The Map of Bones continues the story of the She- Pirate from The Ghost Ship( review here )Louise Joubert and concludes the saga of the Joubert women- a story which spans several generations, and we finally find out who the identity of the kidnapped woman introduced in the earlier books.
As with all of Kate Mosse’s books, the story is rich with historical detail, but this never slows the pace or action. The book is mainly based in an early South Africa where Huguenots have sought refuge from persecution. The story focuses on another strong and independent Joubert woman, Suzanne- a descendent of Minou from The Burning Chamber. But this book felt a lot darker and more tense than the other books.
Suzanne herself is trying to forget her own trauma while investigating what happened to Louise and Giles, sometimes putting herself in danger in a hostile world.
This book can be read as a standalone, the author’s weaves in relevant details from the previous book into the story but I would recommend reading all the books in the series to truly enjoy the conclusion. I found Isabelle Joubert Lepard, the last Joubert woman journey to the discover the truth particular satisfying.
My only disappointment with The Map of Bones is that I have no more books to look forward in the amazing series.

As always, Kate Mosse delivers another compelling entry in the Joubert family chronicles with her latest novel, following The Ghost Ship. This installment navigates two timelines—one in the 1600s and the other in the 1800s—focusing on two formidable female protagonists.

Blending historical fiction with a gripping family saga and suspenseful narratives, this book stands strong on its own while enticing readers to delve into the rest of the series. The rich storytelling and intense drama will keep you hooked from start to finish.

3.5/5.

As ever Kate Mosse dependably provides us with a captivating installment of the Joubert family chronicles, following The Ghost Ship.

We follow two timelines from the 1600's and the 1800's following 2 strong female characters.

The strong mix of historical fiction and tense family epic with strong suspenseful storylines will keep you gripped as a stand alone book that makes you want to pick up the other 3 books in the series.

Highly recommended.

To say I cried over the ending of the Joubert Family quartet is an understatement. I ugly cried, sobbing when I read the conclusion to a work of historical fiction that only confirmed my appreciation for Kate’s work. in this final instalment, readers will be taken from France to Southern Africa and the Cape of Good Hope where Suzanne and her grandmother look for a new life… and a life they want to know more about. Suzanne in particular is keen to understand the story of her ancestor she-captain Louise Reydon-Joubert. The story jumps to almost 180 years later where, in 1862, Isabelle Lepard, also of the Joubert family, is also tracing Louise’s life, determined to put the women in her family back in the history books. Both stories are daring and courageous, both women showing their family traits of determination and strength in the most difficult of circumstances. It’s a fantastic read and completes the quartet perfectly, almost 400 years of history. Wonderful.