The American Agent

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Beloved heroine Maisie Dobbs, “one of the great fictional heroines” (Parade), investigates the mysterious murder of an American war correspondent in London during the Blitz in a pause-resisting tale of love and war, terror and survival.

When Catherine Saxon, an American correspondent reporting on the war in Europe, is found murdered in her London digs, news of her death is concealed by British authorities. Serving as a linchpin between Scotland Yard and the Secret Service, Robert MacFarlane pays a visit to Maisie Dobbs, seeking her help. He is accompanied by an agent from the US Department of Justice - Mark Scott, the American who helped Maisie get out of Hitler’s Munich in 1938. MacFarlane asks Maisie to work with Scott to uncover the truth about Saxon’s death.

As the Germans unleash the full terror of their blitzkrieg upon the British Isles, raining death and destruction from the skies, Maisie must balance the demands of solving this dangerous case with her need to protect Anna, the young evacuee she has grown to love and wants to adopt. Entangled in an investigation linked to the power of wartime propaganda and American political intrigue being played out in Britain, Maisie will face losing her dearest friend - and the possibility she might be falling in love again.

©2019 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Her very best?

As Britain is fighting alone against Germany in 1940 the Maisie Dobbs series finds her back at home and involved in the war effort. THE AMERICAN AGENT is only in part about her building romantic relationship with him. Maisie Dobbs continues as a strong well-centered character despite a life filled with tragedy. It is nice to see Maisie and Billy back working together as they were early in her private investigation career. Author Jacqueline Winspear continues the story of one of the strongest women (or men) of 20th century historical novels.

In a recent review of David Baldacci's Redemption I was critical of the lazy narration of American actress and audiobook narrator Orlagh Cassidy. Other than to the now deceased Katherine Kellgren Orlagh Cassidy is the best narrator with accents. In THE AMERICAN AGENT she again excels with a neutral British accent that displays her talent to the greatest possible positive effect.

The Maisie Dobbs series of 15 novels are all standalone. However, to fully appreciate this outstanding British historical series the novels must be listened to or read in order.

I seldom refer to a novel as flawless, but THE AMERICAN AGENT deserves that description.

Engaging

I have been reading this series from book one; this is book fifteen. In this episode Maisie is helping the American Agent that helped her escape from Munich in 1938. They are attempting to solve the London murder of an American reporter. The Germans are bombing England and Maisie and friends are in the middle of the blitz.

The book is well written and the plot twists and turns as only Winspear can do it. It is great to get back together with all the regular characters and Maisie. This is one of my favorite series. I think I preferred the earlier books dealing with World War One and its aftermath. That is what enticed me to read the series. Winspear did a great job revealing the changes in society and particularly women that occurred immediately after WWI, as well as the problems of the veterans. Many of the issues apply to WWII also. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The book is eleven hours and two minutes. Orlagh Cassidy does an excellent job narratoring the book. Cassidy is an award-winning audiobook narrator and actress. She is one of my favorite narrators.

She Tells It Like It Was

Another WIN for Winspear ! I've "read" all of her books and love each one. I feel her characters are people I really know, having followed them through WWI and now into WWII. I can't imagine how the Londoners coped as their lives were so disrupted, bombs falling each night, yet they carried on. The daily stresses must have been unbearable. Let us NEVER forget the horrors of that war, the loss of lives and destruction of a city. Winspear brings it all to life describing Britain in 1939, when people were hoping and praying for the United States to come to their aid. Yet isolationism and nationalism in America held strong until 1941.
The British had to go it alone, holding the line against Germany.
If you enjoy the Maisie Dobbs stories, this book is a must read. As usual, Orlagh Cassidy is perfect as the voice of Maisie and others.

Wonderful

As always an excellent book with excellent narration. These books come to life for me weather I’m reading them or listening to them. All of them have been excellent books. I highly recommend each and every one of them.

Brilliant!

Another winner from Jaqueline Winspear. She gets better and better with each book. She has a distinctive way of enlightening you about the trials and tribulations of the English people during World War 2 and how courageous they were. All the while she is detecting a local crime in her own remarkable way. You meet her family and her friends' and learn a lot of personal history of those years as well. One of her best novels!

Well worth a listen

I’ve liked but not loved the Maisie Dobbs novels. I’ve always found Maisie stuffy and wooden. Until now. Orlagh Cassidy’s stellar performance breathes life into all of the characters. You almost forget you’re only hearing it, not seeing it. And this story is complex and interesting. Fantastic!

Excellent

This was excellent, as we're all of the others in this series. Each one meticulously researched, and so well written. Winspear writes a perfect blend of deep characters, interesting and accurate historical details, and wonderfully described scenes. Orlagh Cassidy, who has narrated books 2 through 15, is one of the best I have ever heard.

Better every time…..

Having followed the Maisie Dobbs books from the beginning, and then having a couple years break, I have to say I was not at all disappointed with The American Agent. The writing was superb, and who cannot love Orlagh Cassidy’s narration?? This story that combined the heartbreak of World War II, and it’s painful impact on the women either through what happened to the men, or directly on themselves, is truly tragic. But Ms. Winspear writes with tenderness and compassion, and it is well worth the read.

This series is absolutely outstanding!

If you love a good mystery that also includes a rich tapestry of character development, well researched historically accurate settings and scenarios/story lines you can see, smell, taste and feel don't miss a single volume of Maisie's story. My only regret is I read them before the ink is dry practically and about 20 hours later am looking for the next one. Ms. Winspear, please don't make us wait very long....

Jacqueline Winspear never disappoints.

A great history lesson that is particularly timely as fascist Russia goes after Ukraine the same way Nazi Germany beleaguered the UK in 1941.