Jacqueline Winspear’s Among the Mad (book #6) is a great addition to the beloved Maisie Dobbs series. Set in post-WWI England, the novel follows Maisie Dobbs, a psychologist and investigator, as she works with a high-powered team from Scotland Yard to catch a madman before he commits murder on an unimaginable scale.
The story kicks off when Maisie witnesses a man commit suicide in front of her on Christmas Eve. His death sets off a chain of events involving cryptic letters threatening mass destruction. Maisie races to prevent a catastrophe while facing her own psychological scars left by the war.
Winspear excels at creating a vivid and immersive historical setting. The gritty streets of London, the haunting memories of the Great War, and the societal struggles of the time are portrayed in painstaking detail. The stakes are high, making it hard to put the book down.
Maisie Dobbs shines as a protagonist. Her intelligence, empathy, and determination make her an endearing and relatable character. Winspear masterfully explores Maisie’s internal struggles, and the supporting cast, including her loyal assistant Billy Beale and Scotland Yard investigators, enriches the story with their distinct personalities.
While some may find the book a tad more philosophical than its predecessors, the historical details are fascinating, offering insights into postwar mental illness. If you enjoy historical mysteries, you’ll like this one. It’s well-crafted and well worth reading.
Rating: 4 stars