The Map

by T.S. Learner

August Winthrop, an American who fought with the International Brigade in 1937, is talked into returning a 17th century chronicle containing a great mystical secret written by a Spanish Jewish physic fleeing both the Inquisition and the witch trial of Logrono. It means August will have to risk his life and possible arrest to return the book to the Basque family who have been safeguarding it for centuries. Meanwhile, unknown to August, three other parties seek both the chronicle and August -- a maverick CIA operative who has killed in the past in his desperate search for the chronicle and will kill again, a mysterious middle-aged woman who is the secret leader of a band of occultists in thrall to Aleister Crowley, and the MI5 who have become convinced August is a Soviet agent out to sabotage a military pact between Spain and the US.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Crime

608 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Aka Tobsha Learner

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disappointing because I found the main character rather annoying, and he seemed to have just the right skills and tools needed to get him out of sticky moments all the time. The historical research that went into this novel, however, made it interesting, as well as the twists and turns that raised the tension and momentum as the thriller progressed. The map has survived through the centuries, protected by a secret group, but secrets have a way of leaking to the wrong ears, and a struggle and race is on to protect the world from those who want the map to immense power. Journeying through Europe, we're hauled along through mazes, introduced to secret spies and face surprises around each corner.

Not, I thought, as good as Sphinx, but still entertaining.

[Alexandra Piggott · Rating 2 out of 5]

An example of very poor editing. Long sections that were far too detailed and uninteresting. For example how to develop a photo in a make shift dark room. Very boring and totally irrelevant. Only needed to know what the photo showed. Additionally the story centered around a complex maze. The description was very poor, a diagram would have added so much. The story took ages to get going and then the ending was completely rushed. The hero was mot hugely likeable and the journey was very jarring. A very unsatisfactory read.

[Orestes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, well, I don't usually review books, but I'd like to explain my one star.

The back cover, wittingly presents the book as a Dan Brown clone/substitute. Technically, that's true, since we have (also taken from the back cover) "an ancient scroll, black magic worshippers, a map to three hidden labyrinths throughout Europe, ravaged by war". Well, yes, we deal with material engaging enough. But in essence, in order for this book (or any book) to fit in the "Dan Brown genre", I think it should also have a similar pace, engaging dialogues, engaging and fitting back-story.

Well, when reading about people dropping books at page 100 or 50 or even 30 I find them really annoying and quick to judge. I kinda changed my mind. I didn't drop the book, I never have and I'm not about to begin doing so, but trying to finish this book became an ordeal.

Semi-spoilers start now, with very rough approximation of page/story correspondence.

So, the protagonist receives a medieval scroll, which sends him on a journey. Fair enough. After quite some delay, the journey begins in page 100 and he reaches the -real- destination in page 200. In page 300 we get a glimpse of what the destination may mean. In other words, we are halfway the book, still trying to get a grip on the story, which moves slower than a snail.

The book, after all, is not really about the historical/thriller element completely, but explains rather in full detail, the hero's past about the Spanish War, the current state of affairs, like the death of Stalin, and other info on World War 2. That's also acceptable, but I remind that the back of the book only said "a Europe ravaged by war". It didn't say that the book also tried to fit in the history genre as well. If I wanted SO many info about the 20's-40's wars I would have picked up a genuine history book. I repeat, it's not that it was inaccurate, it's the fact that the reader isn't informed of what he's about to embark on.

The writing wasn't bad per se, but the details and parentheses were excruciatingly many. An example (in my own words):

"They rent a hot-air balloon. The owner was middle aged. He was from X town. His wife was back home tending the garden and he was at the other side of the country doing this..."

And this happens almost with every person, relevant or irrelevant to the story. It is too much information to the reader, and it really doesn't add anything, on the contrary, it subtracts from the pace of the book.

In a nutshell, this book is first and foremost the personal history and background of the protagonist (wars, past enemies, current relationships, etc) sprinkled with a bit of the supposed "map/secrets/and whatnot". If it was marketed as such, maybe I would know what to expect and would have liked it more, or maybe I wouldn't have picked it up in the first place.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant historical data, great storyline, loads of twists - never wanted to put it down

[Jyothi Menon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really found it engrossing.

When I first chose this book, it was out of a mixture of desperation/experiment feeling and I liked the feel of the title and cover. It was a risk because I am not the one who goes for absolutely unknown writers (This is my First T.S.Learner) I love mysteries/thrillers and usually by tried and tested authors.

But I was pleasantly surprised. Maybe a bit draggy, but generally the author is very skilled at creating the scenarios and characters. Plus her knowledge of facts and how she has used it in this book is very good. And I actually felt moved by the fate of the characters Andere , Izarra, edouard, and jimmy peters. The part on the tree of life is fascinating and also how the mazes were created. Also found the character of Olivia intriguing. Is she good/bad?There is a questionmark there. She is definitely psychic. The book picks up pace after the first 1/4.

Actually several questions left hanging for which I guess I need to read the sequel. What happens to august? Is he finally acquitted of the crimes thought to have committed? Will there be a face to face between him and Hully? How does he deal with the betrayal? What about Gabirel? Will August re -unite with Cecily? Though I guess Izarra was closest to him.

I was really fascinated by the story of the Basques. And the suffering of people under colonialist yoke is highlighted well and it is moving. Also of the kabbalah.

At the end of the day, she is able to grip and capture my interest. And I feel glad that I chose this book.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Map starts off on a journey- one in which someone is murdered. He claims to have knowledge of such immense treasure- the truth of what could happen in the future- and the King has him killed as a spy.
But that's just one bit of it, ever heard of The Tree of Life?
Well, look it up- because T.S.Learner has delved into history with research on it and you cannot help but respect the amount of time and detail that was put into the story.
He has his facts and his fiction well coordinated.

The Map is a story not of mystery but mostly forgiveness- of coming to terms with events that are beyond us.

I loved reading it and mostly following August on his quest to fulfill Jimmy's wish.
It does however leave one asking-What happened to Gabirel?

But to know this you have to read the story first.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book held me close from beginning to end.

The characters are well thought out and carry the plot well throughout. The plot line is extremely well researched and the level of detail holds it together and makes it very realistic - almost believable. This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who has a passing interest in occult matters and who likes a good historic twist.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

after a few hundred pages of difficulty i really got into the book and i liked the character August very much. the ending has left it open for another book and i hope that T.S Learner carries on with the next one as i will definitely get it.

[Kirstie · Rating 4 out of 5]

thoughroughly enjoyed this book and author. hopefully his other writings will be just as good

[Laurence Bradbury · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland and far too wordy for my liking. Sold as a thriller but far too slow to qualify.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a rather wobbly start where I put this aside for a few weeks to read other books, I found once I picked it up again that this an engaging thriller.

Overall, I felt the period setting worked even though there were a few aspects that didn't quite convey the early 1950s.

I did appreciate the integration of Kabbalistic lore into the story-line. Learner has included a bibliography and quite obvious that she's done her research in that area, even if she elected to depict Crowley as having been engaged in black magic practices.

I did feel, as others have noted, that there was almost too much going on and as a result there were some aspects of the plot that ended up not being developed fully or cut short. I had wanted more of the occult connections in London, which I admit was one of the main draws for me as it was mentioned on the back cover.

I also found myself feeling quite ambivalent towards August as a main character. I don't mind flawed protagonists but some of his attitudes towards women while probably keeping with the times seemed at odds with other parts of his personality. Funny how that never bothered me so much in Ian Fleming's books and perhaps that is partly due to a certain expectation that a woman would be more sensitive and cutting Fleming some slack due to his writing in the 50s/60s. Plus, James Bond is well James Bond.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it on the whole, although it could be a bit too descriptive and long winded at times. However, I found the atmosphere and historical context fascinating enough to go and find out just what did happen in Spain during the Civil war. No wonder they skipped over it at school - not as clear cut as WW2 at all. It is only now I am beginning to wonder why there are so few films, stories etc set in this milieu.
Anyway, a gripping story, believable and likeable enough characters, and a good traipse across Europe - has left me looking for another of her novels to delve into.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely engrossing book that draws you in. I found it difficult to put down. This is a page turner that keeps you interested through out. It's an easy read so put on the kettle and let your mind run free with the intrigue of the story.

[Christopher Everest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weakish finish. Not the happy ending I crave. That, however, is my fault not the writer's. Good researched history of fascinating times. I liked it. More literary than a Dan Brown, less adventurous than a Clive Cussler.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to agree with some of the other comments below. I found the book an enjoyable read but at times there were too many story threads. I can't help been disappointed with the ending, however I think that's more my taste them any fault of the writers. Would definately recommend.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a hankering for a Da Vinci Code type read, this will satisfy. It is very well written, and while not being a huge fan of the genre I found the pseudo-historical side story entertaining enough. And I learned a bit about the Spanish Civil War.

[Poppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the books I took on holiday, its in the vain of Dan Brown et al and if you want something as a quick holiday read it does the job

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, an okay book to pass time. I quite enjoyed reading this mix of thriller and fantasy with a bit of history thrown in for good measure.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast moving thriller that moves easily between the post war Europe, the Spanish civil war and Medieval Europe. Good read - wanting a sequel to answer some of the questions left unanswered.

[Avi]

exciting, but the climax let you down

[Lesincele · Rating 4 out of 5]

En general me ha gustado mucho, pero tiene un final muy precipitado.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

mediocre.

[Jose M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un libro fácil, que crece al avanzar en sus páginas y que termina dignamente. Interesante por el entrelazar del misterio y el momento histórico en que tiene lugar

[MRS A J HAYNES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read could not put my kindle down. You will be taken away to another world.

[Hilary Mccarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book .it was long and wordy but it ran well .
The historical detail was interesting and detailed but ran with the modern investigation in an enfolding manner .
Found it easy to read .

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well worth sticking with. It's gripping all the way through.

[Chichi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent story. Got hard to keep track on whom was against whom towards the end.

[Srkrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Precioso comienzo, flojo final

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh boy oh boy this was a challenge to get through. It started well, with an interesting Dan Brown-esque premise, then quickly went downhill. The novel weighs in at 560 pages, but could have easily been half that length. It is in serious need of more editing. From the minute descriptions of every European city the characters visit to the really irritating superfluous questions the narrator kept asking, there was so much dead wood here. What should August do next? What was the meaning of this interaction we saw literally two paragraphs ago? Should he go to ‘A’ or ‘B’? I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure you’re going to tell me in excruciating detail very soon. There was just no attempt to let the reader infer anything. There were times when I just glazed over reading a page and got completely lost in what was happening (and not in a good way). I couldn’t actually tell what was meant to be important or not, there was just too much fluff going on around the plot. I get that the lead character was a spy and was constantly analysing his surroundings and the people around him, but please stop describing EVERYTHING.

So, after all of that, I’m not entirely sure what the plot was. Something to do with an ancient chronicle and mazes leading to a great treasure? It was trying to be very Dan Brown and, yes, Dan Brown isn’t the best writer, but at least he manages to break down complex subjects into digestible chunks. This smacked HUGELY of a historical novel, which isn’t what it is advertised as. The relation to the Spanish Civil War and the fallout after it was incredibly dry. There were huge slabs of detail, again obscuring the actual plot direction. A historical setting in a novel like this should be there to compliment the narrative, not overwhelm it. And that’s coming from someone who is currently studying this period, and finds it interesting.

Okay, the characters. August was alright to start with – I thought there was an intriguing edge to him, and the PTSD effects of his involvement in the Spanish Civil War fleshed him out. But, he soon just became another cut-and-paste figure. He wasn’t the worst, though. I hated how women were written in this. I was genuinely surprised to turn to the back cover and find out the author was female. It smacks so much of (straight) male fantasy – the wild and passionate woman who soon falls into the irresistible lead’s arms. Izarra had so much potential. She was out for revenge for her sister who had been killed by fascists, and was a resistance fighter. Instead, the author concentrates again and again on how attractive she is when she is angry, and how much the male narrator wants her, and feels like he shouldn’t. This just in: women’s breasts ‘sway’ beneath their blouses when they walk. God, I got sick of reading stuff like that! When August and Izarra finally do hook up, it is so predictable and cringey.

'For a moment, he’d been tempted to lean down to begin to make love to her while she was still sleeping, if merely to observe that flush travel across her cheeks again like some sudden aberrant sunrise...'



The story just kept getting drier and drier until its pretty lame ending, which, despite the labouring and ponderous pace of the rest of it, came across as very rushed. I just didn’t give two hoots about any of the characters. Did they achieve what they wanted? I...guess?

Also, another pet peeve: PLEASE PLEASE stop switching POVs halfway through paragraphs. It’s so jarring!

[Cliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

August fought with the Abraham Lincoln battalion in the Spanish Civil War. Son of a wealthy American senator, his left wing beliefs have led to a total breach with his family. The book opens with the death in 17th century England of a young Spanish converso. August is given book which he wrote on herbalism and quickly realises it contains a hidden message. This leads to Abraham chasing hither and yon across post war Europe, from England to Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland and back to Spain. All the time he is followed by an American CIA agent, MI5 and a mysterious woman. In his odyssey he is joined by a Basque woman whose sister was murdered at the instigation of the CIA and who seeks revenge. The book is rooted in the then present with the American government seeking a rapprochement with the Spain of Franco in exchange for military bases, with August's memories of his time in the Civil War and the death of a friend. However, there is the occult as August tries to unravel the secrets it contains. With all these threads, together with a narrative of the life of the young man man in the 17th century, the book is something of a mish mash. This reader was led to wonder how August financed his journeying for we are read to believe in the opening chapters that he's very short of money. I did find the book heavy going at times, but persevered to the end