Maisie Dobbs, a London psychologist, empathic, and
investigator is retained by a wealthy American family who
has just learned that after being declared missing for over
twenty-years, their son's body was found in a mass grave in
France. Michael Clifton was a citizen of the United
States when war was declared in Europe and he felt that his
skill at cartography would be useful to the allies.
Michael's father was born in England, but left his family
and fortune to immigrate to America and make his own way,
and did very well. Mrs. Clifton was an American heiress,
and each of their children, including Michael, had very
large trusts. Before leaving America, Michael spent a
large amount of money on some property in California that
is rich in oil, but the family cannot find any
documentation of this purchase.
Maisie has been hired to go through the papers that were
with Michael at the time of his death. The Clifton's want
to know who the mysterious nurse is that Michael had fallen
in love with and also if there is any information about his
land in the packet that was given to them. Several claims
have been made against this property, but until rightful
ownership can be established, the estate cannot be
probated.
With the help of her assistant, Billy Beale, Maisie is able
to ascertain that the lady in Michael's life was with a
privately funded group of English nurses, and she also
established from the coroner's report that Michael was
murdered rather than killed in action as were the others
that shared his grave. Using all of the techniques
bequeathed to her by her mentor, Maurice Blanche, and just
plain old leg work, Maisie brings another case to a
satisfying conclusion.
Reading a Maisie Dobbs mystery is comfort food for my
mind. Jacqueline Winspear is a true artiste with a
beautiful, flowing rhythm showcasing her talents and
knowledge for the postwar depression era of the first World
War. Each character is carefully sculpted with tender
hands and their personal sagas are meticulously narrated.
THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH brings several changes to
Maisie's life as well as to those lives of the continuing
characters from each of the previous books. For the
reader that enjoys and appreciates a masterful accounting
of this era of English wartime history, the Maisie Dobbs'
novels would be your cup of tea.
In the latest mystery in the New York Times
bestselling 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
bestseller Among the Mad, The Mapping of Love and
Death delivers the most gripping and satisfying chapter
yet in the life of Maisie Dobbs.
© 2003-2025 off-the-edge.net
all rights reserved Privacy Policy