The House of Fortune

Set in 1705 Amsterdam, "The House of Fortune" transports readers to Thea Brandt's 18th birthday, a day overshadowed by financial ruin and a looming family secret. Her father and Aunt Nella grapple with their dwindling fortune, forcing Thea to seek solace in the city's vibrant playhouses and the arms of her secret lover, set-painter Walter. The hidden romance provides a thrilling escape from the mounting tension at home, where her mother Marin's death in childbirth and the mysterious 'miniaturist' remain forbidden topics. As Aunt Nella desperately attempts to secure Thea's future with a strategic marriage, an unexpected invitation to a grand ball offers a glimmer of hope. However, the arrival of a miniature figure of Walter on Thea's doorstep signals that an unseen force has a different, perhaps more dangerous, destiny in mind for the Brandt family. This enchanting companion to "The Miniaturist" delves into themes of love, obsession, family bonds, and the pervasive power of secrets.