I absolutely loved The English Masterpiece. Not only was it an historical novel about the Art world of the 1960's but it was a great whodunit of a sort. The reader actually knows who but races against time with Lily the main female character to find out how. I loved the complicated characters. Lily who gradually comes to understand herself as her relationships with her family, her employer and her friends are revealed throughout the book. I was fascinated by the Art aspect of the book. I had my phone beside me looking up pieces I didn't recognise, so thanks for the education Katherine. An intriguing, exciting, fast paced, thriller that I am happy to recommend to anyone looking for an intelligent read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

As someone obsessed with stories featuring art crimes and forgeries, I was beyond excited when I got to read this early - and Reay didn’t disappoint.

The characters are complex and intriguing to get to know, and I didn't expect how invested I would get in their storylines when I first started reading. The more of Diana and Heinrich’s relationship that got revealed gave such a fascinating dynamic. Lily's storyline especially was riveting, as her growth was written in a way that felt so natural that at times I forgot I was reading fiction.
While the characters and the plot were written in a stunning prose, my favourite thing about the story was how beautifully Reay wrote about art. I paint every day, and love going to see art exhibits, and I found myself formulating my thoughts on art a little differently after I started reading this story.

The only "negative" thoughts I can find on the story, is how slow paced it was in the first 40-50% of the book - however, pushing through it was definitely worth it because I was thoroughly hooked for the second half.
Regardless, The English Masterpiece is a statement in itself as to how well Reay makes characters come to life, and the stunning historical setting she delivers.

Wow! I was sucked into this book set in the 1970s art world in London! It was truly a journey with twists and turns and healing from the past, and trying to discover who you are. I was completely invested and loved it all. I read and listened to the audiobook of this one. The narrator was fantastic. I was completely lost in the story while listening to her.

Whether you're an art aficionado or not, this one will have you turning the pages quickly to reveal all of the past and history of these characters and pieces of art. Stunning, mysterious, insightful, healing, beautiful, intriguing and much more!

Lily is a very intricate character and I loved how the layers of her character was slowly peeled back. Her heart is so sweet but troubled and she doesn't allow herself to fully achieve her dream because of something from her past. I loved her goodness and her torn loyalty to what was right, what she thought was her dream and protecting the people around her.

Things get a little crazy when she's at an exhibit she helped plan and she looks at a piece of art and says out loud, "It's a forgery!" This sends her life on a spiraling trajectory of lots of unknown. Her job. Her family. Her boss. Her dream. Her friends. Her heart. All of these having changing dynamics that feel like they are spinning out of control and she doesn't know how to hold it all together.

I love reading Katherine Reay's books. Every one of them has pulled me in and had me thinking deeply about life and relationships and finding joy. Her writing style is full of life and hope! And she's great at writing suspense! Get ready for an intriguing read that you won't want to set down until you have discovered all the ins and outs of the story and characters' lives!

Content: Some moments of mild peril.

I received a copy from the publisher, Harper Muse and Harper Muse Audiobooks, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading and Listening!!!

Set in the art world of 1970s London, The English Masterpiece is a fast-paced read to the end, full of glamour and secrets, tensions and lies, as one young woman races against the clock to uncover the truth about a Picasso masterpiece.

Intriguing and easy to get lost in, The English Masterpiece brought me right to the London art world in the early ‘70s. The MC, who’s slightly naive in the beginning of the story, grows dramatically throughout the short timeline of the book. The quick pace and the
mystery of the story, along with the history of the characters made this one really enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper for the ARC!

I am a fan of Katherine Reay and this story did not disappoint at all. It is a well written and exciting story set in the art world, a topic which I also find fascinating. There are a series of forgeries occuring with art masterpieces and the events surrounding that make up much of the plot.
I quickly got absorbed in the story and found it very compelling and engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.

What a unique story, enter into the art world, with intrigue, secrets, lies, and a story that keeps you turning pages!

Lily has her dream job at the Tate Museum in London, and right after Picasso dies, she helps her boss Diana with a last minute extravagant Picasso exhibit to honor the artist. Lily is enjoying the moment, the champagne, all the priceless artwork, and the success of the exhibit. She peruses the room and stops in front of and examines each Picasso painting. She's shocked to find one is a forgery. In one unguarded moment, she says that part out loud. The gallery is silent. A shot has been fired in the art community and nothing will ever be the same.

The author explores masterpieces vs forgeries, and what happens when people are authentic vs inauthentic. I enjoyed watching Lily evolve into her true self, instead of being stuck in a place where she can't forgive herself for an accident her mother was in, and the struggles she has with her sister. From that point on she has tried to control everything she can. I enjoyed this journey of self-discovery, acceptance, forgiveness, and growth amidst a swirling art forgery scandal. I enjoyed her friend Paddy, who encouraged her and helped her find a space to paint at St. Martin's Art School. And Conor Walsh, the insurance company investigator who is sent from New York to work on this case for Mr. Davies, who owns the forgery.

The forger is revealed to the reader, an innocent is framed, and I couldn't stop turning pages to see how it all worked out.

I recommend this multi-layered story based in London in the 1970's for fans of historical fiction, mysteries, art, and a great story!

Thank you to the publisher Harper Muse and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Katherine Reay has once again woven a thoughtful, elegant novel that celebrates literature, history, and personal discovery. The English Masterpiece is a quietly compelling story about legacy, art, and the intricate relationships that shape who we become.
Set against the rich cultural landscape of England, the novel follows a protagonist whose journey is as intellectual as it is emotional.

****Publishing June 10, 2025****

Lilly had the privilege of working for the first female keeper at a major art gallery, Diana. Diana is the keeper at the Tate Gallery for Modern Collections. Lilly is a secretary for Diana. With Picaso’s death, the death of a major donor to the gallery, and with economic fears, the attendance and donations are down to the gallery. Can Diana and Lilly figure out ways to generate revenue for the gallery in order to keep it going? What will they discover and uncover in the process? Can Lilly be successful working in a class she is not a part of?

From the writing to the story, this book will keep you turning the pages! I loved how this story alternated between Lilly and Dianna as it gives you more perspective into the art world! Katherine Reay is one of my favorite authors because you can tell she meticulously researches her books, which turns into a fascinating and well- told story that is informative and entertaining! A great book for book clubs as it will lead to many interesting discussions!

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

Historical fiction shrouded in the mystery of a Pablo Picasso forgery.
London art gallery circa 1970.
This is a wonderful character driven novel for those who enjoy a who done it that is deeply rooted in the old masters’ paintings. Specifically, Pablo Picasso.
I found this to be a well written novel with good research on Pablo Picasso and his well known art. It was, however, slow moving the first quarter of the book. Then, of course, as it began to get deeper into the plot, the characters came to life a little more and carried it through the rest of the story.

Many thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

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A gentle thriller with heart in a 70's art setting. Lily works at the Tate and is an aspiring closeted artist, keeping those around her at bay. She idolizes her boss, Diana, a chic and knowledgeable woman with taste. During a Picasso exhibit, Lily blurts out that one of the paintings is a forgery and sets an investigation into motion, with her being the main suspect. As someone who does not let people in, as evidenced by her strained relationship with her sister and other family, she becomes more exposed as insurance investigator Conor Walsh is on the case. She delves not only into her past, as she tries to clear her name, but the past of those around her. An interesting drama between how well you know the people around you, and how well you know yourself.

Loved this fascinating, art-filled yarn set in London in the 1970s! The English Masterpiece was the first novel by Katherine Reay I’ve read and it certainly will not the last, as Reay is a master storyteller. This was such an enjoyable story! The characters are well developed. The plot is perfectly paced and kept me flipping pages eagerly. And Reay captures in expert fashion the city, the time period, and the arts world.

Highly recommended to lovers of 20th century art (especially Picasso’s works) and smart historical mysteries.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the privilege of a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I ended up finishing the book in just a few sittings and really enjoyed the story and characters.

Young girl, Lily Summers, who wants to be everything like her manager and so-called friend Diana. Diana is.Working at The Tate Gallery and Lily is her assistant. They both are organizing an art exhibit which pertains to Picasso. Lily works very hard and wants to be so much like Diana, but the world can be very cruel and this is a lesson that Lily is learning. You see Lily releases a comment that says one of the Picasso that is going on display is a forgery. Questions or arising that an employee like Lily who is just your average. . Questions or arising that an employee like Lily, who is just your average worker who made in some painting of her own know this? especially when it calls in the reputation of Diana, who within authenticated the piece and also of the museum. Lily finds herself tangled up in a deceit and not knowing what to do. Especially when she cares about being drawn into this danger that she finds herself in. Lily has so much on her plate, family guilt work guilt. She’s quite doing the right thing and hurting people she cares about. What will she do?

I did not know what to expect from this book because I never read anything by Katherine Reay. What a very intriguing subject that kept me on my toes and I needed to know what was going on I’ve read a book about the as involved as this one. I like to twist and turns it to the story. I liked how they built the character of Lily. Someone who was riddled with guilt concerning her family. The closeness she would love to feel with her sister, and her she feels about her parents. Lily never lets anyone get close to her and I guess that’s how Diana was able to manipulate her. I truly enjoyed this book. I just wish they would’ve gotten to the crux of the story a little faster. Other than that, I truly give this four stars. I love the characters. I love the story, and I like the way it ended. Since it was also sort of a love story it didn’t end the way some of them ended. Into her own and she knows she has to reinvent herself so she can turn into the person she wants.

Thank you NetGalley Storm Publishing for the ARC. I look forward to read more from Ms.. Reay. This is a book I would recommend to any of my fellow readers.

Given the fact that I’m not interested in art or art history, this book did not grab my attention so I did not finish it. I think someone who is an artist would find it fascinating, but it wasn’t for me.

Lily, an assistant at the Tate, is helping her boss, Diana, plan a major Picasso exhibit. The exhibit features Picasso’s iconic works as well as a newly discovered painting. When Lily publicly claims one of the paintings is a forgery, her accusation throws the art world into chaos and puts her career and her mentor’s reputation at risk. With time running out, Lily must follow the clues and prove that she was right before she loses everything.

Why Kirsten likes it
This had all the pieces I’m looking for in a historical mystery, artwork, a protagonist on the lamb, a dual narrative, and a fun setting (1970s at the Tate Museum), but Lily drove me batty. Her constantly losing attention to her surroundings came off as grating rather than charming, and her woe-is-me attitude was even remarked upon by her family members. If she had been a stronger character I would have rated this one higher, but in the end, this was a like not a love.

I always enjoy this author’s books, and this one was no different. She is expert at telling stories of well-researched historical events/eras while adding in layers of mystery and romance. I paired the print version of this book with the audiobook and truly enjoyed this immersive reading experience. The audiobook narration was fantastic. Katherine Reay is always a win for me.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.

I like Katherine Reay’s book and I love her pacing through the story and her characters. The plot of this book was engaging and unique!

I liked the setting and the premise. It is a well written book, but it did take a while to get into. I loved learning about the behind the scenes of the museum/art world especially the references to the Tate and the British Museum. The drama and the suspense kept me on my toes. Good book.

"Set in the art world of 1970s London, The English Masterpiece is a fast-paced read to the end, full of glamour and secrets, tensions and lies, as one young woman races against the clock to uncover the truth about a Picasso masterpiece. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Ariel Lawhon.

As the recently promoted assistant to the Tate's Modern Collections keeper Diana Gilden, Lily helps plan a world-class Picasso exhibit to honor the passing of the great artist - and she's waited her whole life for this moment. The opening is beyond anyone's expectations - the lighting, the champagne, the glittering crowd, and the international acclaim - until Lily does the unthinkable. She stops in front of a masterpiece and hears her own voice say, "It's a forgery." The gallery falls silent.

Lily's boss, Diana, is polished perfection, schooled in art, and descends from European high society. She's worked hard to become the trusted voice in London's modern art scene and respected across the Continent. The Tate's Picasso Commemorative is to be her crowning achievement, featuring not only the artist's most iconic and intimate works, but a newly discovered painting - one she advised an investor to purchase. But when Lily makes her outrageous declaration, suspicion and scandal threaten everything Diana has achieved, as museums and collectors across Europe, already doubting most post-war acquisitions, fall into chaos and rumors of a world-wide forgery run wild.

All Lily has ever wanted is to follow in Diana's footsteps and take the art world by storm in her own right. Yet one comment puts not only her own career at risk but also her mentor's. Unless...Was she right? With the clock ticking and the clues starting to pile up against her, Lily must uncover the truth behind the Picasso before she loses not only the career she's always wanted, but her freedom.

Block off your calendar and lose yourself in The English Masterpiece, a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end from the author who brought you The London House and The Berlin Letters."

Art world, check. Forgeries, check. Period drama, check!