Title: The Fugitive Colours (Genevieve Planche #2)
Author: Nancy Bilyeau
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Rating:
Source: ARC
Synopsis:
The highly anticipated follow-up to the sweeping historical thriller The Blue is a story of silkweavers, painters…and spies.
As Genevieve Sturbridge struggles to keep her silk design business afloat, she must face the fact that London in 1764 is very much a man’s world. Men control the arts and sciences, men control politics and law. And men definitely control women.
A Huguenot living in Spitalfields, Genevieve one day receives a surprise invitation from an important artist. Grasping at the promise of a better life, she dares to hope her luck is about to change and readies herself for an entry into the world of serious art.
She soon learns that for the portrait painters ruling over the wealthy in London society, fame and fortune are there for the taking. But such high stakes spur rivalries that darken to sabotage and blackmail—and even murder.
Genevieve begins to suspect that her own secret past, when she was caught up in conspiracy and betrayal, has more to do with her entrée into London society than her talent. One wrong move could cost her not just her artistic dreams but the love of those she holds dear.
It’s a delicate dance, and a dangerous situation. And not just for Genevieve and her loved ones. . . because all the while there are ruthless spies who wish harm to England itself watching from the shadows.
A sequel to Nancy Bilyeau’s The Blue, The Fugitive Colours again reveals a dazzling world of glamour and treachery in Georgian England, when beauty held more value than human life. She immerses readers in a fictionalized account of real lives and events whilst staying faithful to the historical and social context.
My Review:
I’d like to thank Insta Book Tours for contacting me to take part in the readalong for the beautiful book and a special thank you to Bex for organising the readalong, it was great to talk about the book each week.
The Fugitive Colours is the second book of the series, The Blue being the first, but this can be read as a standalone. I hadn’t read The Blue and I felt that enough information was given to tell me what had happened.
I’ll be the first to admit that I wasn’t sure what I was going to be diving into when I embarked on this story. As a lover of historical fiction I was intrigued and thought it would be a cosy read that introduced me to the world of art in the 1700’s and it did do that, but it also did so much more.
From the prologue I was hooked, what a way to start a story. From there the mystery of what happened to the murdered character and who has been wrongly accused continues. There were many theories flying around and I think it is safe to say the Nany Bilyeau certainly gave us some trust issues!
Set against the London backdrop, in a male dominated time, I only wanted to see Genevieve succeed in her silk designs. At every turn it felt that someone was against her and was only too happy to remind her of her place in society. I admired her determination and strength she showed throughout to provide for her family, even when it seemed her husband didn’t believe in her.
With masterful weaving of fact and fiction this was a beautifully told story, filled with suspicion, lies and mystery. I think it’s safe to say that this won’t be my last book by Nancy Bilyeau
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