The Comfort of Ghosts

Maisie Dobbs, Book 18

De: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrado por: Orlagh Cassidy

Duración: 10 h y 6 m

Resumen del Editor

A MILESTONE IN HISTORICAL MYSTERY FICTION AS MAISIE DOBBS TAKES HER FINAL BOW

London, 1945: Four adolescent orphans with a dark wartime history are squatting in a vacant Belgravia mansion—the owners having fled London under heavy Luftwaffe bombing. Psychologist and Investigator Maisie Dobbs visits the mansion on behalf of the owners and discovers that a demobilized soldier, gravely ill and reeling from his experiences overseas, has taken shelter with the group.

Maisie’s quest to bring comfort to the youngsters and the ailing soldier brings to light a decades-old mystery concerning Maisie’s first husband, James Compton, who was killed while piloting an experimental fighter aircraft. As Maisie unravels the threads of her dead husband’s life, she is forced to examine her own painful past and question beliefs she has always accepted as true.

The award-winning Maisie Dobbs series has garnered hundreds of thousands of followers, audiences drawn to a woman who is of her time, yet familiar in ours—and who inspires with her resilience and capacity for endurance. This final assignment of her own choosing not only opens a new future for Maisie and her family, but serves as a fascinating portrayal of the challenges facing the people of Britain at the close of the Second World War.

©2024 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2024 Recorded Books

Thank you, JW!!

What a pleasure to listen to this last novel! I’ve been here from the beginning in hardback to today’s audiobook. I admire Maisie in my 50s in ways I couldn’t in my 30’s, so I willingly admit to copious weeping! I8 novels set over 16-year period. I especially appreciate James’s mystery and Winspear’s resolution of it. Over the course of Maisie’s life - born in 1897 - to this novel set in 1945, Britain had FIVE monarchs. Imagine the breathless pace of social change encompassed in that period! It helps to explain how and why James never shared the mystery though he had revealed the family secret of his sister’s drowning when he and Maisie first became serious. This novel particularly reflects the distance between Edwardian sensibilities and a post-WW2 mores. I also appreciated the weariness and fatigue that accompanied this type of long and perilous victory. So appropriate this week when the 80th anniversary of D-Day is honored.

I continue to rate the narrator at B+. Her Maisie is wonderful as our many of her working class voices. But posh is not her strong point so Rowan, Priscilla, Douglas, and the partridge boys never truly seem realized. The accents are key since Maisie is a class, gender and intelligence unicorn! She is the nexus of groups of folks who would never have shared a meal together without her.

In the longer wrap up, I miss an update on former DI Stratton since all of Maisie’s varying love interests made an appearance except him. Also with the coming Cold War, a word through Robbie McFarland about the MI6 guy Brian Huntley or his replacement would have been reasonable too since once in intelligence always there.

But now I’m nitpicking! JUST THANK YOU FOR THE ENJOYMENT, THE VISION, THE HISTORY & THE COMPLETION!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Enriching

I've read each of the books in this series several times over the years. They are like visiting old friends. Not only do I enjoy the character and story development in each book, but I also glean the tidbits of wisdom that have refined my own view of life. This final book was the most satisfying was to say goodbye.

It was like a family reunion

Maisie has become such a good friend over the years. I almost didn’t want to start this book. It was a fitting ending to the series.

Goodbye old friend

This was a wonderful ending for a series I have loved from the beginning. Artful way to tie up all the ends. As usual the story and writing take immediate hold of you. I am going to miss Maisie Dobbs and waiting impatiently for the next book. Well done!

Much better than I expected

I was worried that the author might feel compelled to add one more “kick in the gut” piece of drama such as the early death of a major character. The central plot was a bit weak, but then, this was a real goodbye and we love you book for the characters and readers alike and that takes awhile. The narration was flawless as ever. I do need to go back to my books & double check a Maisie fact, but not a real historical one. I do have one question for the author who really did an amazing job with this series so I’m not complaining…but did I miss the story on what Pricilla’s niece is doing “now?” She’s the only character I was wondering about last night when I could not sleep! Again, thanks, Jacqueline!!

SATISFYING END OF SERIES

the performer is wonderful as always. I found some details confusing but am one who eagerly waited for last chance to visit Maisie again. I am still worried about her husband's satisfaction and also wished her stillborn son had not indeed died. but as Maisie would say move on, not all goes right, I would suggest she pay more attention to her husband in future. thank you Jacqueline for caring about your readers. hope you read this review.

A Final Accounting

Great look back on entire series. Good mystery subplot. Bittersweet ending. I thoroughly enjoyed Maudie Dobbs journey.