The Consequences of Fear

Maisie Dobbs, Book 16

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Julie Teal

Length: 10 hrs and 39 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.

September 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.

©2021 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2021 W F Howes

Critic Reviews

"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) 

Maisie never disappoints!

I am already anticipating the next book in the series and sincerely hope that Julie Teal continues to narrate.
The plot and characters are excellent.

Prepare for the ending

It’s so nice to see Maisie finally getting a break in her personal life, for the good...... though how long it’s going to last with an ending like that, only the author knows.

Extra: alcoholism, domestic violence, Down’s syndrome discussed (favourably).

A good story

I still love listening to these Maisie Dobbs stories but have to try and ignore the narrators accents and pronunciation. grates sometimes.

A book to savour and revisit

Another absorbing touching and gripping book in this series. When you complete it you are left anticipating the next part of the story yet grounded in the strength of all the participating characters knowing there is more to come. The other thing is the underlying commentary on the proof in which it is set and the skill in making you aware of the fears values and backcloth of that period in history .

Excellent!

Yet again a superb book by J W. I enjoyed the plot, the pace and the characters. I have got to know the players in the novels so well they feel like friends!!
Thank you Julie Teal for another marvellous narration, I can’t believe I am listening to one person as you act the parts so skilfully whatever age, gender or accent. Looking forward to the next one.

Cogs in the Wheels of War

The threads of Maisie Dobb's life are encompassed again: her business of crime detection, her lover the American, her war work and her family life.

Irritatingly, instead of concentrating of the main relationships, the story is swamped with other issues which pad out the book and divert the focus. Being the last book in the series, so much needs to be concluded. IT CAN'T END HERE

POSTSCRIPT 4th May 2022, just found out there is a Book 17 and a Book 18 underway !!!