Maisie Dobbs

Book excerpt: Four fictional characters are interviewed in this profile of the adventurous sleuth, by the New York Times–bestselling author of A Sunlit Weapon. The historical mystery Maisie Dobbs was first published in 2003, introducing readers to an inquisitive, young, English, working-class woman as she opens her own London detective agency following World War I. Jacqueline Winspear’s debut won her the Agatha Award for Best First Novel and led to a New York Times–bestselling series. But just who exactly is Miss Maisie Dobbs? In this profile, four characters very close to Maisie shed light on the beloved psychologist and investigator. Her father, Francis Dobbs looks back on her childhood and proclaims the pride she instills in him. Her first employer, Lady Rowan Compton, recounts finding a young Maisie studying late one night in her library. Dr. Maurice Blanche, her mentor, discusses her studies and their detective work. And Billy Beale, her assistant, talks about their first meeting during the Great War, as well as what it’s like to work for her. It’s an enlightening read that fans are sure to love. Praise for Jacqueline Winspear and the Maisie Dobbs Novels “A detective series to savor.” —Time “In Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear has given us a real gift. Maisie Dobbs has not been created—she has been discovered. Such people are always there amongst us, waiting for somebody like Ms. Winspear to come along and reveal them. And what a revelation it is!” —Alexander McCall Smith “History comes alive when a character you think of as a friend is in the thick of the action. That’s how Jacqueline Winspear keeps her Maisie Dobbs series so fresh.” —The New York Times Book Review “Maisie’s liveliness of mind, good sense, and kind nature make her a heroine a reader can enjoy spending time with.” —The Boston Globe “The author gives an intelligent and absorbing picture of the period, providing plentiful details for the history buff without detracting from the riveting mystery. Readers will be eager to see more of the spunky Maisie.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review