65 pages • 2 hours read
Jacqueline WinspearMaisie Dobbs
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear follows Maisie, a newly established private detective in 1929 London, as she investigates the mysterious Retreat for World War I veterans, uncovering her own wartime past in the process. The novel explores themes of social class, trauma, and healing interwoven with Maisie’s journey from housemaid to detective. This work includes descriptions of severe physical injuries, war trauma, references to death by suicide, and an attempt at death by suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs has garnered positive reviews for its richly detailed post-WWI setting and the compelling, complex protagonist. Readers appreciate the intricate mystery and emotional depth. However, some find the pacing slow and critiques note occasional predictability. Overall, it's praised for blending historical context with detective fiction effectively.
Who Should Read Maisie Dobbs?
A reader who enjoys The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald or The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith would appreciate Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear. This historical mystery novel appeals to fans of introspective, character-driven stories set in the post-World War I era.