I am a big fan of ZA Maxfield. I love her writing style, characters and plots, and this book was no exception. Even when I realized who the killer was, the book kept me in suspense. I enjoyed the plot twists and development of the relationship between Sumner and Max. This was a quick read for me. I appreciated the descriptive prose and artful elements. Although I liked Sumner's character and understood his draw to Max, the book would have been stronger for me, if Sumner was more developed. "Fugitive Color" is a competent story that doesn’t seem to have any of the usual Z.A. Maxfield humor or wit as in her previous books. As a long time reader and devoted fan, I found that I didn't feel any connection with the characters. They seemed very flat even though the emotional plot should have made them very three dimensional. I liked the realism and the pragmatic way that both Max and Sumner deal with each other and the situation. Up front, no lies, no deceptions. That's refreshing in our main characters. Usually they keep it all close to the vest to prolong the suspense and make it more difficult to connect. With this plot, that wasn’t necessary and I am glad we didn’t go there. However, the murderer is plain to figure out almost the minute you hear his name. There is nobody else it could be. On top of that every time the reader turns a page one more damning piece of evidence keeps piling up against Max even though you know he isn’t the murderer. Law enforcement is stuck in stereotype. Used as a means to further the drama by not looking farther than their nose until they are forced too. As a reader, knowing who it is and that the cops aren’t going to figure it out, leaving it up to the lover to do so was not original. In the end, the only thing really left to be revealed is why and how. While we get an unsatisfying why, sort of, we never get the how. While the book has all the great skill in writing that we expect of this author, it just didn’t seem to have any of the heart we have come to anticipate. It tried too hard to make us feel the driving compulsion of the artist to paint but didn’t really tell us why it had to be her all the time. The most engaging scene, revolving around a red hand print is the most emotionally striking part of the book and it only lasts three or four paragraphs. Last, the title. Titles seem to get more and more obscure all the time. "Fugitive Color" is a mind boggler. There's no fugitive in this story. I can’t even think of one in a figurative sense, certainly none in a literal way. While there is some musing on how there's no color to show loyalty or naivete that still doesn’t explain what the title is trying to tell us about the book. At least it doesn’t tell me anything.
What do You think about Fugitive Color (2010)?
Throughly enjoyed reading this story from start to finish, one of my all-time favorite authors.
—Gabrielrods
