Let's set the scene: It's the late 1860s in rural France. Lucie, a well-meaning but inexperienced young woman, takes a position as governess at the isolated Château de Kermor. Her charge is Edouard, a sensitive boy who speaks in whispers and spends all his time sketching detailed scenes of Native American life—warriors, hunts, villages. He calls them his ‘Indiens Rouges.’ His father, Count Maximilien de Kermor, is a haunted, imposing figure who discourages the boy's fascination and seems to resent Lucie's presence.

The Story

The plot unfolds as a slow-burn puzzle. Lucie, determined to reach Edouard, encourages his artistic passion, which unwittingly pulls her deeper into the family's hidden history. Through old letters, cautious conversations with servants, and the Count's own tense reactions, she pieces together a devastating truth. Years earlier, the Count's beloved wife, Edouard's mother, did not simply die in childbirth as the official story claims. She was involved in a profound, secret connection to the Native American world—a connection that scandalized high society and led to her ruin. Edouard's drawings aren't just a childish hobby; they're an inherited memory, a ghost of his mother's forbidden life. The central mystery becomes: what exactly was that connection, and why does the Count guard the truth so fiercely?

Why You Should Read It

Forget simple adventure tales. Chevalier does something really clever here. He uses the exotic idea of ‘Indians’ as a mirror to reflect the strict rules and hypocrisies of French aristocracy. The real conflict isn't between settlers and tribes; it's between truth and reputation, passion and duty. Lucie is a great lens for this—she's not a superhero, just a decent person trying to do right by a child, and her growing courage feels earned. The Count is a fantastic, flawed character. You want to shake him for his coldness, but you also understand his pain and fear of another scandal.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who love historical fiction with a strong mystery at its heart. If you enjoyed the moody atmosphere of books like Jane Eyre or the slow-reveal secrets of a novel by Wilkie Collins, but want a setting and premise that feels fresh, pick this up. It’s also a great find for anyone interested in how 19th-century Europe viewed other cultures. Be ready for character drama over action, and for a resolution that’s more about emotional truth than swashbuckling. A hidden gem that deserves a new audience.