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.
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