From 1872 to '73, renowned artist Edgar Degas called New Orleans home. Here, the narratives of two women-Estelle, his Creole cousin and sister-in-law, and Anne Gautier, who in 1970 finds a journal written by a relative who knew Degas-intersect . . . and a painting by Degas of Estelle spells trouble. Silver medal in IPPY 2021 Book Awards in Historical Fiction
First Place for Romance Fiction in Chanticleer 2020 International Book Awards
Finalist in 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for First Novel
Finalist in 2021 Eric Hoffer Book Awards

Finalist in 2021 Nancy Pearl Award in Genre Fiction
Finalist in 2020 Best Book Awards in Art

“One of Summer’s Most Anticipated Historical Fiction Titles.”
—She Reads

“. . . a promising debut . . . Henley brings New Orleans to life as she braids two intriguing stories—Edgar Degas’ art and dalliance with Marguerite, and Anne’s treasure hunt into Degas’ poorly-known early history.”
—Historical Novels Review

“An engaging read.”
—Bookstalker blog

“A captivating novel about art and the artist’s journey!”
—Readers’ Favorite, 5 star review

“A beautifully mesmerizing debut novel set in New Orleans that will haunt readers long after the very last page is read.”
—Chanticleer Reviews

“2020 Spotlight in Historical Fiction List”
—Houston Buzz Magazine

“Interweaving a contemporary story with a rich and detailed glimpse into a little-known segment of famed French painter Edgar Degas’s life, Linda Stewart Henley invites readers into the intriguing art world of New Orleans through interlocking storylines set a century apart. An admirable debut.”
—Ashley E. Sweeney, award-winning author of Eliza Waite

“Edgar Degas and Sam Mollineux are seductive, brilliant, and fiendishly evasive. In this powerful historical novel, both men leave many beautiful dreamers in their wake—including themselves.”
—Thomas West, PhD, former Professor, University of Paris-Nanterre, and former chief editor, Art International

“Linda Stewart Henley does a beautiful job re-imagining Degas’s trip to America and cleverly weaves it with Anne Gautier’s story as it unfolds a hundred years later. Estelle is a colorful, intriguing page-turner that keeps the reader guessing right up until the very end.”
—Michelle Cox, multiple award-winning author of the Henrietta Inspector Howard series

“Replete with meticulously researched details, sympathetic characters, and two equally captivating storylines, the book will keep readers guessing until its conclusion. For anyone with even so much as a passing interest in art of history, this book is a gem.”
—Jacqueline Friedland, award-winning author of Trouble the Water and That's Not a Thing

“ . . . a very riveting book . . . Usually when I read dual timeline stories I am only drawn to one of the two plots but in this case I was thoroughly captivated by both. It was a wonderful escape from all of the work of the harvest this season?—to just escape to New Orleans with Edgar Degas, a mystery or two, some very well crafted stories and then the itch to look up the paintings mentioned so I could revel in the brilliance of Degas’ art.”
—Books, Cooks, and Looks