I really enjoy the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear and have written about that series here. The same friend who first introduced me to Maisie recommended this stand-alone novel by Winspear. If you have read Maisie Dobbs, you know that the author’s historical research is quite remarkable. This really shines in this book. We learn so much about the effect of WWI on all sorts of people in England. This war completely upended British society, and Winspear has done a grand job of narrating that upheaval.

I don’t think this book is quite as good as the Maisie Dobbs books, largely because I think character development is one of Winspear’s strong suits and there’s not quite enough time here. I also thought the ending was a bit overly sentimental, so will enjoy hearing others’ opinions.

It’s definitely worth reading. The title comes clear as the story unfolds.