The Art of a Lie - by Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Following the murder of her husband in what looks like a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her head above water. A friend of her late husband, Devereux, helps Hannah unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his death. But their friendship opens Hannah to speculation and gossip and draws attention her way, locking her into a battle of wits more devastating than anything she can imagine"--

Book Synopsis

In 18th-century England, a widowed confectioner is drawn into a web of love, betrayal, and intrigue and a battle of wits in this masterful historical novel from the author of the "delicious puzzle-box of a novel" (The New York Times) and USA TODAY bestseller The Square of Sevens.

Following the murder of her husband in what looks like a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her head above water. Her confectionary shop on Piccadilly is barely turning a profit, her suppliers conspiring to put her out of business because they don't like women in trade. Henry Fielding, the famous author-turned-magistrate, is threatening to confiscate the money in her husband's bank account because he believes it might have been illicitly acquired. And even those who claim to be Hannah's friends have darker intent.

Only William Devereux seems different. A friend of her late husband, Devereux helps Hannah unravel some of the mysteries surrounding his death. He also tells her about an Italian delicacy called iced cream, an innovation she is convinced will transform the fortunes of her shop. But their friendship opens Hannah to speculation and gossip and draws Henry Fielding's attention her way, locking her into a battle of wits more devastating than anything she can imagine.

Review Quotes

"A thrilling ride through the streets of 18th century London, full of twists and turns, unforgettable characters, evil deeds and delicious food."
--Elly Griffiths, author of The Stranger Diaries

"Richly imagined, fiendishly clever and twisty as hell, this an up-past-midnight page turner from a writer at the top of her game. An absolutely glorious cat-and-mouse tale."
--Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club

"The queen of historical crime has done it again: The Art of a Lie is a propulsive, twisty and immaculately researched mystery, bringing the grime and glamour of Georgian London to roaring life."
--Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman

"This book is an absolute treat, with deceit layered on deceit. As always, Laura brings Georgian London to life in all its wit and wickedness. I devoured the story like a bowl of fresh iced cream, and I won't be able to walk the length of Piccadilly without thinking of Hannah Cole and her shop of sweet temptations."
--SJ Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot

"Exquisitely drawn and meticulously researched, fast-paced and tightly plotted and full of heart. This gorgeous novel had me turning pages late into the night, and I am still thinking about its two brilliant protagonists long after finishing the final chapter. In a word: decadent."
--Elizabeth DeLozier, author of Eleanore of Avignon

"A delicious romp of cat and mouse infused with sumptuous plotting, The Art of a Lie is a novel of rich delectable appetites to be savoured right to the very last chapter."
--Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora

"Nothing short of exceptional. . . . meticulously researched and with writing as carefully, delicious crafted as the sweets filling its pages."
--The Bookseller (UK)

"The Art of A Lie is a delicious mystery and I savoured every twist and turn. An impeccably atmospheric, startling and clever historical thriller that kept me guessing to the final page. Completely brilliant!"
--Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne

"How I long to visit the Punchbowl and Pineapple on Piccadilly . . . I simply couldn't look away from The Art Of a Lie. A story as sweet as 'iced cream', as tense as spun sugar, as clever as a trickster and as beautifully written and masterful as everything by the wonderful Laura Shepherd-Robinson. An absolute treat of an historical crime novel. Sheer perfection."
--Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal

"I absolutely loved this book. A deliciously clever and complex confection of love, artifice, mystery and ice cream, with exquisitely drawn characters. Laura Shepherd-Robinson's best book yet."
--Anna Mazzola, author of The Book of Secrets

"Laura Shepherd-Robinson has excelled herself with this most artfully constructed novel, which toys with our emotions and plays havoc with our expectations. She has an instinctive feel for the textures of eighteenth-century life--and an almost supernatural knowledge of contemporary confectionary skills and the art of the sophisticated con-trick. Read and enjoy. Historical crime fiction doesn't get any better than this."
--Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of The Ashes of London

"In this novel, Laura Shepherd-Robinson displays the art of a truly masterful storyteller: it is captivating, compelling, and so, so clever, but like all the best stories it will capture your heart. It is as exquisite as the iced cream that Hannah Cole concocts and long after you have finished you will not be able to forget it. I absolutely adored it and cannot recommend it highly enough."
--Jo Callaghan, bestselling author of In The Blink of An Eye

"Switchbacks and reversals to beat a rollercoaster with an attention to historical detail that had my mouth watering on occasion. I think it's [Laura Shepherd-Robinson's] best yet, and I don't say that lightly."
--Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange

"A fast-paced historical narrative that pits two protagonists against each other in a wily battle of wills. Confident, engrossing, and as taut as any thriller."
--Vaseem Khan, author of Midnight at Malabar House

"An irresistible confection to beguile, bemuse, and delight ... with a slither of ice at its heart."
--Essie Fox, author of The Fascination

"A spellbinding, utterly immersive, meticulously researched novel that grips as a thriller and yet also plunges the reader into a fully realised and vibrant world. The work of a master storyteller."
--William Hussey, author of The Boy I Love

About the Author

Laura Shepherd-Robinson was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, an MSc in political theory from the London School of Economics, and an MA in creative writing from City University. She is the author of four novels, Blood & Sugar, Daughters of Night, The Square of Sevens, and The Art of a Lie. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian. Find out more at LauraShepherdRobinson.com.