Come and chat to Sunday Times Number One bestselling author Jessie Burton about THE MINIATURIST, Weds 25 Feb 9-10pm

[TillyMumsnetBookClub]

Chances are you will immediately recognize the sumptuous cover of our February Book of the Month - THE MINIATURIST is one of the fastest selling debuts of the decade, clinching the top spot in the bestseller lists and winning a National Book Award. Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam, it is the story of freshly-married country girl Nella who arrives in her new townhouse to find a cast of strange characters. Johannes, her wealthy merchant husband, takes no interest in her, apart from giving her a miniature version of their opulent home. When Nella starts to fill it with tiny replica furniture, strange packages begin to appear, and the dolls house becomes an odd crystal ball that seems to foretell the fortunes of the house's occupants. As Mumsnetter tripfiction put it, ‘do you like The Girl with the Pearl Earring and Tulip Fever? (loved both myself). In which case I think you would love the Miniaturist’.

You can find out more on our book of the month page, where you can also win the chance to receive one of 50 free copies - go to the book of the month page to fill in your details. We'll post on the thread when all the copies have gone. If you’re not lucky enough to bag one of those, you can always get your copy here

We are delighted that Jessie will be joining us here on Wednesday 25 February, 9-10pm to discuss The Miniaturist, her tips on writing plus much more. Please feel free to discuss the book here throughout the month (avoiding spoilers if possible) and then come and meet Jessie on the night, and ask her a question or simply tell her what you thought of the book. Look forward to seeing you on the 25th.

Oooh great I have just started this book and have just returned from a visit to Amsterdam so will be back later for discussion. I have also read Tulip Fever and Girl with a Pearl Earing. Loved them but then I like a bit of Dutch History.

I have just started this today! No children this weekend and my bed is calling :).

I loved Tulip Fever.

Bought a copy recently on my kindle. Looking forward to reading and joining in with the discussion :)

This looks intriguing. Have applied, fingers crossed ??

Finished reading this last week. Excellent book. Loved discussing it at book club.

Very excited about this bookclub choice! Very positive feedback from a friend's bookclub members after reading.

I'm a sixth of the way through and I don't want it to end!

Have applied with fingers crossed.

oooh i downloaded this yesterday :).

I read this last week, it's a brilliant book and I couldn't put it down.

I was so disappointed by this book. I love the era, the setting, the characters, the premise etc but the ending left me high and dry.

It was a bit 'Now it's the end, I'm not explaining the mystery.' And that drove me bananas.

I was disappointed as well.

It had the potential to be so good as well.

Me too. It started off well, and I liked the premise and the setting. It all fell apart a bit at the end, however. Too many strands that didn't really come together and the whole plot was a little unbelievable. A very promising debut though.

I agree, it felt like it was written to be turned into a film with a potential sequel in the back pocket. Spoiler alert! Edited by MNHQ Very few surprises really. Felt a bit meh at the end.

On a more upbeat note- if she were to write another book focusing on said Miniaturist... I'd read it.

I think as a character she was too incidental whereas she should have been the focal point.

All in all, well crafted and, again, cannot fault the subject matter, characters etc but I just want more from it.

I got this for my mum for Christmas- would like to read it myself!

I was a bit disappointed in it. Liked the atmosphere and setting but found the characters a bit lacking and as someone already said there were too many loose ends when it finished.

Agree the end was disappointing. I've felt this before sometimes with novels as though the author has almost got a bit fed up and just ends it without really thinking about it. I loved the way she writes and the development of the characters. Just the poor finish was a let down.

Premise and setting is great, but it is a pale shadow of Tulip Fever.

Im enjoying it so far - i have read much lighter fiction recently due to anxiety and this is a nice change as it seems like something that will involve me without being upsetting.

Its only £1.89 on kindle just now ;)

I enjoyed it and thought it was beautifully written and very evocative of a place and time.

I did think, though, that it was a little uneven, in that it started off as being a gently atmospheric story with a hint of mystery, but by the end it was just piling up the melodrama.

It's on my book club list for this year. Looking forward to reading it; I've applied for the book offer.

I really like the look of this book. I have applied - fingers crossed!

I enjoyed it, it's beautifully written and visually descriptive but I felt short changed by the ending. Also felt like the husband was ridiculously indiscreet!