You may have noticed that April is indeed over, and that I haven’t yet done a review of one of the most popular recommended mystery series put forward by site readers. Well, there’s an answer to that… I was just finishing up a review of the first entry of Darci Hanna’s Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series when I realized that I had already written about it! And not even all that long time ago – 2022! It feels like these sort of ‘little errors’ are becoming more and more common… a sign of my age I suppose.
So, I had to pick something else to read. Fortunately, I always have plenty of great suggestions to follow, so it doesn’t take much time to pick out a new recommendation – this time, the first entry in Jacqueline Winspear‘s Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series, eponymously titled Maisie Dobbs.
As the book opens, Maisie Dobbs is opening up shop for herself as a private investigator after a life already filled with experience. It’s London, 1929, and Maisie has been a maid in service with a wealthy suffragette (now her patron) and served as a nurse during the Great War. Now, she’s starting a new chapter of her life, one where she is more the mistress of her own fate.
At the same time, part of her is still very much stuck in the past, as is often the case for anyone who goes through a traumatic experience such as war. Maisie’s first case, which at first seems a relatively unsurprising investigation into spousal infidelity, surprisingly opens up some of those old wounds – and when several cases seem to be leading to a working farm for ex-soldiers, Maisie is forced to revisit her own personal loss as well.
As with any good period piece, Maisie Dobbs does a great job of really highlighting the setting, discussing issues of the time and immersing the reader in the atmosphere of late 1920s London. Admittedly, considering the details included regarding the war and its grisly consequences, this isn’t as cheerful an outing as many historical pieces, but for those with an interest in the period, it’s definitely worth checking out for that alone.
If you’re interested in a mystery that includes a good deal of introspection and grief processing, I can certainly recommend Maisie Dobbs. It’s a bit heavier than most Cozies – but that’s certainly fine by me. Not every book needs to be about talking cats and quaint seaside bookshops – Maisie Dobbs does a good job of presenting a serious, melancholy mystery that reflects on themes of grief, war, and the difficulties of coming to terms with loss.
As always, if you want to read more of these brief discussions of some of the more popular Cozy Mystery Series that I’ve written in the past, you can find them at the Most Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page.
Carol Z says
Danna, I just started this series (finished book 2) and I love it! I’ve heard about it for years and can see why it’s so popular. Very well written and it’s set in a period of history that I don’t know much about.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carol, I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying this one!
Barbara says
I am actually reading the third installment of this series right now! Being a huge fan of historical mysteries amongst a wartime backdrop, this series offers up everything I love! The deep dive into the everyday details of life between the wars is spot-on, and I have loved seeing Maisie become this lovely, independent, young woman, in turbulent times.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barbara, it’s great to hear that the character will continue to change and grow – that’s often an aspect of Cozies that can get a bit stagnant.
Ellen Byron says
I love this series and am excited to announce that for fans of it, Jacqueline Winspear will be the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Malice Domestic convention. And guess who will be the toastmaster? ME!!!! I’m thrilled. I hope many of you will put this fantastic con for traditional and cozy mysteries on your calendar for next year.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, that’s wonderful! I’m glad that Jacqueline Winspear is getting recognized, and being toastmaster is quite an honor as well! Congratulations to both of you!
Marion says
I have read a couple of this series. They are well-written and are of a time period which interests me. My grandparents would have been in their 2os then. I do agree that the books are heavy but, even more, they are haunting.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marion, yes, it’s definitely a bit heavier, but that’s nice now and then!
Victoria Long says
I read the whole Maisie Dobbs series. Excellent story series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Victoria, it’s good to hear the rest of the series is as good as the first! Thanks for the recommendation.
Georgia says
Thank you for highlighting one of my favorite historical mystery series. Love the complexity of the characters and the plot. Maisie is such a wonderful main character! Winspear does a marvelous job bringing the harsh realities of the post-WWI era to life. I also appreciate Maisie’s personal growth and how close friends are valued. I will miss new additions to the series since Winspear has said that “The Comfort of Ghosts” will be the last. I’ll miss Maisie. 🙁
I’d love to see the series made into a TV show—seems perfect for PBS Mystery. I saw that the Clintons optioned the novels back in 2021, but haven’t seen anything more recent–did I miss something?
Many thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Georgie, I’m sorry to hear the series is ending but it’s definitely had a very good run.
As to a TV show, I’ve heard this particular series getting optioned before – back in… 2016 or so? Plus the more recent option. Unfortunately, nothing came of the earlier option, and I haven’t heard about the second beyond the option you mentioned.