Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear, 2003

Having grown up adoring Trixie Belden, it's nice to stumble across a mystery series.

I found Maisie Dobbs while browsing the Fiction section of the library.  It had been misplaced from its usual Mystery home.

My Downton Abbey obsession must have led me to the book because, lo and behold, Maisie Dobbs takes place in London during the Edwardian time.

Unlike other protagonists of Mystery thrillers, Maisie Dobbs considers herself a Psychologist first, and Investigator second. 

As a result, the story does not have as fast-paced of a Mystery/thriller story line that I am used to through my limited mystery novel-reading, which mainly pertains to Agatha Christie, Robert Parker's Spencer: For Hire series, some Elmore Leonard, and from childhood: Trixie Beldon, Nancy Drews, The Hardy Boys and the very clever Encyclopedia Brown.

Since Dobbs is a psychologist, she uses interesting techniques to uncover the secrets of those whom she is investigating.

One such technique is mirroring a person's body language, where she will adjust her stance and body to mirror those of her subjects, to get a sense of how that person is feeling - whether they are upset, angry, in pain, etc.

Not just an investigator, Dobbs emphasizes healing her clients.  One of her first case is from a man who suspects his wife is having an affair.  Dobbs will only take the case if the husband agrees to discuss his intentions with her once she has uncovered the truth.

With this focus on healing, Dobbs befriends her client's wife Cecilia, discovers the root of her troubles, steers Cecilia towards the path of healing and provides her client, Cecilia's husband, with advice on how to help ease his wife's pain; thus, repairing the marriage.

She also unearths a murderous cult-like facility for wounded veterans and prevents another murder by drawing upon her psychology background to disarm and break the spell of the villainous leader.

Supporting Cast
Like any great investigator, a Sidekick and Mentor are needed.  For Dobbs, the Sidekick comes in the form of Billy Beale, a wounded World War I veteran.  Beale is one of the many wounded soldiers (and nurses) who would bring about a deep change to English society.

The Mentor is the wise Maurice Blanche, doctor and crusader for the under-privileged, whose investigation practice she takes over.  Added into the mix is Lady Rowan, a wealthy benefactor with connections, which is always nice to have. 

In Summary
Maisie Dobbs is a pleasant, light read.  Although, I am surprised to find, I may be tiring (gasp) of period novels set in England during the Edwardian era.

There are nine books in the Maisie Dobbs series thus far, and I am planning to read the next one.  I forgot how nice it is to read a serial book again, to have an endearing character to go back to, like having tea with an old friend.

And, since Winspear is English, the characters are constantly having tea.

Quote
The following quote from the book resonated with me as I am currently struggling with my career path. 

"Truth walks toward us on the paths of our questions.  As soon as you think you have the answer, you have closed the path and may miss the vital new information.  Wait awhile in the stillness, and do not rush to conclusions, no matter how uncomfortable the unknowing."