Pardonable Lies

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlaugh Cassidy

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In the third novel of this best-selling series, London investigator Maisie Dobbs faces grave danger as she returns to the site of her most painful WWI memories to resolve the mystery of a pilot's death.

Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone. Alexander McCall Smith's Precious Ramotswe. Every once in a while, a detective bursts on the scene who captures readers' hearts, and imaginations, and doesn't let go. And so it was with Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs, who made her debut just two years ago in the eponymously titled first book of the series, and is already on her way to becoming a household name.

A deathbed plea from his wife leads Sir Cecil Lawton to seek the aid of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. As Maisie soon learns, Agnes Lawton never accepted that her aviator son was killed in the Great War, a torment that led her not only to the edge of madness but to the doors of those who practice the dark arts and commune with the spirit world. In accepting the assignment, Maisie finds her spiritual strength tested, as well as her regard for her mentor, Maurice Blanche. The mission also brings her together once again with her college friend Priscilla Evernden, who served in France and who lost three brothers to the war, one of whom, it turns out, had an intriguing connection to the missing Ralph Lawton.

Don't miss other titles in the Maisie Dobbs series.

©2005 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, LLC

Critic reviews

"Agatha-winner Winspear's engrossing third Maisie Dobbs novel maintains the high quality of its predecessors....Filled with convincing characters, this is a complex tale of healing, of truth and half-truth, of long-held secrets, some, perhaps, to be held forever. Winspear writes seamlessly." (Publishers Weekly)

mesmerized by maisie

Historical fiction held my interest and kept me listening chapter after chapter till the end.

Wonderful series

If you could sum up Pardonable Lies in three words, what would they be?

Heartwarming, informative, poignant

What did you like best about this story?

The growth and healing of Maisie Dobbs. The making real of a time that so affected not only England but the whole world.

Which character – as performed by Orlaugh Cassidy – was your favorite?

Maisie, of course!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

To understand the present, one must reconcile the past.

Any additional comments?

I'm addicted.

Excellent story

I enjoy the Maisie Dobbs series, and this addition was truly wonderful. A layered and nuanced tale that drew me in and kept me guessing. I did not want it to end.

This is a good series!

This was a really good story as the third installment of the Maisie Dobbs series. I appreciate how the author creates a story in your mind of the time period. As she explains in the author interview at the end. Describing the clothes, the cars the things we all take for granted. Icdd we learned a lot about WWI through this series.

Did not like this narrator as well as the previous books. I had a hard time deciphering when a man was talking versus a woman. A little monotone for my liking. Also, I was very annoyed when she spoke about Maurice which she pronounced as “Morris.”

Very good story though, I’m a Maisie Dobbs fan!

I am loving this series

Third in the series. I am reading them one right after another because it is more fun that way.

Very Good Story

I thoroughly enjoyed this audio book. The book has sufficient twists and turns to hold one’s interest, while not depending heavily on coincidence to move the plot along. This is my third Maisie Dobbs book ( I have read them in sequence and plan to download more). Excellent to listen to while walking the dog or on a road trip. This one is narrated by the author who does a very fine job. I also wanted to mention that the preceding book ( Birds of a Feather) was quite good although many complained of the narrator speaking too fast. Just slow your device down to 0.9 and it sounds great.

All Around Great

I liked how well the author described everything. She made the story come alive and appear factual. I liked how she researched it. Some of her characters are so capturing, you want to know what happened, so the story draws you in. I can't wait to hear the next book. I also liked how she left information at the end and that she listens to a bible too, during her travels.

Excellent Series

Maisie Dobbs is a unique heroine. Her mysteries are not as much mysteries as puzzles of human nature. I thoroughly enjoy them and each time I am transported back to the era "between the wars." Winspear does a wonderful job of portraying England and the people during this time, and the reader is reminded of the enormous impact that The Great War had on all of the people of the time.

Not the least of those impacted were women of all walks of life and from all classes. Maisie is one of those people with a fascinating background and an intriguing career as a "psychologist/investigator."

The narrator seemed perfect to tell Maisie's story. I look forward to hearing more.

Another engaging story from Winspear

If you could sum up Pardonable Lies in three words, what would they be?

Didn't want it to end.

What other book might you compare Pardonable Lies to and why?

Other Maise Dobbs stories. She just grows wiser in each book.

Which character – as performed by Orlaugh Cassidy – was your favorite?

Maise Dobbs of course

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

White lies

New Reader

I have just discovered this wonderful series! It is a must read for so many reason! Try it today!