Genre Fiction
![Jacqueline Winspear - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001JP8DJK.jpg)
A Sunlit Weapon: A Novel (Maisie Dobbs, 17)
In the latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series, a series of possible attacks on British pilots leads Jacqueline Winspear's beloved heroine Maisie Dobbs into a mystery involving First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
October 1942. Jo Hardy, a 22-year-old ferry pilot, is delivering a Supermarine Spitfire-the fastest fighter aircraft in the world-to Biggin Hill Aerodrome, when she realizes someone is shooting at her aircraft from the ground. Returning to the location on foot, she finds an American serviceman in a barn, bound and gagged. She rescues the man, who is handed over to the American military police; it quickly emerges that he is considered a suspect in the disappearance of a fellow soldier who is missing.
Tragedy strikes two days later, when another ferry pilot crashes in the same area where Jo's plane was attacked. At the suggestion of one of her colleagues, Jo seeks the help of psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs. Meanwhile, Maisie's husband, a high-ranking political attaché based at the American embassy, is in the thick of ensuring security is tight for the first lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, during her visit to the Britain. There's already evidence that German agents have been circling: the wife of a president represents a high value target. Mrs. Roosevelt is clearly in danger, and there may well be a direct connection to the death of the woman ferry pilot and the recent activities of two American servicemen.
To guarantee the safety of the First Lady-and of the soldier being held in police custody-Maisie must uncover that connection. At the same time, she faces difficulties of an entirely different nature with her young daughter, Anna, who is experiencing wartime struggles of her own.
October 1942. Jo Hardy, a 22-year-old ferry pilot, is delivering a Supermarine Spitfire-the fastest fighter aircraft in the world-to Biggin Hill Aerodrome, when she realizes someone is shooting at her aircraft from the ground. Returning to the location on foot, she finds an American serviceman in a barn, bound and gagged. She rescues the man, who is handed over to the American military police; it quickly emerges that he is considered a suspect in the disappearance of a fellow soldier who is missing.
Tragedy strikes two days later, when another ferry pilot crashes in the same area where Jo's plane was attacked. At the suggestion of one of her colleagues, Jo seeks the help of psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs. Meanwhile, Maisie's husband, a high-ranking political attaché based at the American embassy, is in the thick of ensuring security is tight for the first lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, during her visit to the Britain. There's already evidence that German agents have been circling: the wife of a president represents a high value target. Mrs. Roosevelt is clearly in danger, and there may well be a direct connection to the death of the woman ferry pilot and the recent activities of two American servicemen.
To guarantee the safety of the First Lady-and of the soldier being held in police custody-Maisie must uncover that connection. At the same time, she faces difficulties of an entirely different nature with her young daughter, Anna, who is experiencing wartime struggles of her own.
Editorial Reviews
"Over 16 novels spanning three decades, Winspear's Maisie Dobbs has lived. In real life, her quiet bravery, compassion and dogged pursuit of the truth would have made her one of the Greatest Generation, a lesson in survival under the grimmest circumstances. The lessons are hard-won in The Consequences of Fear, set in the fall of 1941 but no less relevant today…. Fans and newcomers to the series will root for Dobbs and the other well-drawn characters." -- Los Angeles Times on The Consequences of Fear
"Outstanding…. Maisie and her loving family of supporting characters continue to evolve and grow in ways sure to win readers' hearts. Winspear is writing at the top of her game." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review on The Consequences of Fear
"Fast-paced… Winspear never sugarcoats the horrors of war, and alongside the camaraderie shown by these characters and the Londoners surrounding them deliver terrible truths that must be endured…. also recommend it as a less- weighty read-alike for Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See." -- Booklist, starred review on The Consequences of Fear
"A fast-paced tale of mystery and spycraft whose exploration of inner doubts and fears makes it much more." -- Kirkus on The Consequences of Fear
"Outstanding…. Maisie and her loving family of supporting characters continue to evolve and grow in ways sure to win readers' hearts. Winspear is writing at the top of her game." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review on The Consequences of Fear
"Fast-paced… Winspear never sugarcoats the horrors of war, and alongside the camaraderie shown by these characters and the Londoners surrounding them deliver terrible truths that must be endured…. also recommend it as a less- weighty read-alike for Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See." -- Booklist, starred review on The Consequences of Fear
"A fast-paced tale of mystery and spycraft whose exploration of inner doubts and fears makes it much more." -- Kirkus on The Consequences of Fear
Readers Top Reviews
JTBAKPushkin likes b
Another wonderful Maisie Dobbs book! We waited an extra year for this latest installment, and it did not disappoint! Ms. Winspear has once again woven together many strands to create a mystery with an intriguing historical context, character development of old friends and new additions, and psychological insights to keep it interesting. I was hooked from the very beginning, and enjoyed every moment back in the world of Maisie Dobbs. It could stand on its own, but much better to "begin at the beginning" and enjoy all of the previous books in the series. Highly recommended!
Kindle
Jacqueline Winspear highlights the unheralded in her new book set in 1942 England. She introduces readers to the women pilots who ferried planes wherever they were needed. She features Land Girls, moved from the city to help farmers till the soil. She spotlights the abuse a child endures when a teacher claims she is Italian. Concurrently, a black American soldier is unjustly accused of a crime. Psychologist/investigator Maisie Dobbs meets the array of characters as she searches for the shooter who killed two pilots and very nearly caused a third to crash. Winspear attributed her early plots set just after World War 1 to her grandparents' memories of serving for England. She writes about World War 2 with the same assurance. Night bombing is a constant fear. Death is a fact of life. Family is to be treasured. Book 17 in Winspear's series brings all the familiar characters together for another great read.
eyes.2c
England 1942. Amongst the many challenges she faces, investigator Maisie Dobbs comes face to face with some American problems—Racism, US Army regulations, a dead American serviceman, and assassins. On the more personal front her daughter Anna is having problems at school, and Billy’s family have fresh heartache. Maisie and her husband Mark Scott have to thread a careful path between their respective jobs. Especially as it seems Maisie’s investigative work will cross over into Mark’s work with the American Embassy. Three spitfires have mysteriously crashed near a landing field in Biggin Hill, Kent. One being flown by the fiancé of aviatrix Jo Harvey, who is with the Air Transport Auxiliary who ferry different planes to where they’re needed. Jo feels that something’s not quite right about these accidents and she employs Maisie to investigate. Along with this a colored soldier has been accused of killing a white soldier, although mysteriously there’s no body. Alongside this is a security nightmare trip to England by a highly placed American, and the unexplained death of one of the aviatrix. International and personal problems challenge Maisie’s thought structures. She finds herself returning to some of the basics inculcated from Maurice. Although engaging I found that this phase of Maisie’s life becoming just too complicated. On the other hand, when has that not been the case. A Harper ARC via NetGalley (Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Suzs
Jaqueline Winspear books are a joy to read. Terrific characters and a plot that draws you into the book, not wanting to let go. It is always interesting to see her historical references to time, people or events. You feel like you have lived, at least briefly, the story yourself.
Fable📚 RME
It's 1942, and Britain is at war. Maisie is hired by a female pilot to find out how some of her colleagues were unexpectedly shot down locally. There are several subplots regarding Maisie's daughter Anna being bullied at school, a missing American soldier and an unfairly treated one, and several locals recruited by a subversive group to plot the assassination of Mrs. Roosevelt when she visits England. There was a lot going on--perhaps my least favorite Maisie Dobbs novel, although Winspear is still a favorite author.
