This is very good and well-written. Need to re-read ‘The Miniaturist’ which is the sequel.
The central figures are Theo, the daughter (now 18) of the illicit lovers in the earlier book, and Nella, her aunt, whose husband was executed for homosexuality in the earlier book.
Thea, who dislikes the conventionality imposed on her by Nella, falls in love and sleeps with Walter, a rogue, but finds herself threatened by a mysterious extortionist. Meanwhile, the family is running out of money and status and Nella is desperate to find her a wealthy husband. Conflict obviously ensues, but he pursues his suit and is promised her hand in marriage, an event engineered by Nella. Thea receives a 2nd blackmail note and tracks the blackmailer to her house, which she lives in with Walter. Devastated, Thea accepts the marriage proposal but on the eve of the wedding runs away to her aunt’s old house in the country. Sounds a bit corny and a quasi-romcom, although there is little romance or comedy. But well written and very good.
'The Miniaturist' continues to haunt this book, but doesn’t make any overt appearances. Does she in the eponymous novel; can’t remember?
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