Just finished this book, and couldn't put it down. Massive Hobbs is a fully realized person, growing as each story forces her to address her fears, worries, friendship, class distinctions, and the evolution of women's rights in early 1930s Britain. The social issues are a distinct backdrop to this story, how veterans are treated, the working poor, the idle rich, and various machinations of co-workers in science, politics and law enforcement.

What Maise finally realizes about her life choices and how an idle turn of events could affect her life so drastically, make for a fabulous read. Can she reconcile the ultimate maneuverings of her colleagues with the needs of the government to protect its citizens without leaving a sour taste in her mouth? Looking forward to reading the next book.

this is such a good series. the horrors of the great war war & the aftermath of the great war. love this series

Another solid Maisie Dobbs mystery, yet again focusing on the lingering effects of World War I on British society more than a decade after the war's end. The stakes are raised considerably in this one, with a madman sending threatening letters to the police and plotting to kill large numbers of people with chemical gas; Maisie finds herself working alongside the police to catch the killer. Loved the mystery, loved Maisie's relationship with her father and her best friend Priscilla, and loved her continued growth as a character.

6th in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series set in post World War I London. Among the Mad focuses on psychological trauma of former soldiers coping with shell shock and unemployment in the early 1930s. It’s very well written!

Maisie Dobbs is the real deal. She combines her nurse's training with her uncanny ability to read people by the way they move and talk into an ability to solve mysteries both large and small. Winspear has created a great heroine with humanity and a touch of mysticism.

very good book. I have enjoyed the entire series.

Somewhat of a break from the other Masie Dobbs books in some ways. You are inside the mind of the one they are hunting at least part of the time. But very successful, I think . A strong portrayal of the mental stresses all sorts of people have to live with--then, but of course, now as well.

Winspear's latest books are much better written than her first. They do make for good reading but they are not in the category of literary fiction like the Elizabeth George or the Todd mysteries. The first Winspear book, Maisie Dobbs, was more a romance novel than a mystery, but don't be put off by that. In all her books some of that language comes in but it is only a phrase here and there.
The protagonist, Maisie Dobbs, is a clear-eyed, centered, intelligent woman who combines tenacity and compassion in her life. Her experiences have been tough, and she has mastered them with fortitude and help from loyal sponsors and mentors. She has clear values and maintains loyal friendships. The plot is intriguing, the characters well drawn, the action is swift, and the book is fun to read.

Excellent series. Jacqueline Winspear has chosen an interesting period, between wars in which to set the series.

SPL Shelf Life column April 30, 2009