In, sometimes graphic, flashbacks, we see her nursing soldiers not far from the horrors of the front line. Women, like Maisie, knew their contributions were esssential and rose to that challenge… creating a new place for themselves in a rapidly changing England. Social barriers were being knocked down and women were proving capable of contributing to society just as men were. Many historians believe that the end of WWI ushered in our “modern era”. They are real and they represent the series time period so well.

Winspear doesn’t just write characters, she gives them life. It’s just all so good! But after much, much thought… I have decided that it’s Maisie Dobbs, herself, who is the “best” of the series. As I’ve been thinking about this “best and worst” post, it has truly been difficult to narrow down the “best”. Jacqueline Winspear has created a series that, I believe, transcends the mystery genre and is, at its best, literature. Maisie Dobbs was published by Soho Press in hardcover and by Penguin in paperback, an edition that spent almost four months on the Independent Mystery Booksellers Bestseller list in 2004.” She subsequently won the prestigious Agatha Award for Best First novel, the Macavity Award for Best First Novel and the Alex Award, which is presented annually by the American Library Association in conjunction with the Margaret Alexander Edwards Trust. In addition, the novel was nominated for 7 awards, including the Edgar for Best Novel-only the second time a first novel was nominated in this category. From the author’s website… “Jacqueline’s first novel, Maisie Dobbs, was a National Bestseller and received an array of accolades, including New York Times Notable Book 2003, a Publishers Weekly Top Ten Mystery 2003, and a BookSense Top Ten selection. I’m not the only one who thinks the Maisie Dobbs series is wonderful. And, if you’ve read my blog, Bags, Books and Bon Jovi, you will have read how much I love the series. Jacqueline Winspear has been one of my favorite authors since I discovered “Maisie Dobbs” on a book shelf in a Border’s bookstore many years ago. Please welcome today’s guest blogger: Kathy from Bags, Books and Bon Jovi, who will be discussing the best and worst of Jacqueline Winspear.

Visit the series page for more information about the guest bloggers, the featured authors, and the sign-up form.

Each Wednesday I am featuring a guest post by a book blogger detailing which books they think are the “best” and “worst” by the author of their choice.

Maisie dobbs by jacqueline winspear