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” opens, Nella Brandt is 37. Almost 20 years have passed since we first met her in “

,” Jessie Burton’s wildly popular first book. But not much has changed. Nella still lives in the house she inherited from her dead husband. Many of the same characters inhabit her world — with one addition. Her niece, Thea, is grown and turning 18. And Nella has pinned all her hopes on Thea marrying well.

The irony is thick, although Nella doesn’t see it. Nella herself was married off at age 18, leading to the scandal that enthralled readers in “The Miniaturist.” What will happen this time? Will Nella revisit that sin on her headstrong niece? Or will Thea’s own secrets collide with the family’s? 

It’s a delicious return to austere but wealthy 18th century Amsterdam, told through Burton’s sensual lens. This Friday on Big Books and Bold Ideas, host Kerri Miller sat down with Burton and talked about what it’s like to write a sequel and how looking back is often the key to moving forward. 

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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Jessie Burton is ready to whisk us back to 18th century Amsterdam with a sequel to her runaway hit novel, “The Miniaturist.” 

Jessie Burton returns to family secrets in Amsterdam with 'The House of Fortune'

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