The Mapping of Love and Death

A Maisie Dobbs Novel

By: Jacqueline Winspear

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

In the latest mystery in the New York Times best-selling series, Maisie Dobbs must unravel a case of wartime love and death—an investigation that leads her to a long-hidden affair between a young cartographer and a mysterious nurse.

August 1914. Michael Clifton is mapping the land he has just purchased in California’s beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, certain that oil lies beneath its surface. But as the young cartographer prepares to return home to Boston, war is declared in Europe. Michael—the youngest son of an expatriate Englishman—puts duty first and sails for his father’s native country to serve in the British army. Three years later, he is listed among those missing in action.

April 1932. London psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs is retained by Michael’s parents, who have recently learned that their son’s remains have been unearthed in France. They want Maisie to find the unnamed nurse whose love letters were among Michael’s belongings—a quest that takes Maisie back to her own bittersweet wartime love. Her inquiries, and the stunning discovery that Michael Clifton was murdered in his trench, unleash a web of intrigue and violence that threatens to engulf the soldier’s family and even Maisie herself. Over the course of her investigation, Maisie must cope with the approaching loss of her mentor, Maurice Blanche, and her growing awareness that she is once again falling in love.

Following the critically acclaimed best seller Among the Mad, The Mapping of Love and Death delivers the most gripping and satisfying chapter yet in the life of Maisie Dobbs.

Don't miss other titles in the Maisie Dobbs series.

©2010 Jacqueline Winspear (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

“A sleuth to treasure.” (Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review)

My favorite so far

I find Masie Dobbs a lovely inspiring woman. Her kindness and humanity is so what we still need today. I look forward to her next novel and as Jacqueline Winspear suggested at a book signing, her books are best read in order.

The Maisie Dobbs books are fun.

I love the period piece aspects; I love the characters; I love the stories. Perhaps not deep but always interesting! This part of the story serves well as an engaging and enjoyable "read."

The Mapping of Love and Death

Really enjoyable. I liked the mystery part, even though Maisie was able to wrap up a few pieces just a little too neatly and unbelievably. This is the 7th in the series, but I didn't feel like I'd missed out or needed to start at the beginning. I came to really care about the characters who must have grown with Maisie throughout the series. I even cried for a couple of the characters and descriptions. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's poetry played a role, and I liked that and her poem "The Best Thing in the World".

The Best Thing in the World

What's the best thing in the world?
June-rose, by May-dew impearled;
Sweet south-wind, that means no rain;
Truth, not cruel to a friend;
Pleasure, not in haste to end;
Beauty, not self-decked and curled
Till its pride is over-plain;
Love, when, so, you're loved again.
What's the best thing in the world?
--Something out of it, I think.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Excellent

I love these books. I was fortune enough to listen to them in the order they were written. Maisie is a wonderful character, as is Billy, Maurice, Lady Rowen, Dad, everyone. This is the most recent book and Maisie is beginning to come out from under the cloud that her wartime service left behind. She sees light at the end of the tunnel. Maisie's life takes a big change at the end of the book. I can't wait to to see where she goes next.
The mystery was excellent as usual but these books are about more than just the mystery. Winspear does an excellent job making the various characters, even the ones who only appear long enough to get killed, real. You are sorry their lives are cut short. The narration is perfect!!

Interesting story line based on a truth

Overall very interesting - based on some legacy truths of WW1 as are all the novels. The only critique I have would be that it is obvious that the narrator is not from the UK despite a good accent overall! The pronunciation of some words is clearly pulled from US English not UK English - and I would expect better if the publisher is going to select a non-UK person to narrate as all of this could have been prevented - it does end up being annoying! For example: radiator should be pronounced RAY-diator; clerk should be clArk, etc. Other than than, overall well narrated.

The Best of Maisie

For me, this is the highpoint of the "Maisie Dobbs" series. The mystery in this book is one of Winspear's most compelling and interesting, with much insight into a little-known but vital instrument in warcraft: mapmaking. Also, in this volume, important events and changes in the lives of major characters in the series affect Maisie in ways that will alter her life. Don't miss this one!

Wonderful narration

The book is excellent and made more so by the narrator. I would high recommend "binge" reading from the very Maisie book. I love how the stories flow into each book.

Fabulous reading and story

The author has a wonderful way of presenting the life and times of the characters and the situations they find themselves. Her descriptions of thoughts, etc.really make you feel like you are there.
I love the research she incorporated I n to the story.

Lovely stories

Always captivating. I just love the Maisie Dobbs series. It's like a trip back in time.

I love listening

Maisie Dobbs has pushed back all my other books in the TBR pile. That’s true for several of my friends. I strongly recommend them.