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!

I saw the first sentence of the synopsis…

Set in the art world of 1970’s London.

And knew I had to get my hands on a copy! This is a first for me by Katherine Reay. I did go and checkout her backlist and remember seeing some of her recent covers floating around the gram within the last couple of years. The English Masterpieces is stunning with the Blair Waldorf lookalike among a gallery wall.

At the opening of a Picasso Exhibition… Lily says three words no one wants to hear at an exhibit but ones that the press will eat up … ITS A FORGERY! Which then opens a can of worms to investigations, finger pointing, sleuthing and guessing from the reader til the very end.

This book was more than just about authenticity in art. It delved into acceptance, guilt we carry and past traumas and how it can get in the way of our day to days as well as with people we love most… family.

Thank you Uplit and Haper Muse
Releases 6/10

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I adore Katherine Reay’s books. She is constantly taking me on a journey to different period’s in history and teaching me things in the most fascinating way.

Expect 👉🏼 Historical Fiction, Art (Painting), Mystery, Fast- Paced, FMC with a lesson to learn, a little romance on the side

Told from two perspectives, Diana (art director) and Lily (her assistant) have vastly different views on their current happenings. Both are hard-working and have pulled off a last-minute show to honor Picasso. Everything is going smoothly until Lily blurts out, “it’s a forgery!” And their world of gold and glitz is thrust into chaos. Lily must defend her words to save her job. While Diana must find the truth to secure her job.

I loved this book. The story had me hooked immediately. And even though I know nothing about the art world, I felt like I was there and like I understood the process of acquiring art authenticating its origins. I loved how smart and tenacious the characters were. And I loved uncovering the mysteries surrounding the painting in question.

The audio was narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld and they did a wonderful job.

Thank you Uplit Reads for the gifted alc.

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.

Thank you Harper Muse for the opportunity to listen to an ALC of THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE by Katherine Reay in exchange for my honest review!

--Performance Review--
THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE, as an audiobook particularly, came onto my radar when I saw that the narrators were Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld. These are two of my favorite audiobook narrators, so I immediately knew that this was going to be an excellent listen.

Fiona Hardingham does the narration for Lily's POV chapters (which is the majority of the book) and I felt like her voice was the perfect fit for Lily's personality. Lily is young, seemingly naive, and a bit impulsive, but she's also determined and gentle-hearted, and Hardingham really brought those qualities to life with her narration.

Saskia Maarleveld narrates Diana, who is making a name for herself in the art world and wildly sophisticated. Maarleveld has this natural tone to her voice that just screams "posh" and "sophisticated" to me, but is also slightly edgy. When we learn more about Diana, secrets of her past come to light and I think the tone that needed to come across in her POV chapters was well executed with Maarleveld's narrative performance.

Performance Rating: 5/5

--Story Review--
As much as I loved the production of the audiobook, I have mixed feelings about the story and characters overall.

The story has a really compelling premise, but there were occasions where suspension of disbelief was a little too hard for me to do. I wanted better explanations for certain things. I also anticipated the ending very early on and I wish I was more surprised by it.

The characters of Lily and Diana I had a hard time enjoying either of them. Lily would often drive me crazy with some of her decisions and outbursts. And Diana I feel like would have been an incredibly interesting character, but we just didn't get to spend all that much time with her so I don't think she was fleshed out to her fullest potential. Lily's POV chapters far outweigh Diana's.

There is also the most subtle romantic subplot between Lily and a side character, which I don't think the story needed.

All that to say, I think there were several poignant quotes and themes that will resonate with readers. I would like to read this again at some point with the physical book so that I can catch more of these that I missed with just the audio.

Story Rating: 3/5

Overall Rating: 4/5

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Fiona Hardingham and Saskia Maarleveld do a fantastic job narrating this story! I was so immersed in the story and found myself not wanting to stop listening!

Its the 1970's and Pablo Picasso has just died. To honor his memory and to help boost the Tate Museum, Lily and her boss, Diana, organize a Picasso exhibition. During the opening, Lily notices something strange about one of the paintings, and before thinking better of it, she exclaims, It’s a forgery! Will Lily and Diana both lose their positions? Is the painting truly a forgery?

I do not want to spoil the story but once the forgery is announced, I found that the pacing and the story picked up. The characters are complex and richly developed. The writing is solid, and this is a well researched historical fiction. The narrators are unreliable and there are several red herrings thrown in which further build the mystery. A fantastic listen and read!!!

This was an interesting historical fiction/mystery novel. I know very little about the art world and forgeries so I enjoyed learning more about it. Katherine Reay writes beautifully and the narrators did a wonderful job with this book - I really enjoyed the audio!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: 1970s London
Genre: Mystery

Katherine Reay’s The Masterpiece is, quite simply, a triumph. Set against the richly atmospheric backdrop of 1970s London, this dazzling novel plunges readers into the glamorous yet cutthroat world of fine art with suspense, elegance, and intelligence. I was captivated in one sitting.

From the very first pages, Reay paints a vivid portrait of ambition and intrigue through the eyes of Lily, a bright and determined assistant curator on the cusp of career-defining success. But when she makes a shocking declaration at the height of a high-profile Picasso exhibition—calling one of the paintings a forgery—everything spirals. What follows is a race against time, full of secrets, betrayals, and unexpected revelations that kept me breathless and awake into the wee hours of the morning.

Lily is a compelling heroine—smart, vulnerable, and unflinchingly brave in the face of professional ruin. Diana Gilden, her mentor, is equally complex: polished, powerful, and potentially compromised. The tension between them is electric, and their intertwined ambitions and loyalties raise high emotional stakes.

Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Ariel Lawhon, The Masterpiece blends historical detail, mystery, and heart-pounding drama into an unforgettable read. Reay delivers a story that’s both a love letter to art and a masterclass in storytelling. Do not miss this one. #netgalley #theenglishmasterpiece #booked_this_weekend

The English Masterpiece takes place in 1973 London and centers around an art assistant Lily, who helps arrange a Picasso Commemorative at the Tate Gallery with her boss Diana. During the opening, while studying a recently discovered Picasso on display, Lily is overcome with shock and blurts out “ It’s a forgery!” Unwittingly Lily sets in motion an escalating and dangerous search to discover the true history of the painting in question. This is a fast- paced and unputdownable historical novel set in the high stakes art world of London.

I love art and I love mysteries, so this was the perfect read for me. Highly recommended.

The excellent audiobook was narrated by Fiona Hardingham and Saksia Maarleveld.