interesting. The conclusion was also clever—of course Maisie solved the crime and wraps things up, but the story doesn’t end all neat and tidy. That’s usually a problem for me, but I didn’t mind it in this case. All in all, a book I highly recommend!

**If you haven’t read this series, it might be nice to start with the first book: Maisie Dobbs.

Discussion Questions:

• Maisie was told by a few people to be careful with her generosity since no one likes to be beholden to someone else. What do you think about that?
• How true-to-life do you think the portrayal of Churchill and other characters was? Do you think there were people in England preparing in the ways mentioned in the book?
• Many in his neighborhood looked after Eddie throughout his life. Do you know of similar situations?