Maisie Dobbs
by Jacqueline Winspear
This is the first book in an 18 book series about Maisie Dobbs, She is an amazing character who is brilliant, kind and sympathetic. This series is probably one my favorites. I have read the entire series twice. It follows Maisie’s life from a 15 year old servant to celebrated investigator.
Maisie was born to a costermonger in London and his wife. The little family lived south of the Thames where most of the working class lived. Her life changes when, after the death of her mother, Maisie starts working, at the age of 15, in London as a junior maid for Lord Julian and Lady Rowan in their grand Belgravia mansion.
It goes on to describe how Lady Rowan discovers that Maisie is sneaking out of her maid’s chamber at 3:00 am to go down to their incredible library and reading philosophy, history, and humanities until she starts work at 5:00 am, all the while taking notes. Lady Rowan, instead of being angry, is impressed by the little maid’s intellect and curiosity. She introduces Maisie to Dr. Maurice Blanche who questions Maisie and is impressed by her intelligence and eagerness to learn. He becomes her mentor and teacher and eventually her life long friend.
The book follows Maisie as she begins her career as an investigator and psychologist. Her career begins 10 years after WWI. Maisie is asked to investigate a place for wounded soldiers called The Retreat. Since Maisie spent several years as a battlefield nurse during the War, she is more that capable of understanding the plight of wounded soldiers.
Maisie enlists the help of Billy who is in charge of the maintenance of the building where her office is. He is a veteran as are most young men in England. His slight limp suggests that he was injured in the War. Together they uncover the sinsister workings of The Retreat that has nothing to do with helping wounded soldiers.
I love the characters in this book. I especially love Maisie, Billy, and Dr. Maurice Blanch. The series follows Maisie as she solves mysteries first for paying clients and later as a consultant to Scotland Yard. I recommend this to anyone who loves mysteries. If you are an Anglophile or an early 20th century history buff, you will also love the stories about Maisie Dobbs.