In the Grave Hour

Poor Maisie Dobbs, embroiled in another war. In the Grave Hour by Jacqueline Winspear, Britain is again at war with Germany. When a Secret Service agent breaks into Maisie's flat and explains an urgent assignment, Maisie knows it is her duty to assist.

Dr. Francesca Thomas wants Maisie to solve the murder of a Belgian refugee who escaped to England from the "last war." As Maisie delves deeper into the murder and Britain prepares for war, another Belgian refugee is murdered. The more she digs, the more dangerous the information becomes.

Also during the investigation, children from London are being evacuated in "Operation Pied Piper". Because of the threat of bombing, they are being sent to sites in the country to be safe.

One little girl, who does not or cannot speak, is billeted at

Maisie's home in Kent. None of the officials with the evacuation operation know where the girl came from. She only had a small suitcase and no name tag pinned to her clothing. Not one to let a mystery go unsolved, Maisie tries to discover who the little girl is and where she is from while she continues her investigation into the murder of the Belgian refugees.

Maisie finds herself in a race against time as two other people are killed in the same execution-like manner as the men. Once again Jacqueline Winspear weaves a complex plot and leaves the reader guessing until the end.

The issue with the little girl is not resolved, but I know there will be more to come in the next book.

For other books by Jacqueline Winspear, click here.