Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs Series #6)

This is a terrific Dobbs entry

On Christmas Eve 1931, Psychologist and Investigator Maisie Dobbs and her assistant Billy Beale, having finished a report for a client, are strolling on a London street to deliver their findings when another pedestrian detonates a bomb. He dies while Maisie is slightly injured, Billy is okay physically because Maisie seeing something off kilter with the culprit told him to head back to the office, which he started to do until the explosion.

The next day the Office of the Prime Minister receives the first of several threatening letters warning of terrorist activity; this note also contains the name of Maisie Dobbs. She joins a government investigation team trying to find the anonymous writer and prevent the threatened attacks.

This is a terrific Dobbs entry that as usual brings alive London at a time when the Great Depression is causing global havoc. Maisie is terrific as an early psychological profiler though some of her descritpors are based on hunches as no validated database yet exists. More a thriller than an investigative tale, series fan will enjoy the latest Maisie Dobbs psychological sleuthing case (see PARDONABLE LIES and AN INCOMPLETE REVENGE).

Harriet Klausner

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Another excellent book in this series

Jacqueline Winspear has done an outstanding job with this series. I have recommended it to any of my friends that still read. My husband and both my daughters have read the whole series also and were very impressed(especially my husband as he rarely reads fiction). Watching Maisie's life unfold and watching the characters grow and change is extremely enjoyable. I recieved this on my brithday weekend and spent one very relaxing day reading the whole book. Absolutely wonderful book and series!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I love the world of Maisie Dobbs!

The Maisie Dobbs books are some of the few in my permanent collection of fiction. It's easy to identify with Maisie from my perspective. Yes, she lost so much, but she gives of herself even more. She may end up in a conventional relationship, but in the meantime, she epitomizes the independent woman trying to make a living and do some good in the world.

Among the Mad is really a mirror from Maisie's time to ours. Evil is out there, it isn't going away, and it only succeeds when good people do nothing to counter it. This book also highlights the sameness of the turf wars between police and intelligence agencies of her time and our time. A timely insight into the problems of our own time, for it takes place at the beginning of the Great Depression, the economics, the military veterans issues, the governmental issues. An amazing insight from our past. For an absorbing read that challenges one intellectually and morally, there is no better fiction writer living today than Jacqueline Winspear, and I read a lot of mysteries and crime fiction, bot British and American. She pulls no punches and takes us inside the life and mind of an extraordinary woman of her time, of any time. I highly recommend the entire series starting with Maisie Dobbs.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Loved this new one in the series.

Very Thoughtful and insightful writing on a subject as new as today as it was in England after WWI - the setting for this book. The story is moving and very interesting with good plot and strong characters as is usual with this wonderful writer. While this is in a series, it is also a good stand alone story too.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

FANTASTIC111

I have yet to read a Winspear book that was not well written with an engrossing story behind the good writing. And I have read every book she has written. More power to you Ms. Winspear, keep up the excellent work.

wonderful+series

No text was provided for this review.

Unique Moment in Time

I always look forward to new releases in the Maisie Dobbs series, and Among the Mad did not disappoint. To me, the most interesting element of the series is the setting, 1930s England. The long-lasting effects of WWI on the minds, bodies and spirits of those impacted by it are not often a theme in fiction, and I have enjoyed learning a bit more about it. I also enjoy following a strong, working, single female in a time when being those things would have made for many challenges, both professionally and personally.

A good addition to the Maisie Dobbs series

I really enjoyed this book. I've read all the others and if you like them, you will like this one, too. I don't know as much about the years inbetween WWI and WWII, especially in England, so the plots of these books are always full of things I didn't know before. But I don't feel like I've been in school. Maisie's stories are all well written, and interesting. They are all a little sad, but still very worth reading.

maise dobbs reigns....

Wonderful addition to the unfolding story of Maise,her friends and family. A refreshingly different type of mystery, enriched with details of post WWI England and the world. I have "turned on" many friends to this wonderful series... and all agree that it is a pleasure read!!

Fun Series

Maisie is a great character and if, like me you like the 1930's/40's and mysteries and detective stories, the Maisie Dobbs series is civilized reading. Very enjoyable!

Among the Mad

Although the story is written in England after the 1st World War the main theme of this story is relevant to our time. Maisie Dobbs witnesses a public suicide that leads her into a plot involving a terrorist act. She and Scotland Yard race against the clock to find a person who has threatened violence unless demands are met.

The underlying theme is about people who have given their lives for their country and returned only to find no one cares. The ones that survived have carried their emotional and physical wounds into a world that does not want to see. This is the story of one person's demand for recognition.

a good read

not as good as the first few books but well worth reading = the author has an amazing ability to make you feel that you are there in the time period of the book. very well done. interesting info on the period after WWI and during. highly recommmend her books.

Winspear remains consistently entertaining.

Have been with this series since the first publishing and have enjoyed each book. Jacqueline Winspear keeps her plots fresh and the characters have grown with each story. The psychological approach with a touch of mysticism makes this female sleuth of the 30's believable. As long as Winspear can avoid the pitfalls that lead to a boiler plate novel I will continue to look forward to the next "Maisie Dobbs" case.

Intriguing and thoughtful

Winspear has a unique style that draws you in even if somewhat offbeat and weird. I have read everything else she has written and this last book is not one of my most favorites but it is still quite good. I think reading these in the order they were written is helpful; you see how Maise develops and grows as a character.

Disappointment

I loved all of the previous books but I found this one disappointing and lacking in plot.
Also found it lacking in her ususal description of the period clothing.

So glad to the Maisie again

Always happy to read the next chapter in Maisies life. She seems tired in this one. I passed on this one to a friend whom I have hooked on Maisie. We both agree on the quality of Ms. Winspears writing, very good.

Not my favorite of the series

If you enjoy historical mysteries, AMONG THE MAD is an easy, quick read. I enjoy the writing style of Jaqueline Winspear, however, her characters are becoming a bit boring and the story line of this story was very predictable.

Her previous books were more compelling. AMONG THE MAD is my least favorite in the series.

Maisie Dobbs, the main character is a woman psychologist and detective in a post World War One era which makes her unique. The writer intertwines the era with life after World War One. It is light reading but most interesting.

I enjoyed the character development and descriptions of the era of World War One. It was thrilling because it involved a woman detective which was uncharacteristic of the time. In order to grasp the needed background on the main character of the story, Maisie Dobbs the reader should read the first book titled, "Maisie Dobbs." I found a new detective
in Maisie Dobbs.

England, the Aftermath of WWI, and a Different Type of Mystery Story

The story was different and well written. I have read all of the author's Maisie Dobbs books and have found each one to have a unique story line. Each successive book does more to develop the characters so that I look forward to seeing how they change and adapt to their situations.

Another Great Read

I love the Maisie Dobbs' series. It provides an interesting and personal look into the depression years and time between the wars in England, as well as those descriptive flash backs to WWI. This latest release opened a window to an entirely new aspect of that time and broadened the scope of Maisie's developing career. But, lest you think this series a "mere" history lesson, Maisie is a delightful character with great depth, heart and humor. I would be remiss if I did not mention that I usually listen to this series on CD because of my commute time. Ms. Cassidy does a wonderful job with Maisie and all the other characters. She brings them to life and you feel as if you are listening directly to each one. As someone who listens to a lot of books on CD, believe me when I say that a reader can make or break a book in that format. I cannot wait for the next release to see what interesting case Maisie is involved in next and to watch her developing relationship with her Scotland Yard connections and so many others. Please publish again soon, Ms. Winspear!!!