The Relic Keeper

By Heidi Eljarbo

Publication Date: 18th November 2025

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Historical Fiction

Page Length: 162

Italy, 1620.

Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.

Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.

One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.

With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.

✧ Praise ✧

“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.

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✧ Review ✧

Some stories make their mark through spectacle; The Relic Keeper succeeds by paying close attention to the quiet moments where lives begin to shift. Rather than relying on grand gestures or constant drama, Heidi Eljarbo tells a deeply human story about survival, influence, and the power of choice.

At its heart is Angelo, an orphan shaped by hardship and necessity rather than cruelty. Living under the control of Tozzo — a manipulative and unsettling figure who thrives on fear and control — Angelo survives by stealing relics, constantly aware that one wrong move could cost him everything. Tozzo is a chilling presence, not because he is loud or theatrical, but because his power over Angelo feels frighteningly real.

The story takes a meaningful turn with the arrival of Padre Benedetto. Where Tozzo rules through threat and exploitation, Benedetto offers patience, consistency, and belief. He doesn’t try to change Angelo overnight; instead, he shows him what trust looks like. Their relationship forms the emotional backbone of the novel, and it’s impossible not to feel invested in Angelo’s slow, uncertain steps towards a different life.

A journey to Rome expands the story beautifully, opening Angelo’s eyes to a world beyond survival. His encounter with Gerrit van Honthorst’s Adoration of the Christ Child is a powerful moment — raw, emotional, and quietly transformative. I even found myself looking up the painting, wanting to see what had moved Angelo so deeply.

Eljarbo’s writing is measured and thoughtful, allowing tension and tenderness to exist side by side. The Relic Keeper doesn’t rush its message, and that restraint makes its themes of hope, kindness, and redemption all the more impactful.

This is a compelling, emotionally rich read that proves how one act of compassion can change everything. A strong five-star recommendation.

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Heidi Eljarbo

HEIDI ELJARBO grew up in a home full of books, artwork, and happy creativity. She is the author of historical novels filled with courage, hope, mystery, adventure, and sweet romance during challenging times. She’s been named a master of dual timelines and often writes about strong-willed women of past centuries.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She lives with her husband on a charming island and enjoys walking in any kind of weather, hugging her grandchildren, and has a passion for art and history. Her family’s chosen retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summer and ski the vast white terrain during winter.

Heidi’s favorites are her family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

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