On an autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives at a grand house in Amsterdam to begin her new life as the wife of wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt. Though curiously distant, he presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift; a cabinet-sized replica of their home. It is to be furnished by an elusive miniaturist, whose tiny creations ring eerily true.
As Nella uncovers the secrets of her new household, she realises the escalating dangers they face. The miniaturist seems to hold their fate in her hands - but does she plan to save or destroy them?
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[On the step of her new husband's house, Nella Oortman lifts and drops the dolphin knocker, embarrassed by the thud]***
(@picadorbooks, 1 January 2015, paperback, 424 pages, bought from @AmazonUK)
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I found this book engrossing, packed with diverse and fascinating characters. Burton does a fantastic job of bringing 17 th century Amsterdam to life with vivid, rich detail. Burton uses beautiful language throughout. I loved the fact Nella keeps getting sent figures she didn't order from the miniaturist which seem to mock the problems she experiences in her marriage with a husband who expects nothing of her and has sex with men. This was a little creepy and I found myself wondering if something supernatural was going on or if it was more ordinary and Nella was being stalked or something. This is never fully resolved which disappointed me.