'The Virgin Blue' contains all the subtlety and understated passion that made 'The Girl with the Pearl Earring' so heart-wrenchingly beautiful and haunting. Part of what makes Chevalier such an amazing writer is her ability to change locations, situations and characters and yet maintains the a sense of calm with passionate and tumultuous emotions just beneath the surface. The characters are always compelling and realistic, they really draw the reader in even as they give little of themselves away.