Thanks to @harpermusebooks for the advanced access!

Fast-paced and gripping, this book had me hooked from the first chapter. It’s part art history, part thriller—with a plot that centers on a mysterious painting, a secret legacy, and an international art forgery ring. Yes, please!

I loved this one, but I have a thing for secret identities, art history, and Katherine Reay.

The audiobook is chef’s kiss thanks to the excellent pairing of narrators Saskia Maarleveld and Fiona Hardingham—both brought so much life and nuance to the storytelling.

I flew through this one in no time. Reay weaves suspense and emotional depth into a story that’s as rich and layered as the artist’s canvas. If you loved her previous work you’ll love this one!

📚 A great pick if you’re into literary mysteries, hidden histories, and smart female leads!

Set in the London art world of 1973 this was a captivating book about art, life, and reinvention. Pablo Picasso has just died and the Tate Modern Museum is organizing an exhibition to honor it. Lily has risen from humble beginnings to assistant collector thanks in part to her boss Diana. All Lily wants is to be part of the art world and like Diana but when she sees something in the Picasso exhibit that doesn’t look right she changes her future in an instant. Conor Davies is brought in by the insurance company and as he searches to find the truth he uncovers more than he expected. The art world, Conor, and Lily struggle to figure out what is real and what is a forgery. The other part of the story is Diana, her life and the role she plays. Well written and immersive I was drawn into the story and did not want it to end. This is a story that examines reinvention and explores the difference between imitation and forgery and when it is time to discover your own identity and style. I listened to the Audio and the dual narrators gave Lily and Diana voices and brought the story to life. I highly recommend this book to readers that enjoy books with mystery, romance, and discovering your true self.

I really loved this book. I love how the mystery unfolded and I thought the crime aspect was really fun. I also appreciate the depth the author has. The descriptions in this book are really wonderful. I found it to be an interesting and well written book. I'm excited to tell my friends and followers about it!

Have you ever spoken and immediately wished you could call back the words? Well, that is exactly what happens with Lily. I appreciate fine art but cannot imagine the world that Lily finds herself working with the Tate’s Modern Collections Exhibit. There were a lot of characters and at times I had to take a moment to make sure I knew who each person was. I loved the British scene and the way the clues were presented to help you figure out who was guilty of committing such a scandal. More than just a story of the art world and that art forgery, you will cheer Lily on as she discovers who she is and her determination to prove her integrity and ability as she grows personally and professionally. A little behind-the-scenes romance was sprinkled throughout the pages, but it just added to the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

Adult Fiction
Art
British Literature
Christian Fiction
Fiction
Historical
Historical Fiction
Mystery
Thriller

Diana and Lily work at the Tate Modern Art Gallery in London. Diana is a curator who has money and lots of art knowledge, and Lily is her working-class assistant who secretly copies the masters in her free time to try and branch out and paint her own art. Told from alternating perspectives of the two women, a Picasso painting's authenticity is called into question by Lily and Diana has everything to lose.

I loved Reay's previous book The Berlin Letters, so despite my non-enthusiasm of art world set books, I picked this one up. I had a little trouble since I don't connect as well with the art setting (but tons of people love it, as evidenced by the large number of historical fiction books with a similar topic), but I did find this cat and mouse action/ historical fiction book to be entertaining. I liked one of the women much more than the other (you're supposed to), and Reay did try to make the villain sympathetic. I liked the faster pace, and I did some of this on audiobook, which I would recommend. Overall, I like Reay's books a lot and even though this one wasn't my favorite, I think it will have wide appeal, and I would recommend it for lovers of 1970's London and the art and art forgery world.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

English Masterpiece will be a treasure to those who have an interest in the art world. It contains many details about artists and paintings. The author obviously did a lot of research . For the right reader, this novel will be enjoyed as Katherine Reay is a great author.
The novel starts with the main character proclaiming that a painting by Picasso was a forgery. And yet she just didn’t seem to be able to communicate why she felt that way which was troubling for me. She had a very poor relationship with her family which gets addressed as this book progresses. And there is a lot of suspense is involved as the issue is addressed “was this painting a forgery?” English Masterpiece just didn’t take off for me . But I enjoy this writer’s style, loved the rest of her books, and will continue to not only recommend but read any future books. In fact, while I got a free copy of this book from NetGalley, I also purchased a printed copy to share with my more artsy friends.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really tried to like this book. Especially coming off of a drawing class where I studied and attempted to make a copy of a Monet, I found the characters' discussion of learning by forging masters' works very interesting. Similarly, I enjoy art and history, and it's clear the author really loves and knows quite a lot about the subject. That said, the occasional insertion of mini-lessons on history, both of art and war, while relevant, kept me from ever getting fully immersed in the story. Perhaps it's also because I am not the biggest fan of historical fiction (largely do to a history of reading the genre for school and being inundated with lessons that similarly take me out of the story itself), but at times there were several historical figures whose names I didn't specifically know. I could infer what their roles in WWII were based on context, but it also made me feel as though I may not be intelligent enough to "get" the story if I couldn't follow every single mention. I can't think of a particular time I've ever felt rather condescended to by a book, aside from the occasional dry textbook I may have had in school.

The two main characters also frustrated me. While they did gain more dimensionality as the story progressed, I simply became more and more confused by their backstories as things unraveled. Once it was revealed (I believe) who the forgery was completed by a bit before halfway through the book, I felt some vindication for being correct in my assumption, slightly annoyed that the revelation had come so early, and unsure of what to think about how it changed what I'd previously read. Perhaps it is meant to be some big plot twist, but it sadly fell flat for me.

Truly, however, my decision to stop reading came very shortly after a surprise appearance of Pierce Brosnan. That name drop itself startled me enough, and forced me to examine if I truly cared to discover how the rest of the story unfolded when I was so dissatisfied with the progression of the main characters.

I will attempt to pick this up at a later date, and I believe anyone who is either in the art world or loves art history will find this book very interesting. While it did not capture my imagination in the way I'd hoped it would, I know The English Masterpiece will be a source of joy for many readers who'd like a little mystery in their art.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for giving me a digital copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rating (currently): 2 stars

Review posted to StoryGraph: June 17, 2025 (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/9af79818-03a7-4972-a003-ecabb4b11202)

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

I received it early on and I Adore the author. I truly loved her last novel London House. Unfortunately, this book did not hold my interest and it took months for me to engage with it.

First and foremost, my BIGGEST GRIPE with this book is for historical fiction, its main theme is written in 2025 slang. Several times Lily had to “Suss out” things and not only could two things be simultaneously true… the author held onto that 2025 ideal ALL the way to the very end.

If you’re going to write a full novel set in 1973, then don’t make it sound like it belongs on TikTok in 2025. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The plot is thin, however its biggest weakness is exposed within the body of this work. The plot holes redeem itself that way. It was all too convenient, however at this point the pace ramps up and I finally got through the end of the book much quicker than I started.

I did like Lily and her family. Though, I have my doubts they would have waited this long to tell her how they really felt. That being said, I adored her sister and her mom.

Lily has a tremendous ARC and I loved it. I adored Paddy and Conor as well. There’s some Easter eggs hidden inside the story which I enjoyed.

If you love art and the movie the Thomas Crown Affair (Brosnan version) you’ll really enjoy this story!!

It’s written well and it did inspire me to do more research on Picasso and other artists.

Well this was fun!!!! My first introduction to Katherine Reay was The Berlin Letters and after that I knew I was going to be hooked on anything she wrote. This was something new and different to most hist fic novels I read (which seems to be a theme in her books that just make me appreciate them even more!!!)

Lily is the assistant to the Tate Museum's Modern Collections keeper, Diana Gilden. Lily thinks the world of Diana and is incredibly influenced by her--she sees so much possibility for herself through Diana's own story and Lily is inspired. However, after Picasso's death, Diana thinks they should host an exhibit to honor his life and legacy. That night, as Lily is perusing the art, she notices something is off about Picasso's Woman Laughing. The piece is a forgery and that discovery sets off a chain of events that could destroy Lily's chances at advancing in her own right and ruin Diana's reputation, costing them both their jobs.

I loved every second of my time reading this and I'm so excited to see what Reay thinks up next! Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the eARC!! 😊

I absolutely adore books about art and books set in the 70's! This book did not disappoint and I will be buying a copy when I get a chance to have on my bookshelf! Please grab a copy of THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE for some amazing summer reading

I received an advance review copy of this book from Harper Muse and NetGalley.

Katherine Reay delivers again!

The English Masterpiece is an exciting historical fiction that explores themes of art, forgery, betrayal, family dynamics, forgiveness, love found, love lost, and women claiming their place within the world of art.

Diana is the first female Keeper of Modern Collections at the Tate Gallery in London. Lily is her assistant who, through hard work and proven knowledge of art, has become the first female assistant in this major institution.

The story line, while focused on a Picasso exhibit and the work culture at the Tate, also has subplots of Lily, the dysfunction within her family, her art talent and a new-found love; Diana, her background, marriage and very curated home and life; and the young American art detective called in to investigate the forged Picasso piece Lily uncovers. Intrigue ensues as Lily is blamed, and it becomes a race against the clock to discover the real forger!

This is a page-turner I could not put down! I encourage all fans of Reay to grab your copy now!

Thank you to @NetGalley and @HarperMuse!

#historicalfiction #womeninart #intrigue #postWWII #Picasso #artforgery #NetGalley #HarperMuse #KatherineReay

The English Masterpiece is the first of Katherine Reay’s novels that I’ve read. But, I metaphorically cracked its spine with great anticipation given the comparison’s made to Kate Quinn’s writing and this title’s alluring art-world mystery premise.

I was immediately drawn in by Lily’s first-person narrative, and then delighted to find Reay had employed one of my favourite literary frameworks, alternating character perspectives. Through these intimate internal windows Reay slowly but surely shines light on the effort both female leads invest in curating the impression they leave on the world, much like the art installations they work on.

I am not suggesting Reay’s The English Masterpiece female leads are superficial — quite the opposite actually. The historical baggage each carries has chiselled into them many interesting layers.

Katherine Reay describes in vivid and absorbing yet highly accessible prose all that her characters’ see in individual canvases — both the artist’s technical skill and the emotions influencing their creation. Understated but effective also is her depiction of the mood of 1970s London, the tension between the lingering loss, scars and suspicion of WWII and the heady winds of change and new opportunity.

On reaching the conclusion I found myself reflecting on, with some admiration, just how many different themes Reay explores with secondary storylines she has spun from The English Masterpiece‘s central art crime mystery premise. Yet, the story never felt overburdened by them.

This new historical mystery novel from Katherine Reay contained red herrings I was caught by, romantic tension that was believable, a fun cameo, and redemptive and renewal story arcs that imbued hope for the future… all in just 304 pages. The perfect entertaining weekend read.

Story 4 / 5 ; The Writing 4.5 / 5 — Overall 4.25

Find out the cost of speaking out—and the courage it takes to do so….

If you’re looking for a story to get lost in this summer, look no further. Set in London’s vibrant art scene during the 1970s, this book immerses you in a world of galleries, forgeries, and secrets. Even as someone who isn’t particularly “artsy,” I found the exploration of Picasso, Nazi art theft, and the high-stakes art world absolutely fascinating. If you’re like me, you’ll be googling a lot of the art mentioned to see what it looks like. 😉

I also appreciated the alternate themes woven into the suspense with Lily’s family as well: she had a lot self-discovery, growth, and forgiveness to do in her relationship with her mom and sister. I was definitely rooting for her to have a happy ending!

Content: car accident (off page/in the past resulting in death/injury), no language, sweet kisses only.

Available now wherever books are sold! ♥️

Thank you to @uplitreads and @netgalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review!

🤍 Thank you so much @katherinereay, @harpermusebooks, and @uplitreads for The English Masterpiece!

Lily has helped plan a beautiful exhibit to honor the work of Picssso, and everything is going smoothly until she walks past a painting and says, “it’s a forgery”.

I was HOOKED! Lily must follow the clues to discover the truth about the painting. The walls are closing in!

This book has it all. High stakes, addictive mystery, complicated family dynamics, character growth, and a dash of romance.

Katherine Reay continues to be one of my favorite historical writers and this is a new favorite!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kissing

The English Masterpiece is a page-turning tour de force that brims with tension, mystery, secrets and lies, treachery and betrayal, romance, and the quest for connection in a complicated world. Impressively researched and beautifully executed, Katherine Reay’s prose is like an art piece in itself. I loved it!

This was such a unique book! This took me a little longer to get into, but I could not put it down once I did. I have never read a book about art forgery before and I was fascinated. Katherine Reay is becoming a go to author for me.

I thought this book was fantastic—I simply couldn’t put it down. The blend of mystery, art history, and family dynamics kept me engaged. I especially enjoyed the dual POV. The Pierce Brosnan sighting and the nod to The Thomas Crown Affair were fun Easter eggs.. While some plot points were a bit predictable, the storytelling was strong enough that it didn’t take away from my enjoyment. An entertaining read!

1973 London - Lily, the recently promoted assistant to Diana, the Tate Gallery's Keeper of Modern Collections, has been integral in the planning of a Picasso exhibit at London's Tate Gallery to honour the passing of the great artist. On opening night, Lily is basking in her sense of accomplishment when she pauses to admire one of the masterpieces on display and blurts out "it's a forgery". The gallery falls silent and Diana and the Tate's Director attempt damage control but there's no taking back such an outrageous declaration. While the owner's insurance company and Scotland Yard investigate, suspicion and scandal spread across European art circles and both Lily's and Diana's jobs are at risk. As it becomes apparent that she is considered the prime suspect in the forgery investigation, Lily finds herself in a race against the clock to uncover the truth with both her career and her freedom on the line.

Inspired by a real case of art forgery, Reay's latest historical fiction novel is set against the intriguing backdrop of London's glamorous art world of the 1970s. Alternating point of view between Lily and Diana, this is a well-written, entertaining pageturner that I devoured. I previously enjoyed the author's books A Shadow in Moscow and The Berlin Letters and loved this one too - she's a must-read author for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing a digital ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Katherine Reay and I enjoyed it, a story I haven't heard told before.

I didn't know forgeries were such a problem after the second World War but it makes sense, the originals are hidden, a new is created and sold and the forgers can sell the the actual original whenever they please. This is the first book I've read about such an issue and I learned a lot!

I didn't bump it up to four stars because she deep dives into the art world, surrealism, post modern and other artistic terminology that after a while bogged the story down for me because I was constantly looking things up. If you know the artistic movements and other terms this wouldn't bother you.

I loathed Diana's POV honestly, she was not written in a way where I could understand why she did what she did. Her jealousy of Lily started the series of events and that's not something I could personally forgive.

Lily and her family was a breath of fresh air! I loved that scene where Connor gets dragged into a family dinner. It was really well written because I felt I was in that cramped cozy kitchen with everyone laughing. I thought the guilt she felt about her family and how she channeled that into painting was realistic. Her confidence at the end was heartwarming.

“There is right and wrong. There is black and white. And those colors do not create a game or a conundrum or a puzzle;they bring clarity and surety and strength.”
What a fascinating look behind the scenes at an art gallery and an exhibit at the Tate Gallery in London 1973 soon after the death of Pablo Picasso. It was so interesting to delve into the world of paintings, artists and forging.
Lily is an assistant to an art expert and says the right thing at the wrong time, putting not only her job in jeopardy but that of her mentor and calling into question the reliability of the whole gallery.
Full of intrigue, danger and complicated family issues, this was a realistic look at modern art, painting techniques and complex connections dating back to WWII.
With a fun cameo by Pierce Brosnan and an unexpected romantic twist, this was truly a masterpiece!
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Harper Muse through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*