Louisa Enright's Blog

Books, Documentaries, Reviews:  December 21, 2015

Two Mystery Writers:  Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winspear

They couldn’t be more different, these two writers.

But both bring a decided femaleness to their work–and I really like reading how they approach and execute their mysteries.

I’m not sure that male readers would like Winspear.  They might find her gentleness and carefulness boring in this present day world of violent and voyeuristic entertainment.  I do think they would like Penny’s work.

Jacqueline Winspear was born and educated in England, but moved to the United States as an adult.  Her Maisie Dobbs mysteries are set in post World War I England.  These are wise and gentle novels, though they deal with war wounds of all kinds, insanity, murder, mayhem, class differences, and so forth.  I’ve downloaded from the Maine audio library two of these mysteries and am waiting for two more.

Louise Penny is Canadian, and her protagonist is Armand Gamache, the chief of homicide for Quebec in a present day time frame.  Her work is elegant to say the least.  And, interesting.

There is something so seductive about having someone read a novel to you while you work with your hands.

Lovely.