A Dangerous Place: The bestselling inter-war mystery series (Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series Book 10)

This was very much a departure in the Maisie Dobbs series: it takes place (well-)outside London and with the usual supporting cast; e.g., Billy, Frankie, Priscilla; conspicuous by their absence. The political atmosphere is also kicking up: while previous books have alluded to the rises of both Communism and Fascism, this one, confronting the Spanish Civil War, plunges headlong into the politics. It also played up very strongly for me my near-complete ignorance about the Spanish Civil War.My main problem with this one is Maisie herself: roughly 1 1/2 years later, she's still mourning James's death and the death of their unborn child, and frankly, she's being pretty goopy about it. Some of my problem here stems from the fact that I never quite bought her 'romance' with James Compton: it always sounded to me more like a 'friends with benefits' arrangement, at least from Maisie's point of view (and yes, I realize how thoroughly anachronistic that is). It doesn't help that the marriage itself, as well and James's death and the resulting miscarriage (still-birth?) happen basically 'off-screen'.Maisie's goopiness aside, though, I was held by the story, and it bodes well for future episodes.

Due to some of the negative reviews, I was slow to purchase this one, although I'm a big fan of the Maisie Dobbs series. However, having read it and enjoyed it, here are some thoughts. Is Maisie depressing and whiny, as one review has stated? No, I didn't get that sense at all. Is the story strong? Yes and no. I didn't find the central mystery as compelling as others and the resolution to the murder brought no great surprises. I will say also that I found it difficult to connect with Maisie for the first half of the book. Without the normal cast of characters around her, I felt that I didn't quite recognise her for some time. However, I felt by the time I got to the half way mark that I was on solid ground, felt connected to Maisie again and enjoyed the direction of the story. Not a classic, but I think it's a key link to the stories that follow and the next chapters of Maisie's life. In short, I got there in the end and I'm pleased I went on the journey.

I read this on the KindleI had wanted to read this book to find out what has happen to Maisie having read all the previous onesit starts with Maisie having lost her Husband James & her unborn childshe goes to Gibraltar and, of course, finds herself caught up in a murder mystery. It is 1937, a civil war is raging in neighbouring Spain and Gibraltar is not the safest place to be at the moment.This book to me is nothing like her previous books as i found it was slow & not so good i can understand that it had to take a different way as Billy is not her assistant but this was more history than a who done it & also more all about Maisie trying to keep busy Also i am sorry but would in such dangerous times would people not only talk to a stranger but to a foreignerIt all seems too easy to get people to talk & i felt that she was not really challengeWithout giving the ending away this ending to be the murder part wasn't really satisfactory concluded it i did enjoy what Maisie was doing in the end, & the letters she wrote was interestingBut on the whole i only finished the book because i wanted to know what happen otherwise i would have given up on it as it was unlike her other books where i couldn't wait to finish to know what happen i had thought her books had reminded me of Agatha Christie but there was no trace of it in this book to me it was a watered down writing & only written to tell readers what happen to Maisie

I am really enjoying the Maisie Dobb's series. I think they are very well written and would give each four or five stars. What I like about this particular story Maisie is released from her normal format and her character is extended. I have read of some criticism that the author unnecessarily repeats Maisie's history, presumably for the sake of those who have not read previous books. I have some sympathy and think it would have been better covered in a prologue. But, still, I think this story deserves 5 stars.

The book itself was well produced and delivered as indicated.Beamish's novels are well constructed and well written. The character of Maisie Dobbs is likeable and consistent. This did not feel like a pot boiler though there are now about a dozen Maisie Dobbs novels.I read these novels while pedalling on my exercise bike (at my age far better for you to have exciting stories than severe physical exercise, but it helps me to do my daily half-hour or even longer when I'm in the story!Recommended.

Very disappointing. Firstly, those familiar with Maisie Dobbs find a character whom they do not know - she has moved on several years (which are missing) and the character has become quite self-absorbed and whiny. There has been tragedy in her life but not more than befalls other people and the book seems to be entirely about her loss than the story around it (the death of a photographer). At the same time, Maisie becomes involved in the Spanish Civil War, a tragedy much greater than her own. The book is disjointed, whiny and boring. The investigative part of the story almost left out and basically a side story. I have read all of Winspear's book and am a real Maisie fan - but I truly hope that the next Maisie book goes back to character or I will not buy a Winspear book again.

This story meanders all over the place, and I was not entirely sure what the main purpose of the story was. Surely Maisie has suffered enough in her life by now? There was more than a smidgen of misery memoir, methinks!And what about the Secret Service links? Did they really add anything to the plot? Are we being prepared for a future romantic liaison here?Perhaps there was just too much going on in this book. The back story of the marriage and its aftermath could probably have formed a novel on its own, rather than taking away from the detective plot of this one.Overall, this was disappointing. I am glad to know what happened to Maisie, but wonder if the time has come to put her out of her misery.