REVIEW: ‘The Mapping of Love and Death’ (2010) by Jacqueline Winspear

Genre: Historical Mystery (WWI and 1930s)

POV: 3rd Person

Sensuality: Kisses

Violence: Yes, but most of it happens off page

My Grade: B

The Mapping of Love and Death is the seventh title in Jacqueline Winspear’s consistently solid historical mystery series featuring the private investigator and psychologist, Maisie Dobbs. The mysteries in each book are self-contained but the character developments make it advisable to read the series in order. I’ve tried to make this review as spoiler-free as possible, but as it is the seventh book in the series, a few minor ones are inevitable.

Maisie Dobbs comes from a humble background and started her working life at the age of thirteen as a maid in the household of Lord Julian and Lady Rowan Compton. Her wit and intelligence soon caught Lady Rowan’s attention, and she saw to it that Maisie received a good education, helping her to earn a place at Girton College, Cambridge. Unfortunately, the Great War broke out before Maisie could finish her studies, and she left Cambridge to serve as a nurse at the Front. Maisie’s experiences in France had a deep impact on her, and although the books are set in the early 1930s, many of her investigations concern cases with some connection to WWI, be it in the form of physical war injuries, shell shock, or crimes committed during the war.

At the beginning of this story, Maisie and her loyal assistant, Billy Beale, are celebrating being three years in business. Through talent and hard work, Maisie has built up an impressive case load and a respectable income. Her latest clients were referred to her by Charles Hayden, an American doctor she knew during the war.

Edward Clifton was born in England but emigrated to America in search of adventure. He succeeded in building up an impressive business and married a wealthy woman. Their youngest son, Michael, trained as a cartographer and surveyor. Using money from his trust fund, Michael purchased a tract of land in California and planned to settle there. Before he could realise his plan, however, WWI was declared, and Michael volunteered to serve in the British army. Although Michael was an American citizen, the British were in desperate need of cartographers, and he was sent to France. Michael was listed as Missing in Action in 1916, leaving the inheritance of his land in legal limbo.

In the early 1930s, Michael’s grave was discovered by chance. The bodies of his team of cartographers were found in a collapsed trench, along with some of their personal belongings. Among these items was a package of love letters written to Michael by a woman who signed herself ‘The English Nurse’. Maisie’s doctor friend, Charley Hayden, noticed a discrepancy on Michael’s autopsy report which indicated that he had been murdered prior to the collapse of the dugout. Michael’s parents want Maisie to track down his English lover in the hope that she can shed some light onto the identity of his murderer. Maisie has barely had a chance to embark on her investigation when the Clifton’s are the victims of a brutal attack, making it even more imperative that Maisie discover Michael’s murderer.

The Mapping of Love and Death is another enjoyable entry in the Maisie Dobbs series. Jacqueline Winspear writes well and her stories are meticulously researched. Although there are a few unlikely coincidences, and the solutions to the mysteries are too neat at times, the Maisie Dobbs books are the perfect comfort reads. The familiar cast of characters develops over time, and I enjoy catching up with them.

I especially appreciated the developments in Maisie’s personal life in this book. She is something of a loner and has a chequered romantic history. I’m not entirely convinced by the match Winspear chose for Maisie, but I’m curious to see how it evolves in the next book.

For fans of cozy historical mysteries, the Maisie Dobbs series is to be recommended.

Tagged as: 1930s England, B Reviews, Historical Mystery, Jacqueline Winspear, World War I