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.
Nella faces danger and turmoil as Johannes is accused by the Amsterdam authorities. Meanwhile, her relationship with the Miniaturist becomes ever more mysterious and disturbing.
Desperate to save her husband, Nella decides to try to sell the sugar herself, with surprising initial success. When another tragedy strikes the household, Nella seeks out the advice of the miniaturist, who urges her to be the agent of her own fortune. Presented with one last mysterious gift, Nella must determine her path forward in the world.
18-year-old Nella Oortman begins a new life in Amsterdam as the wife of wealthy merchant, Johannes Brandt. As a wedding gift, Nella is presented with a doll's house replica of their home, but soon realises that an elusive miniaturists tiny creations are seemingly predicting the future with unsettling accuracy.
Nella desperately tries to turn the fortunes of the Brandt household around, but the miniatures and their messages keep coming. With shocking secrets still to surface and time beginning to run out, Nella worries that her fate may be predestined.
