Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series

[Snookie]

I posted this a few days ago in the Golden Era section, but I think it might have gotten lost up there.

Has anyone read the Maisie Dobbs mystery series? I was at the bookstore the other day and came across the second book in the series, and I'm really excited about it. Maisie is a psychologist/detective in London, and the first book is set in 1929. The author, Jacqueline Winspear, has so far been publishing one/year.

Here's the author's website: http://www.jacquelinewinspear.com/index.htm

I haven't bought any yet because I was hoping to find them as audiobooks, but it looks like only the 3rd and 4th books have been recorded. Trying to decide whether to hold out for the audiobook or just get it now.

 

[RetroMom]

I have never heard of this series before, but I love mysteries, especially when they are set in the "Golden Era" or before.

Thanks for the link to the author!

 

[jazzzbaby]

Your title made me very excited! I will have to look this up on Amazon for some additional info! Thank you so much! I too love a good series of mysteries set in the olden days.

 

[VivianRegan]

I bought Birds of a Feather (which I think is the second Maisie Dobbs title) based solely on the lovely cover.

I stared at the cover for a while until I finally cracked the book and was promptly unimpressed.

My problem with the character was that she was so impossibly modern... like a girl of today transported back to the '20s, with all the same knowledge and feminism. She was smarter than everyone, and a little condescending. Not to say there weren't ladies like her then, but it seems a gimmick on the author's part to goad us modern ladies into cheering for Maisie.

I read a chapter, and gave up. I gave it to my best friend's mom (a real mystery fanatic), and she enjoyed it.

Not to say Maisie won't find major fans in the Fedora Lounge... I'll just stick to the old masters who write from the period (even S.S. Van Dine and is smugness).

 

[Sunny]

My problem with the character was that she was so impossibly modern... like a girl of today transported back to the '20s, with all the same knowledge and feminism. She was smarter than everyone, and a little condescending.

Oh, how sad! I know exactly what you mean. It frustrates me no end when characters aren't true to the period like that.

Thanks for finding out for the rest of us, though I wish it hadn't been that kind of discovery.

 

[Snookie]

Ooh, non-period characters bug me too, thanks for the warning. It seems like that's what most people want to see, though, so it's a popular anachronism. I think rather than shelling out $15/book, I'll see if the library has a copy. I might like the story better if I'm not trying to get my money's worth!

 

[VivianRegan]

That's a great way to go about it, Snookie. And who knows? It might be to your liking.

I definitely didn't want to turn everybody off Maisie... she is a best-selling series and all, so lots of people must dig her.

There's always the great productions on PBS's Mystery for a true period feeling, too!

 

[RetroMom]

I was disappointed to hear about the modernazation of the character...I love period books (especially mysteries), but like a lot of you, only when the character is believable in the time period they are supposed to be in!

I'm going to look for the series in the library instead of buying.. thanks for the heads up!

 

[Snookie]

There's always the great productions on PBS's Mystery for a true period feeling, too!

I'll put Mystery on the TV on mute, early 30's music on the stereo, wear lounging pyjamas, and drink tea while reading Maisie. If she can't be period, then it'll be my job! (But I'll probably miss women's lib when I have to go make dinner!)

 

[mysterygal]

What may be a good idea, since there's quite a few of us who love a good mystery book, is to give references for great authors to read or favorite book. I'll find an author that I love then read every book by them, but it's always sad when I need to find something else out there since I hate digging into a really bad novel. That's where I am right now...I just finished up a series so, until she writes another book, I need something to read!