This book started out conventionally enough, with Lily, a new assistant to Diana, the art director t the Tate Museum, are putting together a display
commemorating Picasso shortly after his death in 1973. With attention to detail, the opening event is a beautiful tribute to the artist, until Lilly blurts out that one of the pieces is a forgery.
This sets the art community spinning and the possibility of Lily and Diana losing their jobs becomes apparent. It also calls into question other masterpieces and their authenticity, as well as the credibility of the dealers and buyers.
I loved this book for the fast pace that kept me turning the pages. The characters were believable with fully developed backstories, which kept me guessing whether or not the piece was a forgery, and how did Lily know this? The mystery was presented from all angles, and the resolution was perfect.
I highly recommend this book for book clubs and look forward to discussing it.
I received an ARC of The English Masterpiece from NetGalley and the publisher. and am leaving my opinions voluntarily.

Lily is up and coming in the art world, molding herself into a version of her boss Diana at the Tate Museum. But at the opening of the Picasso exhibit Lily does k e thing that is true to herself- she blurts out exactly what she sees - a forgery. This comment sets in motion an unraveling of the art world, and a tearing down of all the walls Lily constructed around herself and she works to clear her name and discover the real forger. Amazing historical fiction with an action packed timeline. Perfect for art fans!

This was an interesting dive into the world of art and forgery in 1970s London. I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book as well as the characters. Great plot line as well!

Wow! What a fun novel. When Tate Gallery employee, Lili, stands in front of a Picasso painting, and utters only three words, "It's a Forgery," The English Masterpiece begins to unwrap the story of how criminals create forged art, become wealthy, evade the police, and have lots of fun deceiving the world. The English Masterpiece is clever and original with a plot that slowly unfolds all the interesting details of how art forgers create masterpieces and avoid being caught. Author Katherine Reay is a new author for me, but I suspect, she will become a frequent author soon enough.

The English Masterpiece contains a few small gifts for readers to devour. Pierce Brosnan! The pace moves readers quickly through the book. There is a good development of plot and a careful unfolding of details. There is history--be sure to read the author's note about the history of such crimes. Reay makes sure the main characters, Diana and Lili, have interesting backstories to help readers know the characters and sympathize with them. Of course, we find out soon enough that not all characters should be trusted. Setting an art forger in 1973 London is a perfect choice, as is The Tate, which I love. I can sit here writing this review and look up at two posters that came from The Tate, a terrific art galley to spend days or weeks exploring.

Readers who enjoy novels about art history or art forgery will enjoy unwrapping all the details of the crime and how it occurred will enjoy The English Masterpiece. Thank you to Harper Muse Books and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC to enjoy and review. I do recommend The English Masterpiece and have already recommended it to my bookclub.

4.5 stars = 5

This is outside of my typical normal reads but the synopsis had me hooked. A potential art forgery & a young art gallery worker who is going to try to solve the mystery with a light side romance that is very sweet - this one was so fun & highly recommended for those who like fiction/women's fiction with a fun art mystery. Enjoyed it very much!

Katherine Reay has done it again! Her newest release, The English Masterpiece, has fully consumed me the past few days. I love the way this story developed, and though I’m usually not a fan of morally gray characters, this story pulled them off spectacularly.

The book takes place in the Tate Gallery of London in 1973. With one simple phrase, Lily Summers throws her carefully constructed world into chaos:

“It’s a forgery.”

The closest I’ve ever gotten to becoming an art connoisseur was a job as a writing tutor for an art history class in college, but I loved all the art history elements in The English Masterpiece. I feel like I learned a lot about how to consider and feel visual art through this book. The themes of authenticity, forgiveness, control, compassion, and integrity gave me a lot to think about and if anyone is up for a discussion about this story in particular, send me a DM. This is the kind of book that begs discussion.

I love how Reay uses POV to build character. We can talk about that too, if you like.

The English Masterpiece released earlier this month and is now available at all major book stores. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an electronic advanced copy and an advanced listening copy. The mark of a good read for me is resorting to hybrid reading (audio to ebook to print and back to audio) so I don’t have to put the book down. I absolutely needed all the forms of this story! As a side note, the audio was well done except the narrator’s voice for Conor was extremely unattractive, so those parts were better in print form.

Thank you Katherine Reay and Harper Musebooks, for providing me with a copy of this book to read. I had previously read The Berlin Letters by Katherine Reay and loved it, so I was excited to pick up this one.

This historical fiction novel is set in 1970s London, centered around the iconic Tate Museum. The premise immediately intrigued me—Lily works as an assistant to Diana in the Tate’s Modern Collections, where they are scrambling to pull together a Picasso Commemorative Exhibit in just a few short weeks. After a tremendous team effort, the exhibit seems to come together smoothly—until Lily takes a closer look at one of the paintings and blurts out that it’s a forgery. Her comment sparks chaos, and the gallery’s director promptly fires her—though Diana briefly manages to reverse the decision.

From there, the story unfolds with layers of intrigue, weaving in questions of authenticity, buried secrets, and the dark legacy of Nazi-stolen artwork. As Lily searches for the truth, she’s drawn into a web of mystery that stretches across decades and borders.
We also gain insight into Lily’s childhood and the emotional weight her family has carried, as well as the personal solace she finds in painting. Diana’s backstory is equally compelling—her rise through the male-dominated art world to earn her dream position adds another strong thread to the narrative.

I found the plot fascinating, with well-developed characters and layered backstories. As the mystery unravels, the reader also discovers how Mr. Andrew Davies came to possess a forged piece of art.

I truly enjoyed this book. You don’t have to be an art buff to appreciate it—it offers a new perspective on the art world and might even inspire you to learn more about contemporary artists. Now I think it’s time for me to watch The Thomas Crown Affair so I can catch all the Easter eggs!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book!

London, 1973 historical fiction novel, art, suspense. What more could you want? Really enjoyed this novel.

Lily has just been promoted to help her boss Diana who is the keeper of the Tate’s collections and now they are creating a Picasso exhibit to celebrate his life (it’s 1974 and he has recently died). At the opening, while Lily is examining one of the paintings, she yells out “it’s a forgery” out of her surprise for the revelation. The domino effect of her words is so far reaching in the art and museum world (as well as Diana’s and her own life). Now Lily has to prove that the work is a forgery and who created it.

This one took me a bit to get into but I ended up really enjoying it. I love art mysteries (who knew that was a genre) and so this one was a perfect read on a Sunday for me. The mystery wasn’t so much who had done it (for the reader) but can Lily survive all the forces against her. This novel has elements of family dynamics, hidden identities, and love - familial, romantic and platonic. The audio on this one was excellent and I enjoyed listening to about half of this book.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the ARC to review

A blend of art, intrigue, and high-stakes deception, The English Masterpiece is a captivating journey through the glittering yet cutthroat world of 1970s London art scene. Katherine Reay delivers a fast-paced, elegantly layered mystery that kept me hooked from the first page. Lily is a compelling protagonist—curious, brave, and unafraid to challenge the system in pursuit of the truth. The dual narration by Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld brings the tension and glamour to life brilliantly. A must-read (and must-listen!) for fans of historical thrillers and art world scandals.

Thank you Katherine Reay, Harper Muse Audio, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

#theenglishmasterpiece #netgalleyarc #netgalleyreview #netgalley #arcreview #arc #arcreader #review #somanybookssolittletime

Atmospheric novel that feels appropriate to its time period and genre. Very authentic in that….
I loved the art element and found myself constantly looking up different works of art to picture in my mind as I read.
Immersive experience. Recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to preview this book!

I am always a fan of art theft and art forgery books, so of course I liked this. Maybe I'm jealous of anyone with art talent even if they are using it for bad reasons!

Lily is proud of her achievements and position in the art world. As assistant to the famous art curator Diana Wilken, Lily has organized a Picasso exhibition in London. The opening night is glittery, filled with celebrities until the moment Lily announces to the world at large, that one of the Picasso is a forgery. It captures the attention of all including the media and both Lily and Diana’s jobs are on the line when the story breaks out.

That is just the bare bones of the beginning of the story. What follows is a convoluted tale of greed, deceit and avarice for position not caring whom you destroy in protecting your own interests. How ruthless human beings can be in a cut throat business where stakes are very high. It also highlights integrity on the other side and being true to what you believe in.

The 1970s art and fashion scene are vividly described in this story.

Stories like this rich in a different era and environment add so much variety to a reader who may never get to experience such places.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Harper Muse. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, British Fiction, Thriller
Format: Multi-POV


THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE, with its twists, kept me guessing.

I'm a sucker for books with art and art thieves. This book lived up to my expectations as I was brought on this carefully constructed journey.

The POV was also a highlight for me with different perspectives to see the story unfolding in different ways. Even when I knew whodunnit, I was still gripped to see how it would play out.

I would say the main character, Lily, calls out the art as being a forgery, and everyone's world falls apart! I adored how Lily is confronted with either trusting herself or her superiors, is blowing up her own life, and is trying to find answers.

I hope all mystery and thriller readers pick this up and enjoy it as much as I did.

Happy reading!

I feel like I need a proper cup of tea, a scrumptious biscuit and a trip to the Tate Modern!

For those of you who know me, willingly initiating a trip to an art museum is an uncommon occurrence, so this says something. Equally, you'll rarely see me turn down an opportunity to reminisce about all things London. The English Masterpiece delights with both!

This is an enjoyable story that dips into the world of art forgery, and it's a scandalous world indeed! Whether you are an art enthusiast or not, this mystery will keep you thoroughly entertained. You definitely get a sense of where this story is going, but it does not matter. You'll still want to see it through.

Thank you to Harper Muse for both the digital copy and the audiobook via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Now seriously. Gather a group of friends to read this book. Discuss over an afternoon tea or scones with cream and jam. Take it up a notch and channel your inner Picasso with a paint-your-own twist. There is some fun to be had with The English Masterpiece!

This is my first book from this author and she’s got a new fan! This book was so well done. I loved everything about it. The dual POV with Lilly and Diana was excellent. I didn’t want to stop reading!

I was very intrigued by the description of the story. I loved studying art in high school, thanks to a beloved teacher and the historical setting of the 70s was also a draw. I don’t read many books set in this time and I was excited to see what the author would do with it. And the stunning cover too!

I loved Lilly. I can’t give many details but I can say that she is fantastic but also flawed. The author does an amazing job of showing Lilly’s past to explain the relationships of her family and friends and their motivations. I loved her family and the history behind events that changed them. They’re told so well. There is a very fun cameo in the story too and I adored the author’s notes about it. I had another favorite character, but not naming for fear of spoilers.

Lilly’s words, “It’s a forgery!” start a chain of events that turns her life and Diana’s around completely. I was left stunned so many times. It’s such an amazing story! The author does an incredible job of bringing it all together. And how Lilly outsmarts everyone was perfect.

The audio narrators Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld were stunning. Both of them portray the women so well. Their take on the characters was so well done. I loved the variation of voices they used.

I received a NetGalley link for the audio and the ebook. Huge thank you to the publisher and #uplitreads #harpermuse

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I first heard of this book, I was intrigued by the idea of it. So I hate to say it, but this just didn’t hit the spot for me like Reay’s books have in the past. The characters felt a bit distant and hard to connect with, and it was so heavy with their thought processes and descriptions that a lot of the book felt more like… filler? It wasn’t necessary to the story and added to the distant feeling instead of drawing me in. Overall it felt very slow.

I would’ve loved more banter between the characters. Less thought and more action? I did feel like we finally got some action towards the end, and that got me through the last quarter of it. I do think that I would’ve enjoyed the characters had they been more life like.

The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay (book cover is in image) is going to be a great read for fans of Fiona Davis. This fast paced mystery emerses the reader immediately into the search for the criminal who forges a Picasso.

The narration by Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld was marvelous. They brought these characters to life; and while I was able to move seamlessly between the eBook and audiobook, I found myself going back to the audiobook because it was so engaging.

Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ALC and read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Jun 10 2025

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Love! I am a massive fan of books related to art forgery or heists, and this one did not disappoint! I loved the characters and the wonderful way Katherine Reay incorporated the art world. I learned a lot! I also loved the England 1970s setting. There were so many twists and perfect cultural references. I loved it! Thank you, NetGalley!

★★★★ 4/5 stars

✦ 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 :
-Woman on Fire by Lisa Barr
-London setting
-art history
-1970s vibes
-mysteries & scandals

✦ 𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 :
Set against the glamorous backdrop of 1970s London, The English Masterpiece is a blend of historical fiction, art-world intrigue, & slow-burn mystery — a well-researched story that brings the high-stakes world of galleries, forgeries, & stolen masterpieces to life.

The story did take me a little time to get invested, but once I did, I was all in. The dual POVs are woven together seamlessly, & by the final chapters I was flipping pages like I was right in the middle of the drama myself! The vivid sense of time and place, along with excellent audiobook narration by Saskia Maarleveld & Fiona Hardington, was a match made in heaven.

Even if you don't know a thing about art (hi, it's me), the glimpses into Picasso, Nazi art theft, & the cutthroat world of art collecting are fascinating-and yes, I did pause to Google more than one painting.

thank you to @katherinereay @uplitreads, & @netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc! Y’all know I’m a sucker for an immersive read!