In 1686 teen-aged Petronella Nella Oortman agrees to marry wealthy merchant Johannes Brandt to save the family fortunes - and arrives at the Amsterdam house he shares with his devout, austere sister Marin and servants Cornelia and Otto. As a wedding present Johannes gives her a dolls' house, a replica of his own home, which she furnishes with beautiful tiny items sent by an anonymous miniaturist who seems to know a lot about the house. More, unsolicited items follow, including figurines of Marin and Johannes. Johannes seems unwilling to consummate the marriage, and Nella soon discovers his secret as more miniature likenesses are sent, including one of Johannes' lover Jack Philips, who unwisely visits during one of Johannes' many business trips. On his return Nella discovers her husband's secret and the plan of his enemies, sugar sellers Agnes and Frans Meermans, to expose his sexuality - leading to his flight. Then Nella gets another shock. Written by don @ minifie-1

Discovering that Marin is pregnant, presumably by former lover Frans, Nella takes charge of the household, visiting the captured Johannes in jail and raising money by selling the Meermans' sugar to local shop-keepers. At his trial Johannes defends himself well against Frans and Jack's perjured evidence whilst Nella confronts Frans in an effort to save her husband from the death penalty before delivering Marin's baby and getting a shock. As the court delivers its verdict on her husband Nella visits the enigmatic clairvoyant miniaturist to save him, hoping that she is not too late. Written by don @ minifie-1