Excerpt from The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

"Let me show you upstairs," Marin says. "You will want to see your room."

Nella nods and a look of amusement flickers to life in Cornelia's eyes. Blithe pirrips from the cage bounce high up the walls, and Marin indicates to Cornelia with a flick of her wrist that the bird must go to the kitchen.

"But the cooking fumes," Nella protests. Marin and Otto turn back to her. "Peebo likes the light."

Cornelia takes up the cage and starts swinging it like a pail. "Please, be careful," says Nella.

Marin catches Cornelia's eye. The maid continues to the kitchen, accompanied by the thin melody of Peebo's worried cheeps.

From The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. Copyright 2014 Jessie Burton. Excerpted by permission of Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.