A Lesson in Secrets
A Maisie Dobbs Mystery, No 8
Jacqueline Winspear

Harper
March 22, 2011 / ISBN 0061727679
Historical Mystery / England / 1932
Amazon

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

Maise is back. She's being courted by James, romantically and woed by Brian Huntly, professionally -- for the British Secret Service. (What a life.) Brian wants Maise to spy on author Greville Liddcote. Liddcote penned a children's book. The story hinted at war, which upset the monarch. Liddcote has opened his own college in Cambridge. Brian needs Maise to take up a position at Liddcote's college. Maise's late mentor, Dr. Maurice Blanche, haunts her with his words, and although he left her well off she accepts the assignment for a fee. Once at the college, Maise is faced with a murder and her investigative side kicks in. On the personal side, Sandra returns alone and in need of a job again. Her story is sad and threaded throughout the mystery.

A Lesson in Secrets is a mystery worthy of an uninterrupted read. It's an absorbing storyline. The author immerses her readers in the 1930 eras of high society, higher education, secret meetings, code words and more. Both main and sub-characters are well written. Maise is a woman ahead of her time. She's intelligent, liberated, discreet and sympathetic. It's a great read. Just be warned, if not a series follower, there are spoilers. Maise Dobbs is one of the better series offered in the Historical Mystery genre.

Reviews of other titles in this series

Pardonable Lies, No 3
Messenger of Truth, No 4
An Incomplete Revenge, No 5
A Lesson in Secrets, No 8