Monday, March 12, 2012

Review: Messenger of Truth



Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear
Series: Massie Dobbs #4
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 322 (paperback)
Source: TLC Book Tours
Author | Blog | Facebook
Buy it: Amazon | Kindle | B&N | Book Depo

Description:
London, 1931. On the night before the opening of his new and much-anticipated exhibition at a famed Mayfair gallery, Nicholas Bassington-Hope falls to his death. The police declare the fall an accident, but the dead man's twin sister, Georgina, isn't convinced. When the authorities refuse to conduct further investigations and close the case, Georgina - a journalist and infamous figure in her own right - takes matters into her own hands, seeking out a fellow graduate from Girton College: Maisie Dobbs, psychologist and investigator.

The case soon takes Maisie to the desolate beaches of Dungeness in Kent, as well as the sinister underbelly of the city's art world. And while navigating her way into the heart of the aristocratic yet bohemian Bassington-Hopes, Maisie is deeply troubled by the tragedy of another, quite different family in need.

In Messenger of Truth, Maisie Dobbs again uncovers the dark legacy of the Great War in a society struggling to recollect itself in difficult times. But to solve the mystery of the artist's death, she will have to remain steady as the forces behind his death come out of the shadows to silence her.

My Rating:

My Review:
Set in London after the Great War, Maise Dobbs has quite a mystery on her hands.  Nicholas Bassingon-Hope, upcoming artist, has fallen to his death.  His sister Georgina feels in her heart that her twin brother has been murdered and when the police do not believe her, she turns to Maisie.  Without any clues to point to murder, Maisie takes the case, determined to bring peace to the Bassington-Hope family one way or the other.

Before I write anything else, I have to state how much I LOVE this cover.  It is so creative and looks a-mazing in person.  I love reading mysteries that are also historical fiction because the mysteries are solved without any fancy technology.  It just seems like good detective work.  Maisie is so smart and analytical.  It reminded me a bit  of when I was younger and I was reading Nancy Drew.  While I appreciated the writing and the backdrop of the story, the plot was a bit slow for my tastes.  I felt like clues were being uncovered and the relevance wasn't explained to the reader until the big unfolding at the end.  For me, this meant I didn't feel any excitement from the mystery.  I didn't feel driven to turn each page.  I also didn't connect or like Maisie very much.  She appeared to be a character that was a bit to polished and judgmental for my tastes.

This is my first Maisie Dobbs novel and I've been hearing tons of great things, so I'm thinking that I need to try another one.  Maybe this particular plot didn't do it for me but maybe the next one will.  Anyone else heard of this series?  What did you think?

March is Maisie Dobbs Month!  Click HERE to find a schedule of reviews of the other books in this series.


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18 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear you didn't love it. The mystery and retro cover instantly caught my eye.

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  2. I have been wanting to read one of these books for a long while. I too am very drawn to the covers and the fact that they are historical mysteries. I'm sorry this one didn't do it for you and now I'm a little wary. I think if I pick one up I'll try a different one first. I think the slow moving plot would bother me as well, especially considering it's a mystery.

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    1. I think you should try a different on first. I honestly have read so many reviews where people loved all the others but didn't care for this one. I hate that this is my introduction but I've heard so many great things that I'm definitely not giving up.

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  3. I really liked the books, but then I started at book 1, and perhaps that one was just the best one

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    1. I'm thinking that starting with book 1 would have been best. I've seriously heard only great things about the others so I'm going to start over.

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  4. The cover is beautiful and sounds perfect for the story. Too bad it was such a slow book.
    NC
    Truly Bookish

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  5. I just started reading the Maisie Dobbs series a few weeks ago and really enjoy it. It is a bit on the slower side, but the historical details are so well done! Her first one centers on WWI ... you might enjoy that one more.

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    1. I'm thinking that I'll enjoy it better if I read a different one.

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  6. I've never heard of Maisie Dobbs but if March is Maisie Dobbs month, I may have to look one up.

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  7. Great review, very honest and frank. I don't think this would be my cup of tea. I don't like the cover either. Perhaps, it looks better in person.

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    1. I just like the retro feel and the covers. I definitely try to be honest but I realize that this is an entire series. I'm not convinced that I wouldn't like a different one.

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  8. Sorry this one turned out to be a bummer! I read the first book and really enjoyed it. I love the time period and setting. Yes, the cover is very cool.

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    1. So many enjoyed the first one. I hear it repeatedly. I think I just need to start from the beginning.

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  9. I hope you will give the series another chance - I've heard so many great things about Maisie!

    Thanks for being on the tour.

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    1. I will definitely give it another chance. I've heard so many great things.

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