The Consequences of Fear

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

As Europe buckles under Nazi occupation, Maisie Dobbs investigates a possible murder that threatens devastating repercussions for Britain's war efforts in this latest installment in the New York Times best-selling mystery series.

October 1941. While on a delivery, young Freddie Hackett, a message runner for a government office, witnesses an argument that ends in murder. Crouching in the doorway of a bombed-out house, Freddie waits until the coast is clear. But when he arrives at the delivery address, he’s shocked to come face-to-face with the killer. 

Dismissed by the police when he attempts to report the crime, Freddie goes in search of a woman he once met when delivering a message: Maisie Dobbs. While Maisie believes the boy and wants to help, she must maintain extreme caution: she’s working secretly for the Special Operations Executive, assessing candidates for crucial work with the French resistance. Her two worlds collide when she spots the killer in a place she least expects. She soon realizes she’s been pulled into the orbit of a man who has his own reasons to kill - reasons that go back to the last war. 

As Maisie becomes entangled in a power struggle between Britain’s intelligence efforts in France and the work of Free French agents operating across Europe, she must also contend with the lingering question of Freddie Hackett’s state of mind. What she uncovers could hold disastrous consequences for all involved in this compelling chapter of the “series that seems to get better with every entry” (Wall Street Journal).

©2021 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Smart woman, bland romance

Love the Maisie Dobbs series, and this is yet another very good novel. I think there are few authors who are better at placing a character in a specific setting that reflects historical events, attitudes, and atmosphere. Kudos to Jacqueline Winspear for the exhaustive research she must do to bring the setting and characters to life, and for never shying away from the pathos of war. Maisie is a smart, capable, and self-confident woman and it's fascinating to follow her complex life through two world wars. The only fly in the ointment for me is Maisie's involvement in another uninspired romance (the first one was the same way in my opinion). The romantic partners in this series are like props with very limited character development, and it's no wonder that Maisie seems to be talking herself into committing to these relationships. Orlagh Cassidy is a wonderful narrator, but as is frequently the case, British narrators struggle with American accents -- I don't think we all speak with a drawl or deliver slang in a smug voice.

Another win for Maisie Dobbs

I have enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series with just a few exceptions - they are interesting books with lots of historical information and they dont get gory or too depressing. This, like many others, is fun to listen to, but once finished I find it hard to recall much about the story. That's ok, I still like listening and hope that the author continues to write about Masie and her loves, friends and adventures.

Excellent

As always Orlagh Cassidy was great. The story was excellent. I’m always sad when I finish a Jacqueline Winspear book because I have been living the book with the characters that she has made real for me. Sigh

Great!!!

I love these books! And the narration! Although I don’t know why British or English narrators always make an American character sound like they are in a Western. It’s the same thing with Davina Porter in the Outlander novels. Anyway this was eagerly anticipated. I hope this isn’t the last one. Towards the end it seemed like Mrs. Winspear was wrapping things up. Please give us another one next year! Loved this! Her and C.S. Harris are a big part of the spring for me.

One of the best in the series!

I've loved this series for a while and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Maisie is in many ways coming into her own in this book - she's raising her voice more and becoming stronger, and I think it adds so much to her already wonderful character. It also makes sense in the midst of war for her emotions to be closer to the surface. I don't care for the love story between her and Mark. In comparison to her relationships with Simon and James it feels ... bland. Empty. Forced. There's very little "on screen" chemistry between them, so it's hard to get behind it. But overall this was a wonderful book. Look forward to the next one!

I love this whole series

The reader is incredible. She uses different voices for every character. And I love the honor and wholesomeness of the stories. Wonderfully engaging writing. Can’t wait for the next book!

Another wonderful installment in my favorite series!!

Oh I have missed Maisie Dobbs and the amazing people who fill her world. It has been a long two years since the last novel, but the wait was well worth it to enjoy such an incredible story!

Once again Maisie is on a case that hits close to home in the midst of personal and professional struggles. And with the second war world ramping up we can feel her tension in a palpable way. I connect so deeply with this heroine that she is like a friend and I hurt for her too.

A daring, emotional yet triumphant novel that thrusts you back into the intriguing and dangerous world of Maisie Dobbs.

My favorite of the series!

I had inadvertently missed the prior novel, and I would always recommend reading them in sequence. That being said, I felt this is one of the most richly realized of the entire series. To me, the entire series excels in terms of the humanity of the characters, particularly the protagonist. The richness of historical detail, along with the genuine anguish experienced by many of the characters, distinguishes Jacqueline Winspear’s work from other series that I value.

A bit predictable

Unoriginal story and the narrator was saccharinely British. I have a feeling the style was probably popular at one time, but I found it cloying.

Love this book as much as the last.

WWII, the great war, the brave men and women. The story is very close to fact and gives us a look into what Europe went through before we were forced to step in and help. Love these books.