I think with each new installment, the Maisie Dobbs series gets a little bit better. I've enjoyed the mysteries from the very start, but you can see Maisie and those around her change and develop, which is what makes these stories so appealing. In case you aren't familiar, the series is set in post-WWI England. Maisie was a nurse in the War, serving in France. She started out as a servant in a big country house, but she was encouraged by Lady Compton, her employer, to educate herself. She went off to Girton to study, but when the war began, like so many others she went off to do her part.
Jacqueline Winspear's An Incomplete Revenge (due out February 19) takes place primarily in the little village of Heronsdene in Kent where the annual hop-picking is taking place, not far from where her father and the Comptons live. It's now 1931 and Maisie has been working as an investigator/psychologist. Although she has been doing fairly well for herself, and has managed to gain independence from her former mentor and friend Maurice Blanche, business has been slow. She's happy to take on what appears to be an easy assignment from Lady Compton's son. He's hoping to buy property in Heronsdene, including a brick-works. He's concerned, however, about ongoing petty crime plaguing the village, which might potentially be bad for the business. Maisie's assistant, Billy Beale, will be travelling down to Kent with his family for the hop-picking, so he'll be close by to aid her in her inquiries.
It becomes obvious very quickly that the situation is more complicated than she had anticipated. London boys have been nabbed for a crime that it's unlikely they committed. James Compton is buying the property from once wealthy Alfred Sandermere, and he seems only too happy to blame the boys for any misdeeds in the area. Along with the Londoners taking part in the hop-picking are gypsies. Although the villagers aren't happy with the invading city dwellers, they are even less pleased with the presence of gypsies. Unsurprisingly for the times, prejudices are running high. Throw into the equation fires that have been mysteriously set, and Maisie has her work cut out for her.
In order to connect all the loose threads and find out who has been behind the thefts and acts of arson, Maisie will need to delve into the history of the village and its inhabitants. Once again the roots will have been firmly planted in the War. At the heart of the mystery is a Zeppelin raid that occurred in 1916, which everyone seems to be closed mouthed about. In a way, I sometimes almost feel as though the mystery aspect of the novels is somewhat secondary. It's obviously what moves the story, but it is the insight to the characters and their motivations that Winspear handles so well. I want to find out who the culprit is, but I know I'll find out why as well as who. Another reason I love these novels so much is the wonderful evocation of place and time. I always learn new things about World War I and its impact on British society. Already you can feel the tide turning. There is a depression and more unpleasant stirrings overseas. People aren't happy. That's background, but it's important to what's happening.
Of course I thoroughly enjoyed this Maisie Dobbs novel. Aside from the mystery, some important events take place in Maisie's life in the novel. She's definitely changing with the times and maturing--also finding some distance from the War and the pain she experienced because of it. Once again Maisie's friend Priscilla makes an appearance, who I am growing to like more and more. I'll be curious to see where Winspear takes the series from here. How far into the 30s and even perhaps 40s will she go? And I wonder if Maisie will ever travel to Canada or America? She did return to France last time around. I guess I'll have to be patient, though, and wait for the next Maisie Dobbs mystery to find out.