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Master Mercurius Mysteries #1
Death in Delft
Three missing girls. Only one body. Where are the others?
1671, Delft.
Three young girls have been abducted from their homes. The body of one has been found in a shallow grave. The other two are still missing. The murder has shocked everyone is the peaceful city of Delft and the mayor is desperate to catch the perpetrator before panic can spread any further. With the bitterly cold January weather intensifying it is doubtful that the other two girls are still alive. But whoever took them is still at large. The mayor requests the help of Master Mercurius, a gifted cleric from a nearby university, and local artist Vermeer, who uses his skills to sketch the crime scenes.
Can they find the missing girls before it’s too late? Will Mercurius be able to track down the killer?
Or will more victims succumb to Death in Delft…? Death in Delft is the first historical murder investigation in the Master Mercurius Mystery series - atmospheric crime thrillers set in seventeenth-century Europe.
1671, Delft.
Three young girls have been abducted from their homes. The body of one has been found in a shallow grave. The other two are still missing. The murder has shocked everyone is the peaceful city of Delft and the mayor is desperate to catch the perpetrator before panic can spread any further. With the bitterly cold January weather intensifying it is doubtful that the other two girls are still alive. But whoever took them is still at large. The mayor requests the help of Master Mercurius, a gifted cleric from a nearby university, and local artist Vermeer, who uses his skills to sketch the crime scenes.
Can they find the missing girls before it’s too late? Will Mercurius be able to track down the killer?
Or will more victims succumb to Death in Delft…? Death in Delft is the first historical murder investigation in the Master Mercurius Mystery series - atmospheric crime thrillers set in seventeenth-century Europe.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2020
865 people are currently reading
1675 people want to read
About the author
Graham Brack
36 books146 followersGraham Brack trained as a pharmacist but now spends most of his time writing crime fiction. He has been shortlisted three times for the Crime Writers Association's Debut Dagger (2011, 2014 and 2016) without ever winning it. Those three entries involved three different detectives.
The 2011 entry has been published as Lying and Dying by Sapere Books, and has been followed by six more books about Josef Slonský, a Prague policeman.
The 2014 offering has been published as Death in Delft and features Master Mercurius, a seventeenth century university lecturer. The second Mercurius mystery, Untrue till Death followed in August 2020 and the third in the series Dishonour and Obey in October 2020. The fourth, The Noose's Shadow arrived in December 2020 and The Vanishing Children in 2021. The sixth book was The Lying Dutchman (2022) and the seventh was Murder in Maastricht (2023). The latest is The Moers Murders .
Graham is married to Gillian and has two adult children and three granddaughters. He lives in a small village in Northamptonshire.
The 2011 entry has been published as Lying and Dying by Sapere Books, and has been followed by six more books about Josef Slonský, a Prague policeman.
The 2014 offering has been published as Death in Delft and features Master Mercurius, a seventeenth century university lecturer. The second Mercurius mystery, Untrue till Death followed in August 2020 and the third in the series Dishonour and Obey in October 2020. The fourth, The Noose's Shadow arrived in December 2020 and The Vanishing Children in 2021. The sixth book was The Lying Dutchman (2022) and the seventh was Murder in Maastricht (2023). The latest is The Moers Murders .
Graham is married to Gillian and has two adult children and three granddaughters. He lives in a small village in Northamptonshire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
March 19, 2020
I chose to read this new historical mystery series from Graham Brack because I adore his Prague set Josef Slonsky series. This takes a rather different path, we are in 17th century Netherlands, a Protestant country, where the Catholic ordained priest, Master Mercurius, has bowed to current circumstances and has additionally been ordained as a minister too, his heart though lies with the Catholic faith. It his latter ordination that allows him to be employed as a gifted cleric at Leiden University. It is 1671, amidst a bitterly cold winter, the Rector has asked Mercurius to travel to the small town of Delft at the request of their mayor.
Delft is in a state of fear and anger, three young girls, aged between 8 and 9 years old, have been abducted, and one, Gertryd, has been discovered dead with a cross on her face in a frozen shallow grave. It is Mercurius's task to find the murderer, and hopefully discover the remaining girls, Magdalena and Anna, alive. There are worries that other girls are at risk of being taken too, and it is a matter of urgency that Mercurius gets to the truth as soon as possible. He works with a group of leading men in Delft, including the rational and logical Van Leeuwenhoek, and to my great delight, the artist, Johannes Vermeer, whose artistic talent has been deployed to draw a picture of the dead girl in her grave. Vermeer is a bright, benevolent, happily married man with 9 children, who loved his wife so much that he was willing to convert to Catholicism. Trying to find a connection between the taken girls proves to a difficult task, they come from different backgrounds, Magdalena was born out of wedlock, she and her mother are shunned by the community, and the sheltered Anna comes from a privileged and wealthy family.
It is Vermeer who eventually hones on the crucial factor that connects the girls and this allows Mercurius to get closer to the tragic truth of what lies behind the abductions, aided by a strange comment made by Anna's mother that she knew that this would happen one day. Brack creates a vibrant picture of the period in Delft with his rich descriptions, the poverty, the position of women and girls, the prostitution, the effects on a person of being a Catholic in a Protestant nation, and the attitudes of the time. Mercurius in a compassionate and merciful man, doing what he needs to survive, having to keep his Catholic faith secret, a man of his time. This is a great start to this new historical series, although I am not certain that I will be pursuing it further, I am just a greater fan of the Slonsky series and hope that Brack will continue that. Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.
Delft is in a state of fear and anger, three young girls, aged between 8 and 9 years old, have been abducted, and one, Gertryd, has been discovered dead with a cross on her face in a frozen shallow grave. It is Mercurius's task to find the murderer, and hopefully discover the remaining girls, Magdalena and Anna, alive. There are worries that other girls are at risk of being taken too, and it is a matter of urgency that Mercurius gets to the truth as soon as possible. He works with a group of leading men in Delft, including the rational and logical Van Leeuwenhoek, and to my great delight, the artist, Johannes Vermeer, whose artistic talent has been deployed to draw a picture of the dead girl in her grave. Vermeer is a bright, benevolent, happily married man with 9 children, who loved his wife so much that he was willing to convert to Catholicism. Trying to find a connection between the taken girls proves to a difficult task, they come from different backgrounds, Magdalena was born out of wedlock, she and her mother are shunned by the community, and the sheltered Anna comes from a privileged and wealthy family.
It is Vermeer who eventually hones on the crucial factor that connects the girls and this allows Mercurius to get closer to the tragic truth of what lies behind the abductions, aided by a strange comment made by Anna's mother that she knew that this would happen one day. Brack creates a vibrant picture of the period in Delft with his rich descriptions, the poverty, the position of women and girls, the prostitution, the effects on a person of being a Catholic in a Protestant nation, and the attitudes of the time. Mercurius in a compassionate and merciful man, doing what he needs to survive, having to keep his Catholic faith secret, a man of his time. This is a great start to this new historical series, although I am not certain that I will be pursuing it further, I am just a greater fan of the Slonsky series and hope that Brack will continue that. Many thanks to Sapere Books for an ARC.
March 13, 2020
Three things prompted me to request this novel: the fact that it is a historical fiction set in the 17th century Netherlands and the author, whose series with Josef Slansky I found quite enjoyable.
Master Mercurius, a protestant minister and a scholar at Leiden University, is asked to travel to Delft and assist the local men of importance to solve a mystery of the abduction of three young girls, one of whom was found dead. Mercurius is helped, among others, by Master Vermeer, who, in fact, finds the clue to the mystery.
Mercurius is a likeable character, intelligent, witty, with a common sense and some distance towards himself. And he has a secret. He converted to Catholicism in France, and became an ordained priest. His Protestant status allows him to be accepted in the society and to pursue his academic career. The descriptions of the places, the clothes, the architecture, the customs and the interiors are superb, and you do get the feel of the times.
There are some hints in the novel that it is the first one of a new series, which sounds promising to the fans of HF.
*Many thank to Graham Brack, Sapere Books and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Master Mercurius, a protestant minister and a scholar at Leiden University, is asked to travel to Delft and assist the local men of importance to solve a mystery of the abduction of three young girls, one of whom was found dead. Mercurius is helped, among others, by Master Vermeer, who, in fact, finds the clue to the mystery.
Mercurius is a likeable character, intelligent, witty, with a common sense and some distance towards himself. And he has a secret. He converted to Catholicism in France, and became an ordained priest. His Protestant status allows him to be accepted in the society and to pursue his academic career. The descriptions of the places, the clothes, the architecture, the customs and the interiors are superb, and you do get the feel of the times.
There are some hints in the novel that it is the first one of a new series, which sounds promising to the fans of HF.
*Many thank to Graham Brack, Sapere Books and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
March 9, 2023
Refreshingly distinctive for its setting in Netherlands in the 1670’s when the battle for religion created an unsettling period for its inhabitants that reverberated throughout the continent. Authentic, precarious, well written and atmospheric.
Three young girls go missing with one found dead in a shallow grave. So, Mercurius who was once ordained as a Catholic priest but serving now as a Protestant minister, is asked to investigate and in particular locate the two missing girls who both uncannily share the same physical features of red hair, height and age. Curious, I was.
We are treated with a range of characters and plot twists that will keep the reader engaged and absorbed. The tension in the story is accretive, penetrating and haunting while the febrile atmosphere with its religious backdrop almost becomes a character in itself. I loved that part of the book along with some humorous and clever dialogue.
A shorter novel which for me fell between the novel and the novella, and this became evident in that the story and plot was not fleshed out enough for a novel, but it was too drawn out and long to be a novella.
That aside a great HF read that is suspenseful, authentic and thrillingly readable.
3.5 stars rounding up
Three young girls go missing with one found dead in a shallow grave. So, Mercurius who was once ordained as a Catholic priest but serving now as a Protestant minister, is asked to investigate and in particular locate the two missing girls who both uncannily share the same physical features of red hair, height and age. Curious, I was.
We are treated with a range of characters and plot twists that will keep the reader engaged and absorbed. The tension in the story is accretive, penetrating and haunting while the febrile atmosphere with its religious backdrop almost becomes a character in itself. I loved that part of the book along with some humorous and clever dialogue.
A shorter novel which for me fell between the novel and the novella, and this became evident in that the story and plot was not fleshed out enough for a novel, but it was too drawn out and long to be a novella.
That aside a great HF read that is suspenseful, authentic and thrillingly readable.
3.5 stars rounding up
January 15, 2023
4.5 "charming, intelligent, humorous" stars !!!
2022 Honorable Mention Read
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Sapere books for an e-copy of this novel. This was released April 2020 and I am providing my honest review.
You cannot ask for more in this near perfect historical murder mystery.
Master Mercurius who is a Protestant academic and minister (as well as secret Catholic Priest) is called to Delft to investigate the murder of a young eight year old girl and two other eight year old girls that have gone missing. This is interesting enough but the author has done so much more here.
The author has created a most fascinating historical recreation of what life was like for the various socioeconomic strata of Dutch society as well as the roles of men and women and children. He carefully takes us through the investigative process while at the same time vibrantly creating scenes with various townfolk including Vermeer (yes that one) and Van Leeuwenhoek (the father of microbiology) in 1671. These vignettes are moving, informative and hilarious in equal measure. In addition, we are invited into the heart and soul of Master Mercurius who faces several ethical dilemmas, grapples with lust and well-intentioned lying and has a playful relationship with the Almighty Father. The murder mystery is almost a plot device in order to invite the reader into a closer look at 17th Century Dutch culture and daily life and he succeeds masterfully.
Some of the scenes were so laugh out funny that I will leave you one quote by eleven year old Aleydis who is one of Vermeer's many children. Here, she is accompanying Master Mercurius to a convent to see if the religious life is right for her future. On the way she tells him:
"And St. Agatha of Sicily had her breasts cut off rather than renounce her Christianity"
(Mercurios replies) "Yes but that is no reason to court...."
(Aleydis interrupts him) "I would gladly give my breasts to God, Father, because if I take a vow of chastity, I would have no need of them."
The murder mystery itself is quite interesting and through the investigation we learn more about Delft society and the deduction process of Master Mercurius. The ending is very satisfying and the author entices us by dropping tidbits of what might lay ahead for this most sweet, intelligent and slightly irreverent cleric. I am not one for mystery series but I have already added the second in the bunch.
2022 Honorable Mention Read
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Sapere books for an e-copy of this novel. This was released April 2020 and I am providing my honest review.
You cannot ask for more in this near perfect historical murder mystery.
Master Mercurius who is a Protestant academic and minister (as well as secret Catholic Priest) is called to Delft to investigate the murder of a young eight year old girl and two other eight year old girls that have gone missing. This is interesting enough but the author has done so much more here.
The author has created a most fascinating historical recreation of what life was like for the various socioeconomic strata of Dutch society as well as the roles of men and women and children. He carefully takes us through the investigative process while at the same time vibrantly creating scenes with various townfolk including Vermeer (yes that one) and Van Leeuwenhoek (the father of microbiology) in 1671. These vignettes are moving, informative and hilarious in equal measure. In addition, we are invited into the heart and soul of Master Mercurius who faces several ethical dilemmas, grapples with lust and well-intentioned lying and has a playful relationship with the Almighty Father. The murder mystery is almost a plot device in order to invite the reader into a closer look at 17th Century Dutch culture and daily life and he succeeds masterfully.
Some of the scenes were so laugh out funny that I will leave you one quote by eleven year old Aleydis who is one of Vermeer's many children. Here, she is accompanying Master Mercurius to a convent to see if the religious life is right for her future. On the way she tells him:
"And St. Agatha of Sicily had her breasts cut off rather than renounce her Christianity"
(Mercurios replies) "Yes but that is no reason to court...."
(Aleydis interrupts him) "I would gladly give my breasts to God, Father, because if I take a vow of chastity, I would have no need of them."
The murder mystery itself is quite interesting and through the investigation we learn more about Delft society and the deduction process of Master Mercurius. The ending is very satisfying and the author entices us by dropping tidbits of what might lay ahead for this most sweet, intelligent and slightly irreverent cleric. I am not one for mystery series but I have already added the second in the bunch.
April 5, 2020
I am already a fan of Graham Brack's very entertaining Josef Slonsky series but this book is something different.
Death in Delft is an historical mystery, set in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The MC is Master Mercurius, a man who contrives to be simultaneously a Catholic priest, a Protestant minister and a university lecturer. There are good reasons for this. He also promises to be an excellent part time detective.
The period setting is a time when some of the great artists and important scientists were at work and in the course of the story we meet Jan Vermeer and Van Leeuwenhoek. They also contribute to solving the crime.
The book is written in Brack's easy style. He has a light touch with humour and creates some wonderful characters. The mystery is interesting and it is apparent that the author has spent a lot of time on his research into how the people lived and spoke. I hope he plans to use this research and continues to write this series!
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Death in Delft is an historical mystery, set in the Netherlands in the 17th century. The MC is Master Mercurius, a man who contrives to be simultaneously a Catholic priest, a Protestant minister and a university lecturer. There are good reasons for this. He also promises to be an excellent part time detective.
The period setting is a time when some of the great artists and important scientists were at work and in the course of the story we meet Jan Vermeer and Van Leeuwenhoek. They also contribute to solving the crime.
The book is written in Brack's easy style. He has a light touch with humour and creates some wonderful characters. The mystery is interesting and it is apparent that the author has spent a lot of time on his research into how the people lived and spoke. I hope he plans to use this research and continues to write this series!
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 22, 2020
I was drawn to this historical mystery after enjoying the first book in Brack’s modern day Josef Slonsky series. This book takes us back to mid 17th C Delft. Our main character is a cleric from a nearby university, called in to lead a criminal investigation. Three girls have gone missing but only a single body has been found. Vermeer figures in the book as he draws the crime scenes.
Brack employs a wicked sense of humor.
“I just wonder what he did to be imprisoned in one [an asylum]. “
“ I’m not sure. Some say he threatened to kill his mother, but you don’t get put away for doing people a service.”
Brack uses humor to give us a good taste of Mercurius’ personality. I loved his opinions on the daily services of the church, not to mention confession. And as one would expect, he’s a bit of an innocent. But Mercurius is also a philosopher in the true sense, as well as a merciful priest.
Brack uses just enough old vocabulary to give the book a feel for the 17th Century without making it difficult for the reader to understand. He makes sure to give us a complete feel for the place and time. We’re treated to several discussions on the differences in the two faiths, Catholic and Protestant. He also does a great job of showing us the political climate and philosophies of the day.
I also will admit to learning about the scientific discoveries made by Van Leeuwenhoek during this time.
I loved the ending to the book. I can only hope this is the start of a new series as Mercurius is someone I would relish watching solve additional crimes.
My thanks to netgalley and Sapere Books for an advance copy of this book.
Brack employs a wicked sense of humor.
“I just wonder what he did to be imprisoned in one [an asylum]. “
“ I’m not sure. Some say he threatened to kill his mother, but you don’t get put away for doing people a service.”
Brack uses humor to give us a good taste of Mercurius’ personality. I loved his opinions on the daily services of the church, not to mention confession. And as one would expect, he’s a bit of an innocent. But Mercurius is also a philosopher in the true sense, as well as a merciful priest.
Brack uses just enough old vocabulary to give the book a feel for the 17th Century without making it difficult for the reader to understand. He makes sure to give us a complete feel for the place and time. We’re treated to several discussions on the differences in the two faiths, Catholic and Protestant. He also does a great job of showing us the political climate and philosophies of the day.
I also will admit to learning about the scientific discoveries made by Van Leeuwenhoek during this time.
I loved the ending to the book. I can only hope this is the start of a new series as Mercurius is someone I would relish watching solve additional crimes.
My thanks to netgalley and Sapere Books for an advance copy of this book.
May 27, 2021
5★
“‘Last I heard he was in an asylum.’
‘An asylum?’
‘You know, a madhouse. Place where they put the insane.’
‘I know what one is,’ I said. ‘I just wondered what he did to be imprisoned in one.’
‘I’m not sure. Some say he threatened to kill his mother, but you don’t get put away for doing people a service.’”
“He” is the feeble-minded brother-in-law of the renowned Dutch painter Jan Vermeer (“Girl With The Pearl Earring”). Vermeer’s mother-in-law is a notoriously difficult, demanding woman, whom everyone would like to see the back of. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Graham Brack’s latest novel is completely different from his popular Josef Slonsky Investigations series that takes place in contemporary Prague. This is the first of a new series in the Netherlands during the 17th century. The book is introduced by the old Master Mercurius as his colourful memories.
“It is possible that in these pages I have been indiscreet to some extent. I would ask your pardon if that is the case, except that I don’t give a fig.”
His memories would certainly be indiscreet if any of the people in this account were to read them, but they are a delight for us. Who would want to read this about herself?
“She was as short a woman as I had ever seen who was not a dwarf, but nearly as broad as she was tall. It was as if her Maker had used the normal amount of flesh but had erected it on soft foundations.”
But back to the story. It is 1671. Master Mercurius is a 33-year-old Catholic priest – no, a Protestant minister – no, a, well, he’s sort of both. He was ordained as a Catholic priest, but had to hide that in these times when Protestants burned Catholic priests.
He is a lecturer at the University of Leiden, (where he needs to be a Protestant minister) enjoying life, when the Rector summons him and says the Mayor of Delft has asked that he send an educated man to help investigate the disappearance of three little girls. He’s puzzled, but agrees.
He meets with the mayor and other civic leaders, several of whom are real historical characters. Some of them vie for superiority and don't get along with each other. Fortunately, being a minister or priest has its advantages, as they don't take it out on him.
View of Delft. Jan Vermeer 1659-1660
He approaches the project methodically, interviewing each of the very different families, and we get a sense of what he’s noticing. The missing girls come from completely different backgrounds, one a prized only child and one a spurned bastard, but age seems to be the common factor. Again, his position as a minister/priest, serves him well when dealing with the bereft parents.
I particularly enjoy Vermeer, who adored his wife (but not her mother) and their nine children. He never had much money, but he seems an interesting, intelligent man who thrived on the vibrancy of his household. Mercurius is invited to dinner.
“To say that the children were excited was an understatement. I could not count them, though I think there may have been nine, but since they refused to sit still it was difficult to be sure. I once gave a friend some help loading piglets on a cart and the effect was very similar.
. . .
There was another boy, Franciscus, who was about six and appeared to be a species of comet, flying rapidly about the house and transiting the room at intervals before vanishing again for a while.”
Vermeer is a major character as is Van Leeuwenhoek, who is recognised as the father of microbiology. He was a cloth trader, and inspected the weave with magnification and figured out how to make lenses that showed even greater detail of the “animacules” in our mouths.
Brack has a light touch when fitting in circumstances and events of the times without ever seeming as if he’s finding an excuse to show off or lecture, as I feel so many authors do. Everything flows naturally. We see the ins and outs of the homes and alleyways.
Plenty of odd goings on and clues and hints and an awful lot of walking in mud and cold from town to town. These were not easy times. But he’s young, fit, intelligent and has a quick mind as well as a nice sense of humour and a very caring nature.
The various situations where people are trying to matchmake for him, believing he’s a Protestant minister who can marry, are tenderly funny.
“If I am frank, much of the conversation of the evening passed me by, because I was regarding the young lady opposite and ensuring that my next confession would be a lengthy affair.”
The few anachronisms I noted turned out not to be, so well done with the research, and more fool me! I’m looking forward to spending more time with this religious fellow, although that’s not my usual choice of companion. But then, neither did I think a Czech detective would be.
Thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the preview copy. I loved it!
“‘Last I heard he was in an asylum.’
‘An asylum?’
‘You know, a madhouse. Place where they put the insane.’
‘I know what one is,’ I said. ‘I just wondered what he did to be imprisoned in one.’
‘I’m not sure. Some say he threatened to kill his mother, but you don’t get put away for doing people a service.’”
“He” is the feeble-minded brother-in-law of the renowned Dutch painter Jan Vermeer (“Girl With The Pearl Earring”). Vermeer’s mother-in-law is a notoriously difficult, demanding woman, whom everyone would like to see the back of. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Graham Brack’s latest novel is completely different from his popular Josef Slonsky Investigations series that takes place in contemporary Prague. This is the first of a new series in the Netherlands during the 17th century. The book is introduced by the old Master Mercurius as his colourful memories.
“It is possible that in these pages I have been indiscreet to some extent. I would ask your pardon if that is the case, except that I don’t give a fig.”
His memories would certainly be indiscreet if any of the people in this account were to read them, but they are a delight for us. Who would want to read this about herself?
“She was as short a woman as I had ever seen who was not a dwarf, but nearly as broad as she was tall. It was as if her Maker had used the normal amount of flesh but had erected it on soft foundations.”
But back to the story. It is 1671. Master Mercurius is a 33-year-old Catholic priest – no, a Protestant minister – no, a, well, he’s sort of both. He was ordained as a Catholic priest, but had to hide that in these times when Protestants burned Catholic priests.
He is a lecturer at the University of Leiden, (where he needs to be a Protestant minister) enjoying life, when the Rector summons him and says the Mayor of Delft has asked that he send an educated man to help investigate the disappearance of three little girls. He’s puzzled, but agrees.
He meets with the mayor and other civic leaders, several of whom are real historical characters. Some of them vie for superiority and don't get along with each other. Fortunately, being a minister or priest has its advantages, as they don't take it out on him.
View of Delft. Jan Vermeer 1659-1660
He approaches the project methodically, interviewing each of the very different families, and we get a sense of what he’s noticing. The missing girls come from completely different backgrounds, one a prized only child and one a spurned bastard, but age seems to be the common factor. Again, his position as a minister/priest, serves him well when dealing with the bereft parents.
I particularly enjoy Vermeer, who adored his wife (but not her mother) and their nine children. He never had much money, but he seems an interesting, intelligent man who thrived on the vibrancy of his household. Mercurius is invited to dinner.
“To say that the children were excited was an understatement. I could not count them, though I think there may have been nine, but since they refused to sit still it was difficult to be sure. I once gave a friend some help loading piglets on a cart and the effect was very similar.
. . .
There was another boy, Franciscus, who was about six and appeared to be a species of comet, flying rapidly about the house and transiting the room at intervals before vanishing again for a while.”
Vermeer is a major character as is Van Leeuwenhoek, who is recognised as the father of microbiology. He was a cloth trader, and inspected the weave with magnification and figured out how to make lenses that showed even greater detail of the “animacules” in our mouths.
Brack has a light touch when fitting in circumstances and events of the times without ever seeming as if he’s finding an excuse to show off or lecture, as I feel so many authors do. Everything flows naturally. We see the ins and outs of the homes and alleyways.
Plenty of odd goings on and clues and hints and an awful lot of walking in mud and cold from town to town. These were not easy times. But he’s young, fit, intelligent and has a quick mind as well as a nice sense of humour and a very caring nature.
The various situations where people are trying to matchmake for him, believing he’s a Protestant minister who can marry, are tenderly funny.
“If I am frank, much of the conversation of the evening passed me by, because I was regarding the young lady opposite and ensuring that my next confession would be a lengthy affair.”
The few anachronisms I noted turned out not to be, so well done with the research, and more fool me! I’m looking forward to spending more time with this religious fellow, although that’s not my usual choice of companion. But then, neither did I think a Czech detective would be.
Thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the preview copy. I loved it!
April 11, 2024
A Satisfying Experience.
Master Mercurius, a secret Catholic priest and a university professor, is called upon to help solve a crisis.
The mayor of Delft needs his help. He has been told that a little girl is dead. She was kidnapped and missing for three weeks and then found dead.
Mercurius and others are on the job and they spend three hundred pages discussing this mystery.
The book includes a colorful cast of characters who are delightful and filled with spirit. And they enjoy the aroma of happiness that is exuded by their joyful being. This is a wonderful book.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
Master Mercurius, a secret Catholic priest and a university professor, is called upon to help solve a crisis.
The mayor of Delft needs his help. He has been told that a little girl is dead. She was kidnapped and missing for three weeks and then found dead.
Mercurius and others are on the job and they spend three hundred pages discussing this mystery.
The book includes a colorful cast of characters who are delightful and filled with spirit. And they enjoy the aroma of happiness that is exuded by their joyful being. This is a wonderful book.
Five stars. ✨✨✨✨✨
April 7, 2020
Graham Brack's new series is somewhat different from his popular Joseph Slonsky crime series. Set in 17th century Europe, it features a University academic, Master Mercurius. A learned man and catholic priest, he has also been ordained as a protestant minister to allow him to work at Leiden University while keeping his true faith secret. When the Rector is contacted by the Mayor of Delft asking if he could send him an educated man help look into the disappearance of three young girls, one of whom has been found dead, he decides to send Mercurius.
In his descriptions of the little town of Delft, Brack has conveyed an excellent sense of the period, the people and customs of the time, along with the dominance of Calvinism on people's lives. The freezing winter also adds to the atmosphere as Mercurius must walk everywhere encountering thick mud. In Delft he meets famous historical figures, scientist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, the Mayor's Chamberlain at the time, artist Jan Vermeer and physician Reineer de Graaf, all of whom assist Mercurius in their own ways.
Master Mercurius makes the perfect investigator, good natured and practical with a sense of humour, he logically approaches the problem, interviewing the parents and witnesses and thinking through several hypotheses. He also does not feel constrained by the law and metes out his own sense of fairness and justice. Brack's writing style suits this type of mystery very well, keeping it light while delivering an intriguing plot that is hopefully the first of many in this series.
With many thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
In his descriptions of the little town of Delft, Brack has conveyed an excellent sense of the period, the people and customs of the time, along with the dominance of Calvinism on people's lives. The freezing winter also adds to the atmosphere as Mercurius must walk everywhere encountering thick mud. In Delft he meets famous historical figures, scientist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, the Mayor's Chamberlain at the time, artist Jan Vermeer and physician Reineer de Graaf, all of whom assist Mercurius in their own ways.
Master Mercurius makes the perfect investigator, good natured and practical with a sense of humour, he logically approaches the problem, interviewing the parents and witnesses and thinking through several hypotheses. He also does not feel constrained by the law and metes out his own sense of fairness and justice. Brack's writing style suits this type of mystery very well, keeping it light while delivering an intriguing plot that is hopefully the first of many in this series.
With many thanks to Sapere Books and Netgalley for a copy to read
August 27, 2020
Master Mercurius is a sympathetic scholar from Leiden who is asked to find out more about the abduction of three young girls. I know Delft fairly well it and this added to the joy of reading this book.
June 15, 2021
Master Mercurius was informed that the mayor of Delft needed his expertise in solving the abductions of three young girls, all eight years old. The first girl to be taken had been discovered, her body lying in a shallow grave. The townsfolk were concerned there was a killer amongst them and needed help in ousting him or her. Master Mercurius, a learned scholar and cleric, vowed to do all he could to allay the fears of one and all.
Mercurius, with the help of local artist Vermeer, a kindly man who dearly loved his family – a wife and nine children – was a man lacking in confidence but help he would. As Mercurius' investigation deepened, he came up with a plan. But would the Mayor and town elders agree? And would it bring the right results?
Death in Delft is the 1st in the historical mystery series – set in 1671 – “Master Mecurius Mysteries” by Graham Brack and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve had it recommended to me by many of his fans, and I can see why. I've only read the first in this author's Slonsky series, prior to this one, but will certainly be following up with the 2nd in this series. Mecurius himself is a great character, with a touch of asperity and humour which I enjoyed. Recommended.
Mercurius, with the help of local artist Vermeer, a kindly man who dearly loved his family – a wife and nine children – was a man lacking in confidence but help he would. As Mercurius' investigation deepened, he came up with a plan. But would the Mayor and town elders agree? And would it bring the right results?
Death in Delft is the 1st in the historical mystery series – set in 1671 – “Master Mecurius Mysteries” by Graham Brack and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’ve had it recommended to me by many of his fans, and I can see why. I've only read the first in this author's Slonsky series, prior to this one, but will certainly be following up with the 2nd in this series. Mecurius himself is a great character, with a touch of asperity and humour which I enjoyed. Recommended.
August 16, 2020
Loved it! Although there is a crime to be solved at the core, the true enjoyment of the book comes from the descriptions of 17th century Delft and, even more so, the characters.
Brack has woven into the story a number of historical figures, great and small. Chief among them are the artist Vermeer and the scientist/inventor Leeuwenhoek, each of whom is presented on the basis of his genius and his personality, and each of whom assists Master Mercurius as he attempts to resolve the disappearance/murder of 3 young girls.
Mercurius is a fascinating character in his own right. Nominally a Protestant minister/academic, known to be quite clever, he is secretly also a Catholic priest. This condition creates interesting opportunities in terms of plot development as well as much self-reflection, often quite ironic. One of my favorites:
“I was beginning to wonder whether there were any loopholes in the vow of chastity that a clever bit of casuistry could squeeze me through. I must find a Jesuit, I thought; they are always good at that kind of thing.”
The only downside to reading this for me was that it wasn't available in an audio version and I've been hard pressed to find time to read in print lately. Of course, the flip side of that is that by reading on the Kindle app I was able to quickly research people, places and terms that were new to me.
Rating this compared with other historical mysteries, I give it a solid 5 stars.
Brack has woven into the story a number of historical figures, great and small. Chief among them are the artist Vermeer and the scientist/inventor Leeuwenhoek, each of whom is presented on the basis of his genius and his personality, and each of whom assists Master Mercurius as he attempts to resolve the disappearance/murder of 3 young girls.
Mercurius is a fascinating character in his own right. Nominally a Protestant minister/academic, known to be quite clever, he is secretly also a Catholic priest. This condition creates interesting opportunities in terms of plot development as well as much self-reflection, often quite ironic. One of my favorites:
“I was beginning to wonder whether there were any loopholes in the vow of chastity that a clever bit of casuistry could squeeze me through. I must find a Jesuit, I thought; they are always good at that kind of thing.”
The only downside to reading this for me was that it wasn't available in an audio version and I've been hard pressed to find time to read in print lately. Of course, the flip side of that is that by reading on the Kindle app I was able to quickly research people, places and terms that were new to me.
Rating this compared with other historical mysteries, I give it a solid 5 stars.
May 8, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Graham Brack and I am certainly keen to read more.
This is set in the 1670's in Holland. Master Mercurius is a priest and university lecturer in Leiden and is sent to Delft when three girls are abducted. There he is asked to work with the mayor and council men to solve the mystery and try to locate the girls.
Given the era of the book , it was most interesting to read about the way investigations were undertaken.
Aside from this, the story has great threads of humour woven into it which often had me chuckling to myself.
A good series, I look forward to book 2.
This is set in the 1670's in Holland. Master Mercurius is a priest and university lecturer in Leiden and is sent to Delft when three girls are abducted. There he is asked to work with the mayor and council men to solve the mystery and try to locate the girls.
Given the era of the book , it was most interesting to read about the way investigations were undertaken.
Aside from this, the story has great threads of humour woven into it which often had me chuckling to myself.
A good series, I look forward to book 2.
March 26, 2020
4.5 stars. This was a really strong start to a series. I really liked the actual mystery and the setting. The strength of this book lies in the character of Master Mercurius who is tasked with solving the crime. He is very funny, with a good sense of humour and his asides and thoughts about his faith and those around him really make this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
April 1, 2020
Three missing girls, one of whom is found dead, result in a minister from the university being sent to Delft to solve the mystery. The story takes place in seventeenth century Holland and is told in the first person by Master Mercurius, who has a sly, dry wit that inserts itself every so often in the form of a wry one-liner that is easy to miss. If you aren’t paying careful attention to what you are reading, you may miss these all together and they are part of what makes this book so engaging.
Although a mystery, there is no frantic running around, no feeling of danger toward Master Mercurius or any of the other characters in the book. Instead, the book moves at a gentle, steady pace as Master Mercurius, with the help of Johannes Vermeer, one of Delft’s leading citizens, unravels the mystery of why the girls were kidnapped and where they are now.
The book offers an interesting view of life in Holland in the 1600’s, including some social mores, religious restrictions, and society structures. Because these bits of information are woven skillfully into the book, it never overwhelms the reader and it may not be until the book is finished that the reader realizes just how much they have learned about the country at the time.
It is interesting to read a fictional idea of what everyday family life for Vermeer might be like. I don’t know how historically accurate it is, but Vermeer is a pleasant character to encounter. The other historical figure in the book is dutch scientist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. Toward the end of the book, the author offers a peek at his study of microbes which has led to him being considered by some as the father of microbiology. As with Vermeer, most of the story involving Van Leeuwenhoek centers around his life as a village elder and as a family man.
While the solution to the mystery is somewhat of a reveal, it isn’t a big plot twist and I had figured out the reason for the kidnappings about two-thirds of the way through the book. That in no way hampered my enjoyment of the book which was well written and provided an interesting plot without unnecessary tension.
For anyone who is looking for a mystery book that may offer them a quiet read in almost a soothing fashion, this is a good book to consider. It is well written, well paced, and the characters are varied enough to maintain interest in the book. There is not much information offered regarding the geography of Holland, and if the reader is looking for rich descriptions of landscapes, etc., this is not the book for them.
My thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Although a mystery, there is no frantic running around, no feeling of danger toward Master Mercurius or any of the other characters in the book. Instead, the book moves at a gentle, steady pace as Master Mercurius, with the help of Johannes Vermeer, one of Delft’s leading citizens, unravels the mystery of why the girls were kidnapped and where they are now.
The book offers an interesting view of life in Holland in the 1600’s, including some social mores, religious restrictions, and society structures. Because these bits of information are woven skillfully into the book, it never overwhelms the reader and it may not be until the book is finished that the reader realizes just how much they have learned about the country at the time.
It is interesting to read a fictional idea of what everyday family life for Vermeer might be like. I don’t know how historically accurate it is, but Vermeer is a pleasant character to encounter. The other historical figure in the book is dutch scientist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. Toward the end of the book, the author offers a peek at his study of microbes which has led to him being considered by some as the father of microbiology. As with Vermeer, most of the story involving Van Leeuwenhoek centers around his life as a village elder and as a family man.
While the solution to the mystery is somewhat of a reveal, it isn’t a big plot twist and I had figured out the reason for the kidnappings about two-thirds of the way through the book. That in no way hampered my enjoyment of the book which was well written and provided an interesting plot without unnecessary tension.
For anyone who is looking for a mystery book that may offer them a quiet read in almost a soothing fashion, this is a good book to consider. It is well written, well paced, and the characters are varied enough to maintain interest in the book. There is not much information offered regarding the geography of Holland, and if the reader is looking for rich descriptions of landscapes, etc., this is not the book for them.
My thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2024
Historical mystery set in the 17th century Netherlands.
Three young girls are missing. One of them is found dead. Master Mercurius is requested to travel to Delft to assist in solving the mystery.
I listened to the audio edition of this novel, and just loved it. I loved the voice of Alex Wyndham the narrator. His humor was outstanding.
This murder mystery is very interesting. We are transported back to 17th century Netherlands. We met Johannesburg Vermeer a local painter who aides in the investigation. Van Leeuwenhoek also helps too.
A very enjoyable book I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Three young girls are missing. One of them is found dead. Master Mercurius is requested to travel to Delft to assist in solving the mystery.
I listened to the audio edition of this novel, and just loved it. I loved the voice of Alex Wyndham the narrator. His humor was outstanding.
This murder mystery is very interesting. We are transported back to 17th century Netherlands. We met Johannesburg Vermeer a local painter who aides in the investigation. Van Leeuwenhoek also helps too.
A very enjoyable book I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
February 8, 2024
3.5 stars is my actual rating.
This book was proposed and voted on in my reading group of English authors, but it was already included in my wish-list for 2 reasons:
___ 1) I love historical settings in countries on the European continent different from the usual England (which I adore, but whose I read in most books).
__2) because I really like mysteries that include historical figures in the investigations, especially if they are people with particular talents (artistic, literary, musical, etc..., in this case also scientific).
I find that the book is written in a fluent manner, above all thanks to the irony and self-irony in the language of the main character, Master Mercurius, who is the one who tells us the story in the first person.
Before telling you my opinion (according to my personal tastes of course ), here is a short PLOT:
Master Mercurius is a young Catholic priest who lives in the guise of a Protestant priest, with the approval of his archbishop, in order to take advantage of a university scholarship.
Being recognized as an exceptional student of great intelligence, he is sent to Delft, at the request of the city mayor, to direct the investigation into the disappearance of 3 children, one of whom has already been found dead.
In this mystery the young Mercurius will be joined by 2 very talented people, both of whom really lived in reality and remained in history, one for his artistic talent and the other for his scientific discoveries and for the invention of the microscope, I'm talking about : Johannes Vermeer, famous painter and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Dutch optician and naturalist considered the father of microbiology.
__ WHAT I LIKED IN THE BOOK___
-- The MAIN CHARACTER Master Mercurius :
The young priest, despite having taken orders twice, and despite having great faith and goodness of soul, is very far from the figure of the Church that we can imagine.
He is friendly, sociable, ironic and funny in his way of thinking and talking to himself and far from being a dull-witted bigot as often happened in past eras.
Mercurius also makes no secret of the temptations that touch his thoughts and how every now and then he would prefer to avoid the long and repetitive moments of prayer that are part of a priest's routine. Even confession is not one of his favorite tasks and it is fun to see how he approaches these "annoying" situations and duties.
The author so makes a three-dimensional and really enjoyable character, which we can also identify with.
-- The 2 MAIN SIDE CHARACTERS, i.e. Vermeeer and Van Leeuwenhoek.
The author included 2 historical figures that I, as a "non-Dutch", didn't know much about.
I knew what more or less everyone knows about Vermeeer: born in Delft in the 17th century, his paintings have great value today and one of the most famous is "The Girl with a Pearl Earring".
As for Van Leeuwenhoek I have to admit that I didn't even know his name from "hearsay".
Graham Brack told us some real notions about their life (which I then expanded with Wikipedia), but above all he gave us something that no Wikipedia or biography could give us: the warmth that is released within the walls of the house with the children running and they play, the wife and mother-in-law chat, the food on the table and the festive air you breathe sharing moments of affection all together.
The writer also gives us the humanity of a father who has lost his children and suffers from missing them, holding on tightly to what remains of his family.
We are given the enthusiasm of discoveries, that enthusiasm that humanity has when it discovers a part of creation that is mostly unknown to the multitude and also the enthusiasm that people have in feeling useful for a common goal.
I know it's a fictionalized reality, but that's the beauty of fiction!
__ WHAT I DIDN'T LIKED IN THE BOOK___
-- Of course I liked also the HISTORICAL PART concerning Holland in 1600 and the entire historical descriptive part of the society of the time, the way of life and the ideologies that defined the different communities of that time, but there was to much talk above all the problems and things related to religion.
Too many quotes in Latin (which in any case were then translated into English), too much digression on the settings of the religious things such as monastery life, the funeral and so on... all of this became boring in the long run.
-- The mystery itself was not engaging for me and although Mercurius' investigations are full of interrogations and testimonies, the plot did not provide twists that stunned me... there was a lack of tension.
Furthermore, perhaps I was expecting some action scenes, even small ones, but which would give a little more movement to the story...it was all too flat to me.
---- one thing then really made me angry: the ending.
Honestly I wonder what the hell the author was thinking when writing the end of this book...
I would have given it only one star rating, just because of this unacceptable end of the mystery.
Thanks for reading my review, of course every taste is personal, but I hope that it could still be useful for you to understand whether to choose to read this book or not.
Last note that I always insert: English is not my native language, forgive me for the errors that you surely found in my text!
This book was proposed and voted on in my reading group of English authors, but it was already included in my wish-list for 2 reasons:
___ 1) I love historical settings in countries on the European continent different from the usual England (which I adore, but whose I read in most books).
__2) because I really like mysteries that include historical figures in the investigations, especially if they are people with particular talents (artistic, literary, musical, etc..., in this case also scientific).
I find that the book is written in a fluent manner, above all thanks to the irony and self-irony in the language of the main character, Master Mercurius, who is the one who tells us the story in the first person.
Before telling you my opinion (according to my personal tastes of course ), here is a short PLOT:
Master Mercurius is a young Catholic priest who lives in the guise of a Protestant priest, with the approval of his archbishop, in order to take advantage of a university scholarship.
Being recognized as an exceptional student of great intelligence, he is sent to Delft, at the request of the city mayor, to direct the investigation into the disappearance of 3 children, one of whom has already been found dead.
In this mystery the young Mercurius will be joined by 2 very talented people, both of whom really lived in reality and remained in history, one for his artistic talent and the other for his scientific discoveries and for the invention of the microscope, I'm talking about : Johannes Vermeer, famous painter and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Dutch optician and naturalist considered the father of microbiology.
__ WHAT I LIKED IN THE BOOK___
-- The MAIN CHARACTER Master Mercurius :
The young priest, despite having taken orders twice, and despite having great faith and goodness of soul, is very far from the figure of the Church that we can imagine.
He is friendly, sociable, ironic and funny in his way of thinking and talking to himself and far from being a dull-witted bigot as often happened in past eras.
Mercurius also makes no secret of the temptations that touch his thoughts and how every now and then he would prefer to avoid the long and repetitive moments of prayer that are part of a priest's routine. Even confession is not one of his favorite tasks and it is fun to see how he approaches these "annoying" situations and duties.
The author so makes a three-dimensional and really enjoyable character, which we can also identify with.
-- The 2 MAIN SIDE CHARACTERS, i.e. Vermeeer and Van Leeuwenhoek.
The author included 2 historical figures that I, as a "non-Dutch", didn't know much about.
I knew what more or less everyone knows about Vermeeer: born in Delft in the 17th century, his paintings have great value today and one of the most famous is "The Girl with a Pearl Earring".
As for Van Leeuwenhoek I have to admit that I didn't even know his name from "hearsay".
Graham Brack told us some real notions about their life (which I then expanded with Wikipedia), but above all he gave us something that no Wikipedia or biography could give us: the warmth that is released within the walls of the house with the children running and they play, the wife and mother-in-law chat, the food on the table and the festive air you breathe sharing moments of affection all together.
The writer also gives us the humanity of a father who has lost his children and suffers from missing them, holding on tightly to what remains of his family.
We are given the enthusiasm of discoveries, that enthusiasm that humanity has when it discovers a part of creation that is mostly unknown to the multitude and also the enthusiasm that people have in feeling useful for a common goal.
I know it's a fictionalized reality, but that's the beauty of fiction!
__ WHAT I DIDN'T LIKED IN THE BOOK___
-- Of course I liked also the HISTORICAL PART concerning Holland in 1600 and the entire historical descriptive part of the society of the time, the way of life and the ideologies that defined the different communities of that time, but there was to much talk above all the problems and things related to religion.
Too many quotes in Latin (which in any case were then translated into English), too much digression on the settings of the religious things such as monastery life, the funeral and so on... all of this became boring in the long run.
-- The mystery itself was not engaging for me and although Mercurius' investigations are full of interrogations and testimonies, the plot did not provide twists that stunned me... there was a lack of tension.
Furthermore, perhaps I was expecting some action scenes, even small ones, but which would give a little more movement to the story...it was all too flat to me.
---- one thing then really made me angry: the ending.
Honestly I wonder what the hell the author was thinking when writing the end of this book...
I would have given it only one star rating, just because of this unacceptable end of the mystery.
Thanks for reading my review, of course every taste is personal, but I hope that it could still be useful for you to understand whether to choose to read this book or not.
Last note that I always insert: English is not my native language, forgive me for the errors that you surely found in my text!
March 23, 2020
This book was an absolute delight to read, for several reasons. First, Master Mercurius himself. What a smart, funny man, who, despite he is very learned, sometimes displays a lack of knowledge of things that other people take for granted. Especially when it comes to relations between men and women; the way he sometimes reacted to the young ladies in this story made me laugh out loud. Sometimes however he suddenly displays a very good insight in the human mind and furthermore, he is not rigid, he knows how to ‘bend the rules’ to keep people happy.
Then the story – a plot like this that is very well understandable for the time the story is set in, and even nog quite unthinkable these days. The love of a father for his daughter(s) plays a central role but it takes some time before it is clear how important this is.
And more: Anthony van Leeuwenhoek and Johannes Vermeer play a crucial role in this story. Both are given an important role that not only has to do with the things they are famous for – although I loved the scene where Mercurius, to his utter fascination (and a bit of horror), discovers what it is that Van Leeuwenhoek does.
Those of you who can’t be bothered reading a more personal explanation, please stop here.
I also wanted to read this book because it is set in Delft (which I know quite well) and Master Mercurius is from Leiden (where I was born). To my great pleasure Graham Brack didn’t make the mistakes other authors make when trying to set a story in the Netherlands (or Holland, in this case). First, he uses ‘mijnheer’, ‘mevrouw’ and ‘juffrouw’ (Mr, Mrs and Miss) in the correct way. He also writes all surnames the correct way and he has actually made a good study of the town of Delft as it was in 1671. He uses the word ‘hofje’ for a small enclosed street of almshouses. ‘Hofjes’ still exist but they are no longer almshouses, of course. They are very sought after (I lived in one; it was built in 1669).
Master Mercurius lives in difficult times, because religion plays a major role in society. Nowadays, almost nobody is bothered by the fact you are Catholic, Protestant or even Remonstrant, the latter being frowned upon. I can tell you they still exist – I was baptized Remonstrant – and that brings me to the last point that makes me like this book so much. My name is in it. Well, obviously not my 20th century name, but ‘Jannetje Dircks’, that’s me…. My first name is Jannetje and my father’s name is Dirk.
Of course this is all purely coincidence and I liked the book more because of Master Mercurius and the story than of the things I say in the two last paragraphs, but it earned the book an extra star ;-) and I’m very much looking forward to more books in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for this digital review copy.
Then the story – a plot like this that is very well understandable for the time the story is set in, and even nog quite unthinkable these days. The love of a father for his daughter(s) plays a central role but it takes some time before it is clear how important this is.
And more: Anthony van Leeuwenhoek and Johannes Vermeer play a crucial role in this story. Both are given an important role that not only has to do with the things they are famous for – although I loved the scene where Mercurius, to his utter fascination (and a bit of horror), discovers what it is that Van Leeuwenhoek does.
Those of you who can’t be bothered reading a more personal explanation, please stop here.
I also wanted to read this book because it is set in Delft (which I know quite well) and Master Mercurius is from Leiden (where I was born). To my great pleasure Graham Brack didn’t make the mistakes other authors make when trying to set a story in the Netherlands (or Holland, in this case). First, he uses ‘mijnheer’, ‘mevrouw’ and ‘juffrouw’ (Mr, Mrs and Miss) in the correct way. He also writes all surnames the correct way and he has actually made a good study of the town of Delft as it was in 1671. He uses the word ‘hofje’ for a small enclosed street of almshouses. ‘Hofjes’ still exist but they are no longer almshouses, of course. They are very sought after (I lived in one; it was built in 1669).
Master Mercurius lives in difficult times, because religion plays a major role in society. Nowadays, almost nobody is bothered by the fact you are Catholic, Protestant or even Remonstrant, the latter being frowned upon. I can tell you they still exist – I was baptized Remonstrant – and that brings me to the last point that makes me like this book so much. My name is in it. Well, obviously not my 20th century name, but ‘Jannetje Dircks’, that’s me…. My first name is Jannetje and my father’s name is Dirk.
Of course this is all purely coincidence and I liked the book more because of Master Mercurius and the story than of the things I say in the two last paragraphs, but it earned the book an extra star ;-) and I’m very much looking forward to more books in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for this digital review copy.
March 19, 2020
Death In Delft is the first book in the Master Mercurius Mysteries series by British author, Graham Brack. In the chill of a Dutch February, University of Leiden lecturer, Master Mercurius is sent to Delft by the Rector, at the request of the Mayor of Delft, who requires someone with “a quick wit, a knowledge of God’s law and abundant energy”. Not until he arrives does the cleric understand that he is investigating the abduction, over recent weeks, of three young girls, all eight or nine years old, one of whom appears to have been murdered.
Once the basic facts are established, the sites of the abductions, and the grave of the dead girl, are visited. Mercurius is accommodated at the Inn and given free rein to interrogate and investigate. The late seventeenth century offers little technology to assist an investigator, but this is Delft, and Johannes Vermeer has obliged with some Scene-Of-Crime sketches, and likenesses of two of the girls from parental descriptions (who needs cameras or identikit?); when copies are needed to hand around, a talented woodcut artist is engaged.
The body is examined and Reinier de Graaf offers an enlightening opinion on cause of death; later, Anton van Leeuwenhoek helpfully applies scientific method to underpin certain deductions; (might as well use the local talent….) Mercurius makes enquiries by day and in the evenings, dines with each of the town’s burghers. And within the week, he has indeed solved this puzzling case.
Brack’s protagonist is an interesting and easily likeable character: Master Mercurius is clearly a good man, if not overly devout or pious: “I hesitate to claim any special holiness of my own, but fortunately I have been prevented from sin by an almost total lack of opportunities: I have no need of money, and women have always found me immensely resistible, so occasions for sin do not often come my way.”
He describes himself as “neither fish nor fowl, a Catholic masquerading as a Protestant, concealing what should be open.” He also reveals a talent for the bluff. The story is told by a late-in-life Mercurius who is setting down certain life episodes as journal entries.
Brack’s plot has enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and he evokes the era with ease. He seamlessly incorporates a wealth of interesting historical facts into the narrative, as well as a generous helping of (sometimes dark) humour. It seems that, for much of this tale, Graham Brack has tongue firmly planted in cheek. This is brilliantly entertaining historical crime fiction and it is to be hoped that he has many more doses of Master Mercurius up his sleeve!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Sapere Books (but I also purchased a copy!)
Once the basic facts are established, the sites of the abductions, and the grave of the dead girl, are visited. Mercurius is accommodated at the Inn and given free rein to interrogate and investigate. The late seventeenth century offers little technology to assist an investigator, but this is Delft, and Johannes Vermeer has obliged with some Scene-Of-Crime sketches, and likenesses of two of the girls from parental descriptions (who needs cameras or identikit?); when copies are needed to hand around, a talented woodcut artist is engaged.
The body is examined and Reinier de Graaf offers an enlightening opinion on cause of death; later, Anton van Leeuwenhoek helpfully applies scientific method to underpin certain deductions; (might as well use the local talent….) Mercurius makes enquiries by day and in the evenings, dines with each of the town’s burghers. And within the week, he has indeed solved this puzzling case.
Brack’s protagonist is an interesting and easily likeable character: Master Mercurius is clearly a good man, if not overly devout or pious: “I hesitate to claim any special holiness of my own, but fortunately I have been prevented from sin by an almost total lack of opportunities: I have no need of money, and women have always found me immensely resistible, so occasions for sin do not often come my way.”
He describes himself as “neither fish nor fowl, a Catholic masquerading as a Protestant, concealing what should be open.” He also reveals a talent for the bluff. The story is told by a late-in-life Mercurius who is setting down certain life episodes as journal entries.
Brack’s plot has enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and he evokes the era with ease. He seamlessly incorporates a wealth of interesting historical facts into the narrative, as well as a generous helping of (sometimes dark) humour. It seems that, for much of this tale, Graham Brack has tongue firmly planted in cheek. This is brilliantly entertaining historical crime fiction and it is to be hoped that he has many more doses of Master Mercurius up his sleeve!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Sapere Books (but I also purchased a copy!)
June 19, 2021
1671 in the midst of a bleak Holland winter Master Mercurius, Protestant cleric and secret Catholic priest, arrives in Delft, a small town that is home to great painters and scientists, to solve the mystery of a murdered girl and the disappearance of two others. Graham Brack's writing is packed with 17th Century detail and atmosphere, and he has clearly done a mountain of research on the time and place. Sometimes, especially in the first half, that research is a little too visible, and the crime investigation thread occasionally gets a little lost in the welter of detail, and the establishing of many well-rounded characters each with complicated Dutch names. However, once the characters come to life - and some of them are very colourful, from the dour and pompous Van Leeuwenhok, to the kind and caring Vermeer and his huge family, and the various working class and upper class characters - it becomes more intriguing and suspenseful. Master Mercurius has a strong sense of social justice and a dislike of pretension, but also a wry sense of humour, and there is some very funny dialogue scattered throughout. Especially in the URST (unresolved sexual tension) between Mercurius and Lucie, the maid who takes a shine to this man of the cloth, in the cold and bleak tavern where he finds himself lodged. It's not my usual high-tension, crime thriller read, but it is a very well-written, engaging romp through a bleak, class-divided 1670's Dutch town with a charismatic and funny detective and I enjoyed it enough to buy the next book in the series.
March 13, 2021
The position in Holland today for Catholics is tolerable. We can build churches provided they do not front a main road. We must not gather outside to talk, and must leave services in small numbers. We must not advertise anything happening in our church, and we must not upset the neighbours.
Delft, 1671. Master Mercurius, a Protestant priest studying theology at the Leiden University, hides his earlier ordination as a Catholic priest in order to keep his position. Possessed of a fine intellect the rector sends him to Delft to assist the mayor in the abduction of 3 eight-year old girls, the body of one found buried in a shallow grave marked with a cross, but she does not appear to have been molested. The story unfolds as if written in his journal.
Interviewing the parents from three spectrums of society he seeks to kind some similarity: but none of the girls was known to the others. His investigations are at times hampered by people seeking out his pastoral care, and by the obvious jealousies and demands of those holding office in the town, each inviting him to dinner.
It is as well that I have a good memory, because I seemed to be committing myself to appointments cluttering an already overfilled diary. It dawned on me that almost every time I wanted to do something in this investigation, somebody sidetracked me or a more urgent task appeared.
Then there was the unwelcomed advances of the innkeeper and staff.
I hope I am a fairly broadminded man, but I was deeply shocked. That the innkeeper was prepared to offer his wife to other men was almost incredible; and that any man who had seen her would accept the offer was completely incredible.
While the author provides an affable main character and mystery, it is the blending of fiction with Delft’s luminary of the age which intrigues – famous portraitist Vermeer and his family (it helps that I had read Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier) and the town draper and self-taught scientist Van Leeuwenhoek – the father of microbiology. Aside from these two, the reader is given insights into the lives of ordinary people – houseproud wives, industrious husbands and the plights of the aged and of wretched women on the fringes, gutting fish to make a living.
It is a pleasant change to read a book almost without bloodshed, the only injury to Mercurius, bitten by a dog.
Two others helped me to the apothecary’s shop at the sign of the salamander. The young man there dressed the wound, painting it with wine to clean it before wrapping it in fine muslin. I asked how much he wanted for his labours, but he refused to accept payment from a man of the cloth. If only others were as generous, particularly innkeepers.
There is a reference to the return of the monarchy in England (Charles II crowned after Cromwell’s death and his son’s demise) – and an interesting note of the widow of William of Orange – these two houses later combined when Mary, daughter of King James (the last Catholic monarch) marries William III of Orange.
Verdict: a superb start to a new series.
Delft, 1671. Master Mercurius, a Protestant priest studying theology at the Leiden University, hides his earlier ordination as a Catholic priest in order to keep his position. Possessed of a fine intellect the rector sends him to Delft to assist the mayor in the abduction of 3 eight-year old girls, the body of one found buried in a shallow grave marked with a cross, but she does not appear to have been molested. The story unfolds as if written in his journal.
Interviewing the parents from three spectrums of society he seeks to kind some similarity: but none of the girls was known to the others. His investigations are at times hampered by people seeking out his pastoral care, and by the obvious jealousies and demands of those holding office in the town, each inviting him to dinner.
It is as well that I have a good memory, because I seemed to be committing myself to appointments cluttering an already overfilled diary. It dawned on me that almost every time I wanted to do something in this investigation, somebody sidetracked me or a more urgent task appeared.
Then there was the unwelcomed advances of the innkeeper and staff.
I hope I am a fairly broadminded man, but I was deeply shocked. That the innkeeper was prepared to offer his wife to other men was almost incredible; and that any man who had seen her would accept the offer was completely incredible.
While the author provides an affable main character and mystery, it is the blending of fiction with Delft’s luminary of the age which intrigues – famous portraitist Vermeer and his family (it helps that I had read Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier) and the town draper and self-taught scientist Van Leeuwenhoek – the father of microbiology. Aside from these two, the reader is given insights into the lives of ordinary people – houseproud wives, industrious husbands and the plights of the aged and of wretched women on the fringes, gutting fish to make a living.
It is a pleasant change to read a book almost without bloodshed, the only injury to Mercurius, bitten by a dog.
Two others helped me to the apothecary’s shop at the sign of the salamander. The young man there dressed the wound, painting it with wine to clean it before wrapping it in fine muslin. I asked how much he wanted for his labours, but he refused to accept payment from a man of the cloth. If only others were as generous, particularly innkeepers.
There is a reference to the return of the monarchy in England (Charles II crowned after Cromwell’s death and his son’s demise) – and an interesting note of the widow of William of Orange – these two houses later combined when Mary, daughter of King James (the last Catholic monarch) marries William III of Orange.
Verdict: a superb start to a new series.
February 10, 2025
This is the first book in a series of 17th-century mystery novels about a university cleric in Holland who is secretly a Catholic priest. I was drawn to the series because I had ancestors who lived in that part of Europe, and they were Catholic. They had gotten in trouble for their faith and, in fact, were originally Jacobite Scots, who left Scotland rather than betray their faith.
This first book takes place in Delft and centers around the disappearance of three little girls, one after the other, all about the same age, each from different socioeconomic backgrounds, but all with bright red hair.
Master Mercurius is sent by his superiors at the university at Leiden to see if he can figure out what happened to the girls. While he is there, he meets a painter named Vermeer and a scientist named Van Leeuwenhoek, who actually were born near Delft. History does not record them meeting, but it is fun to imagine.
Coincidentally, Van Leeuwenhoek was one of my favorite scientists when I was the age of the girls in this story. I had gotten a biography about him from Weekly Reader Books and was fascinated by his "little animals" that he discovered with his microscope. About 17 years ago, I named one of my gnome characters in World of War craft after him. That was before I learned not to give your characters long, hard to spell names.
I do look forward to reading the other books in this series and checking out more by Graham Brack.
This first book takes place in Delft and centers around the disappearance of three little girls, one after the other, all about the same age, each from different socioeconomic backgrounds, but all with bright red hair.
Master Mercurius is sent by his superiors at the university at Leiden to see if he can figure out what happened to the girls. While he is there, he meets a painter named Vermeer and a scientist named Van Leeuwenhoek, who actually were born near Delft. History does not record them meeting, but it is fun to imagine.
Coincidentally, Van Leeuwenhoek was one of my favorite scientists when I was the age of the girls in this story. I had gotten a biography about him from Weekly Reader Books and was fascinated by his "little animals" that he discovered with his microscope. About 17 years ago, I named one of my gnome characters in World of War craft after him. That was before I learned not to give your characters long, hard to spell names.
I do look forward to reading the other books in this series and checking out more by Graham Brack.
April 21, 2020
I have been enjoying this author's Slonsky series and thought I would try this 17th Century historical fiction sited in Delft. I am glad I did. It starts with a prologue delivered by the lead character when he is older and wishes to set down some of his experiences before he himself forgets life's milestones. In this first recollection he was 33 years of age and it was 1671.
Mercurius is the lead character, and he has been called from Leiden to help the good folk of Delft find three young missing girls. "They ask for someone with 'a quick wit, and knowledge of God's law and abundant energy," as he was told by the Rector at his university. "I want you to travel with a blank mind....so I will leave it to the mayor to explain...at a meeting of the leading citizens of Delft at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the town hall."
The historic detail of life in Delft provides an atmosphere that is restrictive yet congenial within some households. One of the households he is privileged to visit is Vermeer's and that famous artist is shown to have lived a limited life with nine children to provide for. Vermeer creates an image of one of the missing girls that can be made into woodcut to print copies for the police.
The initial thrust is to find three missing girls, but when Mercurius arrives in Delft he discovers one of the three girls was found dead and buried. Of course the effort becomes more harried.
The investigation is slow going, the ruminations of Mercurius the secret priest are plentiful and long and the societal structure and strictures of the time well described.
This is a very satisfying read if one has interest in religious contemplation.
Kindle Unlimited
Mercurius is the lead character, and he has been called from Leiden to help the good folk of Delft find three young missing girls. "They ask for someone with 'a quick wit, and knowledge of God's law and abundant energy," as he was told by the Rector at his university. "I want you to travel with a blank mind....so I will leave it to the mayor to explain...at a meeting of the leading citizens of Delft at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the town hall."
The historic detail of life in Delft provides an atmosphere that is restrictive yet congenial within some households. One of the households he is privileged to visit is Vermeer's and that famous artist is shown to have lived a limited life with nine children to provide for. Vermeer creates an image of one of the missing girls that can be made into woodcut to print copies for the police.
The initial thrust is to find three missing girls, but when Mercurius arrives in Delft he discovers one of the three girls was found dead and buried. Of course the effort becomes more harried.
The investigation is slow going, the ruminations of Mercurius the secret priest are plentiful and long and the societal structure and strictures of the time well described.
This is a very satisfying read if one has interest in religious contemplation.
Kindle Unlimited
April 11, 2020
Well this was hugely enjoyable. My first read by this author. To be honest the thing that drew me in, apart from the crime genre of the piece was the setting of Delft. I’ve been to the town many times as have friends there and was surprised to see it as a backdrop for a novel.
This is a historical crime novel set in the 17th century. When 3 young girls go missing in Delft the mayor sends for help from the university of Leiden. The gifted cleric Master Mercurius is sent to investigate.
Mercurius is the narrator of this book and a fantastic character to spend time with. Both witty and smart, he makes a great narrator and story teller.
This book is as much about the characters as it is the story and crime. It’s an absolute joy to read. So many well written and vivid characters(a couple of them real life characters) make this an effortless read.
The story itself is intriguing and the conclusion wholly satisfying. Well paced, the story is kept moving along but not at the expense of character development. There’s a lot packed into the 200+ pages here and you never feel short changed.
Hopefully we see more in this series. I’m not particularly a fan of historical fiction but this one had me hooked. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Sapere Books and Graham Brack for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a historical crime novel set in the 17th century. When 3 young girls go missing in Delft the mayor sends for help from the university of Leiden. The gifted cleric Master Mercurius is sent to investigate.
Mercurius is the narrator of this book and a fantastic character to spend time with. Both witty and smart, he makes a great narrator and story teller.
This book is as much about the characters as it is the story and crime. It’s an absolute joy to read. So many well written and vivid characters(a couple of them real life characters) make this an effortless read.
The story itself is intriguing and the conclusion wholly satisfying. Well paced, the story is kept moving along but not at the expense of character development. There’s a lot packed into the 200+ pages here and you never feel short changed.
Hopefully we see more in this series. I’m not particularly a fan of historical fiction but this one had me hooked. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Sapere Books and Graham Brack for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2022
Wasn't sure what to think of this one at first. Having a Catholic priest just happen to be an ordained Protestant minister at the same time (rather than going from one to the other) never really worked for me, although Mercurius is very modern in his adapting theology to situations, instead of rigid dogma. His asides are funny, not contrived. I'm not always a fan of including real historical figures as characters, but here (scientist) van Leeuvlwenhoek and (artist) Vermeer made things interesting. Alex Wyndham does an excellent job with the audio narration. On to the next adventure!
October 27, 2022
I don't often rate books at a full five stars but I had been looking for a good historical series now that there won't be any more Shardlake novels and this seems to be it.
Master Mercurius is a Protestant cleric in the Netherlands in the 17th century, writing his secret memoirs and looking back to his early thirties when he was tasked to travel to Delft and solve the disappearance of three eight year old girls, one of whom has been found buried. There he interacts with various people, including the mothers of two of the girls from working class families - one a single parent looked down on for having had her child outside marriage - and the father of the last child abducted, a wealthy and unpopular merchant. He meets and works with a local artist - I was delighted to recognise Vermeer, painter of 'Girl with a Pearl Earring ' - and a draper who is a part time scientist. I looked him up while reading the novel and discovered that he was an early pioneer of microbiology. Both of these real historical characters are vividly portrayed and come across as living people on the page.
Mercurius is aware of the ambiguities of human life and morality, especially because he is also a secret Catholic and, even more dangerous for him, an ordained priest. The Low Countries, as they are known, seem more tolerant than many other lands in that period, because Catholics can worship in their own churches providing they keep everything low key but they are still discriminated against as is made clear through Vermeer, who converted to Catholism in order to marry into a Catholic family. Mercurius has been tasked by his bishop to be a secret pillar of the church in the event of the country one day returning to Catholism, but would be in a lot of trouble if this was found out and I sense that losing his position as a university lecturer would be the least of it. In the meantime, he faces the awkwardness of people trying to pair him off with potential wives when he is obliged to remain celibate.
The landscape of Delft is well pictured, as are the living conditions for the various classes. The narrative is nicely tinged with a humorous self deprecation and wry wit. Altogether I enjoyed the book and have no hesitation in rating it as a five star read.
Master Mercurius is a Protestant cleric in the Netherlands in the 17th century, writing his secret memoirs and looking back to his early thirties when he was tasked to travel to Delft and solve the disappearance of three eight year old girls, one of whom has been found buried. There he interacts with various people, including the mothers of two of the girls from working class families - one a single parent looked down on for having had her child outside marriage - and the father of the last child abducted, a wealthy and unpopular merchant. He meets and works with a local artist - I was delighted to recognise Vermeer, painter of 'Girl with a Pearl Earring ' - and a draper who is a part time scientist. I looked him up while reading the novel and discovered that he was an early pioneer of microbiology. Both of these real historical characters are vividly portrayed and come across as living people on the page.
Mercurius is aware of the ambiguities of human life and morality, especially because he is also a secret Catholic and, even more dangerous for him, an ordained priest. The Low Countries, as they are known, seem more tolerant than many other lands in that period, because Catholics can worship in their own churches providing they keep everything low key but they are still discriminated against as is made clear through Vermeer, who converted to Catholism in order to marry into a Catholic family. Mercurius has been tasked by his bishop to be a secret pillar of the church in the event of the country one day returning to Catholism, but would be in a lot of trouble if this was found out and I sense that losing his position as a university lecturer would be the least of it. In the meantime, he faces the awkwardness of people trying to pair him off with potential wives when he is obliged to remain celibate.
The landscape of Delft is well pictured, as are the living conditions for the various classes. The narrative is nicely tinged with a humorous self deprecation and wry wit. Altogether I enjoyed the book and have no hesitation in rating it as a five star read.
September 18, 2020
Review in English | Reseña en Español
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Death in Delft is a historical thriller set in the 17th century in the Netherlands where Master Mercurius, a Protestant minister, is appointed to solve the disappearance of three girls in Delft. He travels from Leiden to Delft, and there he meets with very interesting characters, which are actually based on real historical figures and who will contribute in solving the mystery.
The three kidnapped girls are of the same age, but come from very different backgrounds –from working and poor families to high class. When Mercurius arrives in Delft, the first girl, Gertruyd has been found dead, which further complicates things –and makes it a matter of time finding the other two girls.
Our main character, Mercurius, is an intelligent man, critical yet extremely practical. It is very easy to empathize with him since very early on in the story –he is quite down to earth, sometimes cynical in his own thinking, but one can relate to him in many aspects, including doubts about himself, the work he does, his capacity, etc. All this will contribute to his task of finding the person responsible of the disapparances.
I enjoyed the descriptions of 17th century life in Delft –in fact, I was first attracted to this book because Vermeer is one of my favorite painters and I thought it was a very different approach or remaining of his life. How could such an exquisite painter be involved in a crime? But Brack did it –and found a perfect role for Vermeer within the story and also respecting what is historically known from Vermeer. Overall, we get a very good picture of daily life in a Dutch town of the times, of the back and forth of religion in a reformed country that at the same time, was very practical in terms of religion, and of differences between the lower and higher class.
The mystery itself –I didn’t see it coming! I really had no idea who the suspect would be until Mercurius starts connecting the dots and revealing the mystery. I will only say that the reason behind the crimes was a really sad one and not as gruesome as I expected it to be from a thriller (but this is because I read a lot of crazy stuff from true crime and other twister thrillers). On this aspect, I might have enjoyed a bit more is the reason behind the kidnapping had been a bit “darker”, though by no means this hindered my enjoyment of the book.
I am definitely looking forward to read more of the mysteries Mercurius will need to solve and also get to know more about the Netherlands in this period, including scientific discoveries and art!
__
(Recibí este libro gracias a NetGallery a cambio de una reseña).
Death in Delft o, en español, "Muerte en Delft" es un thriller histórico situado en los Países Bajos en el siglo XVII y sigue las aventuras de Master Mercurius, un ministro protestante que es el encargado de resolver el misterio de la desaparición de tres niñas en el pequeño y apacible pueblo de Delft. En este viaje Mercurius conocerá a una serie de personajes que de hecho están basados en figuras históricas reales, y que ayudarán a resolver el misterio.
Cuando Mercurius llega a la pequeña ciudad, hay muy poca información con la que trabajar -las niñas que han desaparecido son de la misma edad, pero fuera de eso nada más las conecta -vienen de posiciones sociales muy distintas y nunca se habían conocido. Para complicar las cosas, la primera niña secuestrada, Gertruyd, fue encontrada muerta unos pocos días antes, lo cual hace más apremiante la tarea del protagonista.
A decir verdad, Mercurius me pareció un personaje divertido, muy humano y con quien es fácil empatizar. Es un hombre inteligente, práctico y crítico de si mismo, muy en línea con el contexto histórico específico a los Países Bajos en el siglo XVII y con su propio bagaje emocional ya que, de hecho, él fue primero ordenado como sacerdote católico, pero tuvo que esconder su religión para ocupar un puesto en la Universidad de Leiden. A pesar de su educación y conocimientos, él mismo no deja de tener dudas sobre su capacidad y algunas veces es algo sarcástico con él mismo, lo cual lo hace sentir como un personaje más real.
La historia está bien construida y disfruté mucho la descripción y construcción del contexto histórico que hizo el autor. De hecho, me animé a solicitar este libro porque Vermeer es uno de mis pintores favoritos y me pareció muy interesante conocer una nueva propuesta de ficción sobre su vida -¿cómo sería que un pintor tan extraordinario como él se viera involucrado en un misterio? Pero vaya que el autor de esta novela lo logró y encontró un papel perfecto dentro de la trama y ajustándolo a lo que históricamente se sabe de Vermeer. De igual forma, el autor nos sumerge en la vida diaria de una pequeña ciudad holandesa del siglo, incluyendo las luchas religiosas, la incipiente tolerancia de la sociedad que aun hoy los caracteriza, y las diferencias de clase, entre otras cosas.
En cuanto al misterio, realmente en ningún momento sospeché quién era el culpable, hasta que Mercurius comienza a conectar los puntos y éste se resuelve. A decir verdad, la razón detrás de los secuestros fue algo triste y no tan macabra como imaginaba pero esto es un mero gusto personal, resultado de leer tanta cosa rara en otros thrillers. En este aspecto, creo que hubiera disfrutado un poco más si la razón del perpetrador hubiera sido un poco más oscura, pero en general mi opinión del libro.
En definitiva, me gustaría leer más de las aventuras y misterios que Mercurius ayudará a resolver, y conocer más de este periodo histórico, con la mezcla de ciencia y arte que el autor consolidó a la perfección en esta primera entrega.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Death in Delft is a historical thriller set in the 17th century in the Netherlands where Master Mercurius, a Protestant minister, is appointed to solve the disappearance of three girls in Delft. He travels from Leiden to Delft, and there he meets with very interesting characters, which are actually based on real historical figures and who will contribute in solving the mystery.
The three kidnapped girls are of the same age, but come from very different backgrounds –from working and poor families to high class. When Mercurius arrives in Delft, the first girl, Gertruyd has been found dead, which further complicates things –and makes it a matter of time finding the other two girls.
Our main character, Mercurius, is an intelligent man, critical yet extremely practical. It is very easy to empathize with him since very early on in the story –he is quite down to earth, sometimes cynical in his own thinking, but one can relate to him in many aspects, including doubts about himself, the work he does, his capacity, etc. All this will contribute to his task of finding the person responsible of the disapparances.
I enjoyed the descriptions of 17th century life in Delft –in fact, I was first attracted to this book because Vermeer is one of my favorite painters and I thought it was a very different approach or remaining of his life. How could such an exquisite painter be involved in a crime? But Brack did it –and found a perfect role for Vermeer within the story and also respecting what is historically known from Vermeer. Overall, we get a very good picture of daily life in a Dutch town of the times, of the back and forth of religion in a reformed country that at the same time, was very practical in terms of religion, and of differences between the lower and higher class.
The mystery itself –I didn’t see it coming! I really had no idea who the suspect would be until Mercurius starts connecting the dots and revealing the mystery. I will only say that the reason behind the crimes was a really sad one and not as gruesome as I expected it to be from a thriller (but this is because I read a lot of crazy stuff from true crime and other twister thrillers). On this aspect, I might have enjoyed a bit more is the reason behind the kidnapping had been a bit “darker”, though by no means this hindered my enjoyment of the book.
I am definitely looking forward to read more of the mysteries Mercurius will need to solve and also get to know more about the Netherlands in this period, including scientific discoveries and art!
__
(Recibí este libro gracias a NetGallery a cambio de una reseña).
Death in Delft o, en español, "Muerte en Delft" es un thriller histórico situado en los Países Bajos en el siglo XVII y sigue las aventuras de Master Mercurius, un ministro protestante que es el encargado de resolver el misterio de la desaparición de tres niñas en el pequeño y apacible pueblo de Delft. En este viaje Mercurius conocerá a una serie de personajes que de hecho están basados en figuras históricas reales, y que ayudarán a resolver el misterio.
Cuando Mercurius llega a la pequeña ciudad, hay muy poca información con la que trabajar -las niñas que han desaparecido son de la misma edad, pero fuera de eso nada más las conecta -vienen de posiciones sociales muy distintas y nunca se habían conocido. Para complicar las cosas, la primera niña secuestrada, Gertruyd, fue encontrada muerta unos pocos días antes, lo cual hace más apremiante la tarea del protagonista.
A decir verdad, Mercurius me pareció un personaje divertido, muy humano y con quien es fácil empatizar. Es un hombre inteligente, práctico y crítico de si mismo, muy en línea con el contexto histórico específico a los Países Bajos en el siglo XVII y con su propio bagaje emocional ya que, de hecho, él fue primero ordenado como sacerdote católico, pero tuvo que esconder su religión para ocupar un puesto en la Universidad de Leiden. A pesar de su educación y conocimientos, él mismo no deja de tener dudas sobre su capacidad y algunas veces es algo sarcástico con él mismo, lo cual lo hace sentir como un personaje más real.
La historia está bien construida y disfruté mucho la descripción y construcción del contexto histórico que hizo el autor. De hecho, me animé a solicitar este libro porque Vermeer es uno de mis pintores favoritos y me pareció muy interesante conocer una nueva propuesta de ficción sobre su vida -¿cómo sería que un pintor tan extraordinario como él se viera involucrado en un misterio? Pero vaya que el autor de esta novela lo logró y encontró un papel perfecto dentro de la trama y ajustándolo a lo que históricamente se sabe de Vermeer. De igual forma, el autor nos sumerge en la vida diaria de una pequeña ciudad holandesa del siglo, incluyendo las luchas religiosas, la incipiente tolerancia de la sociedad que aun hoy los caracteriza, y las diferencias de clase, entre otras cosas.
En cuanto al misterio, realmente en ningún momento sospeché quién era el culpable, hasta que Mercurius comienza a conectar los puntos y éste se resuelve. A decir verdad, la razón detrás de los secuestros fue algo triste y no tan macabra como imaginaba pero esto es un mero gusto personal, resultado de leer tanta cosa rara en otros thrillers. En este aspecto, creo que hubiera disfrutado un poco más si la razón del perpetrador hubiera sido un poco más oscura, pero en general mi opinión del libro.
En definitiva, me gustaría leer más de las aventuras y misterios que Mercurius ayudará a resolver, y conocer más de este periodo histórico, con la mezcla de ciencia y arte que el autor consolidó a la perfección en esta primera entrega.
March 1, 2021
Setting: Delft, Holland; 1671. Gifted cleric Master Mercurius is tasked by his bishop to travel to Delft to assist the mayor in solving the abduction of three young girls, one of whom has been found dead, buried in a local field. As Mercurius begins his investigation, he is assisted by several of the local dignitaries, including artist Vermeer - all hope that they can discover the two missing girls before they suffer the same fate as the first.....
This book was like a breath of fresh air - so very different from most of the books that I read. Although a crime novel, which is probably my favourite genre, the setting and characters sets it apart from the rest. Master Mercurius is quite unique in that he is ordained as both a Roman Catholic priest and as a Protestant minister - quite a big deal at the time, especially in Holland where Catholicism was frowned upon. Told in the first person by Master Mercurius, the observation and wit is of the same calibre as Dickens and is highly entertaining; not so much is the prevalence of talk about God and religion, although this is no doubt to be expected, both because of the standing of the character as a cleric and the strongly-held religious beliefs of the time - so this didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story at all but enhanced the 'feel' of the times. It was also interesting that, on his walk back from The Hague at one point in the book, Master Mercurius went into a lovely hostelry for something to eat which didn't appear to be very popular - only to find that the owner didn't serve any meat - was this the first ever vegetarian restaurant (1671)?!
Certainly looking forward to reading the next of these, which I already have on TBR - 9.5/10.
This book was like a breath of fresh air - so very different from most of the books that I read. Although a crime novel, which is probably my favourite genre, the setting and characters sets it apart from the rest. Master Mercurius is quite unique in that he is ordained as both a Roman Catholic priest and as a Protestant minister - quite a big deal at the time, especially in Holland where Catholicism was frowned upon. Told in the first person by Master Mercurius, the observation and wit is of the same calibre as Dickens and is highly entertaining; not so much is the prevalence of talk about God and religion, although this is no doubt to be expected, both because of the standing of the character as a cleric and the strongly-held religious beliefs of the time - so this didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the story at all but enhanced the 'feel' of the times. It was also interesting that, on his walk back from The Hague at one point in the book, Master Mercurius went into a lovely hostelry for something to eat which didn't appear to be very popular - only to find that the owner didn't serve any meat - was this the first ever vegetarian restaurant (1671)?!
Certainly looking forward to reading the next of these, which I already have on TBR - 9.5/10.
August 1, 2021
I really enjoyed this historical mystery - I was looking for a book set in a country I’d like to visit for a reading challenge, and since the Netherlands is definitely on my list, this fit the bill, and allowed me to check out a new-to-me author who has been recommended by GR friends. I will definitely look for more of his books!
This is the first in the Master Mercurius mystery series, set in 17th century Delft. He is a lecturer at the university in Leiden, but sent to Delft at the request of the mayor for a “learned man” to investigate the disappearance of three little girls. One has been found dead and buried in a field. At first, the missing girls appear to have nothing in common, one is from one of the wealthiest families in Delft, the other the illegitimate child of an unmarried poor woman who cleans and sells fish. It is a sad reality that many of the common folk Mercurius interviews are stunned that the mayor cares at all about the two poor girls, they assume he is only there to investigate the disappearance of the wealthy family’s little girl.
I can’t say this mystery made Delft seem terribly appealing, as it is set in icy cold February! But I very much appreciated the characters, especially Mercurius- he is an ordained Protestant minister, but also secretly a Catholic priest.
The religious sensibilities and conflicts of the time make this a dangerous situation, Catholics not being outright banned, but they are to keep to themselves, not advertise their faith. If it came out, Mercurius would lose his place at the university; he is, as he notes to himself, “neither fish nor fowl” - his self-deprecating, dry humor are evident throughout this book, as is his faith. He’s a very decent, humble, rational fellow, and very likable. He finds himself in awkward situations as the worthy leaders of Delft dangle a possible church position, and one even hints at a marriage match between the secret priest and his beautiful, eligible daughter! Watching Mercurius navigate these waters is a treat, as is seeing him interview the denizens of the poorer areas of Delft as he looks for clues.
The resolution is both satisfying and believable, and I will definitely read further in this series, even if I don’t want to visit Delft in February! The author says in his afterward that he was inspired to write this after learning, while visiting Delft, that van Leeuwenhoek, the inventor of the microscope, and Vermeer, the famous painter, were both born there within a few years of each other. They both feature in this mystery as leading citizens of Delft that work with Mercurius, and Vermeer even discovers a clue that helps crack the case. Very interesting and enjoyable - I read this for the Book For All Seasons challenge to read a book about a country I’d like to visit.
This is the first in the Master Mercurius mystery series, set in 17th century Delft. He is a lecturer at the university in Leiden, but sent to Delft at the request of the mayor for a “learned man” to investigate the disappearance of three little girls. One has been found dead and buried in a field. At first, the missing girls appear to have nothing in common, one is from one of the wealthiest families in Delft, the other the illegitimate child of an unmarried poor woman who cleans and sells fish. It is a sad reality that many of the common folk Mercurius interviews are stunned that the mayor cares at all about the two poor girls, they assume he is only there to investigate the disappearance of the wealthy family’s little girl.
I can’t say this mystery made Delft seem terribly appealing, as it is set in icy cold February! But I very much appreciated the characters, especially Mercurius- he is an ordained Protestant minister, but also secretly a Catholic priest.
The religious sensibilities and conflicts of the time make this a dangerous situation, Catholics not being outright banned, but they are to keep to themselves, not advertise their faith. If it came out, Mercurius would lose his place at the university; he is, as he notes to himself, “neither fish nor fowl” - his self-deprecating, dry humor are evident throughout this book, as is his faith. He’s a very decent, humble, rational fellow, and very likable. He finds himself in awkward situations as the worthy leaders of Delft dangle a possible church position, and one even hints at a marriage match between the secret priest and his beautiful, eligible daughter! Watching Mercurius navigate these waters is a treat, as is seeing him interview the denizens of the poorer areas of Delft as he looks for clues.
The resolution is both satisfying and believable, and I will definitely read further in this series, even if I don’t want to visit Delft in February! The author says in his afterward that he was inspired to write this after learning, while visiting Delft, that van Leeuwenhoek, the inventor of the microscope, and Vermeer, the famous painter, were both born there within a few years of each other. They both feature in this mystery as leading citizens of Delft that work with Mercurius, and Vermeer even discovers a clue that helps crack the case. Very interesting and enjoyable - I read this for the Book For All Seasons challenge to read a book about a country I’d like to visit.
April 3, 2020
‘It was every bit as awful as I expected.’
1671, Delft. Three girls have disappeared. One has been found dead in a shallow grave. The other two are still missing. Can they survive? It’s January, and the weather is bitterly cold.
Master Mercurius, a member of the university faculty in Leiden, is called to Delft to investigate the disappearances. Protestantism is dominant in parts of northern Europe and Master Mercurius is an ordained Protestant minister, who happens to also be a Catholic priest. This makes him an interesting character with a wide perspective – which is what he will need to get to the bottom of this case.
And while Master Mercurius is gathering the information he needs to solve this case, he also spends some time with the painter Johannes Vermeer and his family, and with Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (one of my personal heroes of science).
Can the other two girls be found? Who has abducted them and why? The story proceeds at a fairly unhurried pace, including a lot of information about 17th century life in Delft as Master Mercurius conducts his (not always welcome) investigations).
I really enjoyed this novel. It is different (in many ways) from Mr Brack’s Josef Slonský novels and just as enjoyable. I am now looking forward to the second book in the series.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
1671, Delft. Three girls have disappeared. One has been found dead in a shallow grave. The other two are still missing. Can they survive? It’s January, and the weather is bitterly cold.
Master Mercurius, a member of the university faculty in Leiden, is called to Delft to investigate the disappearances. Protestantism is dominant in parts of northern Europe and Master Mercurius is an ordained Protestant minister, who happens to also be a Catholic priest. This makes him an interesting character with a wide perspective – which is what he will need to get to the bottom of this case.
And while Master Mercurius is gathering the information he needs to solve this case, he also spends some time with the painter Johannes Vermeer and his family, and with Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (one of my personal heroes of science).
Can the other two girls be found? Who has abducted them and why? The story proceeds at a fairly unhurried pace, including a lot of information about 17th century life in Delft as Master Mercurius conducts his (not always welcome) investigations).
I really enjoyed this novel. It is different (in many ways) from Mr Brack’s Josef Slonský novels and just as enjoyable. I am now looking forward to the second book in the series.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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