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

Love this series!

I've enjoyed every book in this series that features a clever young English woman who served as a nurse during WWI. In some of her characters, she reveals the psychological and physical aftermath endured by veterans, while solving intriguing mysteries. Maisie, à la Upstairs/Downstairs, transitioned from a maid to a college-educated psychologist/investigator who is respected enough to work freelance with Scotland Yard. Go Maisie! (Written by Lynn, not Richard.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great summer read

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

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