Thank you Simon and Schuster and Atria books for inviting me to read this advanced copy through NetGalley!

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 with a Shakespearean ending.

This story blew me away! There was a detailed, immersive, and impeccably researched world filled with equally detailed and unforgettable characters. With the story switching between Hannah and Williams perspective, the reader gets lulled into the sense they have an idea of all of the information, but I was left with my jaw on the floor more than once.

This well-crafted story feels authentic, exploring characters that represented actual people and businesses from 18th century Georgian London. Also, the author reveals the Georgian craze for ice cream and the curious method for making it. The dialogue was appropriate for the time period and done in an approachable way, and it is evident that a lot of research went into bringing 18th century London to life upon the pages here.

The characters were well-thought out and complex, the pacing was perfect, and it really held my interest. It’s succinct, descriptive writing that told one hell of a story without any unnecessary fluff or filler. I highly recommend any historical fiction lovers to get this book once it’s published!

This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it! The historical mystery was really fun. I adore the cover art and can't wait to add this book to my shelves.

"'I love you' She'd said and I hadn't seen the truth of that moment either. Not a sigh of surrender, but a declaration of war."

oh my god
i actually have no words for how UNWELL i am.
read this book.
dont ask any questions.
just do it.
and listen to lana's Henry, Come on, while your doing that
this BOOK
THIS book.
first half was kind of slow, but that all led up to a world shattering ending my guy
just trust me

THANK YOU SO MUCH NETGALLEY FOR THE ARC <3

Well done Laura!! I am not usually blindsided by a book's plot. But, The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson definitely caught me off guard. From the beginnings' unexpected reveal to its startling but necessary ending, this book does not disappoint.

Set in 18th century England, Hannah Cole finds herself on the precipice of losing her family home and confectionary shop as the result of the brutal death of her husband during a robbery....or was it murder? Enter Henry Fielding, an English writer and the magistrate who founded the Bow Street Runners, the precursor to London's police force. He elects to investigate what he deems a suspicious death. This leads to more financial complications for Hannah given he freezes her assets until his investigation is completed.

Enter William Devereux, a friend of Hannah's late husband who befriends her as she tries to find answers to some of the mysteries regarding her husband's death and business dealings. William also introduces her to iced cream which has the potential to save her struggling business. But, only if she can solve her husband's murder and convince Fielding to release her inheritance.

I enjoyed the well developed and flawed characters and their interactions. Laura did a great job of keeping me torn between loving and hating Hannah and William. I did like the story being told from their different viewpoints. Additionally, the historical insight into Fieldings, London's underworld as well as the creation of ice cream for mainstream society was also intriguing.

While I enjoyed the story being told from both Hannah's and William's viewpoints, the transition between those voices could be disjointed. I found it difficult at times to immediately tell whose voice was being heard since both voices were in first person. It would have been helpful to either change the font of each character speaking or list the character at the beginning of their respective chapters to make it an easier transition between them. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading other books by Laura.

Again, if you are looking for a story with fresh, unique twists and believable, flawed characters wrapped in a murder mystery, then look no further than The Art of a Lie. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Publishing for the opportunity to review this wonderful book before it's release.

What a masterclass in historical intrigue. From the moment I stepped into the shadowy salons and political undercurrents of Georgian London, I was hooked. The Art of a Lie is the kind of novel that sinks its teeth into you slowly—elegantly—and then refuses to let go.

This book isn’t just about a murder; it’s about the tangled, sticky web of power, ideology, and identity. Laura Shepherd-Robinson does something I love in historical fiction: she doesn't just set a story in the past, she uses the past to say something very sharp about truth, illusion, and how both can be weaponized. And she does it through a voice that feels both authentic and immediate. I felt like I was inside the protagonist’s head, parsing every tension, every look, every calculated word exchanged over wine and whispered in corners.

It’s not a fast-paced thriller, but that’s what makes it so satisfying. The plot unfolds like a painting being revealed through layers of varnish—slow, deliberate, and incredibly rewarding. The politics are messy, the personal stakes are high, and no one is as simple as they first seem. And when the final pieces came together, I felt that rare combination of shock and inevitability that marks a truly satisfying ending.

If you like your mysteries layered with moral ambiguity and rich historical detail, this one delivers in spades. It’s intelligent, atmospheric, and quietly devastating. I closed the final page and just sat there for a while, thinking about how easily lies can wear the mask of conviction—and how dangerous that can be.

Set in 18th-century London, Hannah Cole, after the murder of her husband, faces struggle of keeping her confectionary shop open with bare profits and men conspiring against her. As Chief Magistrate, Henry Fielding, investigates the case of her husband’s murder and holds her savings, she tries to hold her own.

When William Devereux presents at her shop and claims to be her late husband’s friend, putting claim to some investments, it gives her hope. To present himself even more believable, he gives her recipe of an Italian delicacy called iced cream. Their new friendship draws some attention to speculation and gossip.

The story begins with Hannah’s narrative, and then alternates with William’s narrative, making the story very absorbing as they reveal nuances of their stories. Both backstories are fascinating, with Hannah’s passion for new creations in the world of confectionary. And William’s sad story of his mother who made iced cream for him and was badly mistreated by his father. William’s story can make one feel sympathetic toward him, but Hannah’s uncovering can make one change the mind.

As the story progresses, it becomes even more gripping as both characters try to outwit each other. At the same time, bringing to the surface true colors’ of Hannah’s late husband.

This well-crafted story feels authentic, exploring the characters that represented the middle-class tradespeople who grew substantially in number during the 18th century Georgian London. Also, revealing the Georgian craze for ice cream and the curious method for making it.

Henry Fielding is a historical character, novelist and playwright, later becoming Chief Magistrate of Westminster, who was battling political and judicial abuse of power. Hannah Cole is a fictional character but she represents the ten percent of women who ran businesses in Georgian London despite being disadvantaged by the inheritance laws.

This fast-paced story is filled with twists and turns ruled by corruption, lies and deception led by characters that are complex and intriguing.

This was a very fun read. Set in 18th century London it was a bit of everything - a great timepiece, intrigued and romance. The characters were well fleshed out - I definitely felt like I knew them well. The writing was good and the surprises just kept going; sometimes shared so abruptly that I had to go back and read them again to make sure that was what I actually just read!

Thank you to net galley for providing me with an early release in exchange for a fair and honest review.

It was a wickedly good read with an oddball set of characters but you grow to like them and the plot is good too
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me review book

The Art of a Lie
by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Pub Date: Aug 05 2025

Historical Fiction at its Finest!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. In 18th century England, Hannah's husband is murdered and she is left to save their confectionary shop due mainly to suppliers not believing in women working. On top of that, the government in the form of Henry Fielding believes the money in Hannah's husband's bank account was obtained illegally, and are threatening to take it. A friend of her husband, William, becomes a friend of Hannah's as he tries to help her and dig into the murder of her husband, which seems to be less random and more calculated. It is William who also tells Hannah about an Italian treat, called iced cream. And though the iced cream is sure to help turn Hannah's shop around, that success is clouded by the looks and gossip surrounding her friendship with William.

There certainly were a lot of unlikeable characters in this book, which did not impact my desire to continue to read this book at all - rather, it pushed me to want to read more, as I wanted to see Hannah rise above. I loved the incorporation of historical research, which was very well-done, and real life historical figures, too. I also liked reading about Hannah herself, a woman beyond her time, but who demonstrated perseverance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oooo Fingersmith vibes.

This was wicked good fun with loads of secrets, betrayal, tricksters and con men (con people?). I absolutely hoovered in this book; I couldn't read fast enough, yet, the author also has a lush prose that I wanted to savor the words for longer. An addicting historical read which I will be fervently recommending upon release!

This is a really good book, I loved the historical setting and how vividly it was brought to life, and the author included an afterward that was very information about the period. Hannah is a new widow, her husband had been murdered and the funds that were to be paid to her from his estate from his bank account (the majority goes to his brother), has been held up in probate due to the investigator believing they were ill gotten gains. Hannah is a determined individual, in 1749 women in trade as she is, are shunned so she's trying to keep her confectionery store open to honor the memory of her grandfather who had started it. William Devereux comes in one day and convinces her that making iced cream is the way to go and provides her with a recipe his grandmother had used to make it. Hannah is willing to do almost anything to keep her store open and makes it according to the recipe, it doesn't freeze, so she successfully adapts it and starts to sell it, becoming very busy in the process. William starts to come around more often and they eventually become close, Hannah has no desire to marry but having a man around is handy. The investigator is still giving her grief and William is able to talk to him about the probate. But alas all is not as it seems and that's where the story really gets interesting. I would highly recommend this book, it is so good. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Atria for the ARC.

I love a book with a good plot twist, more so when it’s delivered early on and The Art of a Lie did not disappoint in this regard. Ive seen this book labeled as both historical fiction and mystery, while it certainly does fit those classifications, it’s also a love story so tragic in nature the author even refers to it as ‘Shakespearean’. It is a good, fast read that will leave you curious as to what will happen next.
Don’t skip over the Historical Note section, I appreciated all of the research and background context the author here, it lends to the overall story.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book!

I love historical fiction and The Art of a Lie is set during my favorite time and place: 18th century England. Although the plot seemed a little far-fetched and wrapped up perhaps too neatly, I really enjoyed how the author makes you feel like you've been dropped into another time through her writing. I also enjoyed that she dropped real-life people, events, and details into her narrative to make it seem more authentic. Overall, this was a fun read.

The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a great historical fiction that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

This is an engaging, thrilling, and overall very difficult to put down novel that takes us into the heart of London in the 18th century. There is mystery, intrigue, double crossing, twists/turns, and a fascinating plot that kept me up late several nights trying to get to the end and the “A-Ha!” Moments.

The characters were well-thought out and complex, the pacing was perfect, and it really held my interest. Yes, this is an historical fiction that alternates between character POVs, however do not let it fool you…it is so much more.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Atria Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/5/25.

Clever, interesting, different….Although this caught my eye because of the historical fiction classification, the novel reads more like a thriller. I didn’t want to put it down and couldn’t wait for the ending.

Friends, there are EXCELLENT surprise twists you absolutely aren’t expecting and they are perfectly placed for maximum impact. The complex characterizations of both main characters makes you alternately love and loathe them depending where you are in the story. It’s a fascinating mishmash of good and bad and the gray areas in between. And that ending…

Perfectly wrong, but also, oh, so right. I hated it (maybe?), even as I marveled at the authors skill in convincing me it was how it had to be.

Highly recommend.

Set in the ruthless, chaotic heart of 1749 London, this historical thriller is a masterclass in deception, survival, and the art of the long con. Hannah Cole, newly widowed and barely keeping her confectionery shop afloat, knows better than to expect miracles. Her late husband, Jonas, left her with debts, dwindling options, and, worst of all, a fortune she can’t touch—money Henry Fielding, novelist-turned-magistrate, is convinced was earned illegally and intends to seize.

Then William Devereux walks into her shop. He is polished, persuasive, and, to Hannah, a godsend. He claims to have been a friend of Jonas, but more importantly, he offers her a way forward: iced cream, an Italian marvel that could make the Punchbowl and Pineapple the most fashionable shop in London. Hannah, pragmatic and wary, isn’t immediately convinced, but desperation makes for an open mind. And Devereux? He’s playing a longer game, one neither Hannah nor the reader initially sees. The book’s first act masterfully sets the stage, only to pivot, revealing new truths that upend everything we thought we understood.

This two-person POV is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Hannah and Devereux are equally formidable, and the story’s pleasures lie in watching them outmaneuver—and deceive—each other in ways both sympathetic and not. Hannah, trying to hold her business and her life together, stumbles into the labyrinth of Jonas’ past. With Devereux’s reluctant help, she ventures into a world where fortunes change hands in an instant, and power belongs to the most ruthless. And while she’s learning the rules of deception, Devereux is playing a game of his own.

On the heels of both is real life author and lawman--he wrote Tom Jones and started the Bow Street Runners-- Henry Fielding, a man both brilliant and blinkered. He is certain that Jonas was up to no good—he’s right—but as he digs deeper into the man’s murder, his suspicions land dangerously close to Jonas' friends and family. Fielding isn’t wrong, but he isn’t entirely right either, and his dogged pursuit of justice makes him both ally and obstacle.

The supporting cast is just as sharp. The bevy of criminals who aid Devereux in his byzantine cons, the workhouse help in Hannah’s shop, even the nameless figures in the gambling dens—every character crackles with humor, distinctiveness, and verve. The novel’s historical details are just as immersive, with the making of iced cream—salt and ice creating an endothermic reaction that freezes the cream—serving as both a fascinating process and a perfect metaphor. Hannah and Devereux’s interactions are their own chemical experiment: pressure applied just so, yielding unexpected results.

This book doesn’t just deliver twists—it orchestrates them, layering deception upon deception until you’re as caught in its web as its characters. It is clever, immersive, and ruthlessly well-plotted. It doesn’t just tell you a story; it pulls you into the smoke and sugar of 18th-century London, tempts you with every deception, and leaves you marveling at how expertly you’ve been played. I loved it.

A wonderful mix of mystery, drama, and Historical Fiction- Laura Shepherd-Robinson keeps you guessing in this wonderful book! While the ending wasn't exactly what i had wanted, I still loved the overall story and feel that The Art of a Lie portrayed. I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend.

Wow I enjoyed this so much! The lies, the twists and turns, the characters, the historical details, it was all fantastic. Once I started reading I could not put it down, because there was always some new twist to the tale. The ending left me a tad confused, but I suppose that was intentional.

Writing: Excellently written, good mix of description and dialogue. My only issue is that sometimes when the POV switched, there was an overly long recap of what happened in the other person's POV. Those could've been condensed quite a bit to still convey the missing thoughts/feelings from those scenes without being redundant. Also (and this is probably a NetGalley issue because their app is utter trash) there were some formatting problems with the paragraph breaks (some missing, some extra).

World: Very well described, amazing historical details about locations, people, events of the time. I loved reading the notes at the end about all the people and places that were real. The dialogue was neither so overly modern it felt unrealistic, nor so overly period-accurate that it was unintelligible to modern audiences - it felt natural for the setting and the reader.

Plot: Fantastic idea, beautifully executed. The pacing was great, the timing of the reveals of various lies was spot on.

Characters: Loved them all, very well characterized, excellent complex backstories that emerged quite naturally and created conflicts that felt not in the least bit contrived by the author for drama's sake. The only one I was left a bit confused about (again, because of the ending) was Tom... I can think of many explanations for his actions but none seem to wholly fit with his character throughout the book. I just wish I knew why he did that! It seems like there were other options that fit his desires better.

“It all comes down to the art of a lie, the right story for the right woman.”
- William Devereux

The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd Robinson is a twisting story set at the start of the Georgian “iced cream” craze and focused on a recently-widowed confectioner and a dashing rake with all the furnishings of an 18th century London gentleman. The story switches between their perspectives a few times, giving readers the chance to see both sides (and relish in some delightful dramatic irony!!) without moving too quickly between POVs.

Thanks to her other recent novel, The Square of Sevens (which I loved!!), I came into this novel already expecting things to be different than they seemed. Robinson seemingly knew this, and set about to challenge my already primed thoughts. I truly thought I’d discovered the crux of the novel 15% of the way in — only for Robinson to reveal it herself, immediately upending the story I thought I was reading. She does this multiple times, some more successful than others, but considering I was on the watch for twists and turns, I still delighted that she could make me question everything.

Robinson’s characters are nothing unique in the genre of historical fiction, but she utilizes those tropes well, if not always to their full extents. The inversion of the grieving widow isn’t anything new, but she strives to do something new with it, and Hannah’s internal monologues help make her interesting if not notable.

Overall, I was somewhat disappointed with the ending — not for the tone, but because the motives of some characters felt unsubstantiated. There were some unanswered questions and hanging threads that either needed a neater bow or to be snipped from the beginning, but the emotional punch of the final scene lands either way and left me reading Robinson’s historical context section with a bit of shell-shock.

Speaking of — I highly recommend not skipping the context!! I could tell throughout the book that Robinson had done her research and done it well, and her addendum confirms this. She cares deeply about the historical settings she writes in, and unlike other historical fiction authors, uses it as a way to maintain plots rather than just for fancy window dressing. It was a highlight of The Square of Sevens for me and remains such here.

Overall: 3.75/5, rounded up

This book is perfect for fans of: Bridgerton, The Great British Bake-off, and pineapples

If you liked this book, read these next: The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd Robinson, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner