Enjoyed this first in the series of a new historical mystery set in the Netherlands in the 17th century! On a COVID-19 weekend, this was right up my alley - atmospheric, good writing with a tongue in cheek style on occasion, this book was surprisingly interesting for depicting the life and times of Delft in the 1600s (I think…since I didn’t live during those times - lol!) and Brack does a good job emulating what I imagine is the language style of the day. I love that he sprinkles in a bit of history as well. The main character Master Mercurius, is a cool cleric with a secret of his own, with self-deprecating humor, and ounces of empathy. Oh yes, then there’s the murders of course and that mystery to solve. All in all, this was a fun read and I’m looking forward to the second book scheduled for release later this year. I’ve read one other book of the author - one in the Josef Slonsky series that’s set in Prague, which I enjoyed too, but keep in mind the series are vastly different in both style and approach - both done equally well though. I’d recommend this book for historical mystery fans. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

1671, Delft & thee young girls have been abducted from their homes. The body of one has been found in a shallow grave. The other two are still missing. The murder has shocked everyone is the peaceful city of Delft and the mayor is desperate to catch the perpetrator before panic can spread any further. With the bitterly cold January weather intensifying it is doubtful that the other two girls are still alive. The mayor requests the help of Master Mercurius, a gifted cleric from a nearby university, and local artist Vermeer, who uses his skills to sketch the crime scenes.
I’ve loved the author’s Josef Slonský’s so was excited to read the first in a new series & I wasn’t disappointed. Another well written page turning read. The characters have depth & are well portrayed. The mystery held my interest from start to finish. I liked Mercurius especially his sense of humour. I also liked that it was Vermeer who finds the connection with that helps solve the case. The book also gave an insight as to life in Delft in the seventeenth century. I look forward to more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

This is a very enjoyable easy read historical murder mystery.  This is the first in the Mercurius series with hopefully more to follow.  It is not clear why Mercurious, a priest studying at Leiden university is sent to discover who killed one of the girls and abducted 2 more .  Brack writes with a gentle humour also includes Delft residents, Vameer and a Dutch scientist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoeknd in the story.  The story does not have the historical detail of Sansom so is less atmospheric but is a good read none the less.

‘It was every bit as awful as I expected.’

1671, Delft.  Three girls have disappeared.  One has been found dead in a shallow grave. The other two are still missing.  Can they survive?  It’s January, and the weather is bitterly cold.

Master Mercurius, a member of the university faculty in Leiden, is called to Delft to investigate the disappearances. Protestantism is dominant in parts of northern Europe and Master Mercurius is an ordained Protestant minister, who happens to also be a Catholic priest. This makes him an interesting character with a wide perspective – which is what he will need to get to the bottom of this case.

And while Master Mercurius is gathering the information he needs to solve this case, he also spends some time with the painter Johannes Vermeer and his family, and with Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (one of my personal heroes of science).

Can the other two girls be found?  Who has abducted them and why?  The story proceeds at a fairly unhurried pace, including a lot of information about 17th century life in Delft as Master Mercurius conducts his (not always welcome) investigations).

I really enjoyed this novel.  It is different (in many ways) from Mr Brack’s Josef Slonský novels and just as enjoyable.  I am now looking forward to the second book in the series.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Three missing girls, one of whom is found dead, result in a minister from the university being sent to Delft to solve the mystery. The story takes place in seventeenth century Holland and is told in the first person by Master Mercurius, who has a sly, dry wit that inserts itself every so often in the form of a wry one-liner that is easy to miss. If you aren’t paying careful attention to what you are reading, you may miss these all together and they are part of what makes this book so engaging.
Although a mystery, there is no frantic running around, no feeling of danger toward Master Mercurius or any of the other characters in the book. Instead, the book moves at a gentle, steady pace as Master Mercurius, with the help of Johannes Vermeer, one of Delft’s leading citizens, unravels the mystery of why the girls were kidnapped and where they are now.
The book offers an interesting view of life in Holland in the 1600’s, including some social mores, religious restrictions, and society structures. Because these bits of information are woven skillfully into the book, it never overwhelms the reader and it may not be until the book is finished that the reader realizes just how much they have learned about the country at the time.
It is interesting to read a fictional idea of what everyday family life for Vermeer might be like. I don’t know how historically accurate it is, but Vermeer is a pleasant character to encounter. The other historical figure in the book is dutch scientist Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek. Toward the end of the book, the author offers a peek at his study of microbes which has led to him being considered by some as the father of microbiology. As with Vermeer, most of the story involving Van Leeuwenhoek centers around his life as a village elder and as a family man.
While the solution to the mystery is somewhat of a reveal, it isn’t a big plot twist and I had figured out the reason for the kidnappings about two-thirds of the way through the book. That in no way hampered my enjoyment of the book which was well written and provided an interesting plot without unnecessary tension.
For anyone who is looking for a mystery book that may offer them a quiet read in almost a soothing fashion, this is a good book to consider. It is well written, well paced, and the characters are varied enough to maintain interest in the book. There is not much information offered regarding the geography of Holland, and if the reader is looking for rich descriptions of landscapes, etc., this is not the book for them.
My thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital read copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was a little sceptical about reading this since it is not an era I am particulary interested in but it is a great story told by a fantastic author. I must thank Netgalley, Sapere Books and the author Graham Brack who has come to be one of my favorite authors. He is a master at descriping time and place. He also is great at finding humor in his stories. I stongly recommend that you try this and also his Josef Slonský series.

Death in Delft is a very successful historical mystery largely due to its central character. Master Mercurius, a member of the university faculty at Leiden, is called to Delft to investigate the disappearance of three girls. One has been found dead; the other two are still missing. The novel takes place in the 17th Century, when Protestantism was sweeping northern Europe and Protestant-Catholic relations could quickly become fraught.

Mercurius is an ordained Protestant minister, as he must be to teach at the university. What sets him apart is that he is also a convert to Catholicism and traveled to France to be ordained a second time in that faith. This dual identity gives him interesting insights about character and motivation. He knows people may not be what they appear be; he also knows that this doesn't necessarily make them suspicious or dangerous. In a time of religious tension, he is remarkably non-judgemental, certain that the world of faith is something broader than he can conceive of.

The fun in the book is added to by a relationship that develops between Mercurius and the painter Vermeer, who lives in Delft. The mystery is solid enough to keep readers going, and you will have genuine fun exploring 17th Century Delft with Master Mercurius. I will be eagerly looking for new Master Mercurius titles.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions are my own.

This is an absolutely wonderful read, and for the first book in a new series, I cannot wait for the rest to appear! A very strong start with a fascinating lead character, who is a Catholic priest, masquerading as a Protestant in order to keep a teaching post at Leiden university. 
Master Mercurius is the cleric, and this novel takes the form of his memoirs. As readers, we are often informed in these pages, of future events that happen to the people that Mercurius meets and becomes involved with, which adds to the illusion that he is rereading his journal entries and updating them. 
Mercurius is a cleric, with a sense of humour, quick thinking, defensive of the poor and the many wrongs done to them, but it is not a preachy book. It is a sobering look at the inequalities in Dutch society in the seventeenth century, poorhouses, the stigma of being a bastard, and the beginnings of trade routes being set up in the Low Countries. There is also a reflection about religion, this however, has no ill effects on Mercurius, he seems almost like the Vicar of Bray, changes his cloth to suit the circumstances!! 
Three young girls have been abducted, all aged about eight years old, and come from different backgrounds. They have red hair, the only common denominator. The story opens when the body of one has been found in a shallow grave. Mercurius, using some marvellous Sherlock Holmes type deductions, starts to chase down clues, assisted by Vermeer, the portrait painter, ( before he was really famous) and hindered by most of the Governing council of Delph. 
There is so much detail, that informs but doesn't bore the reader. Full of social history and fascinating facts, it would pass muster on a school bookshelves without any doubt!! If I could learn French at school by reading Asterix stories in the native language, why not this book?. 
My only criticism was about red hair and blue eyes, but that could be explained by Viking settlers and trade routes? The laws on genetic inheritance can throw up some surprises!! 
I cannot recommend this novel too highly. I was hoping it would never end, as I knew I wanted to read more. So different, so creative and thoroughly enjoyable. I will keep an eye out for the others in this series. A cracking five star read. 
Reviews will be left on Goodreads. I will recommend this to my local history group as a social history source.

Death in Delft by Graham Brack was a cozy and enjoyable mystery read! Picture a Dr. Watson-esque character solving a case with a brilliant sketch artist as his sidekick but set in 17th-century Delft with Dr. Watson as a cleric named Mercurius and the sketch artist as the famous painter Johannes Vermeer (of Girl with a Pearl Earring fame). The two must work quickly to locate the kidnapper of three young girls, one of whom has already been killed. The townspeople are not always forthcoming with information and the clock keeps ticking. This book is the first in a series and I would definitely keep reading!

The year is 1671 and this story is set in Delft where three young girls are missing. One is found deceased and buried in a shallow grave. Master Mercurius , a gifted cleric is called upon to investigate. And so our plot is set and this enthralling book keeps you turn8ng page by page to find out why the girls were taken and if they can be found.
Loved this book and all the characters in it.

. This was a really strong start to a series. I really liked the actual mystery and the setting. The strength of this book lies in the character of Master Mercurius who is tasked with solving the crime. He is very funny, with a good sense of humour and his asides and thoughts about his faith and those around him really make this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Death in Delft by Graham Brack was almost just the historical mystery I didn't know I needed in my life. The level of detail that went into creating the world and the characters of the Netherlands during the 17th century is incredibly impressive. I think Mercurius is on his way to becoming a favorite character. I'm looking forward to seeing where the Master Mercurius Mysteries series goes from here and I'll to look into other works from the author as well.

I was drawn to this historical mystery after enjoying the first book in Brack’s modern day Josef Slonsky series.  This book takes us back to mid 17th C Delft.  Our main character is a cleric from a nearby university, called in to lead a criminal investigation. Three girls have gone missing but only a single body has been found. Vermeer figures in the book as he draws the crime scenes.  
Brack employs a wicked sense of humor. 

 “I just wonder what he did to be imprisoned in one [an asylum]. “
“ I’m not sure. Some say he threatened to kill his mother, but you don’t get put away for doing people a service.”

Brack uses humor to give us a good taste of Mercurius’ personality.  I loved his opinions on the daily services of the church, not to mention confession.  And as one would expect, he’s a bit of an innocent.  But Mercurius is also a philosopher in the true sense, as well as a merciful priest.  
Brack uses just enough old vocabulary to give the book a feel for the 17th Century without making it difficult for the reader to understand.  He makes sure to give us a complete feel for the place and time.  We’re treated to several discussions on the differences in the two faiths, Catholic and Protestant.   He also does a great job of showing us the political climate and philosophies of the day.  
I also will admit to learning about the scientific discoveries made by Van Leeuwenhoek during this time. 
I loved the ending to the book. I can only hope this is the start of a new series as Mercurius is someone I would relish watching solve additional crimes.  
My thanks to netgalley and Sapere Books for an advance copy of this book.

I very much enjoyed this book. It was nice to read a mystery which was not gory and written in quite a gentle style.

5★
“‘Last I heard he was in an asylum.’

‘An asylum?’

‘You know, a madhouse. Place where they put the insane.’

‘I know what one is,’ I said. ‘I just wondered what he did to be imprisoned in one.’

‘I’m not sure. Some say he threatened to kill his mother, but you don’t get put away for doing people a service.’”

“He” is the feeble-minded brother-in-law of the renowned Dutch painter Jan Vermeer (“Girl With The Pearl Earring”). Vermeer’s mother-in-law is a notoriously difficult, demanding woman, whom everyone would like to see the back of. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Graham Brack’s latest novel is completely different from his popular Josef Slonsky Investigations series that takes place in contemporary Prague. This is the first of a new series in the Netherlands during the 17th century. The book is introduced by the old Master Mercurius as his colourful memories.

“It is possible that in these pages I have been indiscreet to some extent. I would ask your pardon if that is the case, except that I don’t give a fig.”

His memories would certainly be indiscreet if any of the people in this account were to read them, but they are a delight for us. Who would want to read this about herself?

“She was as short a woman as I had ever seen who was not a dwarf, but nearly as broad as she was tall. It was as if her Maker had used the normal amount of flesh but had erected it on soft foundations.”

But back to the story. It is 1671. Master Mercurius is a 33-year-old Catholic priest – no, a Protestant minister – no, a, well, he’s sort of both. He was ordained as a Catholic priest, but had to hide that in these times when Protestants burned Catholic priests.

He is a lecturer at the University of Leiden, (where he needs to be a Protestant minister) enjoying life, when the Rector summons him and says the Mayor of Delft has asked that he send an educated man to help investigate the disappearance of three little girls. He’s puzzled, but agrees.

He meets with the mayor and other civic leaders, several of whom are real historical characters. Some of them vie for superiority and don't get along with each other. Fortunately, being a minister or priest has its advantages, as they don't take it out on him.

[My Goodreads review includes the painting "View of Delft" by Jan Vermeer 1659-1660

He approaches the project methodically, interviewing each of the very different families, and we get a sense of what he’s noticing. The missing girls come from completely different backgrounds, one a prized only child and one a spurned bastard, but age seems to be the common factor. Again, his position as a minister/priest, serves him well when dealing with the bereft parents.

I particularly enjoy Vermeer, who adored his wife (but not her mother) and their nine children. He never had much money, but he seems an interesting, intelligent man who thrived on the vibrancy of his household. Mercurius is invited to dinner.

“To say that the children were excited was an understatement. I could not count them, though I think there may have been nine, but since they refused to sit still it was difficult to be sure. I once gave a friend some help loading piglets on a cart and the effect was very similar.
. . .
There was another boy, Franciscus, who was about six and appeared to be a species of comet, flying rapidly about the house and transiting the room at intervals before vanishing again for a while.”

Vermeer is a major character as is Van Leeuwenhoek, who is recognised as the father of microbiology. He was a cloth trader, and inspected the weave with magnification and figured out how to make lenses that showed even greater detail of the “animacules” in our mouths.

Brack has a light touch when fitting in circumstances and events of the times without ever seeming as if he’s finding an excuse to show off or lecture, as I feel so many authors do. Everything flows naturally. We see the ins and outs of the homes and alleyways.

Plenty of odd goings on and clues and hints and an awful lot of walking in mud and cold from town to town. These were not easy times. But he’s young, fit, intelligent and has a quick mind as well as a nice sense of humour and a very caring nature.

The various situations where people are trying to matchmake for him, believing he’s a Protestant minister who can marry, are tenderly funny.

“If I am frank, much of the conversation of the evening passed me by, because I was regarding the young lady opposite and ensuring that my next confession would be a lengthy affair.”

The few anachronisms I noted turned out not to be, so well done with the research, and more fool me! I’m looking forward to spending more time with this religious fellow, although that’s not my usual choice of companion. But then, neither did I think a Czech detective would be.

Thanks to Sapere Books and NetGalley for the preview copy. I loved it!

This book was an absolute delight to read, for several reasons. First, Master Mercurius himself. What a smart, funny man, who, despite he is very learned, sometimes displays a lack of knowledge of things that other people take for granted. Especially when it comes to relations between men and women; the way he sometimes reacted to the young ladies in this story made me laugh out loud. Sometimes however he suddenly displays a very good insight in the human mind and furthermore, he is not rigid, he knows how to ‘bend the rules’ to keep people happy.
Then the story – a plot like this that is very well understandable for the time the story is set in, and even nog quite unthinkable these days. The love of a father for his daughter(s) plays a central role but it takes some time before it is clear how important this is.
And more: Anthony van Leeuwenhoek and Johannes Vermeer play a crucial role in this story. Both are given an important role that not only has to do with the things they are famous for – although I loved the scene where Mercurius, to his utter fascination (and a bit of horror), discovers what it is that Van Leeuwenhoek does.

Those of you who can’t be bothered reading a more personal explanation, please stop here.

I also wanted to read this book because it is set in Delft (which I know quite well) and Master Mercurius is from Leiden (where I was born). To my great pleasure Graham Brack didn’t make the mistakes other authors make when trying to set a story in the Netherlands (or Holland, in this case). First, he uses ‘mijnheer’, ‘mevrouw’ and ‘juffrouw’ (Mr, Mrs and Miss) in the correct way. He also writes all surnames the correct way and he has actually made a good study of the town of Delft as it was in 1671. He uses the word ‘hofje’ for a small enclosed street of almshouses. ‘Hofjes’ still exist but they are no longer almshouses, of course. They are very sought after (I lived in one; it was built in 1669).
Master Mercurius lives in difficult times, because religion plays a major role in society. Nowadays, almost nobody is bothered by the fact you are Catholic, Protestant or even Remonstrant, the latter being frowned upon. I can tell you they still exist – I was baptized Remonstrant – and that brings me to the last point that makes me like this book so much. My name is in it. Well, obviously not my 20th century name, but ‘Jannetje Dircks’, that’s me…. My first name is Jannetje and my father’s name is Dirk.
Of course this is all purely coincidence and I liked the book more because of Master Mercurius and the story than of the things I say in the two last paragraphs, but it earned the book an extra star ;-) and I’m very much looking forward to more books in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sapere Books for this digital review copy.

Death In Delft is the first book in the Master Mercurius Mysteries series by British author, Graham Brack. In the chill of a Dutch February, University of Leiden lecturer, Master Mercurius is sent to Delft by the Rector, at the request of the Mayor of Delft, who requires someone with “a quick wit, a knowledge of God’s law and abundant energy”. Not until he arrives does the cleric understand that he is investigating the abduction, over recent weeks, of three young girls, all eight or nine years old, one of whom appears to have been murdered. 

Once the basic facts are established, the sites of the abductions, and the grave of the dead girl, are visited. Mercurius is accommodated at the Inn and given free rein to interrogate and investigate. The late seventeenth century offers little technology to assist an investigator, but this is Delft, and Johannes Vermeer has obliged with some Scene-Of-Crime sketches, and likenesses of two of the girls from parental descriptions (who needs cameras or identikit?); when copies are needed to hand around, a talented woodcut artist is engaged.

The body is examined and Reinier de Graaf offers an enlightening opinion on cause of death; later, Anton van Leeuwenhoek helpfully applies scientific method to underpin certain deductions; (might as well use the local talent….) Mercurius makes enquiries by day and in the evenings, dines with each of the town’s burghers. And within the week, he has indeed solved this puzzling case.

Brack’s protagonist is an interesting and easily likeable character: Master Mercurius is clearly a good man, if not overly devout or pious: “I hesitate to claim any special holiness of my own, but fortunately I have been prevented from sin by an almost total lack of opportunities: I have no need of money, and women have always found me immensely resistible, so occasions for sin do not often come my way.” 

He describes himself as “neither fish nor fowl, a Catholic masquerading as a Protestant, concealing what should be open.” He also reveals a talent for the bluff. The story is told by a late-in-life Mercurius who is setting down certain life episodes as journal entries. 

Brack’s plot has enough twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and he evokes the era with ease. He seamlessly incorporates a wealth of interesting historical facts into the narrative, as well as a generous helping of (sometimes dark) humour. It seems that, for much of this tale, Graham Brack has tongue firmly planted in cheek. This is brilliantly entertaining historical crime fiction and it is to be hoped that he has many more doses of Master Mercurius up his sleeve!
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Sapere Books (but I also purchased a copy!)

This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last.

Since I am Dutch myself I couldn’t resist a book taking place in The Netherlands with a lot of historical figures.

I enjoyed the writing style of the author. It flows really well and I found it easy the picture the story in my head. The story itself is engaging and full of twists. I didn’t guess who it was.

Master Mercurius was an interesting and likeable character. he had his flaws, which made him more real.

I enjoyed this story a lot and would definitely recommend it.

2552 kb

5 stars

I, too, am a big fan of Mr. Brack's Josef Slonsky series. So, I thought that I would give this new series a try. 

This series is set in the 17th Century in Holland and features Master Mercurius. He is a Catholic priest at heart who bows to pressure and also takes up the mantle of a Protestant cleric. He has found a position as a lecturer at the University of Leiden. He is summoned and asked to go to Delft to investigate a series of kidnappings of young children – all girls. Just before he arrives, a body is found. Where are the other two missing children? 

Along the way of his search for the missing girls, he meets several inhabitants of the town who are helpful. A few take some convincing, however. He also meets Johannes Vermeer whose powers of observation set Master Mercurius upon the path to the solution of the puzzle. 

This book is very well written. I should not have been concerned about Mr. Brack's ability to begin a new series. This book is intelligent and interspersed with Mercurius' self-deprecating style of humor. I was chuckling over some of his comments. I really liked the Master. He was a humble man of God who was also learned enough to know that he needed assistance in sorting out the dilemma. I saw his constant battle within himself to remain Catholic while putting on a show of being a Protestant cleric to the public. It must have been a horrible time in which to live when one has to hide one's faith to survive. 

I want to thank NetGalley and Sapere Books for forwarding to me a copy of this very excellent book for me to read, enjoy and review.

This mystery book is told with a lightness that makes it so endearing and enjoyable to read. Set in Delft in the 1671, told in the first person, by Master Mercurius, a cleric being of both Catholic and Protestant ilk . He is sent over to Delft from his University to assist solving the disappearance of 3  girls, aged eight yr old, one of who is discovered in a grave soon before his arrival.
The mystery  is very well laid out and very well told - I am not a fan of books written in the first person, but this book really speaks to me, it puts me in the picture very easily, as we travel to the books end. The era is perfectly depicted as are the people in it.  I will certainly look out for more books in this series.