Pardonable Lies

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlaugh Cassidy

Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In the third novel of this best-selling series, London investigator Maisie Dobbs faces grave danger as she returns to the site of her most painful WWI memories to resolve the mystery of a pilot's death.

Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone. Alexander McCall Smith's Precious Ramotswe. Every once in a while, a detective bursts on the scene who captures readers' hearts, and imaginations, and doesn't let go. And so it was with Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs, who made her debut just two years ago in the eponymously titled first book of the series, and is already on her way to becoming a household name.

A deathbed plea from his wife leads Sir Cecil Lawton to seek the aid of Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator. As Maisie soon learns, Agnes Lawton never accepted that her aviator son was killed in the Great War, a torment that led her not only to the edge of madness but to the doors of those who practice the dark arts and commune with the spirit world. In accepting the assignment, Maisie finds her spiritual strength tested, as well as her regard for her mentor, Maurice Blanche. The mission also brings her together once again with her college friend Priscilla Evernden, who served in France and who lost three brothers to the war, one of whom, it turns out, had an intriguing connection to the missing Ralph Lawton.

Don't miss other titles in the Maisie Dobbs series.

©2005 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2005 Audio Renaissance, LLC

Critic reviews

"Agatha-winner Winspear's engrossing third Maisie Dobbs novel maintains the high quality of its predecessors....Filled with convincing characters, this is a complex tale of healing, of truth and half-truth, of long-held secrets, some, perhaps, to be held forever. Winspear writes seamlessly." (Publishers Weekly)

Perfect time to listen

I don't know why I didn't carry on reading these, but this is the perfect time to get caught up. I'm amazed at how history repeats itself, and I feel very Much like the characters in this book, knowing old horrors of war and watching the World heat up in ways I don't want it to. This book takes this series to a new level for me. It's not just a series of solved mysteries, it's a story of a woman and the people who
Survived, and didn't survive, WWI. Kudos for the narration and the interview at the end!

Wonderful series with very engaging characters

Where does Pardonable Lies rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It the top 25%

What other book might you compare Pardonable Lies to and why?

Other books in the Massie Dobbs series.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene when Massie visits the site of her former war assignment. The casualty clearing station.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I prefer to listen to 1-2 hours at a time and then think about the story and the characters.

Any additional comments?

The time frame for the setting is very interesting. People had so much to deal with after WWI and then the depression. The people had a lot of spirit. No "give me" attitudes were evident. It is good to reflect on our recent heritage.

I do not like that this narrator used the name Morris vs. Maurice as other narrators have used for the character in the series. Each time she used the name I wanted to correct her. Either name would be fine, but being consistent throughout the series is important.

A brilliant story

Nuanced, insightful, suspenseful, stirring and profound, this is a wonderful story, rooted in its historical moment yet exploring themes that are just as relevant today as they were in the aftermath of the Great War.

Love this series

Accidentally discovered Maisie Donna series and am really enjoying them so far. Be sure to listen to the author’s interview at the end!

Love history. Love mysteries.

I love the way Jacqueline brings history to life. She transports me to the past.

A delightful read

This being my third in her series I am amazed at how it could stand on its own even if I hadn't read them. Jacqueline is a true talent and I enjoy this series so so much.
The narrator brought it to life for me. I kept switching back and forth between the hardback and the audio. There is just a little added something in listening rather than just reading. I'll always want a book in my hands but this is a nice little treat added to it.

Loved it

Another great read! I feel I learn something new every time I read another Masie Dobbs!
Love the blend of mystery and the smallest amount of romance. Hooked. On to the next.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

The character of Maisie Dobbs is delightful, intelligent, and relatable. The historical setting is perfect and this book though some aspects were predictable, kept me guessing to nearly the end. Love the series!

Well Done story and narration

A very nice book to enjoy with enough intelligent twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and guessing! Well Done!

Mostly Good

The bulk of the story was good, although it relied a little too much on coincidence for my taste. Also too much on ESP too. It's a bit rich that a person who uses ESP to help her solve cases, was helping to prosecute frauds. Finally, the case with the young girl that opens the story could have just been left out. it wasn't really well developed. Then there's what happened with the MG at the end. That also appears to have been irrelevant.