The Art of a Lie, Laura ShepherdRobinson
The Art of a Lie, Laura ShepherdRobinson
List: $26.99 | Sale: $18.89
Club: $13.49

The Art of a Lie

Author: Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Narrator: Sophie Roberts, Justin Avoth

Unabridged: 11 hr

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/05/2025


Synopsis

“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

In 18th-century England, a widowed confectioner is drawn into a web of love, betrayal, intrigue, and a battle of wits in this “twisty” (Ruth Ware, New York Times bestselling author) historical novel from the author of the USA TODAY bestseller The Square of Sevens.

London 1749: Following the murder of her husband in a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to turn a profit at her confectionary shop on Piccadilly as her suppliers conspire to put her out of business.

So when she learns that her husband had a large sum of money in his bank account, the surprise is, at first, extremely welcome. But her financial windfall attracts the attention of author-turned-magistrate Henry Fielding, who believes the money might have been acquired through ill-gotten means and seeks to confiscate it.

Endeavoring to prove otherwise, Hannah enlists the help of William Devereux, a friend of her late husband, who also tells her about a new Italian delicacy called “iced cream,” which she believes might transform the fortunes of her shop. As she and Devereux delve into the mysteries of her husband’s double life in Georgian London’s gambling dens, Hannah unravels secrets even more devastating than his murder.

About Laura Shepherd-Robinson

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 St. George’s, University of London. She is the author of four novels, Blood & SugarDaughters of NightThe Square of Sevens, and The Art of a Lie. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian. Find out more at LauraShepherdRobinson.com. 


Reviews

Goodreads review by Debra on July 15, 2025

Clever, clever, clever! Let the games begin! It's 18th-century England and a game of wits ensues when Hannah Cole's husband is murdered, and her confectionary shop is struggling. The magistrate, Henry Fielding, is threatening to confiscate her husband's bank account and William Devereux, a mysteriou......more

Goodreads review by Shantha (ShanthasBookEra) on August 19, 2025

"In 18th-century England, a widowed confectioner is drawn into a web of love, betrayal, and intrigue and a battle of wits in this masterful historical novel." Hannah Cole is desperately trying to figure out how to obtain her husband's money after his untimely death. A magistrate is trying to block th......more

Goodreads review by Annette on April 10, 2025

Set in 18th-century London, Hannah Cole, after the murder of her husband, faces struggle of keeping her confectionary shop open with bare profits and men conspiring against her. As Chief Magistrate, Henry Fielding, investigates the case of her husband’s murder and holds her savings, she tries to hol......more

Goodreads review by Tammy on August 03, 2025

5 stars. Set in 18th century London, England, the story follows Hannah Cole, now sole owner of her father/grandfathers confectionery shop after her husband is murdered in a robbery gone awry. Hannah is determined to keep her shop going, however back then it was a man’s world and very few men support......more

Goodreads review by Jessica on April 15, 2025

3.5 rounded up. Hmm. This author's previous novel was my favorite book I read in all of 2024. This one wasn't as much of a homerun for me. The writing style is quite good, and it is evident that a lot of research went into bringing 18th century London to life upon the pages here. From Hannah Cole's co......more