The White Lady: A Novel

The White Lady is written by Jacqueline Winspear.The book is termed a ‘British Historical Mystery’.Ms. Winspear is the author of the Maisie Dobbs series and though The White Lady resembles that series, it is a stand-alone novel.It does share the same time periods of Maisie Dobbs - pre World War I to post World War II in Britain. The very thoughtful writing style is the same, as is the personality and intelligence of Elinor White. The historical and cultural references make the reader feel a very personal part of the time periods. The White Lady is a history-based thriller, and testimony to the bravery and determination of women everywhere.“This heart-stopping novel, set in post World War II Britain in 1947, follows the coming of age and maturity of former wartime operative Elinor White - veteran of 2 wars, a trained killer, protective of her anonymity - when she is drawn back to the world of menace she has been desperate to leave behind.”*****

I enjoy historical fiction and this was a good story about the scars from the desperation of war, and what it drives people to do and elicit in others, even children.

The White Lady is a fascinating story of Elinor "Linnie" De Witt. Only 12 years old when she became involved in espionage, learning to be the hunter instead of the hunted in Belgium's fight against the Germans in WWI. Once the war is over and she's living in London with her mother and sister, she's again pulled into espionage, learning even more about fighting and survival during the second world war. I have been reading Ms. Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series, and I find it so interesting. For a change, it's fascinating to read about women (and girls) who are just as courageous and ready to fight to protect what they love. History books tell us everything about the bravery of men, but they sure don't focus on the women other than to indicate how "helpful" they can be to the men doing all the work. They don't talk about women like Sophie Scholl, the Code Girls of WWII, Katherine Johnson, or the Mercury 13 women. That's why I just want to cheer for Jacqueline Winspear's writing. She's got intelligent, crafty, dedicated women doing jobs that most men would find hard to do, and they do it well. She also describes how many men genuinely despised and disrespected the women who were being brought in to do the jobs they were supposed to be too weak or afraid to do. The men doing this work were supposed to be from good families with pedigrees and old school educations. Not women and not even men from the lower ranks of society. Elsie Mackie was also a surprise. The Mackie family, the men anyhow, believed that Elsie was pretty benign and only good for taking care of "the old man" while they were out making their gangland empire. She sure fooled them. She could have been a general if they had been able to see her as more than just a weak female, but again, they underestimated the weak woman. I had to laugh. Anyhow, I just loved this book. Especially the parts looking back at how Linnie became the person she was by the end of the book...the years between WWI and WWII. I'm glad Ms. Winspear has written so many books. I've got 2 more Maisie Dobbs books in my TBR pile, and I'll be starting on one of them very soon.

If you liked Maisie, you will love this one! Strong story line and excellent characters. Always a great read from Ms. Wins pear.

Characterization was skillful. Story was intriguing and adds new dimensions to the story of the resistance in WWII.As a mystery/thriller, too much of the information that is important to understanding the character and the story only emerges toward the end.

I don’t read many books written by women. I have nothing against women authors but I just prefer a masculine voice behind a man’s point of view. For some reason, though, this book caught my eye and held it long enough to cause me to make an exception. I’m glad that it did, because I found it to be an interesting and enjoyable read. I’ll now settle back into my normal reading routine, but consume it all from a perspective that’s been changed by a degree or two. Thanks Jacqueline Winspear.

I was caught up by the plot of this novel, which centered on one character, Elinor De Witt, or Miss White. The story opens in 1947 with Miss White living a peaceful life in the British countryside. She becomes caught up with a young family living nearby, who are threatened by a well-entrenched organized crime family in London. From there, her back story starts to be told, starting with WWI when she was just 14, and recruited for a job with the Belgian resistance. From an early age, Elinor was brave, smart, and daring, credentials that assisted her also in WWII when she was recruited by English intelligence to work behind enemy lines in Europe. Flashbacks are a major literary mechanism for advancing her interesting story. I don’t always like dual timelines, but it works in this novel, giving the reader insight to Elinor’s character, her demons, and her post-war ability to go up against a compelling enemy, the crime family. I both read and listened to this book. Jacqueline Winspear is a talented writer, able to tell a tale of suspenseful war missions and mental anguish with wonderful detail and artful description. The audio narrator, Orlagh Cassidy, did a masterful job of bringing each character to life. I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction centered on WWI and WWII.

Great book and great story! Enjoyed it a lot!Would highly recommend it! History, romance and intrigue. Powerful women story!!

I have read all the Maisie Dobbs books & so I knew I would enjoy this one. I couldn't put it down. I usually don't care for flashbacks but this as handled very well. I look forward to more by Jacqueline Winspear.

Eines von den Büchern das man in einem Rutsch auslesen möchte

I found Jacqueline, after reading a Maisie Dobbs book, on a whim. It was a great decision, I then purchased all the books in the series, every one, quite brilliant, in my opinion, so I had just finished a lee child, Jack Reacher book, another Author and Hero, I love and follow, and came across The White Lady, was hooked by the story line, I have just finished it, and I feel I have, read it in record time, I couldn't put it down anyway it's superbly written, with twists and turns everywhere, and I won't spoil the ending, but if more than a couple of readers, guess anywhere close, I would be amazed!!!!! But read it, you will not be disappointed if you are, I will be amazed all over again but you won't, so neather will I......... Mozza

A very good read it twists and turns. Extremely enjoyable. It gives a great insight into the resistance during World War 1 and 2. It also shows how life becomes very cheap for ordinary people and just a games for others to enhance reputations and wealth.

A masterpiece of a novel, which I struggled to put down. A protagonist who is brave, intelligent, ruthless and at the same time, kind.I loved how the timelines of 1947, the first world war and the second world war all melded into one to provide the back story of the formidable Miss White. Twists and turns at every chapter and an ending that sends shivers down your spine!Five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐