Estelle - by Linda Stewart Henley (Paperback)

About the Book

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.

Book Synopsis

When Edgar Degas visits his French Creole relatives in New Orleans from 1872 to '73, Estelle, his cousin and sister-in-law, encourages the artist--who has not yet achieved recognition and struggles to find inspiration--to paint portraits of their family members.

In 1970, Anne Gautier, a young artist, finds connections between her ancestors and Degas while renovating the New Orleans house she has inherited. When Anne finds two identical portraits of Estelle, she discovers disturbing truths that change her life as she searches for meaningful artistic expression--just as Degas did one hundred years earlier.

A gripping historical novel told by two women living a century apart, Estelle combines mystery, family saga, art, and romance in its exploration of the man Degas was before he became the artist famous around the world today.

Review Quotes

Finalist in 2022 International Book Awards for Best New Fiction
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

About the Author

Linda Stewart Henley was born in England and has lived in the U.S. since she was sixteen. She is the author of two other award-winning novels, Estelle and Waterbury Winter. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.