Reviewed by Judy Pask, Reference Librarian
Set in a time of both political and religious turmoil, this historical novel, The Illuminator has everything—romance, adventure, murder, and mystery. It is the story of a fourteenth century illuminator of religious manuscripts named Finn who with his sixteen year old daughter boards in the manor home of Lady Kathryn, a widow with twin fifteen year old sons. Their personal lives, present and past, intertwine with disastrous results as each character deals with their sense of duty and position in English feudal society on the verge of great change. The author weaves an engaging story combining both historical figures such as John Wycliffe, John Ball, and Bishop Henry Despenser, and the fictional characters of Finn, his daughter Rose; Lady Kathryn, her sons Alfred and Colin; a dwarf named Half-Tom, and Agnes the manor's hardworking cook.
The setting and characters had me at the first page and it's been a while since I've been this engrossed and engaged by any fiction. This novel is first class historical fiction.