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)

WWI historical & emotional at war and at home.

This whole series: captures WWI historically & emotionally at war and at home. Very important in this year of remembrance. Many thanks.

Another well researched novel

Jacqueline Winspear has created a complex and fascinating story around a historical situation. The characters are sympathetic and relatable entwined in a story that reveals their humanity. These novels have become a friend who I enjoy hearing her latest chapter of life

Another "one of the best" in the series

They just keep getting better and better! I am so enjoying this series and each time I finish one, I declare it is my favorite. Superbly written, great storyline, well-developed characters, engrossing - not a thing is missing! I can't wait to start the next one!

Excellent and engaging

I loved this book! Very hard to stop listening. I want to write more, but do not want to give anything away...just listen!

Based on a true story

It isn't until the end of the book that you were told that this is based on a true story about one man's quest to find the missing from the great war World War I. As with all of the Mazie Dobbs stories, there are many twists and turns, sadness and laughter and you're kept in the dark throughout. It is an excellent story.

I love Maisie Dobbs

The story develops plot lines that weave together with the theme of finding and fulfilling one’s purpose in life. Family, romance, murder and death provide points along that search.

Beautiful store

Wonderful tale - I love listening to every word - it was a pleasure to here a love story of family and lovers

Captivating

Interesting history and storyline. I found it Unpredictable and Balanced. I am ready for the next in this series

#6 may be the best yet

Great story...we learn much more about Maisie and her life takes new turns!!

Maisie keeps on going, growing

I like to write in an author's early books that it sometimes takes more than one book to get their sea legs. They improve their writing and thus the stories as a series evolves. That is certainly the case with Jacqueline Winspear. Not that she didn't already have her sea legs as this is the seventh book in the series and there have been some good ones already. But with this book she truly brings it all together.

In this book there is an American whose father was British who decided in 1914 that he wanted to go fight the Germans for King and country, he just got caught up in the fervor that often happens when a war breaks out. It turns out that he didn't survive the Great War and perished in France with his body not returned home or the circumstances of his death known. Then in 1932 his body along with some of his comrades is found buried in what must have been an underground bunker. His parents come to London and hire Maisie to find to find out what happened.

The author really out does herself in her character development and understanding of human nature in this book. In WWI Britain and France, along with Germany, took the full force of the long war, lots of people died and the ramifications of all that suffering lasted for years. The author brings that aspect to this story.

The author has a short post book author's note where she states that the Santa Barbara, CA newspaper had a story she read where even today the Brits are trying to identify all the dead and buried in France that they can after they are found. I'd think with DNA they would have a fighting chance but it's still a very tough job. The article talked of a dead soldier they'd found as possibly being American and they were looking for help identifying the remains. The author said the remains were never identified and his headstone lists him as an unknown soldier. She said that article was the inspiration for this book. Bring on book #8!