The Fugitive Colours

LoveReading Says

Sequel to The Blue, Nancy Bilyeau's The Fugitive Colours presents a page-turning story of blackmail, secrets, strange science and intoxicating art in Georgian London.

It’s 1764 and Huguenot artist Genevieve Sturbridge is striving to succeed with her Spitalfields silk design workshop in a ruthless, male-dominated domain. In addition, Genevieve leads something of a double life: “I feel as if I lead two lives. One is that of a Huguenot painter, raised by her grandfather, married to a loving husband and blessed with a child, now endeavouring to run a silk design business.

Then there is the other life, kept carefully hidden from everyone in Spitalfields, known only by a few people on this earth, principally my husband. It’s a shadow life…And it must stay in the past.”

When a leading artist of the day invites Genevieve to a gathering, she dares to dream that her lot is about to change. Though men control art, science, politics, and women themselves, this might be her opportunity to join the art world. Alas, it emerges that the invitation was not to be taken at face value and, as her past catches up with her, a gripping story of blackmail, treachery, espionage and murder unfolds.

Laced with intrigue, atmosphere, and the perils of trying “to be virtuous in an age of corruption”, The Fugitive Colours blends larger-than-life historical figures and contexts with dazzling fictional characters to create an enthralling novel that packs plenty of emotional punch.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen’s lifelong love of reading and writing began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, and very much wished that witches (and Mrs Pepperpot) were real.
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About The Fugitive Colours

The highly anticipated follow-up to the sweeping historical thriller The Blue.

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