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Historical The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Vantrease $13.95 / St. Martin's Press/ 2005 In the days when books were painstakingly illuminated by hand, a skilled illustrator could find himself much in demand. Such is Finn, an artist who works at the Church’s pleasure. But in secret, he is helping the heretic John Wycliffe translate the Latin Bible into English. It is dangerous work for any man in 1379, but no more dangerous than Finn’s deeper secret, the one his dead wife took to her grave. Genteel Kathryn of Blackingham Manor knows nothing of the illuminator’s past when she takes him in, along with his beautiful daughter Rose, as boarders. She is far more concerned with protecting her teenage sons’ dwindling inheritance, which grows smaller with every visit from the local extortionist priest. Additionally, each day the widow contends with an unruly steward, unholy taxes, and unwelcome suitors who are more interested in her estate than her hand. Lonely and bitter, she finds herself drawn to the comfort of Finn’s presence. Class restrictions seem less and less important as their warm friendship grows into something more. And when romance blossoms between Rose and Kathryn’s son Colin, the future prospect of happily ever after seems happily apparent. If only there was not the matter of Finn’s deadly secrets, and the inconveniently murdered priest who turns up near Kathryn’s home. Set during the months leading up to England’s peasant revolt of 1381, The Illuminator draws from a wealth of religious and cultural events of the day. For the most part, these are integrated naturally into the story, but there are occasional, forgivable bumps. All of the main characters just happen to be involved in a vast range of historical events, which seems awfully coincidental. And at the conclusion, the loose ends are wrapped up a little too neatly, particularly where Kathryn’s twin sons are concerned. But these are small aberrations in an otherwise well-crafted tale. The Illuminator shines like a diamond whose flaws are invisible to the naked eye. Add this little gem to your collection or even better, share it with your friends; they will thank you for it. — Shantel M. Sellers

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