The Blue

‘Nancy Bilyeau's passion for history infuses her books’ – Alison Weir

'Definitely a winner!' - Kate Quinn

In eighteenth-century London, porcelain is the most seductive of commodities; fortunes are made and lost upon it. Kings do battle with knights and knaves for possession of the finest pieces and the secrets of their manufacture.For Genevieve Planché, an English-born descendant of Huguenot refugees, porcelain holds far less allure; she wants to be an artist, a painter of international repute, but nobody takes the idea of a female artist seriously in London. If only she could reach Venice.When Genevieve meets the charming Sir Gabriel Courtenay, he offers her an opportunity she can’t refuse; if she learns the secrets of porcelain, he will send her to Venice. But in particular, she must learn the secrets of the colour blue…The ensuing events take Genevieve deep into England’s emerging industrial heartlands, where not only does she learn about porcelain, but also about the art of industrial espionage.With the heart and spirit of her Huguenot ancestors, Genevieve faces her challenges head on, but how much is she willing to suffer in pursuit and protection of the colour blue?

'

The Blue

is a fast-paced and highly engaging historical thriller packed with period detail and peopled with characters that the reader really grows to care about.' -

NB Magazine

'Bilyeau’s research is impeccable, taking what might have been a dreary industrial novel and making it into a living, breathing drama. Kudos and highly recommended!' -

Historical Novel Society

, and Editor's Choice

‘...transports the reader into the heart of the 18th century porcelain trade—where the price of beauty was death.’ - E.M. Powell, author of the

Stanton & Barling

medieval mystery series.

'Bilyeau is an impressive talent who brings to life a heart-stopping story of adventure, art and espionage during the Seven Years War.' - Stephanie Dray, bestselling author of

My Dear Hamilton

'Historical fans will be well satisfied.' -

Publishers Weekly

'With rich writing, surprising twists, and a riveting sense of 'you are there,'

The Blue

is spine-tingling entertainment.' – Gayle Lynds,

New York Times

bestselling author of

The Assassins

Nancy Bilyeau

, a Michigan native, has worked as an editor on the staffs of

InStyle, Rolling Stone

, and

Good Housekeeping

. Passionate about history and art, she wrote an award-winning trilogy set in Tudor England before creating a heroine, Genevieve Planché, who holds personal significance. Nancy is descended from a Huguenot settler who came to America in 1661 and draws on her fascination with French Protestant refugees when writing the character of Genevieve Planché, a Huguenot artist. Today Nancy lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children.