The House of Barbary, by Isabelle Schuler - Lea
A historical fiction set in Bern, Switzerland, which promises mysteries and murder - yes, that certainly peeked my interest!
The story is what the author calls “history adjacent”. She has used real characters, facts, times, and places, and interlaced these with fictional characters to give us a historical novel with vengeance as an all pervasive theme.
In the book we meet Beatrice Barbary just after her father’s death in the winter of 1653. Her father, a highly powerful city official, has been murdered. Up to then Beatrice led a very secluded life, hidden away from the public eye, encouraged in her unusual interest (the dissection of animals) and brought up by just her father and her maid, Imerla. However, Beatrice is now determined to find out why her father was murdered. In her quest to find the truth about his murder, she learns about the mysteries surrounding him, especially the Order of St Eve, and the atrocities committed in its name. What was her father’s role in all this? Who was this very amiable man who protected her all her life?
Her search for the truth is intertwined by the story of Johann Schor, a painter living in the Barbary Household, who we meet in the spring of 1639. Beatrice was 8 years old at that time. Johann has been commissioned by Beatrice’s father to paint his portrait. Through Johann we find out more about the actual appalling secrets of the Order of St Eve. Unfortunately Johann is a rather introverted and shy person who tends to avoid difficult situations; a weak character, he doesn’t like stirring things up or confronting people.
Did I enjoy reading this book? Right from the beginning hints are dropped, facts disclosed, which make you wonder what is going on. The storylines set at two different points in time and told from the two perspectives of Beatrice and Johann make for interesting and engaging reading. You want to keep on reading to find out more about this mysterious Order of St Eve. In short, a story full of suspense with enough twists and turns to keep you captivated till the end.
Lea
Publishing date: 13/03/25
