1931. Maisie Dobbs' new case takes her investigation into the pastoral beauty of the Kent Weald where acts of arson, theft and vandalism around the village of Heronsdene have gone suspiciously unreported for more than a decade. With the country in the grip of economic malaise, Maisie is relieved to accept an assignment from an old friend who wants her to uncover the truth behind these crimes, before he can buy part of the magnificent Sandermere estate at the heart of the village.

It's hop-picking time and Londoners, including Maisie's assistant Billy Beale, wanting to escape the Smoke for the summer, set up camp in nearby fields. Gypsies, too, have arrived to work the land. Maisie discovers the villagers are bitterly prejudiced against outsiders and, even more troubling, seem possessed by the legacy of a war-time Zepplin raid.

She has less than a month to find out why no one has been brought to justice and why secrecy shrouds the village. She must draw on all of her finely-honed skills of detection to solve one of her most intriguing cases.

'Think Upstairs Downstairs meets Miss Marple - with a touch of chirpy cheerful Cockney from the Dick Van Dyke school' Yorkshire Post

A Zepplin raid in a sleepy Kent village ... An innocent family killed... Unsolved crimes hang over Heronsdene and Maisie Dobbs is hired to uncover the truth. But outsiders are not welcome and the locals will go to extreme lengths to prevent their long-buried secret from coming to light.

About the Author
Jacqueline Winspear is the creator of the New York Times and National Bestselling series featuring psychologist and investigator, Maisie Dobbs. Her first novel - Maisie Dobbs - received numerous award nominations, including the Edgar Award for Best Novel and the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. It was a New York Times Notable Book and a Publisher's Weekly Top Ten Pick. Since that time, Jacqueline's work has received many award nominations, and she has received the Agatha Award twice, the Macavity Award, the Alex Award, the Sue Feder Award for Best Historical Novel and the Bruce Alexander Award for Best Historical novel. Her 'standalone' novel set in WW1, The Care and Management of Lies, was a finalist for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize in 2015.

Reviews
'Psychologically convincing' * Jessica Mann, Literary Review *
'The author captures the atmosphere of (the 1930s) with great accuracy, borne out by extensive research' * Dover Express & Folkestone Herald *
'A riveting read...it is an easy book to read yet is not, I felt, a light read as it delves into the horrors of the First World War' * Newbooks *
'So well written that it leaves you wanting more' * The Bookfiends Kingdom *
'The terrific mystery is intriguing and full of suspense which makes for an absorbing read' * Dartford Messenger *
'The accurate period detail makes this series a worthy successor to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple books' * Good Book Guide *
'She has created a fascinating working class heroine, Maisie Dobbs ... if you don't usually read detective stories just meet Maisie Dobbs and you may change your mind' * Driffield Leader *
Praise for Jacqueline Winspear * *** *
'In Maisie Dobbs, Jacqueline Winspear has given us a real gift. Maisie Dobbs has not been created - she has been discovered. Such people are always there amongst us, waiting for somebody like Ms. Winspear to come along and reveal them. And what a revelation it is!' * Alexander McCall Smith *
A fine new sleuth for the twenty-first century * Elizabeth George *
A heroine to cherish * New York Times *
A wry and immensely readable beginning to what promises to be a vivid new addition to crime fiction * Praise for MAISIE DOBBS, Daily Mail *
The British counterpart to Alexander McCall Smith's The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency * Associated Press *
Feisty, working-class heroine Maisie is a deliberate throwback to the sleuthettes of old-fashioned crime writing. The well-plotted story, its characters and the picture of London between the wars are decidedly romantic. American readers loved it; many Brits will, too. * Guardian *
A terrific mystery ... Intriguing and full of suspense, it makes for an absorbing read * Observer *
Even if detective stories aren't your thing, you'll love Maisie Dobbs * New Woman *
'Think Upstairs Downstairs meets Miss Marple - with a touch of chirpy cheerful Cockney from the Dick Van Dyke school' * Yorkshire Post *



Book Information
ISBN 9780719569616
Author Jacqueline Winspear
Format Paperback
Page Count 352
Imprint John Murray Publishers Ltd
Publisher John Murray Press
Weight(grams) 280g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 24mm