The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

The Art of a Lie is the fourth book by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, published on 10th July. Laura Shepherd-Robinson writes wonderfully atmospheric historical thrillers and I was really looking forward to reading this one.

Regular readers of my book reviews will know I don’t buy full price hardbacks, but I was on holiday in Padstow and saw The Art of a Lie in the local independent bookshop and it was so beautiful! It is the special independent bookshop edition, signed by the author with beautiful ‘spredges’, so I bought it at full price. Then I read it in just two days as obviously I have a lot more free time on holiday.

In London in 1749, Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her confectionary (that is how it is written in the book, rather than confectionery) shop, the Pineapple and Punchbowl, afloat following the murder of her husband. She hopes her inheritance will save the business, until questions start being asked about how much money Jonas Cole had and whether he got it by legal means.

Then in walks William Devereux, a gentleman and one of Jonas’s many friends. He tells Hannah about the iced cream he had tasted in Italy and challenges her to make some. It’s not long before Hannah has mastered the art and has wealthy customers queuing out the door to taste her creation. But her friendship with William, so soon after the death of her husband, has the neighbours and apprentices talking…

Meanwhile, investigations into the murder continue and Henry Fielding has taken charge. (Henry Fielding was a real historical figure who was both a novelist and magistrate, whose ideas led to an early form of the police.) Will he find out the truth about what happened to Jonas and will Hannah get her money in time to save her business?

The Art of a Lie paints a vivid picture of Georgian London and the unstable position of a woman without the support of a husband. Beautifully written, it has as many twists as a crime novel set in the present day. In fact, it had a surprising amount in common with Lisa Jewell’s brilliant Don’t Let Him In.

Coincidentally, I read Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s previous brilliant novel, The Square of Sevens, while on holiday in Padstow in 2023.