As hot author heads for Oxford, we read her talked-about debut.

Her first novel’s position, as one of the biggest debuts of 2014, was a well deserved accolade for Oxford graduate Jessie Burton’s writing, such was its page-turning beauty in The Miniaturist.

However, the reader was left wanting at the end, in terms of story.

“There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed,” we’re promised; yet this novel leaves much unexplained.

It opens with Nella, our young heroine, arriving in 17th century Amsterdam at the house of trader Johannes; her new husband.

When he proves retiring and inattentive, Nella finds herself more in the company of the household: Marin, her supercilious sister-in-law; ever-present maid Cornelia; and Otto, an ex-slave saved by Johannes.

Nella is gifted a cabinet-sized replica of her new home and, enlisting a miniaturist to furnish it, requests a little lute, marzipan and a betrothal cup.

When they arrive, there is more in the package than was asked for: chairs identical to those downstairs, a cradle and miniature versions of Johannes’s whippets. As the novel continues, the miniaturist’s parcels hint at secrets Marin and Johannes are trying to keep.

How does he know so much about her household and who is this craftsman who eludes Nella? It is from the uncovering of secrets inside and out of the house that the compelling quality of this novel comes.

There is a wonderful sense of place and time and you cannot fault the research or skilled way with words; but such a hyped debut leaves the reader hoping for more than we are given.

Then again, as Marin says, “Hope is dangerous”; so, instead, read this novel for an atmospheric story of obsession and appearances, rather than as the hottest book of last year.

The Miniaturist
Jessie Burton
Picador, hardback £12.99; paperback £7.99; ebook £5.39
Jessie Burton visits Jaffe & Neale next week