The Blue

Genevieve Planché, the appealing 24-year-old narrator of this intriguing thriller from Bilyeau (The Crown), longs to be a painter at a time, 1759, when “female sensibilities” are considered “too delicate for art.” Reluctantly, she accepts a job as a decorator at the Derby Porcelain Works, but before setting off from her London home, she’s approached by dashing Sir Gabriel Courtenay, who asks her to spy on the new chemist at the factory, Thomas Sturbridge, who has “created an entirely new shade of blue.” In exchange for this treachery, she’s promised enough money to set herself up as a painter in Venice. After agreeing to this scheme, she comes to realize that the quest for the new blue can alter the destiny of a king and create works of awesome beauty but also lead to kidnapping, betrayal, and murder. Fascinating details include glimpses of the newly opened British Museum, a Christmas party at the home of William Hogarth, and Madame de Pompadour’s residence at Versailles. Historical fans will be well satisfied. [em]Agent: Nalini Akolekar, Spencerhill Assoc. (Dec.) [/em]