The Art of a Lie
Hardback Published on: 10/07/2025
Price: £18.99
Bookseller Reviews
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Another hit!
London, 1749.
Following the horrific and tragic murder of her husband in what could only be described as a violent and needless street robbery, Hannah Col... READ MORE
Multi-layered mystery in 1749 London
In London in 1749, Jonah Cole was murdered. Leaving behind him: a (grieving?) widow. A mysterious stranger, as attractive as he is generous. An ex-novelist... READ MORE
A master at work!
Shepherd-Robinson is a master at work with this novel. Highly researched and realised historical setting, a great look into the psychology and motivations ... READ MORE
"We are all prisoners of our pasts, but we make our choices, too..."
I've only just finished the book and already I'm thinking ahead to the next tale by Laura Shepherd-Robinson. I need more!!
So much of my reading experie... READ MORE
Lies or Truths
I have loved Laura Sherpherd-Robinson's past works so I was very interested in this one. And she didn't disappoint again. Hannah has become a widow and is ... READ MORE
From the author of Blood and Sugar comes an atmospheric, evocative historical crime tale and fantastical ode to Georgian London.
Hatchards Fiction Book of the Month in July 2025.
Synopsis
'That’s the trouble with stories, especially the ones you write for yourself. Sometimes you think they've ended, when they've barely begun . . .'
London, 1749. 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 confectionery shop on Piccadilly is barely turning a profit and Henry Fielding, the famous author and new magistrate, is threatening to confiscate the money in her husband’s bank account, because he believes it might be illicitly acquired. 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. 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, even her husband’s murder . . .
Publisher information
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- ISBN: 9781529053722
- Number of pages: 320
- Dimensions: 242 x 163 x 30 mm
- Weight: 516g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allA stunning historical crime novel..
There is a widow, a handsome stranger, a murderer and a novelist turned detective. Who is telling the truth? Who is telling the lie?
We are literally tr... READ MORE
Captivating story of murder, deception, love and lust.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. Lies after lies! Just when I thought I knew what was happening, Hannah or William were one step ahead of me! Captivating ... READ MORE
A gripping historical crime drama
London, 1749. Hannah is a widow, desperately trying to keep her sweetshop afloat after the murder of her husband. When the dashing William Devereux appears... READ MORE
Another LSR historical masterpiece
London 1749, a murder has taken place. The owner of the wonderfully named Punchbowl and Pineapple no less. Inside this palace of delights lies the beautifu... READ MORE
A masterclass in the art of confidence trickery
Shepherd-Robinson is the Queen of exquisitely crafted and intricately woven historical whodunnits and the Art of a Lie is no exception. Set in Georgian Lon... READ MORE
Fabulous story
Oh Laura, I absolutely loved this story and the way that Hannah and William danced around each other, playing the game was extraordinary, I thoroughly enjo... READ MORE
Fast paced historical jaunt
Another brilliant historical thriller from Shepherd-Robinson, led by a formidable female - Hannah. Overflowing with a sense of place and time, The Art of a... READ MORE
A cat & mouse historical thriller at it’s best
A historical thriller with plenty of twists
Set in 1749 London, it follows Hannah Cole, a grieving widow who falls for a conman, William Devereaux - or do... READ MORE
Riveting
Hannah Cole runs a confectioners shop in the heart of up and coming Mayfair. Her husband has recently been found dead and Hannah finds out that he had a l... READ MORE
A feast of atmosphere, intrigue, and emotional complexity.
I adored The Art of a Lie. I found myself utterly swept along with the beautiful prose, the brilliant dialogue, and the fantastic settings of Georgian Lond... READ MORE
Brilliant historical fiction!
I absolutely devoured this book. It only took me two days to finish it, which is pretty good going for me! And luckily I had a few longer commutes to liste... READ MORE
Enjoyable novel about criminality in Georgian England. Highly recommended.
Hannah is a widow and keeps a confectionery shop on Piccadilly, London. She is befriended by William, handsome and debonair, while also meeting Henry Field... READ MORE
This is definitely a stand-out novel
4.5 stars
I have been looking forward to this book for so long! I have a copy of Laura's previous book - The Square of Sevens - but haven't read it yet ... READ MORE
Another great book from Laura Shepherd-Robinson!
I’ve enjoyed all of Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s previous books, particularly The Square of Sevens, so this is one of the new releases I’ve been most looking ... READ MORE
Fun historical murder and misdirection
It's 1749 and Hannah Cole's husband has been murdered in what appears to be a robbery, leaving her to run their business, a confectionery shop in London, b... READ MORE
Absorbing
A cleverly written page turner. It took me away to another world and I loved it. I’ve read all of her books and can’t wait for the next one.
A delectable historical mystery
The Art of a Lie is a delightful, delicious read. From the start, the reader is immersed in Hannah Cole's world. The richly detailed descriptions make ever... READ MORE
Superb historical fiction full of twist and turns
The 18th century is often overlooked in historical fiction and, reading the wonderful The Art of a Lie, it’s difficult to know why.
The story surrounds ... READ MORE
Excellent book
Another excellent book by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, "The Art of a Lie" shows how wicked lies can get you in and out of trouble depending on how you spin it.... READ MORE
A very entertaining historical novel
Set in London in 1749 this is Hannah Cole’s story. Following the murder of her husband she is running their confectionery shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple... READ MORE
Historical Fiction at its best
If you like historical fiction you are going to love The Art of A Lie, Shepherd Robinson perfectly captures the London of 1749. Enter Hannah Cole, recently... READ MORE
Another colourful and riveting tale of lies and deceit.
Another colourful and riveting tale of lies and deceit.
"The Art of a Lie" opens in London, 1749. Widow Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her confection... READ MORE
A clever, well-researched historical mystery with a unique twist
A good and engaging read. This one really stands out from the typical historical mystery – blending a clever cat-and-mouse game between two sharp protagoni... READ MORE
A delicious triumph of a book
What a delicious triumph of a book.
Set in 18th-century England, it tells the tale of Hannah, a widowed confectioner drawn into a twisted world of love, ... READ MORE
Scams and lies in Georgian London
The sights and sounds of Georgian London come alive in this brilliant historical thriller. The story shows how scams are not new - conman were alive and we... READ MORE
A delicious Georgian suspense novel
A bit of a slow start and middle but I really liked the ending.
Some interesting ideas about Georgian London. I particularly enjoyed the descriptions o... READ MORE
oustanding historical crime fiction
Having previously read and loved the authors previous books, I will start off by saying for me this is her best to date. Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a const... READ MORE
A brilliantly told story set in Georgian London!
The blurb:London, 1749. Following the murder of her husband in a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her head above water. The Punchb... READ MORE
A dazzling read
Author Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a skilled writer and storyteller. Told from Hannah Cole, widow and owner of a confectioners in St.James, point of view I ... READ MORE
Intrigue, with ice cream
The Art of a Lie is a brilliant, twisty historical thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish. Laura Shepherd-Robinson has once again created a worl... READ MORE
Shepherd-Robinson's best yet
Have loved her previous novels, and was almost disappointed this was arrived shorter as I felt I'd be missing out. How wrong I was! Packed full of twists, ... READ MORE
Exciting thriller set in a historical context
Another enjoyable read from Laura Shepherd-Robinson. This concentrates on the story of conman William Devereux who makes his mark on wealthy widows before ... READ MORE
Roses Have Thorns -- Sonnet 35
I thank NetGalley and Atria Books for an advance reader copy of “The Art of a Lie.” All opinions and comments are my own.
I’ll leave it to others to go ov... READ MORE
Harsh times in 1749 London
The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
1749 London The Punchbowl and Pineapple, a confectionery shop, is an old family business and now that Han... READ MORE
Murder and Deceit in a Georgian Confectioner’s Shop…
The Art of the Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
I loved this book. It drew me in immediately and two days after I finished it I can’t let go of it. I can’... READ MORE
Five stars!
It's the author's best novel yet, with absolutely amazing twists and turns, sumptuous and thoroughly researched historical background, and great characters... READ MORE
Excellent historical thriller
Where do I start? This was the first of Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s books I have read but it certainly won’t be the last. The story tells the tale of Hannah ... READ MORE
Verified Purchase
Witty and fun
I love reading historical fiction books, and this book fit the bill exactly for me.
Hannah struggling for money after the death of her husband., to keep h... READ MORE
Her best yet!
London, 1749. Following her husband’s brutal murder, Hannah Cole is left to run their confectionery shop, the Punchbowl and Pineapple, alone but she is te... READ MORE
Laura Shepherd Robinson does it again. Utterly absorbing.
I have now read all Laura Shepherd Robinson's books and none have disappointed. The Art of a Lie is sublime and whilst it is a fairly short read, the story... READ MORE
Five stars!
Set in 18th century London, The Art of a Lie follows Hannah Cole, a determined widow trying to keep her confectionary shop afloat after her husband is murd... READ MORE