Sigh. I'm giving this book four stars, which is 3-3.5 stars for the story itself and another half or even whole star for the brilliant, troubling, and eerily timely conversation near the end, where the person indirectly responsible for what happened tells his story. Jacqueline Winspear was born and raised in the county of Kent, England. Excellent as always, but tough. Set in London between the two world wars. This series never disappoints. Maisie finds herself quite conflicted. I think this is a natural portrayal of someone changing, based on how her life has changed, the country, and even world, around her. The reader (who is the same throughout all the books) is excellent--I have gotten to know the characters through her portrayals. I'll read anything by Ms. Winspear and love it but this particular book has to be one of my favorites in the series. There are no summaries for this title yet. 1 of 2 copies available at SPARK Libraries. Have loved all of the books in the Massie Dobbs series. If you like Downton Abbey with a bit more bite and psychology, then you might already be familiar with the series. However, after reading it through to the ending, I realize how many of the elements that I thought rang false are instead clues. Your email address will not be published. It might not be necessary to read them in order, but I highly recommend it! Thankfully, Winspear addressed my biggest complaint in Elegy for Eddie, focusing almost exclusively on Maisie’s development as a character. Named one of the “9 Mysteries Every Thinking Woman Should Read” by Oprah Winfrey. Thankfully, Winspear addressed my biggest complaint in Elegy for Eddie, focusing almost exclusi. I purposely did not read my review of Winspear’s previous Maisie Dobbs novel, A Lesson in Secrets, because I didn’t want the disappointment I felt in that book to cloud my judgement of Elegy for Eddie. She was several times in the book aggravated by the idea of having to spend time away from the men to socialize with women. Oh, I'm about to start my copy! The costermongers of Lambeth refuse to believe that his death was an accident, and ask Maisie to investigate. I just feel it.”, Agatha Award Nominee for Best Historical Novel (2012), Bruce Alexander Memorial Historical Mystery Award Nominee (2013), See all 3 questions about Elegy for Eddie…, Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear - 4 stars. I cannot really write a good review about this without it being filled with spoilers, so I will only say this - be prepared. Not sure it would stand alone well but for other fans, yep, it's a keeper. Maisie’s newest clients are the costermongers of Covent Garden, men who sell fruit and vegetables from horse-drawn carts on the streets of London. There are no notices for this title yet. However, Maisie is initially more worried about the death of Eddie Pettit, a gentle, simple-minded childhood friend with an amazing gift for calming horses. That she isn't also wearing a haircloth shirt and whipping herself regularly is more of a shock than the plot. She can't remain. Another wonderful Maisie Dobbs book. So horribly sad and terrifying! This one felt the most real to me - both in what happened and how Maisie is seeing and dealing with things in her own life. I am done with this series. However, I still read them and this series is taking a turn for the better from the last book (which I strongly disliked). Is it that Winspear is helping Maisie in her denial of all things good for herself by having the male character say something so asinine that we might dislike him, too? Book Place Hold. In this particular case, another strong, independent woman in the form of the artistic Evelyn Butterworth. Unfortunately, though, I don't think Maisie is actually learning. Glad I put my hold on the LP. Early April 1933. This installment is the 9th in the Maisie Dobbs series and the first I read. This installment seemed more of a placeholder or set-up for whatever's coming next than a story in its own right. The story of a London affected by the march to another war years before the first shot is fired, and of an innocent victim caught in the shadow of power, Elegy for Eddie is Jacqueline Winspear’s most poignant and affecting novel yet. There is a lot of sadness in this one, a lot of reflection, a lot of life. However, after reading it through to the ending, I realize how many of the elements that I thought rang false are instead clues. It is almost another insult that they author thinks Maisie needs to be completely modern in today's society to be respected by modern readers. I know that these are labeled as mysteries, but I think that my interest in the mystery is secondary to the characters. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. While Rita’s answer is most likely correct (thugs hired by Otterborne) there’s. Add to basket ... Summary, etc. Her "secret agent" aspect that replaced the excellent 'consulting detective' mysteries became just suspense. I have invested a lot of time into this series and want nothing more than for my love affair with Maisie and her world to continue for a long, long time. Be prepared for some deep reflection into your own life. Excellent series. Instead, she appears to be turning into Bella Swan. © 2017 Crime Fiction Lover. Elegy for Eddie, Jacqueline Winspear Eddie has a way with horses and as a result is known throughout London. (review as posted to Goodreads, user name Joan, from Stratford Ont.). This project is made possible by Library Services and Technology Act funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Department of Education, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor. I appreciated, once again, the connection that Winspear makes between the case and characters, and Maisie's state of mind (and what she needs to learn). At the wrap-up time at the end of her solving a mystery I did not see what happened to documents she made sure were saved in a safe. Maurice Blanche had mentored her to spend time with the dead if at all possible. The author is ruining the character by having her become overly brooding and stand-offish. She is the epitome of an intelligent, decent, poised and caring young professional - one who is making her own way and who is unsure about her ability to be part of a loving couple. As I first worked my way through this novel, I thought it struck some discordant notes -- most particularly in the characterization of James Compton, who seemed to go from a highly supportive, independent partner for Maisie to a more controlling and elitist figure. Elegy for Eddie is set in 1933 and the rumble of concern following the rise to power of a certain German chancellor is spreading to England. If you are a fan of Jacqueline Winspear’s mysteries set in London between the World Wars, when you read her last book (. Realistically, though, I do not find it believable that Maisie Dobbs would essentially "live-in-sin" (as it was once referred to in the book) with James Compton, yet still be seen as respectable by the service staff that she s claims to feel equal with. This is unfortunate because I was very enthusiastic from the first few books, but the more I have gone through this series, the less I like her. Miss prissy pants :). For instance, what the hell is going on with James? Your email address will not be published. I purposely did not read my review of Winspear’s previous Maisie Dobbs novel, A Lesson in Secrets, because I didn’t want the disappointment I felt in that book to cloud my judgement of Elegy for Eddie. Can't strong, intelligent women do that? Review: Elegy for Eddie. Required fields are marked *, Although the sound of Santa’s sleigh is still well off in the …, Our On the Radar news page returns, and this week we’re raising …, From historical crime fiction through to psychological thrillers, adventuresome crime solving and …, It turns out the new normal is just like the old normal, …, Saturday 19 September is a date UK crime fiction lovers simply must …, This week we bring you five new crime novels by authors you …. When Eddie Pettit's death is ruled an accident by the police, many believe that this gentle soul was murdered and Maisy Dobbs, determined to do right by Eddie, searches for the truth amid the working-class of Lambeth. Maisie Dobbs is asked by a group of men she knew in her childhood to investigate the seeming accidental death of Eddie?a young man with unusual skill with horses. She's like a friend who is headed for a train wreck with no way to stop it. I'm more like her best friend Priscilla, who is constantly exhorting Maisie to have fun and enjoy life. Is it permissible to kill one innocent person to protect a secret that may save thousands? 0 of 1 copy available at Cambria County Library. Though this book was not enough to stop me from reading the next in the series, it was enough to rob me of nearly any enthusiasm I had for it. Start by marking “Elegy for Eddie (Maisie Dobbs, #9)” as Want to Read: Error rating book. p 62, Some things you just can't change – about people or things, or the way of the world. She's not someone I would want to work with or befriend and she is annoying in almost every chapter. Elegy for Eddie (Book) : Winspear, Jacqueline : In this latest entry in Jacqueline Winspear's acclaimed, bestselling mystery series--less whodunits than why-dunits, more P.D. Why do I keep doing this to myself? ******* Elegy for Eddie is the next installment in Jacqueline Winspear's series featuring Maisie Dobbs and the last one I needed to read before my blog tour book (Leaving Everything Most Loved). The author does a fantastic job of recreating the period details, while giving the characters a more modern outlook, more in keeping with our age perhaps. We’d love your help. After A Lesson in Secrets, I had serious doubts. I haven't started this series yet but my mom loves it. And like real friends sometimes she is frustrating in how tightly she is wound, even though one fully understands why. I cried a lot in this book - ugly, ugly, crying. “…it’s her compassion that allows her to illuminate some of the most pressing and staggeringly painful issues of her day, delivering unexpected answers and sense of peace to her clients—and her readers.”, “Jacqueline Winspear has done nothing less than change the conventional mystery with Maisie Dobbs, a heroine who meditates, thinks deeply, and calls on her inner strength to live out the advice given to her by her mentor.”, “[Catches] the sorrow of a lost generation in the character of one exceptional woman.”. Maisie keeps feeling as though she's "suffocating" in this book and cannot share this with James; yet it. I thought every part of it was believable even if as one reviewer noted there are people who really aren't brought to justice satisfactorily. She doesn't want to talk to the society women who are obsessed with fashion, yet she finds her best friend Patricia's love of fashion an endearing quirk. Her "secret agent" aspect that replaced the excellent 'consulting detec. A member of the community she grew up in has been murdered but his murder leads her to discovering a whole underground world she’s not quite ready for. She uncovers a motive for murder which goes far beyond Eddie’s modest background, and finds herself struggling to reconcile her humble roots with her current wealth and the social demands being placed upon her.