From the back cover: "Christmas Eve, 1931. On the way to see a client, Maisie Dobbs witnesses a man commit suicide on a busy London street. The following day, the Prime Minister's office receives a letter threatening a massive loss of life if certain demands are not met - - and the writer mentions Maisie by name. Tapped by Scotland Yard's elite Special Branch to be a special adviser on the case, Maisie is soon involved in a race against time to find a man who proves he has the knowledge and will to inflict destruction on thousands of innocent people."

Starting to read this book today.

Finished reading this book today and as with all the previous books I've read in the Maisie Dobbs series by author Jacqueline Winspear, this one did not disappoint me. Written in a very sensitive and intelligent style, providing the reader with a more in-depth understanding of the psychological trauma many endured post World War I. This novel is set around the week of Christmas 1931 leading into the new year of 1932 in Britain. In this book, Maisie herself is starting to emerge from her own personal darkness into the light of living life more fully . . . "Looking into the past was like looking into a long tunnel, and she knew the tragedy of his wounding and his passing no longer touched her with such an immediate rawness. It was more akin to an ache that came and went, like a breeze that lifts a lace curtain back from the window, then sets it down again." (page 142)

This book has been loaned to me by my sister, starrdust. Thank you for sharing!

This is book #6 in the Maisie Dobbs series. It is yet another page turner and hard to put down, with the various mysteries and unanswered questions at last resolved at the end of the book. There is great insight into the plight of WWI veterans. So many endured both physical and psychological trauma and the Great Depression in England during the 1930's made matters even worse. It is always interesting to see how Maisie follows the clues and her hunches when pursuing the answers to the mysteries. I also like the "side stories" that weave through the book, in this case about Billie's family and Maisie's good friend, Priscilla.

I am returning this book to my sister, starrdust. Thank you for sharing.

Received this book back from my sister, Maranlin. So glad that you enjoyed it! Now on to the next Maisie Dobbs adventure . . .