Helpful Score: 4
A lovely, lovely book. A little mystery, a little history, but much enjoyment. I can't wait for Winspear's follow-up - which I have on my Amazon wishlist.
While this is about Maisie's coming of age and becoming an independent woman, this is also a story about the horrors of WWI and the aftermath. It's told in two parts - 'modern' 1929 where the bulk of the story and mystery takes place, but also in flashback to Maisie's years 'in service' both in the Compton household and in France during the war. It's these experiences that allow Maisie to solve the case given to her, which in turn allows her to heal and put to rest some of her personal war demons.
While this is about Maisie's coming of age and becoming an independent woman, this is also a story about the horrors of WWI and the aftermath. It's told in two parts - 'modern' 1929 where the bulk of the story and mystery takes place, but also in flashback to Maisie's years 'in service' both in the Compton household and in France during the war. It's these experiences that allow Maisie to solve the case given to her, which in turn allows her to heal and put to rest some of her personal war demons.