Title: A Lesson in Secrets
Author: Jacqueline Winspear
First published March 22, 2011
321 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780061727672 (ISBN10: 0061727679)
Rating: 4.05
Overview
Maisie Dobbs, the psychologist and investigator, receives an exciting new assignment in the summer of 1932. Directed by Scotland Yard’s Special Branch and the Secret Service, she goes undercover as a junior lecturer at a private college in Cambridge.
Her job is to monitor any activities “not in the interests of His Majesty’s Government.” However, things take a dark turn when the college’s pacifist founder and principal, Greville Liddicote, is murdered. Maisie is ordered to stay back as Detective Chief Superintendent Robert MacFarlane and Detective Chief Inspector Richard Stratton take over the investigation.
But as she watches over the faculty and students, she realizes that the circumstances of Liddicote’s death are connected to their suspicious activities. With the help of a reluctant Secret Service and shocking truths about Britain’s conduct during the Great War, Maisie must unravel a web of lies and deceit.
But the rising power of the Nazi Party in Britain threatens to complicate things further. As the storm clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, Maisie Dobbs must face new challenges and powerful enemies in this pivotal chapter of her life.
About the Author
Jacqueline Winspear grew up in Kent, England and attended the University of London’s Institute of Education. She worked in academic publishing, higher education, and marketing communications in the UK before moving to the US in 1990.
While working as a personal and professional coach, Jacqueline pursued her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.
She has published articles in international education journals and women’s magazines, as well as recorded essays for KQED radio in San Francisco. Currently, she splits her time between Ojai and the San Francisco Bay Area and frequently visits the UK and Europe.
Jacqueline is the author of several New York Times bestsellers, including A Lesson in Secrets, The Mapping of Love and Death, Among the Mad, and An Incomplete Revenge, as well as other nationally bestselling Maisie Dobbs novels. Her work has earned her numerous awards, such as the Agatha, Alex, and Macavity awards for the first book in the series, Maisie Dobbs, which was also nominated for the Edgar Award for best novel and recognized as a New York Times Notable Book.
Editoral Review
A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear is a historical mystery novel that was first published on March 22, 2011. Jacqueline Winspear is a renowned British-American author who has published several successful novels, including the Maisie Dobbs series, which features the main character Detective Maisie Dobbs.
The book falls under the genre of historical fiction, exploring the consequences of World War II as experienced by Britain. The novel is set in 1932, where Maisie Dobbs is enlisted by the British Secret Service to work undercover as a lecturer in a prestigious Cambridge college.
Her mission is to investigate the activities of a group of pacifist students who may have been sharing sensitive information with their German counterparts. The book highlights themes of trust, loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice.
The main conflict in the novel is between Maisie’s desire to uncover the truth and her attachment to the students, who she comes to know and care for. The setting, which is in the prestigious Cambridge college, adds to the book’s charm and elegance.
The author’s descriptions of the college offer readers a glimpse of the academic world’s inner workings in that era. Additionally, the novel touches upon themes such as political tensions, emotional trauma of war, survival, and the struggle for a sense of belonging in difficult times.
The strength of this book lies in the author’s ability to create a believable historical setting while writing a mystery story simultaneously. The book’s pacing is steady and never dull, captivating the reader’s attention from the first page to the last.
The characters are well-rounded, with Maisie’s development particularly notable. Winspear offers an insightful perspective on the characters’ emotional struggles, compelling the reader to empathize with the characters.
The book lacks significant flaws. The historical backdrop offers a unique and informative look into the era’s political activities, adding relevance to current global political tensions.
The author’s language is appropriate for the setting and the characters’ personalities, as she vividly brings the characters and setting to life.
A Lesson in Secrets is an excellent historical mystery novel that offers a blend of suspense, drama, and historical accuracy.
It is ideal for mystery lovers and readers interested in the World War II era’s history. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to explore a well-written historical mystery novel.
I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5 based on its blend of style, substance, and historical significance.
