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)

The Mapping of Love and Death

I enjoyed this pleasant story. The time after WW1 was the beginning of a great change for the role of women in society. This story helps document that change in a great story. Orlagh Cassidy did a superb job in narrating the story. This book leaves one uplifted and ready to face the daily challenges of life. Enjoy.

excellent book

love the Maise Dobbs series... Best one yet!!! Worth every penny spent and time invested.

Great story and writing!

Enjoyed this book so much! The writing was so good that it made me smile and made me cry. The narrator also did a good job. The way the author develops the story, with so many things going on, and then weaves it together is commendable! I really admire how smart Maise is and how she handles everything skillfully. There is no tension built in for the sake of suspense. The story and the writing are so strong that it keeps the reader engaged.

The Mapping

Maisie leaves me crying As I have said before these stories are truly fascinating but also very sad.

The passing if a dear friend and mentor and the beginning of a new love. Really Intense and wonderfully narrated

another wonderful story

so far the saddest by far. being so well written the story played hard on my emotions. do I look forward to the rest of the series with hope. as to the recording itself there were sections that were difficult to hear and I am unsure if this was the recording or my device itself.

Best Yet

In this, the seventh in the series of Maisie Dobbs, I find my relationship with this character bonded. The best thus far but, hopefully, only the door opening of the suspense filled journey to come.

Outstanding

There may be narrators as good but there are none better than Orlah Cassidy.
Same goes for ten Maisie Dobbs series.

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