I know I've said this about the other Maisie Dobbs books but this really is my favorite so far. The mystery was very complex and interesting. We got to know more about Maisie family history. Maisie was able to release some of the pain of her past and embrace her future. And Pris was back.I always knew there was something in Maisie's past that gave her her gift and sure enough she does. Her gypsy grandmother must have passed on more than just Maisie's jet black hair. It was nice to see Maisie get in touch with that part of her while investigating a land sale for James Compton, the son of her former employers Lady and Lord Compton. I love the way she found a place for herself with Beulah, Webb, and Paishy and was able to grow. I have to say the thing I'm really enjoying with each new novel is watching Maisie loosen up and start to enjoy life. I love that she's finding time to have some fun.This was definitely the darkest of all the mysteries Maisie has dealt with and I was equally heartbroken and horrified by what happened. It was an interesting look at small communities devastated by war. I can't even imagine what it must be like to lose so many young men at one time. Another thing I think these novels do is to show the wide spread and long lasting impact of war. It's not over when it's over-that's for sure.Maisie also closes the door on a huge part of her past. I don't want to give anything away but the novel will definitely set Maisie on her way forward into the future. And in doing so is able to start to mend her relationship with Maurice Blance. Hopefully she will be able to move on and find a little romance. I'm really keeping my fingers crossed Maisie will be getting a boyfriend soon.And, yippee, Priscilla is back. I love Pris. I love that she calls Maisie on her s0litary, work-filled life. I love how honest she is about the past and is able to live her life in full and wants Maisie to do the same. She really forces Maisie forward so well. I love her rough and tumble boys and her obvious love for them. And I love that Maisie has a friend who she is comfortable with.It was great to see Billy, Frankie, and Maurice back again. I'm worried about Billy leaving for Canada and I have no idea what Maisie will do without him but I'll worry about that when it comes. For all the horribleness of the mystery and all the sad turn of events there really was quite a bit of joy as well. Come on, how bad can it all be when it ends with Maisie dancing?Oh, one last thing. I found it utterly fascinating and an interesting perspective that Billy was on "holiday" while working hop-picking. Just getting out of "the smoke" was the vacation. I don't know if I would think that was much of a vacation. Hmmm.If you're reading along with the I'm Mad for Maisie read-along with Book Club Girl head on over and join the discussion. And if you haven't started reading Maisie Dobbs-get off the stick, you don't know what your missing.
This is definitely my favorite so far of the series. Especially considering I found the last one to be most depressing. Hope seems to be returning to Maisie's world, despite her suffering one more loss in this book. And the portent of WWII looms in the not so distant future. Winspear's books are very much a recommended read, and as I have now caught up with the books so far published, I shall sit here and sulk until another comes out...For those who know a little as I do about the Depression era in the UK as compared to the US, this would help realize the helplessness and hopelessness and despair of the time.Here is a passage that I found rather moving:Quote:'"In some ways, Maisie, similar work has engaged us of late. We --- my contacts overseas and my colleagues in London --- are most concerned with a growing frustration on the other side of the Channel. The depression we find ourselves in here, and which is causing havoc in America, is allowing people to give weight to that which divides them, rather than to the shared experiences and elements of connection they see mirrored in their fellow man. There are those in Germany who would use discrimination to elevate their politics, which gives us cause for disquiet. And on the continent in Spain, inequities threaten to become incendiary. There are many people, Maisie --- and I confess, I am among their number --- who believe our peace to be only so resilient and who fear another war.""I pray it doesn't come to that, Maurice.""Yes, pray, Maisie. Do pray."And as her beloved mentor regarded the vista before him, his hands clenched on the arms of his chair, Maisie reached across and placed her hand on his.'
What do You think about An Incomplete Revenge (2008)?
This has been my favorite in the "Maisie Dobbs" series by far, but I can't see my enjoying it so much without having had the foundation lain by the previous four. Jacqueline Winspear demonstrates a bold integrity as a writer in allowing her characters room to develop and to progress. This is essential in a series whose main character is "a wounded healer." Just as Maisie goes about healing others, she herself is allowed the opportunities to heal as well, and not necessarily via the most comfortable circumstances. Being able to watch this progress in Maisie endears her to us.Winspear is also quite daring in revealing her mystery as she releases enough info for the reader to gather what has happened, and then continues writing under the supposition that the reader has figured it out and doesn't have to lay it out for them. (This is very gratifying to the armchair detective who in reading the past volumes may have felt slightly ruffled that the author was withholding key details.)In addition to this, Winspear is able to create a unity of themes and motifs that unify and bind her story into a concise and satisfying reading experience.
—Phillip
This time Maisie is investigating a land purchase near the village of Heronsdene in Kent for the company of family friend James Compton. There have been some thefts and in particular some fires that need to be explained before the Compton company will buy the estate. Set in the fall of 1931, Londoners and gypsies are descending on the village to work alongside the locals to pick hops. The locals are not the friendliest of folks and Maisie senses something is amiss when she first gets there. They are a secretive bunch! Billy Beale, Maisie's able assistant, also makes arrangements to be there too so he can help with the investigation but also for him and the rest of his family to pick hops for extra money.With beautiful descriptions of the English countryside and life in England after a devastating war, Jacqueline Winspear has again given us great story. I loved her adding the gypsies and mentioning Grantchester - since it is one of the latest offerings from PBS and one of my favorite shows.
—Charlene Intriago
By far my favorite Maisie Dobbs installment since the very first book.I was beginning to wonder how much longer I could stomach Maisie with her psychic abilities, her coldness and her all around off-putting-ness. It's very rare that I will continue with a series in which the main character annoys me so very much, but in the case of this series, I'm willing to put up with her because I do like the style of Winspear's writing, the time period, the slow plotting, and the issues that the mysteries bring to the forefront; namely, the problems faced by the lost generation following World War I. Winspear weaves these elements effortlessly throughout each of her books, and while Maisie herself doesn't impress me, almost every other element does.This offering takes the reader to the farmlands of Kent during the autumn hop picking. Maisie has been asked to look into some mysterious petty crimes and fires in an around the village of Heronsdale, where a brickworks factory is being considered for purchase by her client. As always, Maisie learns much more then she originally set out to find, and we as the reader learn more about the human condition and the effects of war, revenge and suffering on the human heart. Maisie comes in for her own share of suffering, grief, and finally acceptance in some personal matters, and seems to move forward in her own journey toward healing. Apart from one strange episode of dowsing for hidden treasure (?#%?), Maisie is relatively *weird-free* in this installment (relatively, mind you....), and much more palatable to my taste this time around.I have experienced a renewal in my enjoyment of this series and this sleuth, and will happily journey on with Maisie for the next mystery: Among the Mad.
—Hannah
