Elegy for Eddie (Maisie Dobbs #9)

The mystery behind “Elegy for Eddie” is more compelling than the last few Maisie Dobbs books.

As in the past few books, too many side characters are introduced that aren't red herrings or move the story along. I would have liked to spend more time amongst the costermongers and less time listening to Maisie waffle about the (lack of) romance with the endlessly dull James Compton. When he tells her he wants her to give up her detective work, she's upset but really quite ho hum about it. I also don't think Maisie's inheritance would have let her run amongst the upper class (especially with her “seedy” day job).

Read aloud with Jordana

I seem to be hooked on this series. Some have commented that they have trouble empathizing with Maisie Dobbs and that she is a bit of a cold fish with a need to control. I disagree. I think it is just that her feelings are closely held and also she still struggles PTSD. Also, her chosen profession, investigator and consultant (and it seems sometimes government agent), requires her to be somewhat dispassionate and objective.

In this volume, Maisie has multiple problems to solve. Some acquaintances from her own humble roots on the “far side of the water” request her to investigate the death of Eddie Pettit – a humble soul who had a way with horses. They are sure his death was no accident.
Additionally, a government agency hires her to take on a teaching position at a Cambridge college and report on possible subversive activities there. Almost immediately she finds herself caught up in a mystery surrounding a death there.
Also, some powerful men are worried about the dark clouds of Fascism and Nazism that are gathering in Europe and are taking action.
These seemingly unrelated elements intersect in surprising ways in this story.

Maisie's personal life also changes. The romance that began in the previous book blossoms in this volume. But, things will not go smoothly between her and her love because Maisie was never cut out to be a society wife. I will be interested to see how this thread works out in future volumes.

All in all, a pretty good historical mystery. Maisie has to make full use of her intellect and her intuition and she has to confront some internal demons to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
Solid four stars.