The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse review – satisfying family saga finale

In a recent conversation with Kate Mosse at the Faversham Literary Festival, I delved into her latest work, which concludes the captivating Joubert family series. Following the impressive success of her previous novel, *The Ghost Ship*, which garnered acclaim through glowing reviews from bloggers and strong word-of-mouth, Mosse’s talent for storytelling is shining brighter than ever. The atmosphere during our chat was electric, reflecting the enthusiasm surrounding her latest release. Mosse has an extraordinary gift for engaging her audience, and *The Ghost Ship* blends classic adventure reminiscent of Robert Louis Stevenson with an exhilarating narrative set on the high seas.

Her newest novel, *The Map of Bones*, transports us back to 1688, introducing Suzanne Joubert, a Huguenot refugee who arrives at the Cape of Good Hope. While Suzanne’s immediate priority is surviving in a perilous new environment, she is also driven by a deeper, personal quest: discovering the fate of her ancestor, Louise Reydon-Joubert, the heroic captain featured in *The Ghost Ship*. This blend of adventure and historical intrigue drives the narrative forward, showcasing Suzanne’s resilience and fierce determination—qualities that establish her as one of Mosse’s most compelling characters. Through her work, Mosse continues to shine a light on strong, independent women who have been largely overlooked in history.

The novel cleverly weaves together two timelines, with a second narrative set in 1862, following Isabelle Lepard, Suzanne’s descendant. Isabelle embarks on a quest to retrace her ancestor’s journey and fulfill the family’s historical legacy. Although her mission is admirable, it sometimes struggles to match the intensity of Suzanne’s gripping survival story set in the wilds of 17th-century South Africa.

As I reflected on the experience of reading the Joubert family chronicles, I couldn’t help but think of Hilary Mantel’s Reith lectures, where she described the challenge of blending fact and fiction as being akin to separating olive oil from egg yolk in mayonnaise. Mosse achieves this blend masterfully, offering readers a rich narrative that is both historically detailed and fast-paced. The long and tragic history of the Huguenots deserves novels as well-researched and engaging as Mosse’s series, where the past resonates powerfully with readers.

*The Map of Bones* is now available, published by Mantle, and readers can support literary journalism by ordering their copies through the Guardian Bookshop.