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Maisie Dobbs

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This article is about the character. For the novel, see Maisie Dobbs (novel).

Maisie Dobbs is a fictional character created by the author Jacqueline Winspear. Dobbs is a "psychologist and investigator" in post–World War I London. A nurse during the war, she returned to London to work with her mentor, the accomplished detective Dr. Maurice Blanche. When Blanche retires, Dobbs opens her own detective agency.[1]

The character

Maisie Dobbs, daughter of Frankie Dobbs, a costermonger, spent her early life as a maid in the household of Lord Julian and Lady Rowan Compton. She is discovered reading books from their library, and is then tutored by Dr. Maurice Blanche, friend of Lady Compton. She wins a place at Girton College to study further, but leaves soon after to volunteer in the war. After the war, she returns to Girton, and then joins Dr. Blanche as his assistant, being a psychologist. In An Incomplete Revenge it is revealed that Maisie's grandmother was a gypsy.

At the beginning of the first novel of the series, Maisie is starting her own detective agency.[1]

In one of the most famous of her books, Pardonable Lies, Maisie takes on the case of Ralph Lawton, a former Royal Flying Corps pilot who was apparently shot down and killed. However, his mother refused to announce him dead, stating that she knew he was alive. She also takes the case of a 13-year-old girl being set up for a murder who didn't talk to anyone else except Maisie, since Maisie was able to use her psychology background to find a way to get the girl, Avril Jarvis, to talk.

Books about Maisie Dobbs

Fifteen books have been published in the Maisie Dobbs series:

Awards and reviews

Maisie Dobbs (2003) was chosen as one of Publishers Weekly's Best Mysteries of 2003, received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Library Journal, and was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year 2003, an Edgar Award nominee for Best Novel 2003, and the Agatha Award winner for Best First Novel in 2003. In addition, Maisie Dobbs received an Alex Award in 2004.

Additional characters

Billy Beale - A patient of Dobbs during the war, Beale recognises her immediately when she rents an office in the building where he is caretaker. Drawn into helping Dobbs with her first case, Beale soon becomes her assistant.

Dr. Maurice Blanche - A mentor and tutor to Dobbs since her teen years, Blanche is a celebrated detective with a mysterious past. When Blanche retires, he turns his clients over to Dobbs, supporting her in her efforts to open her own business. Despite their close relationship, Dobbs' work eventually causes a rift between them. Although they remain on speaking terms, mentor and student grow apart for a time.

Priscilla Partridge née Evernden - wealthy and stylish friend of Dobbs, classmate at Girton College, Cambridge. After two terms she joined the Nursing Yeomanry in 1915 and drove an ambulance in France. All three of her brothers were killed during the war and her parents died shortly after of influenza. She is married to Douglas Partridge, a famous author and poet.[2] She smokes cigarettes.

References

  1. ^ a b Brunsdale, Mitzi, [1] Gumshoes: a dictionary of fictional detectives, Greenwood Press, 2006, pages 133-135. ISBN 0-313-33331-9. Retrieved January 26, 2012
  2. ^ Jacqueline Winspear, Pardonable Lies (2005), pp. 9–10.
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