It’s always refreshing to read historical fiction about a time and place you know little about. That was the case with this book set in the Netherlands in 1654. The main character, Catrin, is a young widow who first takes a job as a housekeeper in Amsterdam and then works as a pottery painter in Delft. Vermeer plays a part as well. This was a great book to read before an upcoming trip to Amsterdam. It was an enjoyable read and taught me quite a bit about history. The only improvement might have come with a better translator. I bought a copy of this book because the cover is gorgeous.