To Die but Once

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Maisie Dobbs - "a female investigator every bit as brainy and battle-hardened as Lisbeth Salander" (Maureen Corrigan, NPR's Fresh Air), faces danger and intrigue on the home front during World War II in this poignant entry (number 14) in Jacqueline Winspear's New York Times best-selling series - "a series that seems to get better with every entry" (Tom Holland, Wall Street Journal).

Spring 1940. With Britons facing what has become known as "the Bore War" - nothing much seems to have happened yet - Maisie Dobbs is asked to investigate the disappearance of a local lad, a young apprentice craftsman working on a "hush-hush" government contract. As Maisie's inquiry reveals a possible link to the London underworld, another mother is worried about a missing son - but this time the boy in question is one beloved by Maisie.

As USA Today's Robert Bianco says, "with clarity and economy, Winspear lays the historical groundwork.... The setting matters, but what may matter more is the lovely, sometimes poetic way Winspear pushes her heroine forward.... May she shine on the literary scene for many books to come."

©2018 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"[Narrator Orlagh] Cassidy's accent, tone, and pace are well tuned to Maisie's strong and empathetic character. Cassidy draws on her full palate of British accents to differentiate a large cast of secondary characters, male and female, old and young." (AudioFile)

Maisie, Billy, and All Return. Yes!

It's like old friends we haven't heard from for a while return. I've followed Maisie through all of Jaqueline Winspear's books. This one doesn't disappoint. One of Pricilla's sons becomes a hero, but at a very high price. Billy's oldest son survives Dunkirk, but must return to the fight. WWII is underway with all the sacrifices for the characters we love. Maisie's work continues as she waits for a decision that is already changing how she works. This suggests there's another book, a continuation of Maisie to come. I hope it won't be too long. I love these tales because it's like the characters are real people I know.

Excellent.

A lot happened in this one. But easier to follow than the others. Very emotional and suspenseful.

Outstanding!

this series is superb! I cannot wait for the next one to be released. Rich charcterization, fabulous sense of history and great plain old story telling. Congratulations yet again Ms. Winspear.

Captivating

Beautiful plot and surprising endings … the Trio are back and it was better than ever

Excellent

This was the best Maisie Dobbs story to daye. I liked the personal side of her

Another Winner !!

Loved catching up with Maisie once again.

Thank you Jacqueline for another great work.
Looking forward to reading the next one too.

Maisie Dobbs Brings History to Lifei

I have enjoyed every one of the MaisieDobbs books
The audible versions bring the listener into the circumstances faced by the investigators her associates. The latest book it reduces the listener to the circumstances faced by the British people during the early days of World War II. This is the period of time prior to the attacks in London well families with for word of their sons were fighting in the expeditionary force over in France. One gets the feeling of despair the people face when they learned that the loved ones were trapped across the English channel. I can hardly wait for Miss Nguyen spears next novel probably face the major events of the war as seen from London by Maisie Dobbs.

Another excellent addition

I love this book just like all the other in the Maisie Dobbs series. I didn't want to stop listening and I did not want the book to end. It is rich in detail and beautiful writing. I can't wait for the next novel to come out. I'm very interested to know what happens next in the life of Maisie Dobbs.

Best Novel Yet

I did not believe Ms. Winspear could improve her already brilliant writing. However, this is her best work yet! I was riveted to her story rich with endearing characters, a few tears, and constant second guessing who-done-it outcomes. Loved this novel!

Tears, Pain and Love

I found myself alternately crying and smiling at the highs and lows of this book. Ms. Cassidy’s performance is again stellar as she moves flawlessly between accents and characters. Maisey Dobbs does not disappoint!