Heidi Eljarbo has long been celebrated for her ability to blend the rich textures of history with deeply human stories that touch the soul, and in “The Relic Keeper”, she once again proves herself a masterful storyteller. With prose that glows with sensitivity and an intuitive command of emotion, Eljarbo leads readers into a world shaped by art, faith, and the quiet courage found in unexpected places. This is a tale where the past feels vividly alive, where every street carries a whisper of possibility, and where even the most fragile heart is offered a chance of renewal. From the outset, Eljarbo invites us to walk beside her characters as they navigate hardship and hope, reminding us that grace often reveals itself in the most unlikely of lives.
At the story’s centre stands Angelo — a young orphan shaped not by malice, but by the harshness of a world that has offered him little kindness. Passed like a burden from one person to the next, his life has been carved by sorrow, poverty, and a yearning to belong. Under the iron grip of Tozzo, a cunning thief who preys on the boy’s vulnerability, Angelo is forced into the shadows of crime, stealing relics from the very sanctuaries meant to comfort troubled souls. And yet, Eljarbo portrays Angelo not as a hardened criminal but as a tender, searching spirit — caught between the instinct to survive and the faint stirrings of goodness within.
It is Padre Benedetto who becomes the turning point in Angelo’s fractured existence. Introduced with the gentle dignity Eljarbo gives her most compassionate characters, the priest offers not judgment but refuge. Seeing the boy’s potential, Benedetto opens a door to moral clarity and hope. His steady patience and quiet wisdom become a lifeline, guiding Angelo to understand that he is not bound by his past but shaped by the choices before him. Benedetto’s presence serves as a reminder of how profoundly a single act of kindness can alter the course of a life.
True to her signature style, Eljarbo includes the presence of a renowned artist whose work enriches the narrative. Gerrit van Honthorst — celebrated for his masterful interplay of light and shadow — appears briefly, yet his artistry infuses the story with a sense of wonder. Through him, the novel honours the enduring power of creativity to inspire, console, and transform.
Eljarbo draws all of the settings in this novel with rich, sensory detail — from the bleak confines of Tozzo’s dim lodgings to the welcoming warmth of Benedetto’s modest home, and finally to the grandeur of the Giustiniani palazzo. Each space reflects a stage of Angelo’s transformation. Rome, with its storied streets and vibrant artistic pulse, becomes the setting for Angelo’s awakening. And within the glowing atmosphere of Gerrit van Honthorst’s studio, he encounters the breathtaking “Adoration of the Christ Child”. His unguarded emotional response to the painting marks one of the novel’s most striking moments, capturing the way great art can cut through despair and illuminate truths we scarcely dare to imagine.
With elegant storytelling and a compassionate heart, Heidi Eljarbo offers readers a journey as uplifting as it is poignant. Angelo’s path — from desperation to dignity, from the margins of society to new promise — becomes a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
“The Relic Keeper” ultimately stands as a radiant celebration of hope, kindness, and the beauty that emerges when wounded souls dare to reach towards the light. It is a story to savour, reflect upon, and carry with you — an unforgettable addition to Eljarbo’s heartfelt repertoire of novels that bring history to life.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
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Heidi Eljarbo
Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of historical fiction and mysteries filled with courageous and good characters that are easy to love and others you don't want to go near.
Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.
After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have fifteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.
Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter.
Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.
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