Messenger of Truth [Maisie Dobbs #4] by Jacqueline Winspear

A quote from Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear sums up the main character very well; “My work does not end when a solution to a given case is found, or the grain of information sought is discovered. It ends only when those affected by my work are at peace with the outcome.”

Maisie Dobbs is not your average detective! She sees the scope of her work to be much more than merely solving a crime. She wishes to bring peace and closure to her clients. She uses some unusual techniques, which border on the mystical. If that is not your “cup of tea” don’t let that deter you from reading this entertaining series.

Winspear uses her Maisie Dobbs novels to reveal England between the wars. In Messenger of Truth she uses the divide between the “haves” and “have-nots” to question how a nation looks after its returned servicemen. Questions are raised relating to health care, homelessness and extreme poverty.

The mystery at the heart of Messenger of Truth is not as satisfying as previous books in the series. However, Maisie makes some hard decisions in her private life that make this novel still well worth reading. She realises that her independence is vitally important to her self-worth, and knows that this means making difficult choices.

Find Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear in the SMSA Library Catalogue

Review by Gaby Meares
Murder on a Monday Reading Group