A lot going on in this latest Maisie book. Too many subplots overshadow the main story. I do like stories of courageous women during wartime. I do appreciate the research and the author's note. An okay book.

Another wonderful Maisie Dobbs book!

We waited an extra year for this latest installment, and it did not disappoint! Ms. Winspear has once again woven together many strands to create a mystery with an intriguing historical context, character development of old friends and new additions, and psychological insights to keep it interesting. I was hooked from the very beginning, and enjoyed every moment back in the world of Maisie Dobbs.

It could stand on its own, but much better to "begin at the beginning" and enjoy all of the previous books in the series. Highly recommended!

It is a marvel to see Jacqueline Winspear again weave a complex and nuanced mystery from the large and small instabilities of everyday life in wartime England, which extends to the global forces that threaten the world. In A Sunlit Weapon, the 17th book in the Maisie Dobbs series, it is 1942. The actions that have defined war have become now commonplace: nightly curfews, gas masks, blackout curtains, incessant air attacks, growth of crime and the destruction and devastation of a firebombed London. America has recently entered the war and Maisie has a new American husband, Mark Scott, who is very high up the diplomatic chain and privy to as much highly classified confidential information as Maisie is in her work with Scotland Yard and the British Secret Service. And though they are scrupulous about keeping their personal and professional lives separate, they begin to overlap when Maisie takes on a new case.

This time she is approached by Jo Hardy, a female Air Transport Auxiliary pilot, who has been shot at while ferrying a Spitfire to an air base. When Jo returns to the remote area to investigate she finds a battered black American soldier, Matthias Crittenden, who is traumatized, gagged and bound, and confused. His white fellow soldier and friend is missing. Jo rescues him, but as Private Matthias knows, his future is anything but safe, with the pervasive systematic discrimination in the American military force, and he is accused of faking his kidnapping and causing the disappearance and possible death of Private Charlie Stone. The clock is ticking for Maisie to find out the fate of the missing soldier and clear Matthias of the possible murder charges before he is extradited to the US.

As Maisie begins her investigation, many of the British people express shock at the narrow mindedness and injustices shown to American black servicemen who are rooted out and disciplined by American MPs if they are even seen in the company of white soldiers or in white establishments. Yet at the same time, little Anna, Maisie’s adopted daughter, is being bullied by her classmates for having a darker shade of skin, while the school authorities turn a blind eye to the harassment. One of Winspear’s strengths as an author is showing the ironies of context and culture when confronting thorny issues, and this book is rife with them. Maisie’s somatic psychological approach, breathing and sensing, honed by her deceased mentor, Maurice Blanche, faces a wall when it comes up against the American military legal system and even to some extent, with her spouse. And then there is the upcoming visit of the American president’s wife, who may not be safe on British soil. Winspear excels at the small knowing details that reframe history for us, including a moving glimpse of Eleanor Roosevelt using her position as first lady as activist for workers, women’s and children’s rights, and for throwing off rules of propriety to meet with ordinary people doing extraordinary things, and then using her discoveries as a blueprint for improving the welfare of others. As the multiple plots begin to merge, Maisie and Mark find they have both shared and sometimes conflicting agendas, which also impacts their marriage.

One of the most interesting developments in this book is the acclimation of this newlywed power couple to each other. Maisie is not used to having restrictions on the manner in which she follows her intuitions on a case even (and often especially) if it leads her into dangerous situations. And Mark, to a degree, reflects the cultural norms on gender-based views of women during this time, especially concerning the actions of his wife. I hope Winspear continues to explore this possible divide and the accommodations that come from it, for it makes for fascinating reading. As the subplots coalesce, there are a number of revelations as well as truly chilling, edge of your seat moments, but for me, the strength and pull of all the Maisie Dobbs books is in the courage, honesty, and compassion she brings to her psychological inquiries and in doing so often uncovers hidden truths about herself. Warning: the side effects of repeated exposure to Maisie Dobbs books can cause a highly addictive response, while also being very restorative to one’s mental well-being. Read this for an oddly comforting perspective during another time when people were worried about the state of the world. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is another Masie Dobbs adventure. Her client is a female pilot who ferries aircraft about England for WWII. She believes someone on the ground has been shot at her on one of her flights and might have brought down other planes as well. Masie investigates. There is an additional twist involving the safety of Eleanor Roosevelt during her visit to war time England.

Another superb entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. As always good writing and interesting characters. I really enjoyed how the plot revolved around female pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary.

I have so enjoyed following Maisie Dobbs through this wonderful series by Jacqueline Winspear, and this entry gives us a supremely adult Maisie who is settling in to a comfortable if somewhat still dangerous life during World War II. She’s busy with her investigative work, still in love with her American husband, and learning how to be a loving and effective mother to Anna. There’s not much to say about Winspear’s writing because she is one of the best authors out there today. Her plots are well-constructed, her characters written with depth and attention.

If you haven’t read the series before, start at the beginning and savor every one. I also recommend the audiobook versions, which are extremely well-done.

Winspear continues with the backdrop of WWII England in her 17th installment of the Maisie Dobbs series. During the desperate times of October 1942, female pilots are pressed into ferry service flying planes to airfields where they are needed. Jo Hardy is overjoyed to fly a Spitfire but is furious when she realizes someone is shooting at her from the ground. Two days later a ferry pilot is killed when her plane crashes in the same area. Oddly, an African-American soldier is found tied up in a nearby barn. This brings Special Investigator Maisie Dobbs onto the case who perceives there’s more than just a wartime accident to the situation. Racism, Maisie’s daughter being bullied at school, friends fearing for the lives of young soldiers plus an official state visit from Eleanor Roosevelt form moving parts of Winspear’s tale. But nothing is so troublesome that can’t be made better with a spot of tea. Fans of Acorn TV mysteries should get to know Maisie Dobbs

A great addition to the Maisie Dobbs series - and it bodes well for another volume from Winspear as WWII continues to rage in Europe. Loved learning about the aviatrices ferrying the planes across the country.

I would not recommend starting the Maisie Dobbs series here, but this is one of the best if not the most polished of all of Miss Dobbs adventures. Several threads here, women ATA pilots, racism in both the US and in Britain, political intrigue. I always learn something about the effects of war on Britain, but Winspear stepped out in this one to weave a more complicated plot and explore Maisie's psychological approach to investigation. Fans will love it. And those who want to start, go all the way to 17!

Continues the Masie Dobbs series in the same interesting and enlightening fashion as earlier titles. Each book in the series gives us more and richer detail about Masie and the cast of characters with whom she interacts in the context of the challenges they face personally, professionally, and as citizens of the UK. I highly recommend this title in the series as well as its predecessors for providing not only an interesting perspective on the times in which Masie lives, but for her continuing to use her mentor's techniques to approach any problem both personal and for her clients.

I have loved all the books in this series, and I often recommend the series to our library patrons. This title was just as good as all the others-well written, excellent character development and a clever and intriguing plot.

Another great Maisie Dobbs book by Jacqueline Winspear. The book was well written, as are all her books. She drew me in right from the start and it was hard to put the book down. The book dealt with many topic including segregation in the U.S. and how it affected our troops overseas. It also dealt with how things that happen in our childhood, if not dealt with, can affect us in our adult life. I am always impressed by Jacqueline's books, but I think this one was my favorite (and that's saying a lot). I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in books about WWII as well as mysteries.

I love this new addition to the Maisie Dobbs series. Jo Hardy, a ferry pilot for airplanes during WW II, is fired on as she approaches Biggin Hill Airfield. After landing she decides to see if she can locate the shooter but instead finds an American airman injured and tied up in an old barn and learns he is a suspect in the disappearance of another airman. Several days later another lady airman is shot down and Jo seeks out Maisie to find out who is targeting the female ferry pilots.

Is there a connection with Mrs. Roosevelt’s upcoming visit to England? Maisie’s husband is in charge of security for her visit but cannot share top secret information with her. In addition, her adoptive daughter is experiencing bullying at school and is becoming fearful and withdrawn.

Maisie has her work cut out for her.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

It's 1942, and Britain is at war. Maisie is hired by a female pilot to find out how some of her colleagues were unexpectedly shot down locally. There are several subplots regarding Maisie's daughter Anna being bullied at school, a missing American soldier and an unfairly treated one, and several locals recruited by a subversive group to plot the assassination of Mrs. Roosevelt when she visits England. There was a lot going on--perhaps my least favorite Maisie Dobbs novel, although Winspear is still a favorite author. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

Not sure whether I’ve changed or Winspear’s writing has, but the unnaturally expository dialogue, Mark and Maisie using endearments in every other line of dialogue, and Mark’s subtle but continual patronizing of his wife’s work and abilities grated on me. Otherwise this was the usual enjoyable Maisie Dobbs fare.

This was an interesting and somewhat unusual Maisie Dobbs story, in which there were several plotlines linked together. It was creative an worked pretty well, although the headmistress plotline seemed a bit forced. also, Billy wasn't in the story as much as he usually is, and I missed him. I often listen to the Maisie Dobbs books, but this time I read it. I could still hear Orlagh Cassidy in my head. great addition to the series.

Jacqueline Winspear highlights the unheralded in her new book set in 1942 England.

She introduces readers to the women pilots who ferried planes wherever they were needed. She features Land Girls, moved from the city to help farmers till the soil.

She spotlights the abuse a child endures when a teacher claims she is Italian. Concurrently, a black American soldier is unjustly accused of a crime.

Psychologist/investigator Maisie Dobbs meets the array of characters as she searches for the shooter who killed two pilots and very nearly caused a third to crash.

Winspear attributed her early plots set just after World War 1 to her grandparents' memories of serving for England. She writes about World War 2 with the same assurance. Night bombing is a constant fear. Death is a fact of life. Family is to be treasured.

Book 17 in Winspear's series brings all the familiar characters together for another great read.

Writing: 3.5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 5/5

Historical mystery at its best. Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs (a “psychologist and investigator” well connected with both the war office and the local chapter of Scotland Yard) continues to solve complex crimes while the timeline moves from early WWI (the first volume) through 1942 (WWII) in this 17th installment. Unlike many mystery series, these never get repetitive, nor are they replete with filler (as way too many are!). Each story draws from history to lay out a context in which the particular mystery takes place. The series reminds me of Foyle’s War -- one of my favorite British television series — which similarly retells history via specific and accurate events.

The plot of A Sunlit Weapon centers around the women pilots who comprise the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). One crashes near Bromley for no apparent reason, and when a second goes to the area to investigate, she finds an American soldier — a black American soldier — left tied up in a barn with a second (white) soldier missing in action. At the same time Eleanor Roosevelt is heading to Britain, and there is real fear around trying to keep her safe, given that she likes to talk with everyone — particularly those that others find uninteresting — the workers and the women.

Major themes of racial prejudice pervade — both with the American soldiers (who strive to maintain color segregation in Britain despite the fact that there is no such practice or policy there) and for Maisie’s adopted daughter, whose darker skin tone leads to bullying in the local school. Good writing, appealing characters whose lives also progress from one volume to the next, and a satisfyingly twisted plot. Full of real history — my favorite: the female ATA pilots were the first governmental employees to achieve pay parity with men.

I love this series — hope she keeps going!

Winspear does it again with an immersive installment in the Maisie Dobbs series. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, which returns to aviation and political intrigue, but with Maisie in a new stage of her life. As this is the 17th novel in the series, it's not a good place to start for new readers. Please go back to book one!

Women and war work, specifically.

Such a simple sentence but powerful, A Sunlit Weapon, this 17th installment of Maisie Dobbs has indeed explored to work of women during war. Ms. Winspear’s dedication to her characters and continued story through two world wars has given us, the readers, a great sense of the ATA - history of Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary, a civilian organization founded in 1939 and the aviatrices representing Britain as they ferry planes to their needed locations. And for equal pay I might add.

An inspirational story representing bravery, understanding and accountability as a difficult case is solved and the lives of a Kent community continues to support King and Country and the Good Ole USA.

Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear and HarperCollins Publishers. All opinions are my own