'A rich, surprising and devastating story of a female institution long-forgotten' Marj Charlier, author of The Rebel Nun

A heretical text, a vengeful husband, a forbidden love...

It's 1310 and Paris is alive with talk of the trial of the Templars. Religious repression is on the rise, and the smoke of execution pyres blackens the sky above the city. But sheltered behind the walls of Paris's great beguinage, a community of women are still free to work, study and live their lives away from the domination of men.

When a wild, red-haired child clothed in rags arrives at the beguinage gate one morning, with a sinister Franciscan monk on her tail, she sets in motion a chain of events that will shatter the peace of this little world―plunging it into grave danger.

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READERS ARE LOVING THE MIRROR OF SIMPLE SOULS

'A colorful fictional tapestry beautifully presented and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters. This literary accomplishment is also a stunning portrait of urban life and customs in medieval France. Highly recommended' Jean Luc

'It is hard to find good historical novels set in the middle ages that focus on ordinary lives - especially women's lives - rather than on royalty and political (mostly male) power struggles. This is a refreshing exception' Fiona

'An excellent historical fiction set at beginning of XV century. It mixes fiction and history, features strong and intriguing characters, and I loved the storytelling... Highly recommended' Anna Maria