Reviews

Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear

eososray's review against another edition

3.0

Following the deathbed promise made to his wife, Sir Cecil Lawton hires Maisie to look for a son that was presumed dead in the war.

The case takes Maisie back to France and makes her deal with more of the emotional baggage she is carrying around. It also reunites her with an old wartime friend with unresolved issues of her own.

I thought what was keeping me from liking these books more, was the reliance of Maisie on spiritual and mystical practices but this book has far fewer of those and I still didn't enjoy it more. So I think it's actually Maisie herself that's affecting my opinions. She is so detached from life and emotions, as well as her need to fix everyone else but not even acknowledge her own issues.
I still love the era and the mystery was great, I just need to embrace the cold and damaged Maisie and then it will all come together.

mkeesler's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

tsenko2's review against another edition

4.0

This is the 3rd book in the series and I am enjoying it very much. The books have depth; of character, of time and place; and of emotion. I am intrigued by the mysteries to solve as well as by the characters.

bookhussy's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

hmcendree's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

bcgg's review against another edition

3.0

Although having the author herself narrate the book, a huge improvement from the other narrators so far, I found this story harder to get into or be excited about. I hope this is not indicative of how the others in this series will go.

jenner33's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

afox98's review against another edition

4.0

I love this series. Maisie is such a cool character. I love the historical parts and references to World War I. I know so much more about WWII, so it's neat to read about the first war. I like how human Maisie is, and her vulnerabilities start to show a bit more in this book than the first two.

mamaorgana80's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Another good one.

missy_reads's review against another edition

4.0

Jacqueline Winspear has a knack for describing the psychology of the mystery.  Maisie Dobbs shows great compassion for others as she solves the mysteries she is hired to solve, and some that just drop into her lap.  The historical aspect of post WWI is also interesting to me.