The Burning Chambers

Now THIS is a great work of historical fiction! Set in 1560's Languedoc, when the Catholics are persecuting the Protestant Huguenots, Minou Joubert and her family are caught in the middle of secrets from long ago and current day danger. The Burning Chambers is a wonderfully written novel of the time, with interesting characters who must use their wits to survive not only the violence wrought by the Church but also the treachery and betrayal of friends and neighbors. Action, mystery and a romance make this a great read. Kate Mosse writes with a depth that just draws you in to her world. Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the e-arc. Highly recommend! 4.5 Stars!

Languedoc, region in Southern France, was marked by Cathars Inquisitions before the 14th century and after the 15th century the region experienced another Crusade now against Huguenots (French Protestants), who seemed to be putting the strongest resistance in this particular region.

The story begins in 1562 Carcassonne with a 19 year old Minou, who works at her father’s bookshop. A bookshop known for “selling books to suit all religious tastes” and to be “out of step with the increasingly intolerant times.” Her father, Bernard Joubert, was a faithful Catholic, but it was her late mother, who was a true Languedocien, promoting tolerance through selling books expressing her believes. Five years earlier, the plague took her life and now her husband is troubled by the Inquisition.

One day, Minou receives an anonymous letter with only five words: “She knows that you live.”

Piet Reydon, originally from Amsterdam, is visiting Carcassonne to do business. He does charitable work for Huguenot community in Toulouse.

The Edict of Toleration, which was supposed to give Huguenots’ protection, seems to be meaningless. The Duke of Guise has no intention of honoring it.

Meanwhile, a fragment of the Shroud of Antioch, “in which the body of Jesus was laid in the sepulchre,” gets stolen from the Church in Toulouse. “It was an object of great and holy significance for the Catholic Church, a relic said to be able to work miracles.” And there is someone who will do anything to get it back.

A massacre at Vassy happens; a hundred Huguenots are slaughtered as they gathered in worship.

The attacks on Huguenots continue in other places, businesses and houses are destroyed. They are left homeless with no means to support themselves.

That’s why Piet’s charitable work is so important.

After a brief encounter of Minou and Piet in Carcassonne, their paths cross again in Toulouse. The tensions in the city of Toulouse, further take them to Puivert.

With a moving prose, the story engages three historical places of Carcassonne, Toulouse, and Puivert, bringing the richness of those places: their history and secrets of those who know those places well.

Minou Joubert runs her fathers bookshop in Carcassonne after her father seems to have retired from his life. Her younger sister Alis and teenage brother Aimeric depend on Minou to maintain the store that provides their livelihood. But there are things Minou doesn't know, and she lives in dangerous times, when religious tensions are high and those in power fan the flames of intolerance and hatred for their own benefit. When Minou, a Catholic meets Piet Reydon, a Huguenot, her life is changed in many unforeseen ways.

The Languedoc and religious tensions are not a new theme from Kate Mosse, and she does a brilliant in her Languedoc series. The Burning Chambers is equally compelling; fascinating in its portrayal of the times, it reels you in with a teaser in the 1800's before taking you to Minou's time the 16th century to begin the tale. It's a wonderful story of love and loss, treachery and faith, and the incredible courage of people standing up for the rights of others. I highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to read the second in the series!