The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

          I have recently read the book: The Miniaturist. The story takes place in Amsterdam, Holland during the late 1600s. The main character, Petronella "Nella" Oortman, is from a semi-influential family riddled with her late father's debts. Nella's mother arranges for her to marry into the single most influential family, that of Johannes Brandt, a wealthy Dutch trader. Johannes seems a bit distant at first, and his sister a bit aloof. The staff of the house was just a mysterious, no one willing to betray each other to the new mistress of the house.

The cabinet house of Petronella de la Court. It gave Jessie Burton the inspiration for the book.

          As the story progresses, Brandt gives Nella a beautifully detailed cabinet house as a wedding gift, similar to a doll house. At first Nella feels slighted, as if Johannes' present was to mock her young age. Then she realizes that the house was actually an exact replica of their own house. Nella decides to furnish her cabinet house by finding a listing for the titular character, the miniaturist. The miniaturist is a shadowy figure that at first remains a mystery. Petronella writes to the miniaturist, requesting specific pieces, and the miniaturist produces the desired furniture. But there's a catch. The miniaturist also produces extra pieces. These pieces were not requested, and bared an uncanny resemblance to things within the Brandt household. Nella is understandably perplexed and worried, but at the same time curious, just as anyone would be. As the plot deepens though, a darker element is revealed. 

          Overall, the book was very enjoyable. It was a light read that kept me engaged with suspense. Although it was slightly predictable, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. A main element of the story that could be improved would be the focus. Jessie Burton broaches many of the controversial topics of the time, some still controversial: racism, homosexuality, as well as women's rights. Also, the main character is not very well developed. A supporting character, Marin Brandt, is characterized very well though, enough to make up for the lacking of a strong main character.