This novel is a masterpiece by Katherine Reay. It sucked me in from the first page and kept me riveted until the end. Her writing has a depth that you don't see in too many modern novels, and this one is no exception. Lilly's transformation from feeling like an imposter in her world to owning her talent and expertise is just as satisfying as Diana's liberation from her husband's tyranny and emotional abuse. I was kind of sad when Reay started writing historical fiction rather than contemporary novels, but each one has captivated me even more than the last.

Katherine Reay’s The English Masterpiece is a captivating journey into the shadowy world of art forgeries, wrapped in a story that’s as elegant as it is thrilling. With a plot that unfolds at a perfect pace, Reay masterfully balances suspense and sophistication, making this novel a true page-turner from start to finish. The narrative dives deep into the intricacies of the art world, blending mystery with emotional depth and intellectual intrigue. The prose is vivid, drawing readers into a world where beauty and deception intertwine. Each chapter builds momentum, keeping you hooked with unexpected twists and a cast of compelling characters. The English Masterpiece delivers a rich and rewarding reading experience.

Lily has recently been promoted to Diana’s assistant at the Tate Modern. She is thrilled until a new Picasso comes to the museum and Lily accidentally blurts out that it is obviously a forgery. From there, everything heads directly in chaos. The Times has broken the news, and Diana is trying to keep everything running smoothly. Lily, however, is determined to find out the truth.

I love love love an art forgery book! If you are looking for what to read after this one, The Art Forger is another great art book! From the very beginning when Lily drops the bomb, I was completely caught up in this story! This was my first Reay novel, but it will not be my last! While it started a bit on the slower side overall, the second half flew by and kept me guessing where this was going! Overall this was a really wonderful read, and I enjoyed every second!

Thank you to @harpermusebooks for my gifted copy of this book!

I’ve read quite a few books by this author and she is one of my go to recommendations for clean historical fiction. I really enjoyed shadow in Moscow and the Berlin letters. However, this one fell a bit flat for me. The other two grabbed me from the first page and this one I felt like I was having to push through and couldn’t get engaged as much. I think the theme of art didn’t connect to me as much but it wasn’t a bad book. Once the story picked up I enjoyed it more. Still a great addition to our library and good option for clean historical fiction that isn’t just world war 2.

Katherine Reay is quickly becoming a favorite historical fiction author, especially when it comes to the (post WWII) Cold War era. 1970s London, the (under) world of Nazi stolen art and forgeries coupled with compelling characters also grappling with normal every day and The English Masterpiece will keep you turning pages until the end!

In this brilliant dual timeline historical mystery novel, readers visit the Tate Museum in 1973, shortly after the death of iconic artist Pablo Picasso. Assistant to Modern Collections keeper Diana Gilden, Lily wants to help plan an incredible Picasso exhibit and is thrilled when it opens and surpasses expectations -- until she realizes, during the opening, that one of the paintings is a forgery. Diana, a classy art professional, knows that this claim will ruin her career because she advised an investor to purchase it, and the European art world falls into chaos. As both Lily and Diana come under suspicion as the forger or the facilitator of the exhibit, they must find their way to prove their innocence and the truth about the painting before they run out of time. Packed with details and incredible characters, readers will love the depth of detail in this incredible book and the complex art world it brings to life. The setting is fascinating, and the time period adds some great intensity because of the instability of the postwar art world. Readers will love the well-written, dynamic, and complicated characters and the drama and intensity of this new historical mystery novel from Katherine Reay.

This book is a unique one, since it gives a glimpse into the 1970's art world. I loved how things were changing on the art front and learned more about Picasso and his unique styles that changed with the times. I thought that it was interesting to see the mystery through the eyes of both Lily and Diana. This is a lovely story to pick up and enjoy.

“It’s a forgery”.

These words were what sent Lily Summers in a wild chase.

But let's take it from the beginning…

When Picasso passed away, the art world shook to its core, with all the important art institutions of the world racing to pay homage to the great artist. And Tate was among those. Diana Gilden, the Modern Collections keeper, was quick to put together an exhibition of Picasso's works, one that would make a sensation-

If it weren't for her loyal assistant declaring this a forgery in front of investors and press members.

Chaos ensues, and Lily now has to prove she's both right in her statement AND not a culprit in a severe art crime. In a race against time and the many secrets she holds, Lily finds out that the few things she considered a constant in her life are quickly turning into weapons against her.

This book is, for lack of a better word, BRILLIANT. Set in 1970’s England, having an intriguing and witty prose, a fast-paced plot, and characters that are both deeply flawed and charming because of it, this book is the perfect page turner. It's the kind of book that kept me groaning and muttering to myself while I read on, unable to put it down.

(So excuse me now while I’ll be going on a binge reading of the author’s works. This read was right up my alley and ticked all the boxes.)

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley, and this is an honest opinion expressed after reading. My thanks to both Netgalley and Harper Muse for providing me with the copy.

The English Masterpiece
By: Katherine Reay
Narrated By: Fiona Hardingham & Saskia Maarleveld
Review Score: Five Stars

Boogie’s Bulletpoints
•Historical Fiction: 1970’s London
•Dual POV
•Really good twists & turns

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An ARC was kindly provided by Harper Muse. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy this wonderful book!

Y’all, I loved this book. The English Masterpiece was a book that I could not put down. I wanted to know EVERYTHING. I wanted to know more about Lily and her background. I wanted to know more about Diana and who she really was.

Add in the amazing background of the Tate, incredible art, and a little bit of romance? You get such an interesting and engaging story. This is still a book I am thinking about, even after reading it.

I have never read anything by Reay before, but I will definitely read more from her!

I think anyone would like this book. Even if you arent big into art, or not into historical fiction, you would still enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!


#bookstagram #books #readingnow #boogiereadsbooks #fivekeyfeels #audiobooks #audiobook #historicalfiction #boogiesbulletpoints #fivestarfriday

Fantastic story! Great characters, and this story! What a story! One of the best books I have read this year, and I can't recommend it enough!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

“The English Masterpiece” was an exhilarating piece of historical fiction, centered around Lily and Diana and the race to uncover the mystery behind the provenance of a Pablo Picasso painting. Reading this reminded me of the film “The Thomas Crown Affair” which was a fun caper / heist movie, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that the author took inspiration from the film.

I do appreciate the female-led narrative, and how the author dug deep into Lily’s and Diana’s backgrounds and motivations. My only gripe was that I wish the ending was more climactic and written in a less wordy, confrontational / monologue manner.

I loved the idea of this book but ultimately I couldn’t finish this book. It had a really detailed backstory and I found it very difficult to keep reading.

the 1970s, London England, famous art, provenances, so much fun!
But, it only gets better! Lily Summer is an assistant to the gallery manager, and she is is in the wrong place at the wrong time and utters the unforgettable words - "It's a forgery!"
What she sets in motion is both terrifying and fascinating.
I love, LOVED this book!
I really can't say more, because I don't want to give spoilers...but it is HIGHLY entertaining!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Art History, Art Forgery. All this in an intriguing story set in 1970s London. It isn't exactly a romance, although there are romantic elements towards the end: otherwise, there is mystery, drama and heart.
This is a novel for those who feel isolated and unloved, unwanted and small but don't realize they are cherished and prized by those around them. Sometimes you only need someone to remind you who you are and how you are valued.

My only small niggles were that I don't think people in 1970s Britian measured distance in kilometres. Most people don't even now: its usually still miles. Also sometimes Lily used a strange combination of British English riddled with Americanisms. I guess I noticed it because I am British but most people wouldn't.

Content warning for some bad language.

Thanks to Harper Muse for approving me for this title on Netgalley. I wasn't required to write a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay was a book I was really looking forward to reading! I’ve been a Reay fan for years and have read many of her books starting back when, and I’ve enjoyed her growth over the years. I really liked her historical fiction, but I missed the novels of old. When I heard about this one I was hoping she would bring the skills she learned researching the historical fiction back to fiction with a side of romance. This book with the mystery element was better than I dreamed about! She brought everything she has learned to this story and it was a really delightful book that kept me on my toes.
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I read this in a multi-format style going from the text on the page to the audiobook as I went about my day and it worked really well. When I had to put down my book down, the story could keep going! This was narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld. Saskia is one of my favorites!
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You can read what this book is about elsewhere, here I will tell you I was really invested in the story, the crime and trying to figure out who was guilty and what would happen. The dialogue was solid and I felt like I really knew the characters!
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Thank you @NetGalley and @HarperMuse and @HarperMuseAudio for the ARC and ALC given in exchange for my unbiased opinion. I gave this book 4.5 stars.

After enjoying some of Reay’s past titles, I was disappointed to find that I had a really hard time connecting to the story.
I commend the vast amount of research that must have been put into the novel, because there was so much detail on the world of art. But, even with that, I never really felt immersed in the story or like I cared at all about what was going on. Perhaps because by the 30% mark, there were still a lot of holes in the plot that didn’t make sense to me so I couldn’t track well. I think it would have been nice for it to move along a little quicker. I’ll keep reading Reay because I do think she’s a very good author!

This was a solid read for me! I enjoy a museum setting and love to learn about the art world. The 1970s setting was fun, though it harkened back to WWII constantly, which is a pet peeve of mine. Some of the plot worked out a little *too* conveniently, and I wish the supporting characters were filled in more in the early story so their roles later had more foundation to stand on. But it was all in service of a satisfying ending to the caper, and I liked that this was under 300 pages! I appreciated the final chapter being a flash-forward to 6 months in the future, so there was some fleshing out of outcomes which provided closure. I’ll be recommending this to my grandmother who will love all the cultural references!

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for a digital advanced reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own unless otherwise noted.

This is page-turning historical fiction with the features of a thriller and a bit of romance that takes place in early 1970s London. The novel’s drama begins in the world-famous Tate Gallery, which holds the nation's collection of modern art from 1900 to the present day, including masterpieces of international and British modern art.

Art, specifically oil painting, and the artists who paint them – is the topic that underscores the plot. Author Katherine Reay vividly evokes the emotions of viewing art as well as creating art in ways that provide depth to the story.

It’s a coming-of-age novel, with young Lily Summers discovering who she is and where she fits in the world. It’s also a story with themes of right and wrong, black and white, real and fake. Lily knows she must do the right thing even if it puts her career in jeopardy. She admits that in the mistake of a moment, she “said the wrong thing at the wrong time and in the wrong place, and in the wrong way.”

The novel’s underlying theme is Lily’s search for identity. Lily, as well as other characters, demonstrates the ideas of reinvention and deception that are threaded throughout the novel. I liked the way Reay slowly “painted” portraits of various characters so that their personalities and motives transformed the more I read. Who was on the right side, who on the wrong? Who was friend? Who was foe? Who could be trusted?

I really enjoyed this novel and think it would be great for book group discussions.

Allow time to read this in one sitting – you won’t want to put it down!
Really well-written, this book must have taken a lot of research. The plot was well-thought-out, & totally credible.
The only negative for me was that I disagreed with the judgemental accusations made to the main character by some of her family members.
Otherwise a very good read, which I would definitely recommend – my husband even enjoyed my keeping him up-to-date with what was happening...I think he will read it once we get a print copy.
4 1/2 stars

I was so eager to read The English Masterpiece, but it just fell a little flat for me.

Make no mistake — the details and descriptions of all the art were incredible. I loved the premise and thought it had so much potential. But, there were just a few things that didn't fully work.

I had a bit of trouble getting actually into it — it was a slow start and I found that it took me longer to read than it should have. But, it does pick up the pace in the later half and I was flying through it then.

I also didn't fully love the split narrative. I kept wondering if it would have been more powerful to keep it just from Lily's perspective and draw out some of the mystery.

But, overall, I love a good art mystery and I did enjoy The English Masterpiece for what it was! It's just not going to be a novel I come back to time and time again to reread.