Helena Rentmeester

I have the best job in the world: author
Creating new worlds and researching history at the same time...
Apart from articles and short stories I write historic novels - and I like to spice them with a touch of fantasy. Some people call it semi-fantasy, others say it's magical realism.


Try to read my blog from time to time, I'll keep you informed about my next novel Norns.
A historic novel about the ancient German tribes and their struggles with Roman usurper Postumus, in the 3rd century AD.
An epic novel, which tells a story of war, treason, sacrifice, adultery, murder, predestination, revenge and brotherly love.
The story also contains connections to the Beowulf saga, women who behave like witches and an unknown creature roaming around in the forests and scaring the hell out of everyone.

Þaðan koma meyjar
margs vitandi
þrjár úr þeim sæ,
er und þolli stendur;
Urð hétu eina,
aðra Verðandi,
skáru á skíði,
Skuld ina þriðju.
Þær lög lögðu,
þær líf kuru
alda börnum,
örlög seggja.

Pont du Gard
Belonging to the days of old

Rome, 71 A.D. When one of the apprentices of Greek architect Celer is looking for a building plan in his master's office, a small piece of papyrus falls on the floor. Unable to control his curiosity, he opens it and reads it. The words scare him, he knows his master is in severe danger. At that moment he hears footsteps approaching.

Southern France, 1921. In one of the tunnels of the aqueduct of Nîmes an eccentric archaeologist finds a disintegrated leather cover which dates from Roman times. Although the words on the paper are hardly readable, he immediately recognizes the name Nero. He realizes he is on the eve of a great discovery and hides his findings scrupulously from the world. Together with his assistant he tries to decipher the rest of the words.

The Netherlands, 82 years later, a cold and windy January morning. Who is that strange man in Julia's garden? He is leaning against the tree, as if he is looking for comfort. He seems utterly lost. After a brief hesitation Julia overcomes her fear and asks him in. Obviously he has never seen a house like hers before.

At first these events don't seem to connect, but when Julia gets to know her unexpected guest better, past and present start to mingle.




© Helena Rentmeester 2006
400 pages, paperback
ISBN 90 8569 029 3
Language: Dutch
Available directly from me and Bol.com

And this is where I live. Isn't it beautiful!