Jacqueline Winspear
Author of Maisie Dobbs
About the Author
Jacqueline Winspear was born in the county of Kent, England. She was educated at the University of London's Institute of Education. After graduation, she worked in academic publishing, in higher education, and in marketing communications in the UK. In 1990, she emigrated to the United States. She show more was working in business and as a personal/professional coach when she decided to try writing. Her first novel, Maisie Dobbs, won the Agatha Award for Best First novel, the Macavity Award for Best First Novel, and the Alex Award. She is the author of the Maisie Dobbs Mystery series. She has also won the Agatha Award for Best Novel, the inaugural Sue Feder/Macavity Award for Best Historical Mystery, and the Bruce Alexander Award for Best Historical Mystery. Her title, A Dangerous Place, made The New York Times High Profile titles list. Journey to Munich, a book in the Maisie Dobbs Series, made the New York Times bestseller list in 2016. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Jacqueline Winspear
Associated Works
The Book That Changed My Life: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Matter Most to Them (2006) — Contributor — 411 copies, 18 reviews
Private Investigations: Mystery Writers on the Secrets, Riddles, and Wonders in Their Lives (2020) — Contributor — 29 copies, 4 reviews
Reader's Digest Condensed Books: The Afghan • Sun at Midnight • Echo Park • Messenger of Truth (2007) 8 copies, 1 review
Goed fout : fragmenten uit misdaadverhalen van bekroonde auteurs — Contributor — 2 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1955-04-30
- Gender
- female
- Education
- University of London (Institute of Education)
- Occupations
- publisher
teacher
marketing
mystery novelist - Awards and honors
- Agatha Award (2003)
Alex Award (2003) - Agent
- Amy Rennert (The Amy Rennert Agency)
- Short biography
- Jacqueline Winspear is a mystery writer, author of the Maisie Dobbs series of books exploring the aftermath of World War I. She has won several mystery writing awards for books in this popular series.
Winspear was born on April 30, 1955, and raised in Kent. She was educated at the University of London's Institute of Education and then worked in academic publishing, higher education and in marketing communications. She emigrated to the United States in 1990. Winspear stated that her childhood awareness of her grandfather's suffering in World War I led to an interest in that period.
Maisie Dobbs is a private investigator who untangles painful and shameful secrets stemming from war experiences. A gifted working class girl, she received an unusual education thanks to the patronage of her employer. She interrupts her education to work as a nurse in the war, falls in love and suffers her own loss. After the war, again with help from her patron, she sets up as an investigator. Dobbs places emphasis on achieving healing for her clients and insists they comply with her ethical approach. - Nationality
- UK
USA (1990) - Birthplace
- Kent, England, UK
- Places of residence
- Ojai, California, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Kent, England, UK
Members
Reviews
I love Maisie Dobbs. I love how her sensitive handling of people and situation is depicted, that she made deliberate, thoughtful choices to leave silence and space for others, that subconsciously it wasn't something that just came naturally. I love how she is a good boss, a caring relative, and smart both intellectually and streetly.
The history and factoids that made up this book, instead of being alienating as they sometimes can be, had an intimate way of drawing me into the story. To find show more out in the afterword that it was based on true personal stories made it even more touching. That it's special to this particular book make me wary of the others in the series but Maisie's quietly brillant characterisation make me want to seek out at least a few more in the series. show less
The history and factoids that made up this book, instead of being alienating as they sometimes can be, had an intimate way of drawing me into the story. To find show more out in the afterword that it was based on true personal stories made it even more touching. That it's special to this particular book make me wary of the others in the series but Maisie's quietly brillant characterisation make me want to seek out at least a few more in the series. show less
A hyper-vigilant recluse living in rural England in post-War England gradually gets to know the couple with a small child living nearby and can't help but become protective when the man's criminal family members threaten them to induce him to participate in a job he has refused. It's clear she's highly competent and quite capable of violence if necessary - and as the conflict plays out, we learn about her past. As a child in Belgium she aided the British during World War I and, after moving show more to England and studying languages, she again joins the war effort, aiding resistance fighters. Now she finds ways to infiltrate the criminal family in London while planning ways to protect her peace-loving neighbors.
The historical immersion is brilliantly done in all of the time frames involved, and our protagonist is a fascinating character - prickly, strong, intelligent, aloof, and tortured by something she'd had to do in the war. Other characters are also wonderfully developed, including a woman in the crime family who is overlooked but smarter than she's given credit for. The plot is woven together effectively, and the past is vividly evoked. Altogether, this is an immersive, intelligent, and compelling novel. Immensely enjoyable. show less
The historical immersion is brilliantly done in all of the time frames involved, and our protagonist is a fascinating character - prickly, strong, intelligent, aloof, and tortured by something she'd had to do in the war. Other characters are also wonderfully developed, including a woman in the crime family who is overlooked but smarter than she's given credit for. The plot is woven together effectively, and the past is vividly evoked. Altogether, this is an immersive, intelligent, and compelling novel. Immensely enjoyable. show less
Maisie Dobbs is in fine form in Jacqueline Winspear's latest novel, "The American Agent," featuring this astute and compassionate psychologist, nurse, volunteer ambulance driver, and private detective. Miss Dobbs is always willing to take on difficult tasks and see them through. One of her acquaintances, Robbie MacFarlane, an overbearing Scot who has ties to Scotland Yard and the British Secret Service, asks Maisie to look into the murder of a young, talented, and ambitious reporter. To get show more a handle on the case, Maisie interviews the deceased woman’s friends and acquaintances and looks into every aspect of the victim’s past.
What sets this book apart from other works of fiction is Winspear's ability to capture a time and place so vividly that we feel as if we are experiencing the events as they unfold. The author takes us back to 1940 during the Blitz—"the period of intense bombing on London and other British cities that began on September 7, 1940," and lasted more than a year. We can almost see and smell the fires that burned after German bombs leveled homes and businesses; feel the terror of those who hid underground until the all-clear was sounded; and empathize with the heartbroken relatives of soldiers and airmen who died or, in some cases, came home gravely injured after fighting the Nazis in the air and on the ground.
This novel has a well-constructed plot; lucid, literate, and engrossing dialogue; and a large, varied, and well-drawn cast of characters. In addition, Winspear eloquently explores such themes as how propaganda was used as a tool to win over people's hearts and minds; the insistence of American isolationists that the United States stay out of the war; and the power of the broadcasts of Edward R. Murrow, whose expressive language conveyed the traumatic effect of the Blitz on the men, women, and children who lived through it. Adding to the story's appeal are scenes in which we observe Maisie's devotion to a child she hopes to adopt and her romantic interest in a man who once saved her life. "The American Agent" is a compelling, enlightening, and evocative tale set during a tumultuous time in England's history. show less
What sets this book apart from other works of fiction is Winspear's ability to capture a time and place so vividly that we feel as if we are experiencing the events as they unfold. The author takes us back to 1940 during the Blitz—"the period of intense bombing on London and other British cities that began on September 7, 1940," and lasted more than a year. We can almost see and smell the fires that burned after German bombs leveled homes and businesses; feel the terror of those who hid underground until the all-clear was sounded; and empathize with the heartbroken relatives of soldiers and airmen who died or, in some cases, came home gravely injured after fighting the Nazis in the air and on the ground.
This novel has a well-constructed plot; lucid, literate, and engrossing dialogue; and a large, varied, and well-drawn cast of characters. In addition, Winspear eloquently explores such themes as how propaganda was used as a tool to win over people's hearts and minds; the insistence of American isolationists that the United States stay out of the war; and the power of the broadcasts of Edward R. Murrow, whose expressive language conveyed the traumatic effect of the Blitz on the men, women, and children who lived through it. Adding to the story's appeal are scenes in which we observe Maisie's devotion to a child she hopes to adopt and her romantic interest in a man who once saved her life. "The American Agent" is a compelling, enlightening, and evocative tale set during a tumultuous time in England's history. show less
Maisie Dobbs is back at work in London as a private investigator, with the assistance of the dedicated Billy Beale and Sandra Pickering. Maisie still grieves because of the losses she has endured, but the passage of time is slowly easing her pain. Jacqueline Winspear's "In This Grave Hour" begins on September 3, 1939, the day that Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain declared war on Germany. Although no one is particularly shocked at the news, Maisie has good reason to be dismayed. She had show more been one of the courageous nurses who tended to wounded soldiers during the First World War. She dreads the prospect of further carnage.
Dr. Francesca Thomas--who was part of the Belgian resistance and has ties to the British Secret Service--hires Maisie to look into the murder of Frederick Addens, a refugee who settled in England, married, and had two grown children. The perpetrator forced Addens to kneel down and then shot him in the head. Other deaths follow. Sensing that Francesca is not disclosing everything she knows, Maisie forges ahead with her routine of composing a case map to organize her thoughts. Subsequently, she, Billy, and Sandra conduct research, interview witnesses, and seek evidence that they hope will reveal the killer's identity.
The mystery is engrossing, but it takes a back seat to the book's diverse and colorful characters, emotional resonance, and historical authenticity. The author conveys the horror of soldiers returning from the front shell-shocked and/or physically mutilated, and the despair of bereaved family members who learn that their loved ones will never return. As her inquiry proceeds, Maisie comes to realize that events from the past have cast a grim shadow on the present. Winspear enriches her tale with compelling subplots about Anna, a four-year-old orphan who steals Maisie's heart, a charming Alsatian dog named Emma, and touching scenes with Maisie's generous and wise in-laws, father, and stepmother. After a brief lull, the Second World War is about to erupt in full force, and Maisie's loyal fans can look forward to this courageous heroine once again placing herself in the line of fire. show less
Dr. Francesca Thomas--who was part of the Belgian resistance and has ties to the British Secret Service--hires Maisie to look into the murder of Frederick Addens, a refugee who settled in England, married, and had two grown children. The perpetrator forced Addens to kneel down and then shot him in the head. Other deaths follow. Sensing that Francesca is not disclosing everything she knows, Maisie forges ahead with her routine of composing a case map to organize her thoughts. Subsequently, she, Billy, and Sandra conduct research, interview witnesses, and seek evidence that they hope will reveal the killer's identity.
The mystery is engrossing, but it takes a back seat to the book's diverse and colorful characters, emotional resonance, and historical authenticity. The author conveys the horror of soldiers returning from the front shell-shocked and/or physically mutilated, and the despair of bereaved family members who learn that their loved ones will never return. As her inquiry proceeds, Maisie comes to realize that events from the past have cast a grim shadow on the present. Winspear enriches her tale with compelling subplots about Anna, a four-year-old orphan who steals Maisie's heart, a charming Alsatian dog named Emma, and touching scenes with Maisie's generous and wise in-laws, father, and stepmother. After a brief lull, the Second World War is about to erupt in full force, and Maisie's loyal fans can look forward to this courageous heroine once again placing herself in the line of fire. show less
Lists
Best War Stories (1)
Favorite Series (1)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 32
- Also by
- 8
- Members
- 32,714
- Popularity
- #591
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 1,596
- ISBNs
- 548
- Languages
- 14
- Favorited
- 79
