I first heard of Jacqueline Winspear in October during a high school besties reunion weekend. We talked about books (a highlight of the weekend was rediscovering the shared love of reading and learning that drew us together in junior high), and one friend mentioned Jacqueline Winspear’s books set in England between the two world wars.
Being a lover of historical fiction, I located listened to Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs last week. As my friend said, the book was set in London and Kent in 1929. But Maisie’s backstory, which comprised several chapters, was set in pre-war England and on the battlefield in France. And while my friend said this author writes historical fiction, she neglected to mention she writes historical fiction mysteries. Not only that, Maisie Dobbs is the first in a series of mysteries featuring a young woman as the protagonist.
Score!
All that said, I am not ravingly in love with Jacqueline Winspear’s writing. Her research was meticulous so her story world was detailed and believable. I also enjoyed her characters and the plot, even though I had the mystery solved almost from the start. Not because I’m good at that, but because it was so obvious. Sometimes the audiobook, even though beautifully performed by Rita Barrington, was hard listening. Mostly because of two things: Winspear’s sentences tend to be very long with descriptions plagued with misplaced modifiers and she has point of view issues. Still, I have already checked out the second book in the series.
Why?
Three reasons: Winspear made me care about Maisie, I want to see if the author’s writing improves in the next book, and Maisie’s possible love interest has my very English, not very common maiden name, and I have to find out what happens to my long lost rellie. To find out what that name is, give Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear a try. And hang in there…the character doesn’t show up until almost the end of the book!
Happy reading!
