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A Lesson in Secrets  By  cover art

A Lesson in Secrets

By: Jacqueline Winspear
Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy
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Publisher's summary

Maisie Dobbs' first assignment for the British Secret Service takes her undercover to Cambridge as a professor—and leads to the investigation of a web of activities being conducted by the emerging Nazi Party.

In the summer of 1932, Maisie Dobbs' career takes an exciting new turn when she accepts an undercover assignment directed by Scotland Yard's Special Branch and the Secret Service. Posing as a junior lecturer, she is sent to a private college in Cambridge to monitor any activities "not in the interests of His Majesty's government".

When the college's controversial pacifist founder and principal, Greville Liddicote, is murdered, Maisie is directed to stand back as Detective Chief Superintendent Robert MacFarlane and Detective Chief Inspector Richard Stratton spearhead the investigation. She soon discovers, however, that the circumstances of Liddicote's death appear inextricably linked to the suspicious comings and goings of faculty and students under her surveillance.

To unravel this web, Maisie must overcome a reluctant Secret Service, discover shameful hidden truths about Britain's conduct during the Great War, and face off against the rising powers of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei—the Nazi Party—in Britain.

As the storm clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, this pivotal chapter in the life of Maisie Dobbs foreshadows new challenges and powerful enemies facing the psychologist and investigator—and will engage new listeners and loyal fans of this "outstanding" series (Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review).

Don't miss other titles in the Maisie Dobbs series.
©2010 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about A Lesson in Secrets

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    4 out of 5 stars

Fine but not as good as earlier ones

I agree with some previous reviewers who have said that the story line here is not as compelling as some if Miss Winspear’s earlier novels. I would say that this novel seems to be setting up the story for subsequent novels dealing with the run up to WW2. Cassidy Orlagh as narrator is wonderful as always.

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loved it!

I usually just listen to audible on my commutes but found myself turning it on to finish this one while cleaning and sitting outside with morning coffee. Great series.

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A lesson in secrets

Great book!! Held my interest from the very first page to the end. So glad is a series. Love the 30's and 40's setting. I'm looking forward to getting all the audio books.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Always excellent.

I have truly enjoyed every one of the Maisy Dobbs books, have read them all so far and look forward to the next one.

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Great summer read

very well performed, I really enjoyed it. Read this for our book club and it will be fun to talk about.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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My Favorite Series

Start from the beginning and read all of the Maisie Dobbs books. What a gift this series is. Can't say enough about how much I enjoy Maisie's life story as she solves crimes.

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Loosing her way

Orlagh Cassidy lost her way with her accents it got confusing at times. Normally there are some slips understandably but in this book there were too many.Doesn’t someone proof listen?

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Jacqueline Winspear does it again!

The intrigue, the insight, the introspection and the depth of the characters simply can’t be beat! Well done!!!

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Cups of tea

I am so immersed in the series that I have bought a giant box of proper tea, though it will never taste quite right without London water. But I must attempt to bring myself in sync with Maisie and her unravellings. Right you are.

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  • Overall
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    3 out of 5 stars
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story was awesome, narration a little off

The standard of story telling has not gone down, but the editing for the narration left something to be desired, namely the transition between accents. I 5hink if more time were allowed to Orlagh, the clarity between character accents might be better.

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