The Silver Candlesticks: A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition

by Linda Chavez

Guiomar’s life and love are upended when she learns her family are secret Jews living in the shadow of the Grand Inquisitor’s dungeons.

The Silver Candlesticks is the story of a young woman who learns her family is Jewish just as the Spanish Inquisition grips Sevilla. A new Inquisitor, Padre Ignacio Dominguez, has come to town to ferret out the secret Jews who remain in Spain one hundred years after the Edict of Expulsion forced most to leave or convert.

Guiomar’s mother Benita is dying when she reveals the family’s secret to her daughter, giving her a pair of Sabbath candlesticks that have been in the family for generations. The news is unwelcome, not just because of the inherent danger, but because it means Guiomar will not be allowed to marry José Marcos Herrera, a man as feckless as he is handsome. Instead, her parents have arranged for her to marry into an Old Catholic family they hope will protect her from the Inquisition—but Guiomar does not love Francisco Armijo, a candlemaker who is beneath her status.

When Francisco leaves on a mission to Mejico after the birth of their second child, Guiomar finds herself friendless and unprotected from the growing suspicions of Padre Dominguez. She leans on her servant Esperanza and her godfather Don Enrique Gomez as the Inquisitor tightens his hold.

At the heart of the novel is a story of budding faith in the shadow of a terrible persecution. It is also a story of love and friendship—Guiomar’s growing love for Francisco and her friendship for Esperanza, a woman whose own tragedies and strength in overcoming them guide Guiomar.

Genres: Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Published June 17, 2025

Reviews

[Samantha Seay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel offers a powerful and immersive glimpse into life under the Inquisition in 16th-century Seville. The author vividly captures an atmosphere of pervasive fear and suspicion, where mere rumors could destroy lives and faith itself had to be hidden for survival.

The characters—individuals forced to conceal their beliefs while navigating an oppressive regime—are rendered with striking humanity and emotional depth. Their struggles feel both intimate and universal, reflecting the courage and quiet resilience of those who endured one of history’s darkest periods.

What makes the story even more compelling is its foundation in the author’s own family history. This personal connection infuses the narrative with authenticity and emotional weight, transforming it from a work of historical fiction into a deeply moving testament to endurance, faith, and identity.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel very much! The reader experiences what it was like to live under the Inquisition in Sevilla in the 16th century. So much fear!!! The kingdom had already got rid of the Moors and now the Jewish community is dran. The inquisitor looked for proofs more often than not based on rumours... Simply incredible! I liked the characters who strove and struggled to hide their faith. They were very relatable and felt with them. The novel is based on the author's family which makes this story even more worthwhile...
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting tale of bravery during the Spanish Inquisition. I've had this arc sitting around for quite a while so I not sure why I waited until now to start reading it. It follows the story of a young girl named Guiomar who finds out she is Jewish while her mother is on her deathbed. This is also a troubllibg time when the Jews are being persecuted. From there she will have to embark on a journey of a different life than the one that she lived before.