Description

‘Mosse gives us both the satisfying intricacy of historical fact and a fictional narrative that carries us along at a rollicking pace. The long, rich, tragic history of the Huguenots deserved a series of novels as brilliant and well researched as [The Joubert Family Chronicles], in which the past is felt deep in the reader’s bones’ – The Observer

A sweeping story of love, adventure and adversity, The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse is an epic tale of courageous women battling to survive in a hostile land.

Olifantshoek, Southern Africa, 1688. When the violent Cape wind blows from the south-east, they say the voices of the unquiet dead can be heard whispering through the deserted valley. Suzanne Joubert, a Huguenot refugee from war-torn France, arrives in search of her cousin – the notorious she-captain and pirate commander Louise Reydon-Joubert – who landed at the Cape of Good Hope more than sixty years before, then disappeared without a trace . . .

Franschhoek, Southern Africa, 1862. Nearly one hundred and eighty years after Suzanne’s perilous journey, another intrepid and courageous woman of the Joubert family – Isabelle Lepard – has journeyed to the small frontier town once known as Oliftantshoek in search of her long-lost relations. Intent on putting the women of her family back into the history books, she quickly discovers that the crimes and tragedies still shadow the present. And now, Isabelle faces a race against time if she is to discover the truth, and escape with her life . . .

Painstakingly researched and beautifully told, The Map of Bones is the fourth – and final – novel of The Joubert Family Chronicles, following the bestselling The Burning Chambers, The City of Tears and The Ghost Ship.

‘This is adventure-stuffed historical fiction in the grand tradition’ – The Telegraph

‘A fittingly terrific conclusion [to The Joubert Family Chronicles]’ – i newspaper

* The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 06-10-24

Publisher Review

Mosse can tell a story . . . plunge relentlessly and breathlessly in alongside Louise and Gilles in their maritime adventure — The Times on The Ghost Ship Beautifully written and engaging from the first page, keeping you guessing until the end — Independent on The Ghost Ship A gripping, thrilling page-turner, richly imagined and impeccably told — Toronto Star on The Ghost Ship A gorgeously written, utterly absorbing epic and, despite being set in the sixteenth century, has some very pertinent messages for our time about the evils of religious persecution and the transcendent power of love and family. In case it’s not clear enough yet, I absolutely LOVED it — Lucy Foley, author of The Hunting Party, on The City of Tears Magnificent, epic — Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups, on The City of Tears [A] dramatic, immersive tale of secrets, conspiracies, fanaticism and loss — Daily Mail on The City of Tears Mosse is a master storyteller, balancing thrilling suspense with complex characters and a thoughtful exploration of a fascinating time in history. Her heroine Minou is a pleasure to root for: clever, loving, down-to-earth and courageous! — Madeline Miller, author of The Song of Achilles and Circe, on The Burning Chambers Mosse’s fans will relish this tale of secrets, love and treachery — The Times on The Burning Chambers The Burning Chambers is a tour de force, a compelling adventure that views the past with insight, compassion and humour, and reminds us of the variety of women’s voices so often forgotten in the official accounts — The Observer on The Burning Chambers