The Art of a Lie: A Novel
“Astonishing. The Art of a Lie is Laura Shepherd-Robinson at the height of her considerable powers. Of course it’s beautifully written and richly detailed, but it’s also fiendishly twisting and properly thrilling. A rare and wonderful story.” —Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author
In 18th-century England, a widowed confectioner is drawn into a web of love, betrayal, intrigue, and a battle of wits in this “twisty” (Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author) historical novel from the author of the USA TODAY bestseller The Square of Sevens.
London 1749: Following the murder of her husband in a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to turn a profit at her confectionary shop on Piccadilly as her suppliers conspire to put her out of business.
So when she learns that her husband had a large sum of money in his bank account, the surprise is, at first, extremely welcome. But her financial windfall attracts the attention of author-turned-magistrate Henry Fielding, who believes the money might have been acquired through ill-gotten means and seeks to confiscate it.
Endeavoring to prove otherwise, Hannah enlists the help of William Devereux, a friend of her late husband, who also tells her about a new Italian delicacy called “iced cream,” which she believes might transform the fortunes of her shop. As she and Devereux delve into the mysteries of her husband’s double life in Georgian London’s gambling dens, Hannah unravels secrets even more devastating than his murder.
In 18th-century England, a widowed confectioner is drawn into a web of love, betrayal, intrigue, and a battle of wits in this “twisty” (Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author) historical novel from the author of the USA TODAY bestseller The Square of Sevens.
London 1749: Following the murder of her husband in a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to turn a profit at her confectionary shop on Piccadilly as her suppliers conspire to put her out of business.
So when she learns that her husband had a large sum of money in his bank account, the surprise is, at first, extremely welcome. But her financial windfall attracts the attention of author-turned-magistrate Henry Fielding, who believes the money might have been acquired through ill-gotten means and seeks to confiscate it.
Endeavoring to prove otherwise, Hannah enlists the help of William Devereux, a friend of her late husband, who also tells her about a new Italian delicacy called “iced cream,” which she believes might transform the fortunes of her shop. As she and Devereux delve into the mysteries of her husband’s double life in Georgian London’s gambling dens, Hannah unravels secrets even more devastating than his murder.
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Community Reviews
Now see here! My Southern is coming out thinking about this novel. I won’t give anything away, but there’s a great twist at the beginning, and that’s so refreshing. Hannah Cole is recently widowed and is run ragged trying to keep her confectionary shop afloat. She is worried about money, naturally, as the times are not favorable to women (it is 18th-century England after all). Her suppliers start charging her more because she’s a woman. Hannah’s husband was murdered, but is being investigated by Henry Fielding, a famous author who is now a magistrate. Fielding is suspicious that a large sum of money in Hannah’s husband’s bank account was obtained illegally. Enter William Deveraux, who arrives at her shop one day claiming to have been a friend of her late husband. He helps Hannah solve some of the questions related to her husband and also tells her about an ice cream recipe he tried in Italy, prompting her to try it in her store. She and William develop a friendship, and Henry Fielding takes notice.
This book should be made into a movie. It was like a breath of fresh air. Both devastating and lovely, it will make you feel all the emotions on the spectrum. Alternating between Hannah’s point of view and William’s point of view, you are always kept on your toes. The dance is wonderful to read. You are “in” on their secrets, yet you do not know how it will all pan out until you finish the book. And when you finish…oh my goodness. Wow. That ending.
Thank you to Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This book should be made into a movie. It was like a breath of fresh air. Both devastating and lovely, it will make you feel all the emotions on the spectrum. Alternating between Hannah’s point of view and William’s point of view, you are always kept on your toes. The dance is wonderful to read. You are “in” on their secrets, yet you do not know how it will all pan out until you finish the book. And when you finish…oh my goodness. Wow. That ending.
Thank you to Atria Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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