Every day, there are more and more detective stories being written and more whodunit books littering the shelves. Most are interchangeable, their characters lacking in originality and the plots overworked and obvious. But Winspear takes the mystery novel a step beyond by adding historical fiction to the blend and allowing her well-drawn characters a place to reside that lies somewhere between the real and the imagined.

In the latest installment in the series of Maisie Dobbs books, our heroine - the female private investigator with moxy - has become a woman of means. Free to come and go as she pleases, Dobbs accepts an offer from Scotland Yard's Special Branch. There is a murder, suspects, intrigue, and of course, revealed secrets. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, our tough lady investigator uncovers truths and faces down enemies in a series of plot twists and turns both exciting and challenging.

Winspear is a mystery writer - everybody else simply writes about mystery. It's no wonder that she's won the Agatha, Alex and Macavity awards as well as being a New York Times bestselling author. Her writing is fresh and immediate, never cookie-cutter. For Winspear fans, A Lesson in Secrets will delight you. For those of you who typically turn your nose up at a mystery, check this one out.