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Genevieve Planché #2
The Fugitive Colours
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.
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.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2022
238 people are currently reading
1820 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Bilyeau
13 books923 followersNancy Bilyeau loves crafting immersive historical stories, whether it's Jazz Age New York City in "The Orchid Hour," the 18th-century Gothic manors, salons, and porcelain workshops in "The Versailles Formula," or Henry VIII's tumultuous England in "The Crown."
Her new novel is "The Heiress of Northanger Abbey," a sequel to the Jane Austen classic.
A magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of "Rolling Stone," "Good Housekeeping," and "Entertainment Weekly," Nancy draws on her journalism experience to research her books.
For her Genevieve Planche novels--"The Blue", "The Fugitive Colours", and "The Versailles Formula"--she also draws on her heritage to create a Huguenot heroine. Nancy is a descendant of Pierre Billiou, a French Huguenot who immigrated to what was then New Amsterdam (later New York City) in 1661. Pierre's stone house still stands and is the third oldest house in New York State.
Nancy lives with her family in upstate New York and enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and touring historic houses in the Hudson Valley.
Visit Nancy's website at www.nancybilyeau.com
Her new novel is "The Heiress of Northanger Abbey," a sequel to the Jane Austen classic.
A magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of "Rolling Stone," "Good Housekeeping," and "Entertainment Weekly," Nancy draws on her journalism experience to research her books.
For her Genevieve Planche novels--"The Blue", "The Fugitive Colours", and "The Versailles Formula"--she also draws on her heritage to create a Huguenot heroine. Nancy is a descendant of Pierre Billiou, a French Huguenot who immigrated to what was then New Amsterdam (later New York City) in 1661. Pierre's stone house still stands and is the third oldest house in New York State.
Nancy lives with her family in upstate New York and enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and touring historic houses in the Hudson Valley.
Visit Nancy's website at www.nancybilyeau.com
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January 29, 2022When I decided to write another book with Genevieve as the main character, it was important to me to explore consequences. A great many things happen to Genevieve and other characters in 'The Blue.' It's a pet peeve of mine that in suspense fiction, characters don't always seem to be changed by momentous events in a book. Without giving spoilers, I wanted to write about how the adventures and misadventures of 'The Blue' would shape her character. But I also worked hard so that anyone could follow 'The Fugitive Colours' without having read 'The Blue.' It was quite the challenge. :)
Another goal I had with this novel is to go further than I ever had before in immersing readers in a different time and place. I did a great deal of research so that a reader will know what it is like to be plunged into Spitalfields, Leicester Fields or Covent Garden in November 1764: how London feels, sounds, smells, even tastes
Finally, I have to say that, without giving anything away, I put more of myself into this novel than any other. I "felt" certain things that Genevieve goes through. I don't know whether it was because I wrote this novel during the pandemic, but I connected on a deep level with my main character.
I'll be interested in what you think of the novel. I hope my instincts paid off in a good read.
Another goal I had with this novel is to go further than I ever had before in immersing readers in a different time and place. I did a great deal of research so that a reader will know what it is like to be plunged into Spitalfields, Leicester Fields or Covent Garden in November 1764: how London feels, sounds, smells, even tastes
Finally, I have to say that, without giving anything away, I put more of myself into this novel than any other. I "felt" certain things that Genevieve goes through. I don't know whether it was because I wrote this novel during the pandemic, but I connected on a deep level with my main character.
I'll be interested in what you think of the novel. I hope my instincts paid off in a good read.
March 29, 2022
The Fugitive Colours
by Nancy Bilyeau
Lume Books
Pub Date: May 12
I completely fell under the sway of Nancy Bilyeau's The Fugitive Colours, sequel to the highly regarded The Blue.
Genevieve, a silk designer in Georgian England (London, 1764), finds that men not only control the arts market, but every aspect of society. She struggles financially and is thrilled when she receives an unexpected invitation from a famed artist.
Yet it comes with a price, she finds, as cutthroat competitors threaten artists' livelihoods and lives. Adding to the treachery are spies who want control over England. A beautifully written historical thriller that can be read as a standalone but makes readers like me want to go back and read The Blue immediately. Highly recommended!
Thanks to Nancy Bilyeau, Lume Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#FugitiveColours #NancyBilyeau
#LumeBooks #NetGalley #historicalthriller#mysterynovels #womensfictionnovel #ArtsInGeorgianEngland #SpiesInEngland1764 #bookstagramcommunity
by Nancy Bilyeau
Lume Books
Pub Date: May 12
I completely fell under the sway of Nancy Bilyeau's The Fugitive Colours, sequel to the highly regarded The Blue.
Genevieve, a silk designer in Georgian England (London, 1764), finds that men not only control the arts market, but every aspect of society. She struggles financially and is thrilled when she receives an unexpected invitation from a famed artist.
Yet it comes with a price, she finds, as cutthroat competitors threaten artists' livelihoods and lives. Adding to the treachery are spies who want control over England. A beautifully written historical thriller that can be read as a standalone but makes readers like me want to go back and read The Blue immediately. Highly recommended!
Thanks to Nancy Bilyeau, Lume Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.
#FugitiveColours #NancyBilyeau
#LumeBooks #NetGalley #historicalthriller#mysterynovels #womensfictionnovel #ArtsInGeorgianEngland #SpiesInEngland1764 #bookstagramcommunity
May 21, 2022
A good bit of troubling incidents and family struggles not anticipated disturb the onward and upward path of our struggling artist who is drawn into intrigue unwillingly.
Kindle Unlimited
Kindle Unlimited
January 11, 2022
When I read Nancy Bilyear's The Blue, I felt dropped into a world I didn't much know about -- the world of painting fine china and how important the color blue was as enterprising entrepreneurs and countries fought for domination. By contrast, The Fugitive Colours was a world that I had encountered, however slightly. The world of Covent Garden and harlots and the backstabbing ton. And art, an art world that needs fresh, new colors.
Here Genevieve is now married--but is she happily married? Its hard to say, especially as her husband is pursuing other endeavors in order to offer support for thier family. Lucky for Genevieve, she knows how to run a business herself; at least, she has the wits and grit to make an effort of it. If only the rest of her world would cooperate. And, if only trouble wouldn't come knocking at her door.
The Fugitive Colours offers the same type of page turning intrigue as readers experienced in The Blue, but with even more interaction with London's dark and bright world of the 1760s. Also, now that so many of us have seen HARLOTS, we may have more visual idea of what that world looks like. I certainly enjoyed the comparison in my mind while reading this book and considering the many persons revolving around Genevieve and her hazardous world.
Thank you to the publisher for offering an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Here Genevieve is now married--but is she happily married? Its hard to say, especially as her husband is pursuing other endeavors in order to offer support for thier family. Lucky for Genevieve, she knows how to run a business herself; at least, she has the wits and grit to make an effort of it. If only the rest of her world would cooperate. And, if only trouble wouldn't come knocking at her door.
The Fugitive Colours offers the same type of page turning intrigue as readers experienced in The Blue, but with even more interaction with London's dark and bright world of the 1760s. Also, now that so many of us have seen HARLOTS, we may have more visual idea of what that world looks like. I certainly enjoyed the comparison in my mind while reading this book and considering the many persons revolving around Genevieve and her hazardous world.
Thank you to the publisher for offering an arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2023
I loved this sequel! I believe I have read all of the literary offerings of Nancy Bilieau. I find her books very accessible as well as evoking the times skilfully of which she writes. Here we are back in the Huguenot weavers district with Genevieve, now as an established silk designer. She becomes the catalyst for a disastrous chain of events, launching her back into a world of intrigue. By the end of this book I was really bowled over with respect with how Genevieve handled events and admired her very much as a woman fighting to be acknowledged as a professional in her own right. Very well done!
April 7, 2022
I was originally drawn to this story because the main character is a Huguenot living in Spitalfields. I don’t find a lot of historical fiction focused on Huguenots, either in France or in England, so that definitely piqued my interest. But I got a lot more than that. The plot also encompasses the burgeoning art scene in 18th century London, French spies at the close of the Seven Year War, and a quick foray into alchemy.
This is the second installment in the Genevieve Planché series and while I haven’t read the first book, the author does such a good job of bringing the reader up to speed on what happened before this novel starts, I may not have to. Which, I suppose, is a double edged sword since I don’t feel the need to run out and buy the first novel, but I was fully engaged in this one without having to wonder what the heck the author was referring to in the backstory.
I bring that up because due to the main character’s involvement in espionage in the first novel, her husband Thomas, a chemist (or natural philosopher), can no longer do any work with colors. This sets up a multi-layered conflict in this novel.
I’ll admit, I had a hard time getting into the book at first. It begins with a prologue that gave me the impression this was going to be more of a thriller. While it’s definitely suspenseful, It’s not a break-neck thriller, which was fine, but the pacing in the first few chapters felt slow due to my expectations. Once I settled into the story and Genevieve’s day to day life juggling her business of creating paintings for silk, playing referee between her two employees, and maintaining a household with a young child and less than responsible servants, I was engrossed. The historical details are superb and the author seamlessly moves from the world of artisans to spymasters and from affluent neighborhoods to Covent Gardens. Woven into the large cast of interesting and fully formed fictional characters are a parade of real historic figures.
I realize I didn’t actually write a blurb for this book but there’s so much going on, multiple storylines that were all wrapped up plausibly AND managed to hint at another installment (I hope), that my entire review probably would have been spent on the summary. Suffice it to say that I finished the book satisfied and supremely impressed at the level of immersive historic detail.
I rated this novel a solid four stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Lume Books for providing the ARC copy of this novel. I have left my review honestly and voluntarily.
This is the second installment in the Genevieve Planché series and while I haven’t read the first book, the author does such a good job of bringing the reader up to speed on what happened before this novel starts, I may not have to. Which, I suppose, is a double edged sword since I don’t feel the need to run out and buy the first novel, but I was fully engaged in this one without having to wonder what the heck the author was referring to in the backstory.
I bring that up because due to the main character’s involvement in espionage in the first novel, her husband Thomas, a chemist (or natural philosopher), can no longer do any work with colors. This sets up a multi-layered conflict in this novel.
I’ll admit, I had a hard time getting into the book at first. It begins with a prologue that gave me the impression this was going to be more of a thriller. While it’s definitely suspenseful, It’s not a break-neck thriller, which was fine, but the pacing in the first few chapters felt slow due to my expectations. Once I settled into the story and Genevieve’s day to day life juggling her business of creating paintings for silk, playing referee between her two employees, and maintaining a household with a young child and less than responsible servants, I was engrossed. The historical details are superb and the author seamlessly moves from the world of artisans to spymasters and from affluent neighborhoods to Covent Gardens. Woven into the large cast of interesting and fully formed fictional characters are a parade of real historic figures.
I realize I didn’t actually write a blurb for this book but there’s so much going on, multiple storylines that were all wrapped up plausibly AND managed to hint at another installment (I hope), that my entire review probably would have been spent on the summary. Suffice it to say that I finished the book satisfied and supremely impressed at the level of immersive historic detail.
I rated this novel a solid four stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Lume Books for providing the ARC copy of this novel. I have left my review honestly and voluntarily.
May 2, 2022
After being pulled into the world of the 1750's London in the Spitalfields, I couldn't help but fall in love with The Blue and the world of porcelain making. Because of this, I had high expectations for The Fugitive Colours. And boy, I was not disappointed.
We're reintroduced to Genevieve Planche, now one Mrs. Strurbridge, roughly six years after her adventures in Derby. After having inherited her family house, Genevieve now runs a semi-successful silk decour business. Though, there's nothing more she wants than to leave the past both her and Thomas share behind. Afterall, it would be best for everyone involved.
Though, Genevieve doesn't quite get what she wishes for and is quickly thrusted back into the world of art, and of course, colours.
After finishing The Blue, I couldn't help but anticipate what was next for Mr. and Mrs. Sturbridge. The writing was brilliant, and I quite enjoyed the introduction of new characters and the reintroduction of old faces alike, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing that headstrong Genevieve could not quietly let her dream of being an artist go. I loved seeing Genevieve use skills acquired as a spy in the last book to figure out just what was going on. The book was beautifully written, and I can't help but think I'll find myself coming back to this series in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this wonderful book to read and review.
We're reintroduced to Genevieve Planche, now one Mrs. Strurbridge, roughly six years after her adventures in Derby. After having inherited her family house, Genevieve now runs a semi-successful silk decour business. Though, there's nothing more she wants than to leave the past both her and Thomas share behind. Afterall, it would be best for everyone involved.
Though, Genevieve doesn't quite get what she wishes for and is quickly thrusted back into the world of art, and of course, colours.
After finishing The Blue, I couldn't help but anticipate what was next for Mr. and Mrs. Sturbridge. The writing was brilliant, and I quite enjoyed the introduction of new characters and the reintroduction of old faces alike, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing that headstrong Genevieve could not quietly let her dream of being an artist go. I loved seeing Genevieve use skills acquired as a spy in the last book to figure out just what was going on. The book was beautifully written, and I can't help but think I'll find myself coming back to this series in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this wonderful book to read and review.
September 24, 2022
My first Nancy Bilyeau read and definitely not my last ( I’ve Blue on the my pile)
I love historical fiction and so had high hopes for this. I wasn’t disappointed- intriguing characters, a mystery from the start to try and resolve, I was guessing from the very beginning. Characters you can really believe in brought the story to life and I loved the mix of real history and fiction that Nancy managed so well. This is one beautifully written story and I’ve so enjoyed the chats and questions from the group. One to recommend for sure.
I love historical fiction and so had high hopes for this. I wasn’t disappointed- intriguing characters, a mystery from the start to try and resolve, I was guessing from the very beginning. Characters you can really believe in brought the story to life and I loved the mix of real history and fiction that Nancy managed so well. This is one beautifully written story and I’ve so enjoyed the chats and questions from the group. One to recommend for sure.
May 13, 2022
I truly enjoyed this sequel to Bilyeau's novel "The Blue," and this one had a more complex plot than that one did. Find out more of what I thought of it from my #bookreview on my blog here.
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2022/05/1...
https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2022/05/1...
April 25, 2022
A new Nancy Bilyeau book is always something to look forward to. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her so far: her Joanna Stafford trilogy, about a nun displaced in Tudor England after the dissolution of the monasteries; Dreamland, set in a Coney Island amusement park; and The Blue, a wonderful historical thriller involving spies, art and the race to create a beautiful new shade of blue. The Fugitive Colours is a sequel to The Blue and another great read; the two books stand alone, so it’s not necessary to have read the first novel before beginning this one, although I would recommend doing so if you can.
It’s 1764 and Genevieve Planché, heroine of The Blue, is now a married woman running her own silk design business in Spitalfields, London. With the help of her two young assistant artists, Caroline and Jean, Genevieve is beginning to find buyers for her silk designs and is determined to make the business a success. However, she has not given up on her dream of becoming a serious artist and when she is invited to a gathering at the home of the portrait painter Joshua Reynolds, it seems she could still have a chance of achieving her ambition.
This in itself would have been the basis for an interesting novel – a woman trying to build a career for herself in what was still very much a male-dominated field – but there’s a lot more to the story than that. Due to the parts played by Genevieve and her husband in the recent search for the blue, their names have come to the attention of some very powerful people who are hoping to enlist them in further conspiracies. Yet again Genevieve is forced to wonder who she can and cannot trust, but this time one wrong decision could mean the end of her dreams, the loss of her business and even the destruction of her marriage.
The Fugitive Colours is perhaps not quite as exciting and fast-paced as The Blue, but I found it equally gripping. Set entirely in London, it’s a very immersive book taking us from the Spitalfields workshops of the Huguenot silk-weaving community to the grand homes of the rich and famous and the nightlife of Covent Garden. While Genevieve and most of the other main characters are fictional, we do meet some real historical figures too – not just Joshua Reynolds but also Giacomo Casanova, the Earl of Sandwich and the fascinating Chevalier d’Eon. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the 18th century art world, the snippets of information I picked up (not coming from an art background myself, I didn’t know what ‘fugitive colours’ were, but now I do), and the insights into how difficult it was for women like Genevieve and the real-life Frances Reynolds, Joshua’s sister, to gain recognition for their work.
I hope there will be another book in the Genevieve Planché series as I think there’s certainly a lot more that could be written about her. If not, I’ll look forward to seeing what Nancy Bilyeau decides to write next.
It’s 1764 and Genevieve Planché, heroine of The Blue, is now a married woman running her own silk design business in Spitalfields, London. With the help of her two young assistant artists, Caroline and Jean, Genevieve is beginning to find buyers for her silk designs and is determined to make the business a success. However, she has not given up on her dream of becoming a serious artist and when she is invited to a gathering at the home of the portrait painter Joshua Reynolds, it seems she could still have a chance of achieving her ambition.
This in itself would have been the basis for an interesting novel – a woman trying to build a career for herself in what was still very much a male-dominated field – but there’s a lot more to the story than that. Due to the parts played by Genevieve and her husband in the recent search for the blue, their names have come to the attention of some very powerful people who are hoping to enlist them in further conspiracies. Yet again Genevieve is forced to wonder who she can and cannot trust, but this time one wrong decision could mean the end of her dreams, the loss of her business and even the destruction of her marriage.
The Fugitive Colours is perhaps not quite as exciting and fast-paced as The Blue, but I found it equally gripping. Set entirely in London, it’s a very immersive book taking us from the Spitalfields workshops of the Huguenot silk-weaving community to the grand homes of the rich and famous and the nightlife of Covent Garden. While Genevieve and most of the other main characters are fictional, we do meet some real historical figures too – not just Joshua Reynolds but also Giacomo Casanova, the Earl of Sandwich and the fascinating Chevalier d’Eon. I particularly enjoyed the portrayal of the 18th century art world, the snippets of information I picked up (not coming from an art background myself, I didn’t know what ‘fugitive colours’ were, but now I do), and the insights into how difficult it was for women like Genevieve and the real-life Frances Reynolds, Joshua’s sister, to gain recognition for their work.
I hope there will be another book in the Genevieve Planché series as I think there’s certainly a lot more that could be written about her. If not, I’ll look forward to seeing what Nancy Bilyeau decides to write next.
June 14, 2022
A successful artist in 1760s London exhibited talent, was accepted by society, had connections and patrons, and most importantly had secrets. While Genevieve had a moderately successful silk designing business she struggled to be recognized as a true artist. Not only was she a woman but her past and her lack of connections made it nearly impossible to compete in the male dominated art scene. In her attempts to take advantage of every opportunity to further her business and career she realizes that rivalries spur deceit and blackmail. Genevieve soon began to question her husband's actions in addition to those in her household. Bilyeau weaves a story that includes an intricate look at the London art scene and a deftly created mystery that will keep the reader thoroughly engaged. Although this is the second book in the series it can be read as a standalone. A very enriching and insightful look into life in 1760s London.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
June 17, 2022
Another Great Art Adventure
I enjoyed this look into the Georgian art world with its strong heroine and complicated plot lines. Everything was resolved and the mystery sorted. A great book two for Genevieve. I look forward to the next.
I enjoyed this look into the Georgian art world with its strong heroine and complicated plot lines. Everything was resolved and the mystery sorted. A great book two for Genevieve. I look forward to the next.
May 25, 2022
Nancy Bilyeau's latest book, The Fugitive Colours, takes a deep dive into the Georgian world of London artists with her protagonist Genevieve Planché from her previous novel, The Blue. Famous painters such as Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough populate this cut-throat world of artists looking for patrons, while scientists and secret societies plot political intrigue that leads to murder. Nancy's books always excel in the historical details, and in this story she has brought to life the struggles of a woman artist in a society dominated by men. Genevieve is ambitious, loyal, passionate and blind to what is in front of her - just my sort of heroine, a flawed human being, not a martyr or victim. I stayed up until 2:30 in the morning finishing The Fugitive Colours when I had a full schedule the next day, but I could not stop reading. Highly enjoyable!
May 23, 2022
I wish I had got to the first book in the series but this was good as a stand alone too.
The world of silk weavers, and finding a woman who had her own workshop and did designs in silk
particularly the ones that Genevieve did was surprising and stunning. Flowers not just from Europe
but the exotic ones from the Caribbean and India were her repertoire but she was held hostage by the fact that she was totally dependent on the house which ordered her designs. They had no hesitation in bargaining with her to the maximum Genevieve's husband a brilliant chemist and spy is now under a restraint from using his skills and is now a mere tutor to an Earl's son. Genevieve has to support and earn for herself and also for her young son as best as she could. When her past history of being a spy is being used against her in the form of blackmail, Genevieve has to use all her skills to keep afloat. Who is the enemy here and why is she being targeted is something she has to figure out and this takes quite a long time.
An intense emotional read about a strong woman who is trying to protect her husband, protect her business and just survive in the cut throat world of design and politics doing a hard balancing act.
A very good read.
The world of silk weavers, and finding a woman who had her own workshop and did designs in silk
particularly the ones that Genevieve did was surprising and stunning. Flowers not just from Europe
but the exotic ones from the Caribbean and India were her repertoire but she was held hostage by the fact that she was totally dependent on the house which ordered her designs. They had no hesitation in bargaining with her to the maximum Genevieve's husband a brilliant chemist and spy is now under a restraint from using his skills and is now a mere tutor to an Earl's son. Genevieve has to support and earn for herself and also for her young son as best as she could. When her past history of being a spy is being used against her in the form of blackmail, Genevieve has to use all her skills to keep afloat. Who is the enemy here and why is she being targeted is something she has to figure out and this takes quite a long time.
An intense emotional read about a strong woman who is trying to protect her husband, protect her business and just survive in the cut throat world of design and politics doing a hard balancing act.
A very good read.
September 24, 2022
I first met Genevieve in The Blue which I read immediately before this. You don’t have to read both - there’s enough of a recap here - but you’d seriously be missing out!
The last chapters of The Blue were particularly fast paced and edge of your seat drama so I had to acclimatise myself a little at the start of The Fugitive Colours which started, not surprisingly, at a slightly slower place. Genevieve has set up home and a silk painting factory in Spitalfields. She has a young son and still nurses ambitions to be a painter when she receives a surprise invitation from an eminent artist and thinks that her fortune may be taking a turn for the better..
Well Nancy Bilyeau has done it again. Another fabulous work of historical fiction weaving in possibly even more historical characters into an entertaining story of espionage and treachery which takes the story into the heart of Government and the highest social circles of London and France. I was scurrying off to look up figures like Edmund Burke, Joshua Reynolds and William Hogarth..to find out more. I have no idea how tudor manages to create such a unique blend of history and fiction.
For me the stand outs of this novel were the wonderful Genevieve who continues to delight me. There is a glorious encounter where she throws wine over an obnoxious individual which had me whooping joyfully - what a heroine.
And then there’s Casanova - such a notorious figure but I had always just imagined him to be a bit of a lothario…but he is so much more. Then there is Kitty Fisher - she of Lucy Locket fame - I had absolutely no idea of her credentials and flew backwards and forwards between the history pages and this novel to check out what I was hearing!
At the start of this novel I had no idea how the author would build up the same excitement and tension ..from quiet domestic beginnings this really gathered pace!
Another fabulously entertaining novel and I cannot wait for more Genevieve!!
The last chapters of The Blue were particularly fast paced and edge of your seat drama so I had to acclimatise myself a little at the start of The Fugitive Colours which started, not surprisingly, at a slightly slower place. Genevieve has set up home and a silk painting factory in Spitalfields. She has a young son and still nurses ambitions to be a painter when she receives a surprise invitation from an eminent artist and thinks that her fortune may be taking a turn for the better..
Well Nancy Bilyeau has done it again. Another fabulous work of historical fiction weaving in possibly even more historical characters into an entertaining story of espionage and treachery which takes the story into the heart of Government and the highest social circles of London and France. I was scurrying off to look up figures like Edmund Burke, Joshua Reynolds and William Hogarth..to find out more. I have no idea how tudor manages to create such a unique blend of history and fiction.
For me the stand outs of this novel were the wonderful Genevieve who continues to delight me. There is a glorious encounter where she throws wine over an obnoxious individual which had me whooping joyfully - what a heroine.
And then there’s Casanova - such a notorious figure but I had always just imagined him to be a bit of a lothario…but he is so much more. Then there is Kitty Fisher - she of Lucy Locket fame - I had absolutely no idea of her credentials and flew backwards and forwards between the history pages and this novel to check out what I was hearing!
At the start of this novel I had no idea how the author would build up the same excitement and tension ..from quiet domestic beginnings this really gathered pace!
Another fabulously entertaining novel and I cannot wait for more Genevieve!!
June 26, 2023
Book 2 of the Genevieve Planché historical novels set in 1790s England about the creation of colors for artists. There is a surprising amount of intrigue and suspense involved. I love Bilyeau's writing. She does tons of research, includes a few real people in her books, but the novels read like fiction is supposed to.
May 24, 2022
Weavings
Interesting historical fiction involving weaving of silk in London by weaving historic characters at every turn! Unless you're current with the names and works of the involved or mentioned persons, take the time to use the search feature. It truly amazing how author, Nancy Beltway stocks her pond.
Interesting historical fiction involving weaving of silk in London by weaving historic characters at every turn! Unless you're current with the names and works of the involved or mentioned persons, take the time to use the search feature. It truly amazing how author, Nancy Beltway stocks her pond.
May 18, 2022
Thoroughly Delightful Reading!
I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Nancy Bilyeau and this book is no exception! A bit of fascinating history and thoroughly believable characters…looking forward to her next offering!
I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Nancy Bilyeau and this book is no exception! A bit of fascinating history and thoroughly believable characters…looking forward to her next offering!
January 2, 2022
This is a gorgeously imagined and very carefully researched novel about artists, fashion, and spies in eighteenth century London. Genevieve, whose story was first introduced in The Blue, is a deeply relatable and talented woman trying to support her household with her silk design business.
Her dearest wish, however, is to be free to be a fine artist, a career path all but impossible to women of that time. So, when she gets an invitation to a gathering at Joshua Reynold’s house, she is both torn and secretly hopeful. The invitation, coming in the midst of a grueling deadline, is an almost impossible temptation—will she be finally accepted as an artist? Or are there more sinister forces gathering around her?
Told using real personages from history, and brought to breathing life, this novel is beautifully written and so vivid, I can still picture it. It needs to be a movie.
Her dearest wish, however, is to be free to be a fine artist, a career path all but impossible to women of that time. So, when she gets an invitation to a gathering at Joshua Reynold’s house, she is both torn and secretly hopeful. The invitation, coming in the midst of a grueling deadline, is an almost impossible temptation—will she be finally accepted as an artist? Or are there more sinister forces gathering around her?
Told using real personages from history, and brought to breathing life, this novel is beautifully written and so vivid, I can still picture it. It needs to be a movie.
December 29, 2021
I wish I had read The Blue first, but I’ll rectify that quickly…and you have the chance to do just that if you’re reading this. Regardless, this was a well told story and I was immediately invested in Genevieve’s story. Lots of action and games from the era are played out in this book. It also makes you realize just how lucky we women are these days in achieving our goals.
A great read that will transport you back in time and make it hard to put the book down.
A great read that will transport you back in time and make it hard to put the book down.
December 30, 2021
As good and enchanting as The Blue! I’m glad to read more about Genevieve and to see her and Thomas end together with a connection to both Darwin and Wedgwood!
April 16, 2022
I really loved the first novel in this series. Did that instantly make my expectations for this book higher than average? Maybe so. I found it to be entertaining, but not at the level of the first book, The Blue.
Genevieve and Thomas Sturbridge return in this story, now married and living in London with their son, Pierre. Through strange machinations, Genevieve is approached by London’s leading portrait artist and pressured to help him solve a private problem he is facing. Other madness goes on simultaneously with her employees, old friends, and new acquaintances, until it all comes together in the end.
There were SO many individual elements in this story, and I think Nancy Bilyeau tied them all together exceptionally well at the conclusion. I did not find the mysteries of this narrative as engaging as those of The Blue, but this book is shorter and I breezed through it easily. I had no idea what “fugitive colours” were before I read this story! Very interesting, as usual. I find this author’s historical fiction to be very well written — I feel submersed in the time period without being overburdened by detail or historical fact. I realize that this is a highly objective matter, but it’s perfect for my preferences!
Thank you to Lume Books, Nancy Bilyeau, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Genevieve and Thomas Sturbridge return in this story, now married and living in London with their son, Pierre. Through strange machinations, Genevieve is approached by London’s leading portrait artist and pressured to help him solve a private problem he is facing. Other madness goes on simultaneously with her employees, old friends, and new acquaintances, until it all comes together in the end.
There were SO many individual elements in this story, and I think Nancy Bilyeau tied them all together exceptionally well at the conclusion. I did not find the mysteries of this narrative as engaging as those of The Blue, but this book is shorter and I breezed through it easily. I had no idea what “fugitive colours” were before I read this story! Very interesting, as usual. I find this author’s historical fiction to be very well written — I feel submersed in the time period without being overburdened by detail or historical fact. I realize that this is a highly objective matter, but it’s perfect for my preferences!
Thank you to Lume Books, Nancy Bilyeau, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
April 8, 2023
This took me a loooong time to get started on, but once I got going it was enjoyable. The story picks up a few years after the end of The Blue with Genevieve and Thomas back in England with their son.
Thomas is working as a tutor for the son of the Earl of Sandwich while Genevieve is holding down the fort in Spitalfields running her silk design business with the help of her two apprentices. Money is tight and Thomas is forbidden to follow his true passion of creating color!
This book is a masterful mess of secret plots and lies. Almost all the characters have an ulterior motive and Genevieve seems to be constantly manipulated wether by the art world or the scheming French.
I adored the historical and artistic insights in this book and loved learning about the silk process and the Huguenots.
I thought the Sam romance arc was a bit weird and his motivations felt a little flat. I’m also a big fan of Thomas anyway.
I probably won’t read this one again, but I enjoyed it! If you like historical fiction with an edge of romance and mystery, this is for you!
Thomas is working as a tutor for the son of the Earl of Sandwich while Genevieve is holding down the fort in Spitalfields running her silk design business with the help of her two apprentices. Money is tight and Thomas is forbidden to follow his true passion of creating color!
This book is a masterful mess of secret plots and lies. Almost all the characters have an ulterior motive and Genevieve seems to be constantly manipulated wether by the art world or the scheming French.
I adored the historical and artistic insights in this book and loved learning about the silk process and the Huguenots.
I thought the Sam romance arc was a bit weird and his motivations felt a little flat. I’m also a big fan of Thomas anyway.
I probably won’t read this one again, but I enjoyed it! If you like historical fiction with an edge of romance and mystery, this is for you!
May 22, 2022
A Genevieve Sturbridge novel in crime infested London
The former Genevieve Planchè is now the wife of Thomas Sturbridge, a chemist who she met in France. Genevieve is a struggling female artist who is finding rejection to develop her talent in both France and England. The love of her life is a young idealist young man who will not compromise his duties and obligations to family and country. Because of restrictions placed upon him, he is forced into tutoring a young man while Genevieve tries to earn a living making designs for silk painted gowns. Thomas is separated from Genevieve during most of this story while she tries to satisfy her only business contract, a fellow Huguenot catering to the wealthy London ladies who love silk painted gowns. Genevieve has two young assistants she employs to help find suitable prints for the gowns. Jean and Caroline are both trustworthy and dependable, both of moral character. A man servant and wife help with household duties.
An invitation from the famous Joshua Reynolds to attend a special party is met with little enthusiasm from Genevieve because it reminds her of a humiliating moment previous to this. Reynolds supposedly is honoring Hogarth, an artist who had rejected Genevieve’s aspirations to become an acclaimed artist. Because Jean and Caroline urge her to accept the invitation she goes to the party where she is received by Joshua Reynolds, his sister, and guests. She is well received which gives her hope that perhaps her dreams to become an artist may be fulfilled.
London is a city filled with crime at all levels. Thomas is well known for his knowledge and understanding of chemical properties involved in color. Because both porcelain and silk painting are sought by the very wealthy Thomas is a person whose knowledge would be valuable to entrepreneurs, artists, and nations. Thus, Unscrupulous characters are trying to lure Thomas into working for them. He keeps Genevieve in the dark regarding his work as a tutor for the son of a very disreputable man. At the same time, Joshua Reynolds seeks his services also.
Genevieve finds herself walking through the darkest, most forbidden areas of London on a rescue mission. She learns the truth about her two assistants and Thomas, her husband, as well. All does not end well.
Nancy Billyeau has written a novel which depicts the problems that women faced in the man’s world of 18th century London, not just for artists, but in all trades. She introduces us to Kitty Fisher, a famous courtesan for the very rich. Street prostitutes worked together to both seduce and to rob men. Women are discouraged from entering a man’s world, but despite that, Genevieve has hopes that her talent will be rewarded.
A sequel may continue to see how she will achieve her goal. I am hoping to read the fate of her characters in her next novel. It ends on a cliffhanger imho.
I recommend the Fugitive Colours!
The former Genevieve Planchè is now the wife of Thomas Sturbridge, a chemist who she met in France. Genevieve is a struggling female artist who is finding rejection to develop her talent in both France and England. The love of her life is a young idealist young man who will not compromise his duties and obligations to family and country. Because of restrictions placed upon him, he is forced into tutoring a young man while Genevieve tries to earn a living making designs for silk painted gowns. Thomas is separated from Genevieve during most of this story while she tries to satisfy her only business contract, a fellow Huguenot catering to the wealthy London ladies who love silk painted gowns. Genevieve has two young assistants she employs to help find suitable prints for the gowns. Jean and Caroline are both trustworthy and dependable, both of moral character. A man servant and wife help with household duties.
An invitation from the famous Joshua Reynolds to attend a special party is met with little enthusiasm from Genevieve because it reminds her of a humiliating moment previous to this. Reynolds supposedly is honoring Hogarth, an artist who had rejected Genevieve’s aspirations to become an acclaimed artist. Because Jean and Caroline urge her to accept the invitation she goes to the party where she is received by Joshua Reynolds, his sister, and guests. She is well received which gives her hope that perhaps her dreams to become an artist may be fulfilled.
London is a city filled with crime at all levels. Thomas is well known for his knowledge and understanding of chemical properties involved in color. Because both porcelain and silk painting are sought by the very wealthy Thomas is a person whose knowledge would be valuable to entrepreneurs, artists, and nations. Thus, Unscrupulous characters are trying to lure Thomas into working for them. He keeps Genevieve in the dark regarding his work as a tutor for the son of a very disreputable man. At the same time, Joshua Reynolds seeks his services also.
Genevieve finds herself walking through the darkest, most forbidden areas of London on a rescue mission. She learns the truth about her two assistants and Thomas, her husband, as well. All does not end well.
Nancy Billyeau has written a novel which depicts the problems that women faced in the man’s world of 18th century London, not just for artists, but in all trades. She introduces us to Kitty Fisher, a famous courtesan for the very rich. Street prostitutes worked together to both seduce and to rob men. Women are discouraged from entering a man’s world, but despite that, Genevieve has hopes that her talent will be rewarded.
A sequel may continue to see how she will achieve her goal. I am hoping to read the fate of her characters in her next novel. It ends on a cliffhanger imho.
I recommend the Fugitive Colours!
April 17, 2025
very good, but perhaps not as much as the first
I very much enjoy Nancy Bilyeay’s writing. The character development is so engaging, especially as seen in Genevieve’ deep and unyielding self reflection as she attempts to understand what motivates her, where she stands with Thomas… Even as she continues to punish herself for past mistakes. She is very real as a fictional character, and I continue to be impressed by the author’s ability in making the people in the novel seems so realistic.
The author has done a great deal of research, once again, to convey the unstable times in great part from the war between England and France. But we continue to learn about the world of art, as well as those who still believe in the fiction of alchemy. She describes the painting on silk dresses, an industry that I was never familiar with, as well as the ever-present plight of those without means or connections who attempt daily to make a successful and honest living amid a culture that reveres wealth and social standing (a “tale as old as time“).
The plot is well crafted, and the story is exciting. Regarding the pacing of the plot, I am of two conflicting minds… The swift development of the plot’s structure is essential in keeping the reader engaged, and I believe the author is very good with this. At the same time, however, I found that at times the pacing moved too quickly as I tried to keep track of all of the different players and the multi-faceted tangle of events (and their implications) engulfing the Sturbridge family.
The author is excellent in providing backstory for things that occurred in the first book of the series. I was sorry that we didn’t hear from Thomas as much in the story as we did in the last one—though I admit I was a little disappointed with his failure to “show up” for Genevieve. At the same time, perhaps she should’ve been more forthcoming with her husband about the difficulties that she was facing, rather than trying to shield him. But the story is, after all, mostly centered around Genevieve and the struggles that she faces as an artist, as a wife, as a mother, as an employer and mentor, but also a woman with an notorious (though not widely known) history. She certainly is engaged in a juggling act to keep all of the pieces of her life in the air. And I t is in her honest self-reflection and self-recrimination that most of the story’s angst is found.
The book reads easily: the words just fly off the page; and it is certainly difficult to put it down. In all, I can’t help but recommend this second book in the Genevieve Planche mystery series.
I very much enjoy Nancy Bilyeay’s writing. The character development is so engaging, especially as seen in Genevieve’ deep and unyielding self reflection as she attempts to understand what motivates her, where she stands with Thomas… Even as she continues to punish herself for past mistakes. She is very real as a fictional character, and I continue to be impressed by the author’s ability in making the people in the novel seems so realistic.
The author has done a great deal of research, once again, to convey the unstable times in great part from the war between England and France. But we continue to learn about the world of art, as well as those who still believe in the fiction of alchemy. She describes the painting on silk dresses, an industry that I was never familiar with, as well as the ever-present plight of those without means or connections who attempt daily to make a successful and honest living amid a culture that reveres wealth and social standing (a “tale as old as time“).
The plot is well crafted, and the story is exciting. Regarding the pacing of the plot, I am of two conflicting minds… The swift development of the plot’s structure is essential in keeping the reader engaged, and I believe the author is very good with this. At the same time, however, I found that at times the pacing moved too quickly as I tried to keep track of all of the different players and the multi-faceted tangle of events (and their implications) engulfing the Sturbridge family.
The author is excellent in providing backstory for things that occurred in the first book of the series. I was sorry that we didn’t hear from Thomas as much in the story as we did in the last one—though I admit I was a little disappointed with his failure to “show up” for Genevieve. At the same time, perhaps she should’ve been more forthcoming with her husband about the difficulties that she was facing, rather than trying to shield him. But the story is, after all, mostly centered around Genevieve and the struggles that she faces as an artist, as a wife, as a mother, as an employer and mentor, but also a woman with an notorious (though not widely known) history. She certainly is engaged in a juggling act to keep all of the pieces of her life in the air. And I t is in her honest self-reflection and self-recrimination that most of the story’s angst is found.
The book reads easily: the words just fly off the page; and it is certainly difficult to put it down. In all, I can’t help but recommend this second book in the Genevieve Planche mystery series.
April 2, 2022
I welcomed this opportunity to visit again with Genevieve, a character I've fallen in love with in the first of the series, The Blue. I did wonder how I can get caught up with it, already knowing how intelligent and resourceful she could be. I should have known better.
Though she has a home in London, the pollution is worrisome for her son and a disaster for her husband. Her business is having success, but also growing pains and threats from its main customer. Her income, partly because of her generosity, is never quite enough. And thanks to a deal with the government, her husband's brilliant potential in the sciences is blocked so thoroughly he can only get work as a tutor, taking him away from home for large stretches of time.
Things get worse, of course, as her past spying activities come back to haunt her, ultimately leading to disturbing and deadly situations that seem impossible for her to extract herself from. Really, everything that could go wrong does, forcing this already amazing woman to use all her wits and charm.
A note about the charm. Genevieve's voice lures you in and keeps you reading, so you become proof point one in supporting her ability to influence those who are around her. Adding to the fun, she isn't always honest. Nobody really is in the story. Agatha Christie reveled in giving her characters secrets, and Bilyeau does that both directly – with a terrifying trip to meet at night with a criminal whose identity is secret — and within the nuanced conversations, invitations, and demands of those around her. Clues are everywhere and they come together delightfully, bit by bit, for a satisfying ending.
This is more than a mystery, of course, actual people from this colorful (pun intended) era show up, adding to the richness of the world that is both peculiar and familiar. I was especially struck by the interweaving of art and celebrity and by how even intelligent people were sucked into conspiracies based on crank science. For the latter, I appreciated how the explosion of new ideas and findings, once popularized, seemed to invite smart people with little expertise to invest time and energy into doomed plots.
This was a lively voyage through an era I know mostly through the Horatio Hornblower novels. Though this is a different genre, it was fun seeing these times from a different perspective. I savored every page, and, in some cases I read paragraphs out loud for the pure joy of speaking the words. As much as I loved The Blue, I'd have a hard time deciding which was my favorite book.
Though she has a home in London, the pollution is worrisome for her son and a disaster for her husband. Her business is having success, but also growing pains and threats from its main customer. Her income, partly because of her generosity, is never quite enough. And thanks to a deal with the government, her husband's brilliant potential in the sciences is blocked so thoroughly he can only get work as a tutor, taking him away from home for large stretches of time.
Things get worse, of course, as her past spying activities come back to haunt her, ultimately leading to disturbing and deadly situations that seem impossible for her to extract herself from. Really, everything that could go wrong does, forcing this already amazing woman to use all her wits and charm.
A note about the charm. Genevieve's voice lures you in and keeps you reading, so you become proof point one in supporting her ability to influence those who are around her. Adding to the fun, she isn't always honest. Nobody really is in the story. Agatha Christie reveled in giving her characters secrets, and Bilyeau does that both directly – with a terrifying trip to meet at night with a criminal whose identity is secret — and within the nuanced conversations, invitations, and demands of those around her. Clues are everywhere and they come together delightfully, bit by bit, for a satisfying ending.
This is more than a mystery, of course, actual people from this colorful (pun intended) era show up, adding to the richness of the world that is both peculiar and familiar. I was especially struck by the interweaving of art and celebrity and by how even intelligent people were sucked into conspiracies based on crank science. For the latter, I appreciated how the explosion of new ideas and findings, once popularized, seemed to invite smart people with little expertise to invest time and energy into doomed plots.
This was a lively voyage through an era I know mostly through the Horatio Hornblower novels. Though this is a different genre, it was fun seeing these times from a different perspective. I savored every page, and, in some cases I read paragraphs out loud for the pure joy of speaking the words. As much as I loved The Blue, I'd have a hard time deciding which was my favorite book.
May 12, 2022
It all started with fugitive colours, spying and greed and the like of such covetousness did not fade throughout this wonderfully dramatic and fantastic historical fiction. So many criss-crossing layers zipping this way and that surely kept me on my toes. There were Hugenot refugees who came from France to Spitalfields, England where the setting of the story unfolds, many of whom were tradesmen in the silk weaving business; there's the spies egged on by Louis XV post the Seven Years War between France and England, infiltrating London and region; there's the chemists and painters trying to dig out information from the main character, Geneviere's husband Thomas, secrets which he is forbidden by law to reveal; and the aspiring and determined painters who'd do much to have the information.
Geneviere herself is an artist - a painter on silk with two proteges Caroline and Jean, there's the housekeeper Daphne along with George and Sophie, also household staff and little Pierre, Geneviere and Thomas' son. Each have their role to play.
Things really begin to boil when Geneviere accepts an invitation to Joshua Reynold's home and she gets more than she bargained for. This chap was a true to life successful painter back in 1764 when this story takes place. The flight of activity seems hinged on and around Geneviere and Thomas, and even Caroline, each with pasts they are loathed to reveal. Somehow or another the info leaked out to unscrupulous people creating much suspense, mystery and thriller scenarios with the spies added to the mix for good measure. Overlapping this are the silk weavers' employees airing disgruntlements and demonstrations. The murder and the whodunnit will bate your curiosity and keep the pages turning.
I really enjoy getting peeks into history wrapped in fiction form such as this author Nancy Bilyeau has penned. This second book in the Genevieve Planche series is fast-paced and entertaining, as well as educational. I believe most mature readers will love this book, especially painters and those who are interested in silk.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
February 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
Geneviere herself is an artist - a painter on silk with two proteges Caroline and Jean, there's the housekeeper Daphne along with George and Sophie, also household staff and little Pierre, Geneviere and Thomas' son. Each have their role to play.
Things really begin to boil when Geneviere accepts an invitation to Joshua Reynold's home and she gets more than she bargained for. This chap was a true to life successful painter back in 1764 when this story takes place. The flight of activity seems hinged on and around Geneviere and Thomas, and even Caroline, each with pasts they are loathed to reveal. Somehow or another the info leaked out to unscrupulous people creating much suspense, mystery and thriller scenarios with the spies added to the mix for good measure. Overlapping this are the silk weavers' employees airing disgruntlements and demonstrations. The murder and the whodunnit will bate your curiosity and keep the pages turning.
I really enjoy getting peeks into history wrapped in fiction form such as this author Nancy Bilyeau has penned. This second book in the Genevieve Planche series is fast-paced and entertaining, as well as educational. I believe most mature readers will love this book, especially painters and those who are interested in silk.
~Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger~
February 2022
Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.
June 3, 2022
My thanks to Lume Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Fugitive Colours’ by Nancy Bilyeau in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sequel to her 2018 novel, ‘The Blue’, that presented the story of Genevieve Planché, an English born descendant of Huguenot refugees. Her aspiration is to become an artist though in the male dominated art world of the 18th Century no one takes her seriously.
However, I don’t want to give spoilers for ‘The Blue’ and although some backstory is provided in ‘The Fugitive Colours’, I would recommend reading the books in order.
‘The Fugitive Colours’ opens in 1764 as Genevieve struggles to keep her silk design business afloat all to aware that men control the arts and sciences, politics and the law. And they definitely control women! When Genevieve receives a surprise invitation from an important artist, she hopes that her luck is about to change and she will be admitted into the world of serious art. No further details to avoid spoilers for a novel that has a fair degree of intrigues and political machinations alongside the elegant gowns and wigs.
I loved following Genevieve’s story in ‘The Blue’ and ‘The Fugitive Colours’ as she was a spirited lead character. In addition as a former student of art history I always appreciate novels that delve into the subject of art and artists.
I felt that Nancy Bilyeau was meticulous in her recreation of the dazzling society of Georgian London placing her fictional characters alongside historical figures as various events are played out.
When I read historical fiction it is very important to me that the author remains faithful to the historical and social context, even if that leads to uncomfortable scenes. Nancy Bilyeau definitely demonstrates this kind of commitment to her craft immersing her readers in the period. I will be looking forward to her future projects as well as reading her earlier works.
Highly recommended.
This is the sequel to her 2018 novel, ‘The Blue’, that presented the story of Genevieve Planché, an English born descendant of Huguenot refugees. Her aspiration is to become an artist though in the male dominated art world of the 18th Century no one takes her seriously.
However, I don’t want to give spoilers for ‘The Blue’ and although some backstory is provided in ‘The Fugitive Colours’, I would recommend reading the books in order.
‘The Fugitive Colours’ opens in 1764 as Genevieve struggles to keep her silk design business afloat all to aware that men control the arts and sciences, politics and the law. And they definitely control women! When Genevieve receives a surprise invitation from an important artist, she hopes that her luck is about to change and she will be admitted into the world of serious art. No further details to avoid spoilers for a novel that has a fair degree of intrigues and political machinations alongside the elegant gowns and wigs.
I loved following Genevieve’s story in ‘The Blue’ and ‘The Fugitive Colours’ as she was a spirited lead character. In addition as a former student of art history I always appreciate novels that delve into the subject of art and artists.
I felt that Nancy Bilyeau was meticulous in her recreation of the dazzling society of Georgian London placing her fictional characters alongside historical figures as various events are played out.
When I read historical fiction it is very important to me that the author remains faithful to the historical and social context, even if that leads to uncomfortable scenes. Nancy Bilyeau definitely demonstrates this kind of commitment to her craft immersing her readers in the period. I will be looking forward to her future projects as well as reading her earlier works.
Highly recommended.
April 16, 2022
3.5 rounded up
Published four years after The Blue, The Fugitive Colours continues the story of Genevieve Planché, now Mrs Sturbridge. I had a great time reading The Blue via The Pigeonhole back in 2018, even though I wasn’t much of a hist fic reader at the time. The Blue was definitely one of the books that broadened my horizons, opening my eyes and my heart to historical fiction and when I spotted The Fugitive Colours on NetGalley I couldn’t click on that request button fast enough.
Note that The Fugitive Colours can be read without having read The Blue, to be perfectly honest I don’t recall all the details either but I had no trouble following the story.
While Genevieve was a feisty and outspoken single woman in The Blue, in The Fugitive Colours she is married with a young son. She is still feisty and she still hasn’t completely given up on the dream to become an artist but by necessity, her plans have morphed into a business deemed slightly more suitable for a woman: she has her own silk design business with two artists in her employ.
Like its predecessor, The Fugitive Colours addresses the fact that in mid-18th century London, women are still very much secondary to men. It also taught me about the continuing struggles and rivalry between England and France and their respective kings, and the plights of English Huguenots and professions like silkweavers. In this respect, it reminded me of Blackberry & Wild Rose by Sonia Velton.
While all the main characters are fictional, the author did manage to sneak in a rather impressive number of real persons. Most notably to me was the portraitist Joshua Reynolds, whose faulty technique in mixing paints led to the title of this novel.
The Fugitive Colours is a bit of a slowburner until all the storylines come to a head and everything is happening all at once. It’s a story of intrigue laced with espionage in a world where people fight tooth and nail for what they believe in.
The Fugitive Colours didn’t quite enchant me as much as The Blue or this author’s Dreamland, I’m not sure why, but I think that it lacked a certain trigger to truly spark my fascination, The Blue has the search for creating the perfect colour blue, which – to my great surprise – fascinated me to no end, and Dreamland is set on Coney Island, a place I’ve always found fascinating. So I guess I kinda missed that fascination this time around, but obviously that’s just me. I did have a good time with The Fugitive Colours and I’d recommend it to hist fic readers, especially those who enjoy stories set in the Georgian era.
Thanks to Lume Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
The Fugitive Colours will be out on 12 May.
Published four years after The Blue, The Fugitive Colours continues the story of Genevieve Planché, now Mrs Sturbridge. I had a great time reading The Blue via The Pigeonhole back in 2018, even though I wasn’t much of a hist fic reader at the time. The Blue was definitely one of the books that broadened my horizons, opening my eyes and my heart to historical fiction and when I spotted The Fugitive Colours on NetGalley I couldn’t click on that request button fast enough.
Note that The Fugitive Colours can be read without having read The Blue, to be perfectly honest I don’t recall all the details either but I had no trouble following the story.
While Genevieve was a feisty and outspoken single woman in The Blue, in The Fugitive Colours she is married with a young son. She is still feisty and she still hasn’t completely given up on the dream to become an artist but by necessity, her plans have morphed into a business deemed slightly more suitable for a woman: she has her own silk design business with two artists in her employ.
Like its predecessor, The Fugitive Colours addresses the fact that in mid-18th century London, women are still very much secondary to men. It also taught me about the continuing struggles and rivalry between England and France and their respective kings, and the plights of English Huguenots and professions like silkweavers. In this respect, it reminded me of Blackberry & Wild Rose by Sonia Velton.
While all the main characters are fictional, the author did manage to sneak in a rather impressive number of real persons. Most notably to me was the portraitist Joshua Reynolds, whose faulty technique in mixing paints led to the title of this novel.
The Fugitive Colours is a bit of a slowburner until all the storylines come to a head and everything is happening all at once. It’s a story of intrigue laced with espionage in a world where people fight tooth and nail for what they believe in.
The Fugitive Colours didn’t quite enchant me as much as The Blue or this author’s Dreamland, I’m not sure why, but I think that it lacked a certain trigger to truly spark my fascination, The Blue has the search for creating the perfect colour blue, which – to my great surprise – fascinated me to no end, and Dreamland is set on Coney Island, a place I’ve always found fascinating. So I guess I kinda missed that fascination this time around, but obviously that’s just me. I did have a good time with The Fugitive Colours and I’d recommend it to hist fic readers, especially those who enjoy stories set in the Georgian era.
Thanks to Lume Books and NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
The Fugitive Colours will be out on 12 May.
November 3, 2022
This is a sequel to 'The Blue,' which I quite enjoyed. Both novels focus on the character of Genevieve (formerly Planché, now Sturbridge), an 18th-century Huguenot fabric designer and former spy who has dreams of becoming a painter. She is married to Thomas, a chemist whose involvement in efforts to find an elusive blue for porcelain production landed him in a French prison, but he is now safe in England with a job as a tutor. He visits Genevieve and their son Pierre occasionally but mostly lives in his patron's home. Genevieve, a resourceful woman, has established her own fabric design business and employs two artists: Jean, a young political activist, and Catherine, a quiet and mysterious young woman. As the novel opens, Genevieve is delighted to receive a commission from M. Carteret, a wealthy weaving magnate, for the design of flowers from exotic places to adorn the silk that will become dresses for stylish ladies of London.
'The Fugitive Colours' sets Genevieve into the world of celebrities of the day, mot particularly the painter Joshua Reynolds, who arranges an exhibition of her grandfather's paintings alongside those of Thomas Hogarth; both depict the everyday life of working men and women. Genevieve is led to believe that Reynolds takes an interest in her own painting. But perhaps he has an ulterior motive?
Bilyeau gives us a mystery full of spying, blackmail, and even murder, as well as a lively portrait of the London social scene and the art world.
'The Fugitive Colours' sets Genevieve into the world of celebrities of the day, mot particularly the painter Joshua Reynolds, who arranges an exhibition of her grandfather's paintings alongside those of Thomas Hogarth; both depict the everyday life of working men and women. Genevieve is led to believe that Reynolds takes an interest in her own painting. But perhaps he has an ulterior motive?
Bilyeau gives us a mystery full of spying, blackmail, and even murder, as well as a lively portrait of the London social scene and the art world.
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