Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear
>> Thursday, March 12, 2009
Series: #3 in the Maisie Dobbs series
Genre: Mystery
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 340
Challenges: TBR 2009 Challenge #6 , Support Your Local Library Challenge #9
England in 1930 is still haunted by the physical and emotional damage of World War 1. Maisie Dobbs is making a success of her investigation business and is even called upon by Scotland Yard to help question a 13 year old girl who is accused of murder. Maisie has doubts as to whether the young girl actually committed the crime, but she has none about the fact that the girl needs someone to look out for her and see that she is adequately defended.
Maisie is asked by her former employer to help out Sir Cecil Lawton, who is hoping to keep a promise to his late wife. She never believed that their son was actually killed in the war and he wants Maisie to verify his death so that he can truly put his wife’s memory to rest. Although it means that she may need to return to France and face her own demons from her time as a nurse during the war, Maisie agrees. Soon she has an additional favor along the same lines. Her longtime friend also wants Maisie to find out more about her oldest brother’s wartime death.
There are lots of intertwining mysteries in this installment of the series. As questions are answered, just as many are raised. Are there connections between the investigations? Is someone trying to kill Maisie and if so, why?
Like the other books in the series this is as much the mystery stories as it is a portrayal of the time and place. England and France between the World Wars were in the process of healing while at the same time hints of future trouble are coming out of Germany. They’re not action packed adventures, but are slower paced period pieces as much as they are mysteries. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
Genre: Mystery
Publication Date: 2005
Pages: 340
Challenges: TBR 2009 Challenge #6 , Support Your Local Library Challenge #9
England in 1930 is still haunted by the physical and emotional damage of World War 1. Maisie Dobbs is making a success of her investigation business and is even called upon by Scotland Yard to help question a 13 year old girl who is accused of murder. Maisie has doubts as to whether the young girl actually committed the crime, but she has none about the fact that the girl needs someone to look out for her and see that she is adequately defended.
Maisie is asked by her former employer to help out Sir Cecil Lawton, who is hoping to keep a promise to his late wife. She never believed that their son was actually killed in the war and he wants Maisie to verify his death so that he can truly put his wife’s memory to rest. Although it means that she may need to return to France and face her own demons from her time as a nurse during the war, Maisie agrees. Soon she has an additional favor along the same lines. Her longtime friend also wants Maisie to find out more about her oldest brother’s wartime death.
There are lots of intertwining mysteries in this installment of the series. As questions are answered, just as many are raised. Are there connections between the investigations? Is someone trying to kill Maisie and if so, why?
Like the other books in the series this is as much the mystery stories as it is a portrayal of the time and place. England and France between the World Wars were in the process of healing while at the same time hints of future trouble are coming out of Germany. They’re not action packed adventures, but are slower paced period pieces as much as they are mysteries. I’m looking forward to continuing the series.
No stars – I couldn’t even finish it
1 star – I didn’t like it but I managed to finish it.
2 stars – It was OK. Not good, but seriously just OK.
3 stars - I liked it. I didn’t think it was great, but I thought it was good entertainment.
4 stars – I really liked it. I really think you might like it too.
5 stars – It was amazing. I’d recommend this to just about anyone.
4 comments:
I really like this series. I have book 4 out from the library and really need to get around to reading it!
I picked this one up at the Indigo sale table, but I havent' read the first few in the series. I'll have to check out the library as I hear such good things about these books.
I'm really enjoying this series, too, and have posted reviews of the first 4 books at http://mindywithrow.com/?p=308. Thanks for your review!
Kailana: I'll be lookin forward to hearing what you think of the 4th one.
Raidergirl: They're definitely slower paced, but really give a sense of the time and place.
Mindy: Oh thanks for the link - I'll check out yoru reviews.
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