First published 2014
When Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of a wealthy merchant, she is met with a chilly reception from his sister Marin. As Nella struggles to find her place, a mysterious miniature replica of her new home arrives, and the items within it seem to foretell the family's darkest secrets. Nella is drawn into a dangerous web of lies, jealousy, and hidden ambition, where the contents of the dollhouse may hold the key to her survival. In this richly atmospheric historical novel, a young woman must navigate the treacherous currents of 17th-century Dutch society to uncover the truth and protect all she holds dear.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical, historical-fiction, mystery
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, hidden-agenda
Setting: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Period: 17th Century
342 pages · ebook · Picador