The Art of a Lie, is a masterful historical novel set in 18th-century England that finds a widowed confectioner drawn into a web of love, betrayal, and intrigue in a battle of wits.
Support Independent Bookstores.
You can find Spotlights at LitStack on bookshop.org
In This Spotlight On The Art of a Lie
About The Art of a Lie
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.
From Laura Shepherd-Robinson, the author of the “delicious puzzle-box of a novel” (The New York Times) and USA TODAY bestseller The Square of Sevens.
Praise for The Art of a Lie
[The Art of a Lie is] “A twisty confection as subtle and delicious as one of Hannah’s iced creams. I loved it.”—Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author
“Astonishing. The Art of a Lie is Laura Shepherd-Robinson at the height of her considerable powers. Of course it’s beautifully written and richly detailed, but it’s also fiendishly twisting and properly thrilling. A rare and wonderful story.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark
“This book has a notably perfect ending. . . . A flirtatious cat-and-mouse game ensues, with heart-rending results.”—Crimereads
“How I long to visit the Punchbowl and Pineapple on Piccadilly . . . I simply couldn’t look away from The Art Of a Lie. A story as sweet as ‘iced cream’, as tense as spun sugar, as clever as a trickster and as beautifully written and masterful as everything by the wonderful Laura Shepherd-Robinson. An absolute treat of an historical crime novel. Sheer perfection.”—Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal
“A delicious romp of cat and mouse infused with sumptuous plotting, The Art of a Lie is a novel of rich delectable appetites to be savoured right to the very last chapter.”—Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora
“Nothing short of exceptional. . . . meticulously researched and with writing as carefully, delicious crafted as the sweets filling its pages.”—The Bookseller (UK)
“The Art of A Lie is a delicious mystery and I savoured every twist and turn. An impeccably atmospheric, startling and clever historical thriller that kept me guessing to the final page. Completely brilliant!”—Jennifer Saint, bestselling author of Ariadne
“A thrilling ride through the streets of 18th century London, full of twists and turns, unforgettable characters, evil deeds and delicious food.”—Elly Griffiths, author of The Stranger Diaries
“Richly imagined, fiendishly clever and twisty as hell, this an up-past-midnight page turner from a writer at the top of her game. An absolutely glorious cat-and-mouse tale.”—Ellery Lloyd, author of The Club
“The queen of historical crime has done it again: The Art of a Lie is a propulsive, twisty and immaculately researched mystery, bringing the grime and glamour of Georgian London to roaring life.”—Caroline Lea, author of The Glass Woman
“A glorious tale of men and women with secrets, love and heartache, deceptions and comeuppances.. and oh I want an ice-cream now. Historical but also thematically current, highly recommended!”—Sarah Pinborough, author of Behind Her Eyes and Insomnia
[The Art of a Lie is] “…an absolute treat, with deceit layered on deceit. As always, Laura brings Georgian London to life in all its wit and wickedness. I devoured the story like a bowl of fresh iced cream, and I won’t be able to walk the length of Piccadilly without thinking of Hannah Cole and her shop of sweet temptations.”—SJ Bennett, author of The Windsor Knot
“Exquisitely drawn and meticulously researched, fast-paced and tightly plotted and full of heart. This gorgeous novel had me turning pages late into the night, and I am still thinking about its two brilliant protagonists long after finishing the final chapter. In a word: decadent.”—Elizabeth DeLozier, author of Eleanore of Avignon
“Switchbacks and reversals to beat a rollercoaster with an attention to historical detail that had my mouth watering on occasion. I think it’s [Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s] best yet, and I don’t say that lightly.”—Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of Blood Orange
About Laura Shepherd-Robinson, Author of The Art of a Lie
Laura Shepherd-Robinson was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, an MSc in political theory from the London School of Economics, and an MA in creative writing from City University. She is the author of four novels, Blood & Sugar, Daughters of Night, The Square of Sevens, and The Art of a Lie. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian.
You can connect with Laura Shepherd-Robinson on her website, on Facebook, and Instagram.
Source: Publisher
Publisher: Simon & Schuster | Atria Books
ISBN: 9781668083093
Pub Date: July 7, 2025
Titles by Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Others
Other LitStack Resources
Be sure and check out other LitStack Spotlights that shine a light on books we think you should read.
Support Independent Bookstores.
You can find Spotlights at LitStack on bookshop.org
As a Bookshop, Malaprop’s, BAM, Barnes & Noble, Audiobooks.com, Amazon, and Envato affiliate, LitStack may earn a commission at no cost to you when you purchase products through our affiliate links.
