It's early 1938, and Maisie Dobbs is back in England, staying with friends while she looks for a new home. Naturally, it's only a matter of time before she's approached by Huntley and MacFarlane of the Secret Service. The German government has agreed to hand over an important British subject who's been incarcerated in Dachau for two years-- but only if a family member comes to Munich to collect him. The imprisoned man's wife is dead and his daughter is bedridden, but fortunately, Maisie bears a striking resemblance to the daughter. How can Maisie say no?
As Maisie was told in a previous book, once you've done the British Secret Service's bidding, you're done for. They will just keep coming back no matter how many times you say no. That person was telling Maisie the truth: she keeps saying no, the Secret Service merely smirks and hands over her railway tickets. At least the time she spent in Spain has helped her overcome the worst of her grief, and she feels ready to re-enter her old life and be with her friends and family once more.
Being in Munich in 1938 gives Maisie a very clear picture of what is to come. It goes without saying that the Germans don't release the Englishman in a timely manner, and Maisie has to keep her composure and her cover while the Nazis play cat and mouse. This is a good, solid mystery that puts the reader right in the middle of a world that's on the brink of going completely mad.
I don't think Winspear is capable of writing a bad book, but I have to admit that, after reading A Dangerous Place, almost all the luster has been knocked off this series for me. This was always a series in which I bought and read each new book as soon as it came out. I was so invested in Maisie! But my feeling of being betrayed is staying with me even though I realize I'm being a bit silly. After reading Journey to Munich (which I did not buy), I am still two books behind, and I feel no urgency whatsoever to catch up. This may very well be the last book I read in this series. And now I feel as though I'm in mourning.
Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear
ISBN: 9780062220608
HarperCollins © 2016
Hardcover, 304 pages
Historical Mystery, #12 Maisie Dobbs mystery
Rating: B+
Source: Paperback Swap
I'm sorry you're feeling that way about the Maisie Dobbs series, Cathy. I like it very much, myself. But I know exactly what you mean about a series losing its 'shine.' That's happened to me as well, and life is too short to read books only out of a sense of obligation. Still, it's sad to lose your passion for a series you've loved.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is.
DeleteOh no! That book is on my wish list. This is so terrible,
ReplyDeleteDon't forget-- Your mileage can definitely vary!
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