Map of the Heart

Wiggs (Family Tree) bridges eras of history and the depths of the human heart in this emotional story of a family shaped by tragedies both near and distant. Widow Camille Adams lives quietly and—most importantly to her—safely with her teen daughter, Julia, in their small American coastal hometown of Bethany Bay. But chronic bullying sends the sensitive, intelligent teen spiraling into depression and rebellion. Papi, Camille’s father, unexpectedly intervenes and takes them all back to his hometown in France, where they visit long-neglected family and uncover 70-year-old mysteries regarding his parents. Papi’s quest for answers about his own childhood, rooted in the French Resistance forces during WWII, proves key to Camille’s pursuit of wholeness. And Camille’s burgeoning relationship with sexy professor Malcolm “Finn” Finnemore, who has hired her to help with a separate war history project, forces Camille to face her fears and contemplate the idea of truly living again. In this tribute to heroes long gone, Wiggs effectively unveils the humanity hidden within history books, showing that love can span generations and bring hope to those left behind. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Aug.)