'The Orphanmaster' by Jean Zimmerman

The Orphanmaster, Jean Zimmerman (4.0)

I don’t remember ever reading a novel set in the late 1600’s in the Dutch settlement in what is now Manhattan.  This historical novel uses that time and place as a backdrop on a frightful story of missing orphans, who appear to be killed and partially eaten by an evil Indian spirit. What makes this more than a simple horror story is the interesting diverse society Ms. Zimmerman brings into it, from an English spy, a young female tradesperson, African immigrants, Indian tribes people and the relatively complacent Dutch on the island.  The different social and ethnic groups interact with each other and the various areas of the city in really interesting ways.  That coupled with a relatively modern love story, makes you question if the Dutch were really that advanced (in the 1600’s) with regards to women’s’ and immigrants’ rights.  Given the research the author did and the current equality observed in the Netherlands, it’s probably true.