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!!!

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!

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We learn lots of details about the art world museum, where class, gender, ambition, and status all play a role.

At a remarkable exhibit honoring Picasso's recent death, a junior assistant at the London Tate Gallery blurts out her opinion that a work is a forgery. The Times runs a scathing article, and the ramifications are potentially enormous for multiple people. There are lots of secrets and a little romance in this fun, page turning "masterpiece."

With two different voices reading the parts of the two main women characters, this book made me want to keep listening to hear how the story unfolded. This is historical fiction set in the later part of the 20th century but in England so I definitely learned more about how that country was still recovering after WWII.

With the setting of the Tate Gallery, and the topic of forgery, I really became immersed in a totally different world for a number of days while listening. Really good novel by an author I had not read before!

I would highly recommend The English Masterpiece to anyone with an interest in art history, art fraud, or high-stakes heists. This novel is a compelling blend of European art history, postwar intrigue, and classic thriller, set against the moody and refined backdrop of 1970s London in the wake of Picasso's death.

The story centers on Diana, a seasoned curator at the Tate Museum, and her assistant Lily, a quiet underdog who unexpectedly becomes the novel’s moral compass and driving force. As the museum prepares a prestigious Picasso memorial exhibition, Lily begins to sense that something is off. What starts as a subtle discrepancy in the exhibit spirals into a tangled web of deception, secrets, and accusations. Someone is being framed—but who, and why?

Katherine Reay’s writing is engaging and well-paced, with a narrative that keeps you guessing until the end. Lily, in particular, is a standout character—intelligent, observant, and easy to root for. The supporting characters are also thoughtfully crafted, adding richness and texture to the storyline.

The novel succeeds in marrying the elegance of art history with the suspense of a mystery. It delivers just enough twists and atmosphere to keep you invested, even if some plot points rely on familiar underdog tropes. My only critique—and the reason for the four-star rating—is that the ending felt somewhat rushed. After such a layered buildup, the resolution wrapped up too quickly and left me wanting a bit more depth in the final chapters.

Still, The English Masterpiece is a smart, enjoyable read that I’d easily recommend to fans of historical thrillers, museum dramas, and those fascinated by the murky underworld of art forgery.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for providing an advance reader’s copy (audio version) of The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay in exchange for an honest review.

It's 1973, and Lilly has a wonderful job at the Tate Museum. Her supervisor, Diana, is one of the most powerful women in the art world, and Lilly hopes this can help her create art of her own someday. Then Pablo Picasso dies, and Lilly and Diana put together a wonderful exhibition. Lilly is truly on her way until she opens her mouth before one of the paintings and declares it a forgery.

Now, the world is watching the Tate, Diana, and Lilly closely, and someone will stop at nothing to keep their secrets.

This was a fast-paced historical mystery with a fascinating look at the post-WWII art world, and it contained fantastic characters. I can't recommend it enough.

An assistant curator at the Tate realizes a painting is a forgery and blurts it out at an opening event. The press goes wild, her boss is in fear for her job, and the assistant is suddenly framed as the forger! She has 24 hours to clear her name before the investigator for the insurance company turns her in after she thwarts Scotland Yard's attempts to take her into custody.

This was such a fun, entertaining book, but with wonderful secondary stories about family and responsibility. The format has the POV switching between Lily and Diana every chapter or two. This can be a little irritating at first because Lily is clearly our FMC and Diana isn't likeable, but things even out a little bit as you get to see why Diana is the way she is through her chapters.

I thought the inclusion of Pierce Brosnan was just a nod to The Thomas Crown Affair, but the author notes that he was studying across the street from one of the locations in the book at the time this story is set. How funny!

One note: I got this as an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) and I found the male voice of Lily's narrator pretty irritating. This is clearly a personal thing, but it definitely affected my enjoyment of the book. The love interest's voice shouldn't make you wish you had a physical copy to read instead!

This was a well written historical fiction story. The characters were cleverly portrayed and surprised me at times. The surprises made the story suspenseful. I also, loved learning some art history and about forgery.
A great book.

It's 1970s London and 27-year-old Lily is excited to have her dream job. Lily was recently made assistant to Diana Gilden, keeper of the Tate Gallery's 'Modern Collections'. Diana is the first female keeper at any major British institution, and it's unprecedented to have two women at the top.

Diana and Lily take the opportunity to burnish the reputation of the 'Modern Collections' when Pablo Picasso dies in 1973. Diana decides they'll install a small Picasso exhibition that will be intimate and exclusive. Some of the artist's showstoppers, but mostly an exhibit that will focus on Picasso's favorites, personal pieces with meaning. When the Picasso exhibit is ready, Lily is walking on clouds. She thinks, "This exhibit is as much my triumph as it is Diana’s. We did this together. We pulled off the impossible: a highly personal, highly curated farewell to the twentieth century’s greatest and most famous artist—within a fortnight of his death."

On opening day, Lily dons a new dress and fashionable kitten heels, takes a glass of champagne from a waiter, and happily circles the exhibition. Lily pauses to look at 'Woman in an Armchair' and 'Woman Laughing' - which are hanging side by side - and she discerns an obvious truth. Indicating the latter picture, Lilly blurts out “That’s a forgery".

There's a sudden silence, the art patrons are shocked, and people head for the exits. Three people are furious with Lily:

Diana Gilden, who authenticated 'Woman Laughing' and insists it's genuine;

British manufacturing scion Edward Davies, who recently bought 'Woman Laughing' for a half million pounds. Davies was planning to sell the picture for a million pounds, and is embarrassed to (maybe) have a fake;

and Director Richard Browning, who's in charge of the Tate Gallery and fears for its reputation.

There's a big kerfuffle, Scotland Yard is called in, and since Davies is making an insurance claim, an American insurance investigator shows up as well. Lily is confronted by everyone about her 'forgery' proclamation, and fearing the loss of her job, tries to take it back. But the die is cast and the painting is sent to experts for verification. Once the Picasso forgery issue explodes, things take a dark turn for Lily, who's in danger of losing her job and perhaps more.

The chapters alternate between Lily's perspective and Diana's perspective, and as the narrative develops, we learn about both women.

Lily lives with her parents and worries about her mother, who's in a wheelchair, and her father - who's having employment issues. Lily also has a distant relationship with her older sister Daisy, who's currently pregnant with her third child. Much of Lily's fretfulness harks back to a childhood incident she can't forget. Career-wise, Lily yearns to be a professional artist. She has talent and some training, and she hoped to show her work in Diana's upcoming 'British Emerging Artists Exhibition.' That seems unlikely to happen now.

*****

Diana was a professional painter but now devotes herself to the Tate Gallery. Diana lives in luxury with her (much older) husband Heinrich, an artist who's often up in his studio painting. The 1970s were still very much a man's world, and Heinrich used his influence to get Diana elevated to keeper of the Tate's 'Modern Collections'. Nevertheless, Diana deserves the position and is good at it.

Lily provides a glimpse of Diana's personality by describing Diana's office desk: " It’s massive, imperious, and simply stunning. It’s not fluted or curved, as George IV designs aren’t frilly, but its formidable bulk, wood inlays, and detailing convey delicacy nonetheless. Power too. A dichotomy held in perfect balance by both this impressive desk and the woman who owns it."

About midway into the book we learn what's going on and why, and it's surprising and fascinating.

Note: Art forgery is a billion dollar business and the book elucidates some of the methods used by forgers, such as faking provenance and using canvases, paints, etc. that are authentic to the time period. In the book - and real life - World War II boosted the forgery industry because the Nazis confiscated jillions of artworks. Some of the paintings were lost, and - at war's end - the forgery industry could 'find' these missing pictures (created by forgers) and make millions.

In an author's note, Katherine Reay mentions that the book was inspired by one of the most prolific forgers of all time, Wolfgang Beltracchi. If you're interested, you can watch "Wolfgang Beltracchi, the greatest art forger" on YouTube and/or the film "Beltracchi: The Art of Forgery (2014). Both are very good.

Getting back to the book, the plot is compelling but the story moves much too slowly. It needs more action and less introspection in my view. Still, the novel is worth reading if the subject interests you.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld, who do a fine job.

Thanks to Netgalley, Katherine Reay, and Harper Muse Audiobooks for a copy of the book.

3.5 stars – Entertaining enough, though you’ll certainly have to suspend your disbelief here and there. The story moves quickly and keeps things interesting, even if a few plot points feel a bit convenient. A light, enjoyable read when you’re not looking for something too serious.

"The English Masterpiece" by Katherine Reay is a captivating story; from the very first chapter, I was immersed in the glamorous and tense world of 1970s London’s art scene. The narrative follows Lily, a dedicated assistant at the Tate, who is thrilled to help organise a Picasso exhibition honouring the legendary artist’s passing. However, everything takes a dramatic turn during the opening when Lily suddenly declares a painting a forgery, sending shockwaves through the art world—and threatening her career and reputation.
What really drew me in was the dual narration by Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld. Their voices perfectly distinguished Lily and Diana, adding depth and nuance to each character. Fiona Hardingham’s narration was particularly compelling—her tone captured Lily’s youthful enthusiasm and growing anxiety so well that I found myself completely hooked, often listening late into the night. Saskia Maarleveld brought a sophisticated and enigmatic quality to Diana, making her both admirable and mysterious.
The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists, secrets, and red herrings that kept me guessing. The story’s blend of art history, suspense, and a touch of noir vibe feels fresh and exciting. I appreciated how the book explores themes of trust, truth, and integrity within the high-stakes art world, especially in a post-WWII context where the scars of the past still linger. The characters are richly developed, with complex motivations that add layers to the mystery.
I also enjoyed the subtle romantic elements—light but meaningful—and how they complemented the main narrative without overwhelming it. Katherine Reay’s research shines through, and the story feels authentic, weaving real art history into the fictional intrigue seamlessly.
Overall, “The English Masterpiece” is a captivating, well-crafted audiobook that kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s perfect for fans of historical fiction, thrillers, and anyone who loves a good art mystery.

A real gem!
Lily adores her job as the assistant keeper at Tate´s. After Picasso´s death in 1973 her boss and mentor Diana wants to put together a hommage to the great painter with his most personal art. After two intense weeks they´ve done it and Lily is looking forward to enjoy the opening with the awed selected guests. But as she takes her time looking at the pictures, she realizes, that the long hidden and only recently found painting "Woman laughing" is a forgery - and that exactly what she blurts out. This simple phrase not only creates chaos for this day, but pulls consequences, that are beyond Lily´s imagination. Soon she needs to find out if what she saw was right, and if so, that she doesn´t get into a focus, she really doesn´t want to be.

This is so much fun! Fantastically researched (with a special cameo you won´t see coming!), beautifully crafted and with very deep characters. It was a joy to not only follow the story but to listen to the talented narrators as well.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys stories in an art/crime/heist combination.

The English Masterpiece is quiet, thoughtful, and completely absorbing — the kind of story that sneaks up on your heart. Think literary mystery meets self reckoning, wrapped in history, grief, and the healing power of art. It’s a slow burn in the best way, either beautiful atmosphere and emotional depth. The characters are flawed but deeply human, and the writing is elegant without ever feeling disconnected. There’s pain here, but also hope, and joy. It’s not flashy, but it is beautifully done.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 stars, rated PG for mild language, emotional trauma, and thematic content around war and grief.

Thanks to Net Galley and Katherine Reay for the ARC

I really wanted to like The English Masterpiece because the premise had promise, and the synopsis was eye-catching. Unfortunately, this just didn’t land. The pacing dragged from the very beginning, and instead of building toward anything compelling, it felt like wading through overly introspective monologues and drawn-out descriptions that didn’t serve the plot. The characters felt flat, and despite the emotional themes, I struggled to connect with anyone. I kept waiting for a turning point or something to hook me, but it never came.

Leave it to Katherine Reay to bring to life an uncommon era in fiction and a fascinating story of intrigue, deception, and art. The English Masterpiece was fast-paced and well-written. I loved the dual POV and how the tense changed depending on if I was reading Lily or Diana's perspective. I listened to the audiobook version and thought the narration specifically was really good with this as it had two narrators and both captured their character so well. Fiona Hardingham was so impressive, I will be on the lookout for more audiobooks narrated by her.
I loved this look into the art world and the almost "White Collar" vibes with the art forgeries. It was cool too how it connected back to WWII and the effects that war had on art. It kept me guessing on whether the painting was real or not and then how everything was going to turn out as we got more and more revealed particularly in Diana's POV. I really liked the pacing of the story and the characters. The romance is very light, but it was nice in my opinion to have a bit of romance in the story.
I received an advance listening copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I recommend this book, especially for fans of historical fiction.

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.

The narrators were both very good. Each one embodying the personalities of each character, bringing vivid life to the story.

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

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This was such a fun read! The story kept me on the edge of my seat throughout! In a way, it reminded me of the Amazon Prime movie Upgraded but with a fun twist of mystery!

My first Katherine Reay novel and I got lost in it with all its twists and turns. Can’t wait to read more.

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

I was intrigued by the premise of this story and was excited to receive an advanced listener copy. The English Masterpiece, a historical fiction/thriller by Katherine Raey is set in London 1973 following the death of Paoblo Picasso. Lily and her boss Diane Gilden, The Tate’s Modern Collection Keeper, are tasked with putting together an exhibit to celebrate the life and work of Picasso. The evening of the event, Lily is bursting with excitement and her biggest concern is whether Diane will approve of her outfit. As Lily takes in the art, she realizes something is very wrong. From here the story takes off and we learn that many more things are not what they seem to be. Lily will need to find the truth in order to protect herself and people who are important to her.

Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld’s dual first person narration was well done and helped establish the tonal difference between Lily and Diane. I honestly could not stop listening. I completed many more household chores in order to justify binging the book! There is a cameo in the middle of the story that made me smile. Catherine Raey explains how she came to write that part, which made it even better. This is my first time reading anything by Raey and I will definitely check out her other books. Thanks NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review!