“An exquisite novel.” Martha Conway, author of Thieving Forest

A Renaissance-era woman artist and an American scholar. Linked by a 500-year-old mystery…

The secrets of the past are irresistible—and dangerous.

1500: Born during a time wracked by war and plague, Renaissance-era artist Mira grows up in a Pyrenees convent believing she is an orphan. When tragedy strikes, Mira learns the devastating truth about her own origins. But does she have the strength to face those who would destroy her?

2015: Centuries later, art scholar Zari unearths traces of a mysterious young woman named Mira in two 16th-century portraits. Obsessed, Zari tracks Mira through the great cities of Europe to the pilgrim’s route of Camino de Santiago—and is stunned by what she finds. Will her discovery be enough to bring Mira’s story to life?

A powerful story and an intriguing mystery, The Girl from Oto is an unforgettable novel of obsession, passion, and human resilience.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Anthony Doerr.

Author Interview:

Q: Why did you write The Girl from Oto and the rest of the Miramonde Series?

A: During travels with my family through Europe in 2010-11, I was thrilled by museum visits but our two young daughters were not. I wished more of the art they saw was relevant to them. We wandered through great halls of medieval and Renaissance-era paintings, and I mourned the lack of female artists. Meanwhile, the girls stared at portraits of frozen-in-time people in their gilt frames and were unmoved. I wished we knew more about the stories behind those portraits. Then I visited Oxford University and saw a 500-year-old painting of a mysterious woman, attributed to female portrait artist Caterina van Hemessen. I was floored. So there were women painters in those days! I began to dig into history, and the idea for The Girl from Oto was born. I would bring one of those mysterious old portraits to life, and I would create a place in history for its maker. Along the way I learned that women have always been artists. Their work was often attributed to men or kept anonymous, but it exists. And more and more of these women are being rescued from history’s shadows.

Q: What is the significance of the Camino de Santiago in the story?

A: The action in Mira’s story takes place in the Pyrenees mountains along the pilgrim’s route of Camino de Santiago. From the middle ages onward, this also happened to be a major trade route between what is now Spain and the rest of Europe. The mountain communities evolved with the constant presence of traveling pilgrims, itinerant merchants and artisans, smugglers, refugees, and nomadic shepherds. This created a dramatic brew of tensions, culture clashes, religious differences, unlikely alliances, the spread of disease, and a constant flow of news. Add into the mix the looming presence of the mountains themselves, and it’s a writer’s dream come true!

Q: Tell us about the rest of the series.

A: I originally thought this would be just one novel, but as the story developed I realized it would either become a 1,200-page book or a trilogy. Book 2, Mira’s Way , was published in 2018, and Book 3, A Place in the World , was published in 2019. There’s also a prequel novella that readers can download free when they join my readers’ group at www.amymaroney.com. I’ve published a collection of short stories about beloved characters in the series as well, and there’s now a boxset of the entire trilogy available.

Review

"A powerful story and an intriguing mystery. A Red Ribbon winner and highly recommended."
-- The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

" From the very beginning I was enthralled with Mira, Zari, and their entwined journeys through history and the world of art. As a curator and art historian, it's a rare treat for me to find a novel that so lovingly reflects our joys and challenges. The Girl from Oto delivers--and I can't wait to spend more time with Mira."
--Jennifer Dasal, host of the ArtCurious podcast

"I loved the lush descriptions and the hard-nosed female characters who find a way to get what they want in a man's world. An exquisite novel."
--Martha Conway, winner of the North American Book Award for Thieving Forest

"An absorbing debut novel. I couldn't put it down."
--Deborah Swift, author of The Gilded Lily

"From the opening sentence, I was utterly enchanted. Maroney has painted a dazzling portrait of two very different times in history -- the 15th Century and modern day. The historical detail has to be commended. It was as if I was peering through a looking glass -- a magical portal through time. The Girl from Oto is not only luxuriantly detailed, but the story itself is addictive to the extreme. It has enough heroes and villains to keep the reader engaged throughout. The pages practically turned themselves."
--Book of the Month Winner, Myths, Legends, Books and Coffee Pots blog

About the Author

Amy Maroney lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. She studied English literature at Boston University and public policy at Portland State University, and spent many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction. When she's not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, dancing, and reading. She's currently working on her next historical fiction series. To get a free prequel novella to The Miramonde series, please join Amy's readers' group at amymaroney.com.