A Lesson in Secrets

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

De: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrado por: Orlagh Cassidy

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

I enjoy Maisie Dobbs

I find her mysteries very challenging and it's fun to read the next book to find out how she solves the mysteries.

As usual a very good book.

I love the characters, the storyline, the narrator and the writing style. But, this time I had a difficult time getting into the story. It picked up and was very good.

Change in tone from start of series

I read the first book in the series and really liked the setup and unique take on solving mysteries. I skipped forward in the series without realizing after seeing this book on sale.

There are still elements of the original success, the main story was interesting and engaging. There is a lot more time spent on the romance and internal struggles of Maisie. Even the supporting characters have lost their independence and are merely tools to tell her problems.

I liked the start, but don't like the direction it has taken. I won't be returning to the series.

Well staged

Character voices were great storyline kept me interested throughout. Loved the many adventures of Maddie

Loved it again.

Always a good story to reread on a quiet holiday weekend on my own.

I’m totally hooked!

It’s not a good day unless I’ve taken some time to listen to the next piece of the next book in the Maisie Dobbs series. Her lyricism and insights make difficult times more bearable.

Among my favorites!!

I am currently enjoying this series from Jacqueline Winspear. This series takes place in the early 1930's. I've enjoyed learning about how the people in England lived during that time - in the aftermath of WW1. Maisie is a lovable character - a person whom you would be happy to call "my friend". She is compassionate and loving, yet takes her job seriously - a person you would admire. Everything you could want in a cozy mystery is here, and there's a bit of romance, too. It's one of those series that draws you in, and you can't wait to get to the next book. No objectionable language. I was able to get the earlier books from my library, but they didn't have this title, so I got it here on Audible.

A Lesson in Secrets

Orlagh Cassidy does a great job narrating this book. Maisie is doing multitasking trying to balance a number of jobs at once. She is now hired by the secret service to look into possible communist at a collage. She goes in undercover as a teacher. What she finds is an active Nazi party but the secret service discounts her findings. Toss in a couple of murders, new staff at the office and a new baby arriving. Lots of action.

Great series

Author keeps this series alive...can't wait for the next one.
Really terrific characters, history and story!!!

Maisie in transition

I'm a fan of the Maisie Dobbs series. I started with book #1 and have methodically worked my way through the series in sequence and will continue on until caught up with the most recent book.

I wouldn't call this book terribly exciting as a crime thriller. Rather it's starting the transition of Maisie to being a spy. How do I know this? Being a fan I've looked at the summaries of books in the series that I have yet to read.

In this book, 'Special Branch' approaches Maisie for the first time to go teach at a college in Cambridge to see if she can find any activities that would be against the good of the Crown. Maisie agrees as she knows her mentor, Maurice, would want her to and she's interested on her own. She, of course, has a murder occur while at the school and helps solve that while doing her main task. She learns that in this line of work telling lies and keeping secrets is part of this new world and she accepts that, hence the book title.

Now, on to the next book...........