Category: Reading



My Grape Escape (The Grape Series, #6)My Grape Escape by Laura Bradbury
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love this series so much! It is the only series I am reading without text-to-speech or narration. On my old phone, on the Kindle app. Each book is just the right size for me, and by being Kindle, I can adjust the font and background. And when French words appear that I don’t know, I can highlight them, and the app will translate them for me.

This book was enjoyable to read as Laura and her husband, Franck, fix up an old home in hopes of making it a profitable vacation getaway. Somehow, my review is falling short. But this book is anything but. I always feel that I am not only traveling to France, but also learning a bit of history and enjoying French vocabulary.

Each of these books is enjoyable and personable. I’ve already moved on to the next book. I think I’ll try to read these again, but I’ll also look for the audiobooks. I want the sound of the French to help my education.

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The Consequences of Fear (Maisie Dobbs #16)The Consequences of Fear by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I hate when my reading gets so far ahead of my reviewing. Luckily, reading the blurb helped refresh my memory of what happened in this book. This book grabbed me right away with the young man witnessing a murder and how it left him confused.

Despite the Second World War increasing in intensity, local murders not only didn’t go down but escalated. Sometimes it is war-related, perhaps even from a previous war, leaving behind lingering bad feelings. So Maisie’s job is cut out for her.

Once again, Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and research are impeccable. And Orlagh Cassidy’s narration is so entertaining.

Thanks to Libby for loaning me the audiobook. And thanks to my friend, Kay, for recommending this series. I’m nearly finished. I’ll be so sad when it comes to an end.

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To Die But Once (Maisie Dobbs, #14)To Die But Once by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Somehow, I have gotten so far ahead in reading and so behind in reviewing that I have forgotten the whole of this story. But all the books in this series are so intriguing that I couldn’t stop. So check out the blurb on GoodReads or Amazon and follow Maisie Dobbs’ story from beginning to end.

Jacqueline Winspear researches the history, style, and places her characters inhabit so you feel you are there, then. Orlagh Cassidy narrates with authentic accents for each character.

Once again, I thank Libby for having these books and audiobooks to borrow. And I thank my friend, Kay, for recommending Maisie Dobbs to me.

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The American Agent (Maisie Dobbs, #15)The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This series just gets better and better. Now Americans are more involved in the war, and thereby, Maisie is working with a couple of Americans to solve her multiple mysteries.

Once again, Jacqueline Winspear’s writing, paired with Orlagh Cassidy’s narration, makes for an excellent reading and listening experience.

Thank you, Libby, for having the series available to borrow. And thanks to my friend, Kay, for recommending these wonderful reads!

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In This Grave HourIn This Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Things are getting more like war. Blackout curtains, no driving at night, things like that. Children have to find safer places to live. People are dying in the war. That makes adoptions necessary.

And the deaths are not just war-related. Life not in the line of fire goes on the best way it can. So murders happen. But it is more complicated. Harder to nail down what caused a death. And so on.

Maisie is called upon to figure out why a young man died. And although it seems easy and safe, it is actually complicated and involves much more than expected.

This book seems to be my favorite so far. There is so much here to digest. This kind of life has not been something my generation has had to experience, but I think it’s good to learn what we can from those who have been through it.

Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and research are fantastic. Orlagh Cassidy’s narration only gets better! I feel so fortunate that my friend, Kay, recommended this series, and that Libby has them available. I highly recommend these books.

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A Dangerous PlaceA Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As with the rest of the series, this book taught me as much as it entertained me. The new German language and dialects are added to the English, and now in Spain, there are Spanish language and accents, making the world larger while honing in on the imminent war. Orlagh Cassidy manages to carry off all the new characters with the seeming ease she portrayed of the many accents of the British Isles.

The world is getting more dangerous. Refugees flock to safety as they see the writing on the wall. Little wars are starting alongside the larger menaces of the globe. Maisie seeks out killers in whatever way she can while avoiding getting sucked into any of them. Her health and safety are in jeopardy.

I am so grateful to have the chance to listen to this audiobook via Libby. And thankful that my friend, Kay, recommended these to me.

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Journey to Munich (Maisie Dobbs, #12)Journey to Munich by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The writing is on the wall. Another war is pending. But our fearless Maisie Dobbs has a mystery to solve. She has to become someone else. In Germany! There is a lot of espionage and intrigue.

This was not an easy bedtime read. But it was so thrilling to be in on the adventure, I couldn’t let it go. I want to say more, but maybe just read the blurb if you want to know more?

Jacqueline Winspear writes so well, and her knowledge of history is amazing. Add to that greatness Orlagh Cassidy’s narration with all her vocal characterizations, and this is better than any movie or television series. Far better!

I’m still thankful for the recommendation from my friend, Kay. And to Libby for having this series to borrow in Kindle or audiobook versions.

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Station ElevenStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I want to thank my friend, Yvensong, and her book club for recommending this book. It was a fun adventure. And it is an adventure. It is nearly too hard to get a good night’s sleep after reading some chapters of this book. Well, I listened to Kirsten Potter, narrator. She did an excellent job. BUT I had times that I got confused. Whose point of view? What part of the history was this part of the story? Happened a lot at first. I think having the physical book would have helped me look it up at the moment.

I love the musical point of view and the performance elements. Yes, we will need to do more than survive if we end up in a dystopian post-apocalyptic world.

I will try to listen to the book again soon, as I will know who is who now. I do have the Audible version, so I can listen when I choose. Give it a try. You might like it, too.

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Leaving Everything Most Loved (Maisie Dobbs, #10)Leaving Everything Most Loved by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This series is so good, I can hardly wait to read the next one. Then I get ahead of my reviews, and I have to read the blurb to remember which book was which. So if you need to, go to Amazon and read the blurb. My quick blurb: Maisie Dobbs must solve the mystery of Indian immigrants in this book. But she has other issues that creep up to take care of. But in her thoughtful way, Ms. Dobbs gracefully finds answers.

You can find this one on Libby. If I had more income, I would buy the whole series. Jacqueline Winspear’s writing and research put her books over the top! In addition to the great stories, Orlagh Cassidy’s narration makes them feel like reality.

I highly recommend this series and this book.

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Elegy for EddieElegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, this was sad. Poor Eddie.

This has a long blurb on Amazon so I suggest you take a look at it.

There are so many issues that we currently face but were surely worse back in 1933. Especially dealt with is how the disabled can live if worked with or can suffer through bullying.

As I’ve mentioned before I love the Maisie Dobbs series. Each book hold a wealth of information in history and psychology as well as a great mystery or two to solve in the process.

Again, I have to praise the writing of Jacqueline Winspear and the talented narration Orlagh Cassidy make these books the best entertainment and bedtime reading.

I feel blessed to have found the series on Libby. If you get the chance, give the series a try! Thank you, Kay for suggesting these.

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