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Apr 11, 2017cknightkc rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Every year I eagerly await the next installment in the Maisie Dobbs series, and IN THIS GRAVE HOUR does not disappoint. It’s particularly fitting that the last 6 books in this series have been published in March, which is International Women’s History Month. Author Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie is a complex feminist heroine and one of the most original characters in fiction today. IN THIS GRAVE HOUR begins in 1939 and Great Britain has just declared war on Germany. The title itself is taken from a speech by King George VI (see Quotes). As England prepares for war, psychologist and investigator Maisie must solve some grisly murders as well as identify and find the home of a young evacuee from London. Maisie once again demonstrates her wisdom, common sense, and compassion while taking on these challenges. Much of the plot involves the issue of war refugees which I find especially relevant for today’s world. Besides Maisie, I have come to care about the richly drawn secondary characters introduced in previous books and many of them return in this novel while 1 new endearing addition to the cast will no doubt influence the course of Maisie’s life. Alas, I’ll have to wait another 12 months to find out. To fully appreciate how Maisie, her family, and acquaintances have evolved over time, I highly recommend this series be read in order from the beginning.