The Mapping of Love and Death

I love the Maisie Dobbs series, which should be read or listened to in chronological order. This is because in addition to the crime(s) that happen in each book so far, for me the greater interest is in the lives of the characters that continue from book to book–Maisie Dobbs and her friends and re-appearing other characters. I won’t describe any of the plot of this book because it is widely written about in other reviews. I will just say that there are serious questions and challenges and moral issues throughout this series, and near the end of this book, something happened that brought tears to my eyes. That rarely happens. These books are page-turners and powerful. A wonderful series with characters and lives that you will never forget! It’s hard to believe that they are fictional. If Maisie faces important decisions in life, there is a good chance that readers will have faced some version of them, too. The book entertains and is educational about the times and places. Like many of the great books, this series will likely enrich each reader’s life.

Its 1932, Maisie Dobbs third year in business as an inquiry agent. (Thats British for private detective.) As usual, Maisies life is complicated. Her assistant, Billy Beale, is working shorter hours to care for his wife, who has just been released from a mental asylum. Maisies beloved mentor and former employer, Dr. Maurice Blanche, is in declining health. And two attractive, wealthy men are pursuing her despite her reluctance to take time away from her work. Her agency is doing well even in the Depression. Then a friend shed known from her service as a nurse in the Great War writes from America to ask that she help an American couple freshly arrived in London.

The Cliftons, it turns out, are in their late seventies. Edward Clifton had emigrated from England to the U.S. as a young man. There he built a huge property development business, in which their children are now assuming leadership. He and his wife just arrived from France, where the remains of their youngest son were uncovered in an old battlefield. Letters uncovered with his body reveal that the young man had had an affair with a young woman during the war. Maisies assignment is to locate her. But Maisie discovers almost immediately that the job isnt just an old missing-persons case: a close reading of the autopsy report makes clear that Michael Clifton didnt die in battle. He was murdered.

While spending time with the dying Maurice and navigating the attentions of two competing would-be husbands, Maisie sets out to determine who murdered Michael Clifton and identify his long-missing lover. Her investigation immerses her in the dynamics of the large and complicated Clifton family. Then, when the aged Cliftons are attacked in their hotel and left to die, Scotland Yard enters the scene. Maisie is then forced to collaborate with the detective who has caused a great deal of trouble for her in the past.

The Mapping of Love and Death is the seventh novel in Jacqueline Winspears delightful Maisie Dobbs series. (The reference to mapping in the title refers to Michael Cliftons chosen profession as a cartographer and his work in a British Army cartography unit on the front lines in France.) As in its predecessors, World War I looms large in the background. Winspear deftly portrays the difficulty the English had to leave behind the terrible consequences of the war even a decade and a half later. However, the shocking conclusion to this novel reveals that future books in the series may take a turn toward the coming, Second World War. Given the skill she demonstrated in the first seven novels in the series, Im looking forward to more from Jacqueline Winspear.

SPOILER ALERT: This was definitely one of the better books in the series. Maisie seemed more human, though, once again, clues were kept from the reader. An annoying habit Ms. Winspear can’t seem to break. I was glad to see Maisie relied more on solid detective work, however, and not mainly on gut feeling (although, at times, she did seem to piece clues together out of thin air). I had an inkling in the previous book or two that James Compton might play a more important role in Maisie’s life and I’m glad I was right. There is definitely more chemistry there than with previous relationships, the most glaring mismatch being Inspector Stratton. Their conversations were so forced, I used to wince reading them. I’m glad Ms. Winspear had the courage to leave that behind and find a match which worked better. I only hope Maisie and James can weather any upcoming difficulties. And there will probably be plenty when getting a hint of the changes in store for Maisie. Which brings me to the main problems I had with the book.

The reading of the will at the end was quite boring. I guess it was needed, but still. Yawn. And the series seems like it may take a turn toward espionage. Why do so many mystery writers decide to take this turn? Usually I am left disappointed. I guess only time will tell if Ms. Winspear can pull it off.

While Maurice’s death was sad for Maisie, I think his character had run out of steam and I’m not entirely disappointed to see him go. Not to mention, he will always be in Maisie’s thoughts. And for once, much to my surprise, Maisie wasn’t constantly checking a watch or clock. Her obsessive behavior seems to be getting better. Oh, and I’m still waiting for my favorite character, Billy, to leave for Canada. I have a feeling it’s in the offing. A new life seems to be awaiting Maisie in the upcoming books and I don’t see how Billy can be a part of it.

This is Book 7 in the Maisie Dobbs series and involves a murder mystery regarding an American who joined the British army before the U.S. was even in the war, due to his British heritage on his fathers side. As a very skilled surveyor and map maker, his talents are essential to the planning of battles. Otherwise he might not have been accepted. His body has been recovered years after the war in a collapsed bunker, and his autopsy is suspicious. That and some love letters from a battlefield nurse lead his parents to hire Maisie to solve the mystery of what happened. There are some unexpected twists and surprises both in the case, and in Maisies life as well! I am starting Book 8 immediately.

The Maisie Dobbs mysteries are very intriguing, with far more depth than many other books in this genre. The period is beautifully evoked and the characters have real depth. The plots are quite complex and very well plotted.
Maisie Dobbs is a working class girl who seems to lead a charmed life; she works very hard and is intelligent, so she makes the very best of her opportunities, but she does seem to receive a lot of help from people who value and admire her. She mixes with the aristocracy and is accepted by them, unlikely as this seems given the social divisions at that period. however, providing one accepts this, these are excellent books which make rewarding reading.
‘The Mapping of Love and Death’ is one of the best in the series. Maisie accomplishes the difficult task of solving a murder which took place several years earlier. The gritty realism of the descriptions is quite moving. Maisie has to be tough and determined to carry through her commitment to the parents of the murdered man. Her private life develops, as she begins to love again, despite her commitment to independence.
The writing is vivid and grammatical. Jacqueline Winspeare is developing as a writer and this book is one of her most powerful.

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