The Comfort of Ghosts

Maisie Dobbs, Book 18

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

A MILESTONE IN HISTORICAL MYSTERY FICTION AS MAISIE DOBBS TAKES HER FINAL BOW

London, 1945: Four adolescent orphans with a dark wartime history are squatting in a vacant Belgravia mansion—the owners having fled London under heavy Luftwaffe bombing. Psychologist and Investigator Maisie Dobbs visits the mansion on behalf of the owners and discovers that a demobilized soldier, gravely ill and reeling from his experiences overseas, has taken shelter with the group.

Maisie’s quest to bring comfort to the youngsters and the ailing soldier brings to light a decades-old mystery concerning Maisie’s first husband, James Compton, who was killed while piloting an experimental fighter aircraft. As Maisie unravels the threads of her dead husband’s life, she is forced to examine her own painful past and question beliefs she has always accepted as true.

The award-winning Maisie Dobbs series has garnered hundreds of thousands of followers, audiences drawn to a woman who is of her time, yet familiar in ours—and who inspires with her resilience and capacity for endurance. This final assignment of her own choosing not only opens a new future for Maisie and her family, but serves as a fascinating portrayal of the challenges facing the people of Britain at the close of the Second World War.

©2024 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2024 Recorded Books

Great ending to the Maisie Dobbs series

Loved the way all the loose ends in the series were addressed in this last, well-written book. I will miss Maisie.

Another great read about Maisie Dobbs

I have thoroughly enjoyed and read all the Maisie Dobbs books. She is a great heroine.
There’s a few details in this book that seem changed… but I rolled with them and realized what a great author Jaqueline Winspear really is.
In this book, we see Maisie as a mature and loving and intelligent woman ready to relax into the middle part of her life.

If you enjoy this book and haven’t read the others, you must. You’ll have months of great pleasure in learning all about Maisie and her unique view of the world and her place in it as she navigates life’s up and downs.

Goodbye Maisie

I loved how this book tied up things. This has been one of my favorite series.

The narrator is exceptional.

A Worthy Ending

I have read or listened to this whole series. This one closes the outstanding series with honor.

Story

Liked it all. Characters. Story. Perspective. Good people with ethics. Understanding a little more of after the war years.

A fitting closing

Mark does not sound like any American I have ever met - his voice is so grating I can hardly listen when he speaks and his statements regarding her quest to find James’ son sounded patriarchal and like no one Maisie would be married to. Adoptive children have the right to know who their real parents are and many mothers who gave up children continue to miss them and would love to meet them some day. I never liked the sound of his voice and now I don’t like him either. He also became whiny about wanting to build a home. I honestly can’t picture Maisie with him.

More please!

Good to read about all the characters. I hope more is coming! This book felt it was a few short stories bound together to tie up any loose character’s paths to end.

A Satisfying if Poignant Goodbye to a Great Character

I enjoyed the adroit weaving of reminders of past occurrences with present situations. The sweet and optimistic denouement

Last f Maise, Loved the book. As always she is an amazing writer. Her stories take you to a more difficult, but better life.

I was amazed by how the author wrapped up the series. I’ve enjoyed all of her books, and was astounded by her lovely autobiography.

These books are full of heart. I want all of the characters in my world!!

The only part I disliked is that this is the last book!!
Pretty much yearly, I re-listen to each book, adding the new ones at the end. Jaqueline Winspear never fails to surprise me with her insights and with her characters and their growth.

The amazing ending of this book was perfect.