Aviatrices, Investigators and VIP’s!

A Sunlit Weapon (Maisie Dobbs #17) by Jacqueline Winspear

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England 1942. Amongst the many challenges she faces, investigator Maisie Dobbs comes face to face with some American problems—Racism, US Army regulations, a dead American serviceman, and assassins. On the more personal front her daughter Anna is having problems at school, and Billy’s family have fresh heartache.  Maisie and her husband Mark Scott have to thread a careful path between their respective jobs. Especially as it seems Maisie’s investigative work will cross over into Mark’s work with the American Embassy.

Three spitfires have mysteriously crashed near a landing field in Biggin Hill, Kent.

One being flown by the fiancé of aviatrix Jo Harvey, who is with the Air Transport Auxiliary who ferry different planes to where they’re needed. Jo feels that something’s not quite right about these accidents and she employs Maisie to investigate.

Along with this a colored soldier has been accused of killing a white soldier, although mysteriously there’s no body. Alongside this is a security nightmare trip to England by a highly placed American, and the unexplained death of one of the aviatrix. 

International and personal problems challenge Maisie’s thought structures. She finds herself returning to some of the basics inculcated from Maurice.

Although engaging I found that this phase of Maisie’s life becoming just too complicated. On the other hand, when has that not been the case?

A Harper ARC via NetGalley