Journey to Munich
Ratings6
Average rating3.8
It's early 1938, and Maisie Dobbs is back in England. On a fine yet chilly morning, as she walks towards Fitzroy Square -- a place of many memories -- she is intercepted by Brian Huntley and Robert MacFarlane of the Secret Service. The German government has agreed to release a British subject from prison, but only if he is handed over to a family member. Because the man's wife is bedridden and his daughter has been killed in an accident, the Secret Service wants Maisie -- who bears a striking resemblance to the daughter -- to retrieve the man from Dachau, on the outskirts of Munich. The British government is not alone in its interest in Maisie's travel plans. Her nemesis -- the man she holds responsible for her husband's death -- has learned of her journey, and is also desperate for her help. Traveling into the heart of Nazi Germany, Maisie encounters unexpected dangers -- and finds herself questioning whether it's time to return to the work she loved. But the Secret Service may have other ideas.
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This story is set in 1938 when the Nazis were ascendant in Germany. Maisie Dobbs has returned to England after working for a while as a nurse in civil war-torn Spain. Before she can really reestablish her life in London, British Secret Service ask her to travel to Munich on a special assignment. She somewhat reluctantly accepts the assignment. She is to pose as the daughter of Leon Donat a British citizen imprisoned by the Germans in Dachau prison near Munich. The British government has negotiated his release, but the Nazis will only release him to a family member. She also agrees to try to find the daughter of a wealthy British-Canadian businessman. The daughter has gone missing in Munich and Maisie is to persuade her to return home if possible.
The mission appears straightforward but proves to be anything but. The Secret Service and Nazi SS have agendas and there are mercantile interests at work. As if that weren't enough, German underground activists and an American agent get into the mix and the daughter is up to something. Nazi Germany is not a safe or good place to be. Maisie has a dangerous road to walk.
Pretty good story. Orlagh Cassidy's narration is well done. Solid four stars.
This book put Maisie back on track. The last book seemed quite meandering and I was worried our dear Maisie was lost for good. This story was both a good mystery and firmly put our dear Maisie back on firm footing. Her world is changing and the spy game and Nazis are afoot!
Firstly: I love this series. (and this is a series - not a group of stand alone books with the same main character - you really need to read them in order since each book builds on what came before it) But I'd have to say that although I enjoyed the book, this one is my least favorite. I would agree with one of the prior reviewers - it's a 3.5 - 3 seems a little harsh, and it's definitely not a 4.
I really had to completely suspend disbelief at several points. Maisie is absolutely shoehorned into this set of circumstances. Her decisions are not particularly true to the character (she's smarter than this) - and I'm still scratching my head over some of the character's decisions. I enjoyed book #11 quite a bit (many did not) - mainly because it covered a bit of history I know little about (and made me interested enough I sought out more information)
Do read the series. Maisie is a wonderful character. This installment is a bit weak - but it appears the series might be back on the rails for #13 (if there is a #13).
