Review: Among the Mad

Another fabulous Maisie Dobbs mystery. It’s Christmas 1931 and Maisie finds herself seconded to Military Intelligence, Section 5 after letters are received by the Home Secretary, threatening to kill innocent Londoners en masse if demands are not met.

This sixth book in the series has a different tone to the earlier books. Maisie is working as part of a Scotland Yard team, which creates certain challenges: Maisie is really not a team player! Her investigations reveal research being done into chemical weapons and their effects. As in all Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs novels, the story looks at the after-effects of the war, in this case the hundreds of thousands of returned soldiers suffering from shell-shock and what we now know is PTSD. Winspear also explores the lack of understanding from most medical practitioners in regard to the treatment of those suffering from mental health issues.

Maisie’s approach to her work, her friends, family and colleagues is considered and compassionate. She sets us all a fine example!

• Review
• Jacqueline Winspear