I will miss Maisie Dobbs!

It is sad when a series comes to an end, even more so when you have read every book in the series when it first came out and everything else by an author! The final Maisie Dobbs, the Comfort of Ghosts, does not disappoint. It has a bit of an introduction to the character, so might be able to be read as a standalone, however, it contains references to incidents in the other books and contains spoilers for the earlier books. The plot, as always, is intricate and the characters well described and sensitively treated. Highly recommended!

Thank you to the publisher who lent me an e-arc via Netgalley. This review is optional and my own opinion.

The Comfort of Ghosts is the final novel in the Maisie Dobbs series. It references several events from past instalments, which means it contains spoilers for those books. This one also relies heavily on the reader’s knowledge of occurrences/characters in previous installments

Our story begins with a funeral. Lord Julian Compton, father of Maisie’s first husband, James, is being laid to rest. The Comptons had been a huge force for good in Maisie’s life since she was very young, and she, Lord Julian, and his wife Rowan remained close even after James’ death and Maisie’s remarriage.

After the funeral, in conversation with the family’s lawyer, Maisie learns the Compton’s London residence has been requisitioned by squatters. It’s a common problem now that the war is over, and those displaced by bombs are looking for shelter. However, the will requires the unlawful tenants be evicted and the property promptly sold. The lawyer wishes for the family’s authorization to call the police, but Maisie wants to exercise compassion and is determined to go herself. She hopes she can arrange an alternative dwelling for the people involved.

What Maisie finds is a much larger problem than she expected. One of the residents is Will Beale, Billy’s son, just back from a Japanese war camp and much the worse for wear. He doesn’t wish his family to see him in his current state – indeed, his guilt coupled with his poor physical condition have him hoping for death – and Maisie sends him to Pris’ house so the former nurse can whip him back into shape. It is the other guests, however, who represent the real conundrum. The four bright but wary teens – Mary, Grace, Archie, and Jim – are orphans who were trained in Britain’s Civilian Army, a plan implemented in case of invasion. They know how to fight, how to sabotage the enemy, how to spy, and most importantly, how to run.

They witnessed a murder that is being hidden by the authorities, and they are very much concerned that the powers that be might wish to silence them permanently as well. Never one to back away from a problem, Maisie quickly determines to help them – but that will be easier said than done.

It is almost impossible to rate/grade a finale eighteen volumes in the making. If you have traveled this far with Maisie and company, there is no question as to whether or not you will wish to read this. As to whether or not you will enjoy it, I would say temper your expectations. This is more a soft but flawed landing than a fireworks show ending with thrilling bursts of colors and inspiring music.

The first seventy-five percent of the tale deals with the mess the teens have landed in. The clues are easy to follow, and Maisie makes quick work of tracking down leads to come to a satisfying conclusion. A tad disturbing is that the author uses this as a chance for Maisie to catch up with men who used to carry a torch for her. We find out that they still do, which felt a bit awkward to me. I’m not sure what the purpose of that was but I think it ties in to what propells the last twenty-five percent of the story.

The back blurb tells us that Maisie’s quest “to bring comfort and the promise of a future to the youngsters . . . brings to light a decades-old mystery concerning Maisie’s first husband.” The enigma of the final quarter of the book deals with the above. While in the house, one of the teens stumbled upon a set of letters that harken back to the very first book in the series, and Maisie’s old friend Enid. If you have forgotten about her, you might want to do a quick dive back into that initial narrative to refresh your memory. I won’t get into the details of it but will speculate that this plot, along with the failed romances referenced in the earlier portions, are meant to remind us that Maisie is with whom she is meant to be.

If you write a good character, you don’t need to make their competitors bad in order for them to shine. On the other hand, if you write a bad one, surrounding them with worse options won’t add any luster – it’ll just make me wonder why you didn’t fix the initial problem. I’ve mentioned before that I find Mark, the winner of the race/war/battle for Maisie’s heart, a rather tedious addition to these stories, and I will say that despite the author’s efforts, that does not change in this book. The story would have read more smoothly and been far more interesting if the mysteries had been more intricate and we had seen Maisie once more at her investigative best. The little puzzles she is given to work with here feel too easily resolved, and as a result, we spend far too much time on her annoying personal life.

Of course, reviews are just one reader’s opinion. Some of you may well love Mark and find The Comfort of Ghosts just enhances that. For me, it was bittersweet. I have been with Maisie and her friends for over a decade and am sorry to see them ride off into the sunset. I am grateful, however, that the author gives us this closure and that she does so by reminding us of where we started.

With The Comfort of Ghosts, Jacqueline Winspear brings the Maisie Dobbs series to its natural end with the eighteenth and final book. It’s late 1945 and the war is finally over and once again, Winspear is concerned about the lingering after-effects of war trauma on everyone involved. The mystery part of the story, in many ways, is the lesser part, simply something for our beloved characters to do as we spend one last time in their company – I suspect that most Maisie fans read these books for the characters and the historical fiction elements rather than the crime anyway. In this case it’s about four teenaged orphans that Maisie finds squatting in Lord and Lady Compton’s London home. Why are they on their own, who are they hiding from and who is the sickly returned soldier asleep upstairs?

None of these mysteries are hard to work out, rather Winspear uses them to highlight how children were often used during the war as messengers and spies, whilst leading Maisie into the seedy and sinister world of Nazi sympathisers within the British aristocracy. She also shows us, via Will Beale, the difficulties many of the soldiers returning home from Changi experienced.

The Comfort of Ghosts is very much about closure.

Winspear gives Maisie time to lay her ghosts to rest and allows all her devoted readers to do the same. We can safely say farewell with the knowledge that the grieving, traumatised young Maisie we first met after WWI has found a way to appease her personal ‘dragons’. She can now look forward to a happy, post-war, middle-aged life with her new husband and their adopted daughter, and we can find a new series to love.

The 18th and final Maisie Dobbs book, I have read them all and will sorely miss reading a new adventure. My only gripe over the years was a bit too much talk about the clothing the woman wore, but the last couple havent had that - maybe due to the seriousness and deprivations of the WWII setting. Maisie has a new challenge in this post war tale of four squatting teenagers and Billy’s son who has returned from the horrors of the Japanese POW camps, but of course she puts it all to rights. The last part of the book is a putting to rights of the past “ghosts” of her life to enable her to move on to her new life with her husband and adopted daughter. Only slightly disappointed that traditional domesticity will be the order of the day.

This was my first venture into the world of Maisie Dobbs. While I know that is her final book, I found myself wishing that the pace and mystery itself was a bit more exciting. The big mystery is solved relatively easily and then a secondary mystery is revealed to finish out the book. As a final bow I am kind of saddened. Maybe this is the pace of the rest of the series. From this book I do see this falling into the cozy mystery genre. Which I tend to enjoy, plus I love finding a new historical mystery to sink my teeth into. Sadly, this one was not quite my cup of tea. Yet I think this series in general will be perfect to recommend to patrons looking for a cozy historical mystery.
Thank you so much to Soho Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

I was looking forward to this book with both trepidation and excitement - excitement because it was a Maisie Dobbs book and trepidation as it is the last one. I have so loved getting to know Maisie and seeing how her life unfolded. She is a treasured character and I will miss her!

This final novel finds Maisie in England after the end of WWII. She and Mark are winding down their work lives in order to spend more time together and with their adopted daughter, Anna. Lord Julian Compton has passed away and Lady Rowan is left to find her own way after decades of marriage. Maisie discovers squatters in the Ebury Place house and a Will Beale in hard straits after his service in the East. The threads in this last story are woven tight and they put Maisie's mind and heart to the test. Closure is strong in this book and at the end I was happy with how everything worked out and Maisie's exit. I will miss her but it has been a wonderful journey!

It is 1945, the war is over, but England is still suffering. Almost bankrupt, rationing is ever present and lives are still hanging in the balance. Maisie Dobbs discovers the son of her assistant, Billy, has stumbled to the house where Maisie used to live after being demobilized. Young Billy, as he is called, is suffering from severe malnutrition after a stint in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. He barely knows who he is. There are four young people squatting at the house as well. They are trying to care for Billy, but having trouble. They tell Maisie their story and she promises to help them, but first she has to save Billy. She takes him to her friend's house and gets a doctor in to see. Soon he is feeling better, at least physically. Maisie has to protect the four squatters because they are being hunted for by the War Office for supposedly killing a pro-Nazi sympathizer. Maisie knows they are innocent. Meanwhile, Maisie's mentor, Lord Julian Compton, has died and Maisie has to take care of his widow, Lady Rowan. She also has to support her new American husband in his efforts to assist England. There is a lot going on, but it is a remarkable ending to this long-running series. I used to read the new book in this series as soon as it came out, but I have missed the last several, I do not know why. I am going to have to go back and catch up. I recommend this series for anyone seeking insights into life in England before, during and after WWII.

Perfect ending for Jacqueline Winspear's intelligent historical war times in London series. Has all the ingredients of the series past successes..mystery, history, character development, London atmosphere and Maisie Dobbs. She will be missed.

Hard to believe that this is the last Maisie Dobbs book. WWII is over, Maisie's settling in to her new life with her American husband and an adopted daughter, while caring for her now-widowed ex-mother-in-law. Post-war Britain has food shortages, squatters due to lack of housing, returning veterans with the same shell-shock she had from WWI. Maisie returns to Ebury House to deal with some mysterious teenage squatters, only to discover they have been caring for a recently returned veteran. These squatters seem to be hiding out from authorities and have unusual skills for those so young. Lots of loose ends tied up in this last book and family secrets revealed.

I was first introduced to Maisie Dobbs by my bookclub. Now after 20 years and 18 novels this book concludes the series. I’ve followed Maisie through two World Wars, marriages and the adoption of her daughter. As a psychologist and private investigator her work often overlapped with England’s national security or Scotland Yard cases. In this book she investigates some children squatting in an abandoned house who may have witnessed a murder. She also comes upon a mystery regarding her first husband, Viscount James Compton, who died testing a new airplane.

This book brought up a lot of memories for me particularly the earlier books, her first fiancé and remembering James and his loss. Maisie describes it as the web of life how one life touches another. I was moved by the closure of the book. I will genuinely miss this character and her friends and co-workers that were part of her story. And I am glad it leaves Maisie in a happy place, especially considering all she has lived through. The author doesn’t close the door on there never being another Maisie book but there isn’t one planned for now. I’m really glad to have read this book and series.

Maisie Dobbs last book, is such a bittersweet ending to a beloved series. A gentle look back at all Maisie has accomplished in her career and a touching tie up of her past relationships with the Compton family and her mentor Maurice are woven into the present story of Maisie helping others. Thanks to NetGalley and SoHo press for this advanced reader copy and the opportunity to give an unbiased review.

All good things must come to an end and I'm sad to say that Maisie Dobbs has ended with book #18. I loved this series. I'm not a big historical fiction reader but this series was an exception. Spanning British history from pre WWI thru the late 1940's this series taught me so much. I never realized how brutal WWI was with it's poison gases and medical treatments. The book ties up the characters really well. A fond farewell to Maisie and all her friends.

Another of my favorites comes to a close with Winspear's final entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. As expected, the writing is exquisite and the characters richly drawn and developed. While there's less of a mystery here and more tying up loose ends, the story hangs together nicely and is peppered with references to earlier books and events. The last part of the story focusing on James Compton was wonderful to read and full of hope, which has been the red thread tying all of the Maisie books together.

While Maisie experienced some terrible things during this series, she always carried hope with her or found it again. The scenes described here of the devastation the British people faced after World War II are awful to read, but so important to the arc of Maisie's story. Winspear takes Maisie back to Ebury Place, where it all began in that first book. Everything is different except Maisie's capacity to believe in the goodness of people.

This series is a masterpiece and is one I will continue recommending for a long time to come.

Masie is now middle-aged, remarried and mother of an adopted daughter. Billy is no longer just her assistant , but a partner in the private investigation business. Masie's mother-in-law, Rowan is now a widow The war has officially ended but it's effects are long lasting. The whereabouts of Billly's son is unknown and thousands of returning military are returning home.
When Masie hears that there are squatters in the Ebury Place house she knocks on the door to find 4 young people living in her childhood home where she was in service long ago. Discovering the identity of the four and the role they played in the war constitutes the mystery this eighteenth title in the series hinges on. The actual central plot is to reminisce over Masie"s life and to unearth a secret. This is nicely done and the faithful will enjoy revisiting the past and the characters who have been part of the series .
Winspear says this is the final chapter but she leaves the door open for future developments so I take that with a big grain of salt.
Thanks to Netgalley and Soho Crime for the ARC.

I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Net Galley EARC
Thank you for the opportunity to read this - I can't believe I'm saying it - the LAST Maisie Dobbs book!

As others have said before me it was a true joy that I wanted to savor and enjoy slowly but all too soon it came to a picturesque end. The imagery of Chelstone, and all the landmarks created for Maisie's memories, hung like a case map in my mind as I read.
This was truly a final accounting of two world wars, families and friendships and the ghosts that shaped them. Maurice Blanche would be proud.

There are so many books written regarding the bombings, the resistance and the cruelty of the second world war, however, very few address how individuals began their lives after the war, but before the reconstructions and ending of rations. For me, this was an educational viewpoint and made me wonder how I would attempt daily life and helping my community.

In this final installment we find Maisie and some new characters - teenagers from a children's home that were trained as spies in the case of a German invasion. This actually was a fact; there were not only teens but adults trained to "keep their community safe from fascism". This was a great historical fact to discover and see from the childrens point of view as well. They were privy to a classified crime that took place and Maisie along her ever present best friend Priscilla Partridge (who in my opinion always steals the show), not only shepherd them through solving the case, also find Billy Beale Jr back from a Japanese POW camp, and; uncover a relation of Lady Rowan with a heavy weight with which they must come to terms. Along the way memories of those passed in other books and this remind the characters how lucky they are to have survived and to live for each other.

This story will stay with me forever and I will reread it when I need that warm comfort book.

3.5 stars

It's hard to believe we've come to the final book of Jacqueline Winspear's iconic Maisie Dobbs series. We started after the Great War and the series ran all the way through World War II following Maisie, an investigator and a psychologist of sorts. We have been through a lot of personal trauma for Maisie, and many cases where she looked into the emotional motives to find out who committed a crime.

The "case" this time involves 4 older orphans who were recruited into special ops at the end of the war. They witnessed a murder and Maisie wants to make sure they are not being targeted and also is curious about the murder. We also learn a lot about the housing problems in Britain during the end of the war and after the war with so many homes destroyed by bombing.

This has been a terrific series. I admit I didn't love the ending this time. There was some personal melodrama thrown in which I didn't think added to the story, but still, a fitting finale. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

So sorry to hear this is the last book. So many pieces in each story that get solved. I enjoyed this book and glad the characters always moved forward.
Thank you Jacqueline Winspear for sharing Maisie with us.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review

In the final installment of the Maisie Dobbs series Jacqueline Winspear has tied everything together with nostalgia and care. With references to former cases and plans for her future life, Maisie Dobbs has two mysteries to solve - one that is extremely personal and came as a surprise to me as a reader. It has been a pleasure to watch Maisie grow from her humble beginnings, learn, and come into her strength. This book feels like a final accounting.

It is poignant to realize that I can no longer look forward to a new Maisie Dobbs book in my future. Thank you, Ms. Winspear for many hours of enjoyment over the years. I look forward to your next book and anticipate more reading joy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the privilege of reading this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Maisie Dobbs #18. London 1945 is struggling in the aftermath of the two world wars with thousands homeless due to the bombing and rationing still in place due to shortages. When Maisie checks on the closed London mansion of her long time friends Lord and Lady Compton she discovers four teen orphans squatting there as well as an injured veteran. She soon realizes that the soldier is her colleague Billy's son Will and returns him to the safety of his family. When the teens show skills that lead her to suspect they were members of an underground resistance group trained in defense if an invasion occurred she begins to dig deeper. She discovers the coverup of the unreported murder of a Nazi sympathizer which the group witnessed. Her resolve to protect and provide a future for the four young people draws fire from former associates in Scotland yard and government groups. This entry draws the award winning Maisie Dobbs series to a close with 17 previous adventures that have been well received and enjoyed world wide. Maise and her cast of supporting characters were resilient and engaging The portrayal of a strong female protagonist who had risen from service to independence was inspiring. The heart warming attention to the challenges faced by a nation at war and historical details were engaging. This has been one of my favorite series and I will be sad to see it end but look forward to this talented author's next story..