This is a great series of books - but as things develop, I find I like the bits about the characters more than the mystery. This one takes place at the start of WWII. As always, I enjoyed Maisie and Billy's investigation. Am hoping the next one focuses more on Maisie and Pricilla's new endeavor with a heavy dose of Billy (I love Billy) and a little mystery sprinkled in...(or several small ones). ( )

In this Grave Hour is written by Jacqueline Winspear. The title is Book #13 in the highly acclaimed Maisie Dobbs series.
The time is September 1939.
As Britain declares war on Germany, Maisie Dobbs receives an urgent assignment from Dr. Francesca Thomas - find the killer of a man who escaped Belgium as a boy, some 23 years earlier during the Great War.
The title deals with the topics of refugees and immigration, very timely in light of our current political issues on the same subjects.
I would describe In this Grave Hour and all of the preceding titles in this brilliant series as
Tragic - Heart-breaking at times - Historical - Cultural - Geographical - Mysteries - Friendship - Truth - Honor - Empathy - Suspense - Well-plotted - Well-rounded, Unforgettable Characters.
Brilliant. ***** ( )

World War 2

The book opens with Maisie sitting with Priscilla and her family listening to the radio as war between Britain and France is declared. But during the months before the raids begin on London, a period of time known as the phoney war, Maisie must solve a mystery related to the last war. A former refugee from Belgium who had stayed in England is found murdered, and the enigmatic Francesca Thomas wants to know why. Back at Dower House, Maisie's father and stepmother take in some child evacuees, one of whom is unidentified. ( )

I am addicted to this series. I virtually never read two novels at once but I hadthought that this one would be different enough from my main book, but it turned out that there were a lot of similarities including a found/lost mute child.

In this book I wasn’t that wild about the murder mystery but I loved the other mystery, that of the young girl.

It’s another great dog and horse book.

I read these for the characters & the relationships & the settings and all were top notch this time around.

I looked up information about the barrage balloons over London at the start of WWII. I always end up doing some research when reading the books in this series. I always learn some things.

I enjoyed all of the author's notes in the back of the book! Great extras!

3-2/3 stars ( )