I was approached to redesign a cover for a historical fiction novel aimed towards adult women. The novel takes place in mid-1800’s Ontario.
The book involves mystery identities of several key characters: a safe robber, a long-lost heir to a wealthy family, a murderer; blurring the face of the character on the cover plays off the uncertain identities to create intrigue, and the figure could at once represent any one of several characters. Because the figure is turned away from the viewer, it gives an heir of eluding identification, and walking away — to escape, or to lead somewhere.
The figure on the cover is wearing period-appropriate clothing to ensure the cover reads as historical. The colours were chosen to feminize the design, as well as to evoke fog, and ambition.
