Genre Fiction
![Jacqueline Winspear - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B001JP8DJK.jpg)
The White Lady: A Novel
The White Lady introduces yet another extraordinary heroine from Jacqueline Winspear, creator of the best-selling Maisie Dobbs series. This heart-stopping novel, set in Post WWII Britain in 1947, follows the coming of age and maturity of former wartime operative Elinor White-veteran of two wars, trained killer, protective of her anonymity-when she is drawn back into the world of menace she has been desperate to leave behind.
A reluctant ex-spy with demons of her own, Elinor finds herself facing down one of the most dangerous organized crime gangs in London, ultimately exposing corruption from Scotland Yard to the highest levels of government.
The private, quiet "Miss White" as Elinor is known, lives in a village in rural Kent, England, and to her fellow villagers seems something of an enigma. Well she might, as Elinor occupies a "grace and favor" property, a rare privilege offered to faithful servants of the Crown for services to the nation. But the residents of Shacklehurst have no way of knowing how dangerous Elinor's war work had been, or that their mysterious neighbor is haunted by her past.
It will take Susie, the child of a young farmworker, Jim Mackie and his wife, Rose, to break through Miss White's icy demeanor-but Jim has something in common with Elinor. He, too, is desperate to escape his past. When the powerful Mackie crime family demands a return of their prodigal son for an important job, Elinor assumes the task of protecting her neighbors, especially the bright-eyed Susie. Yet in her quest to uncover the truth behind the family's pursuit of Jim, Elinor unwittingly sets out on a treacherous path-yet it is one that leads to her freedom.
A reluctant ex-spy with demons of her own, Elinor finds herself facing down one of the most dangerous organized crime gangs in London, ultimately exposing corruption from Scotland Yard to the highest levels of government.
The private, quiet "Miss White" as Elinor is known, lives in a village in rural Kent, England, and to her fellow villagers seems something of an enigma. Well she might, as Elinor occupies a "grace and favor" property, a rare privilege offered to faithful servants of the Crown for services to the nation. But the residents of Shacklehurst have no way of knowing how dangerous Elinor's war work had been, or that their mysterious neighbor is haunted by her past.
It will take Susie, the child of a young farmworker, Jim Mackie and his wife, Rose, to break through Miss White's icy demeanor-but Jim has something in common with Elinor. He, too, is desperate to escape his past. When the powerful Mackie crime family demands a return of their prodigal son for an important job, Elinor assumes the task of protecting her neighbors, especially the bright-eyed Susie. Yet in her quest to uncover the truth behind the family's pursuit of Jim, Elinor unwittingly sets out on a treacherous path-yet it is one that leads to her freedom.
Editorial Reviews
"The White Lady is a triumph of storytelling. Rarely have I been swept up into a novel, into the lives of the main characters, so quickly and thoroughly. Winspear creates in Elinor White (The White Lady), a complex, endearing, achingly flawed hero. This is both fast-paced and thoughtful, bold and nuanced, a thriller that is thrillingly human. I loved it." - Louise Penny
"The White Lady is wonderful . . . a tense and twisty character-driven thriller, a heartfelt tribute to the twentieth century's bravest women, and a perfect match between story and storyteller. No one does this better than Jacqueline Winspear." - Lee Child
"After 17 Maisie novels, fans have a new character to love: Elinor White, an enigmatic war hero at the center of The White Lady, Winspear's second stand-alone novel. White is very much her own woman, but she's just as inspirational as Maisie. . . . . she is such an appealing character-and one I hope readers will get to know better." - Washington Post
"Winspear's Maisie Dobbs books have explored the intersection of criminality and war-the chaos of battle and bombs providing the perfect cover for a variety of criminal enterprises-and she expands on the subject with characteristic intelligence and psychological acuity in The White Lady." - Air Mail
"A poignant story of courage, misogyny, and misused power. A tense history-based thriller filled with anguish and suspense." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Winspear is an absolute master of the character-driven thriller . . . [and] the real strength of the novel, lies in the poignant and beautifully written backstory of Elinor's childhood in war-torn Belgium and her personal losses in a devastated London." - Booklist (starred review)
"Smart, nuanced . . . . The chapters illuminating Elinor's dramatic backstory add vulnerability to her characterization, enriching the suspenseful main narrative. This will please both Winspear's fans and new readers." - Publishers Weekly
"The award-winning author of the Maisie Dobbs series skillfully juggles three timelines in a riveting stand-alone about a woman whose wartime experiences overshadow her post-war retirement....
"The White Lady is wonderful . . . a tense and twisty character-driven thriller, a heartfelt tribute to the twentieth century's bravest women, and a perfect match between story and storyteller. No one does this better than Jacqueline Winspear." - Lee Child
"After 17 Maisie novels, fans have a new character to love: Elinor White, an enigmatic war hero at the center of The White Lady, Winspear's second stand-alone novel. White is very much her own woman, but she's just as inspirational as Maisie. . . . . she is such an appealing character-and one I hope readers will get to know better." - Washington Post
"Winspear's Maisie Dobbs books have explored the intersection of criminality and war-the chaos of battle and bombs providing the perfect cover for a variety of criminal enterprises-and she expands on the subject with characteristic intelligence and psychological acuity in The White Lady." - Air Mail
"A poignant story of courage, misogyny, and misused power. A tense history-based thriller filled with anguish and suspense." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Winspear is an absolute master of the character-driven thriller . . . [and] the real strength of the novel, lies in the poignant and beautifully written backstory of Elinor's childhood in war-torn Belgium and her personal losses in a devastated London." - Booklist (starred review)
"Smart, nuanced . . . . The chapters illuminating Elinor's dramatic backstory add vulnerability to her characterization, enriching the suspenseful main narrative. This will please both Winspear's fans and new readers." - Publishers Weekly
"The award-winning author of the Maisie Dobbs series skillfully juggles three timelines in a riveting stand-alone about a woman whose wartime experiences overshadow her post-war retirement....
Readers Top Reviews
Karen BS. Kinnevy
Another excellent read by Jacqueline Winspear Strong female lead with a devastating back story. I hope this becomes a series.
JHay
Again, J. Winspear has captured a war story of intrigue as only she can. I can't wait for another Massive Dobbs but will be happy with yet another novel to equal this one.
Kindle Christine
Fabulous story that covers two world wars and the women who contributed to saving their country. A page Turner with twists and turns. I hated the book to end. Strong developed characters and a great read.
Ian McPherson
I love everything Winspear writes. She has such a sensitivity to her character's emotions and a sense of respect and honor for the common person caught up in war. Another strong female lead not to be underestimated!
eggneg
bravo! the book spans two world wars…. and with insights and stories so well told… everything is possible and,so, it does happen. told in her masterful way and i cannot divulge more… state secrets… oh,my! do read it.
