This was such a fun read! It was thrilling and such an interesting premise. I am no art historian, so any inconsistencies didn't bother me. Katherine Reay did a wonderful job keeping this book suspensful by providing JUST enough information to keep me on the edge of my seat. She set the scenes beautifully - I could envision each space easily and the athmosphere was very clear in each scene.

Lovely book, will be recommending for any library customer looking for a fun, artsy mystery.

#TheEnglishMasterpiece #NetGalley

Lily works for an art museum and is a closed door artist herself. When a Picasso painting looks slightly off, Lily blutlrts out that it is a forgery.
An investigation insues, and there are times Lily wonders if she only imagined the forgery.
Her boss Diana is temperamental and thinks everything will blow over. At leasť that's what she is telling herself.
This is a fast-paced read that was so hard to put down.

I really liked this one I like the WWII backgrond interspered with the art history . It was a good engaging enjoyable read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review the book

The main character's passion for art ignites a wonderful mystery that will sweep readers along for an incredible ride. Historical fiction fans will enjoy the exploration of post WWII art markest and the culture of London. (I only docked one star because there is a corny moment that takes you entirely out of the immersion of the world of the novel.)

This advanced reader's copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed the art world background. Nice bit of twist in the tale that is progressively revealed. I found the characters interesting, but I will say the main character, Lily drove me crazy at first. Al in all a great read.

I chose to read this book about the discovery of a possible forgery of a Picasso painting because I actually own a signed and numbered Picasso lithograph that I inherited from my parents. Ironically, for many years I had assumed I had a mere print, not an original. It turns out it is an original! Lily, the main character in this novel, is more discerning than I was, and she has a lot more at stake in her judgment of the authenticity of a Picasso painting that the Tate museum in London is exhibiting. Her job is at risk, as well as her reputation in the art world. Adventure and danger ensue as she searches for the evidence of the possible forgery. The author did her research very well into the times and places of 1970's London, as well as the dynamics of acquiring art for a major museum. I will be recommending this novel to my book club.

This worked well as a mysterious and historical element going on, it had that plot element that I was looking for and enjoyed the concept of this. It was great that Picasso was being used and how it was used in the story. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and enjoyed going on this journey with them. Katherine Reay wrote this perfectly and thoroughly enjoyed what was happening.

I will confess that for a good while, I had a difficult time getting into the story. I was frustrated by Lily’s attitude about life and how it put distance between her and the people she cares about. But at about 60%, the plot picked up and the way the story unfolded was interesting and I appreciated the resolution between characters. If you enjoy art and intrigue and self-realization, push through the build-up because the payoff is worth it.

When you finish a book and you are sad to leave the characters, you know it was a good read! The setting was wonderful, descriptions well done, and characters interesting (even if the main character drove me crazy at times!). I loved the delve into the art world and there is a fun surprise cameo in this book too! 🧐 There’s a bit of a twist that is slowly revealed, cleverly and I loved the two POVs that told the whole story.

I got an #arc of this book thanks to @netgalley and this review is my honest opinion. I already have an #ebook, but I will be getting a physical copy too! It comes out in June, so go pre-order now!

I’m a sucker for @katherinereay and this book just solidified it even more. I would recommend this book - first 5⭐️ read of 2025!! 🎉

Thank you NetGalley, Harper Muse, and Katherine Reay for allowing me to read this wonderful arc.

I really do not have many words to describe how beautiful this book was.

In this story we follow Diana and Lilly-Who both work in the world of art.

But things are not as the seem, especially when a certain painting end up being, well-you are going to have to read this book to find out.

The plot was great! There was laughter and tears when reading this.

I am so excited for the world to read this one.

I’ve read books by Katherine Reay before, which I enjoyed but this one is not one of my favorites. It starts out very slowly with single events taking up an entire chapter (that could have been told in one page.) Not until the 30% mark does it start to get interesting. It gets exciting at about the 90% mark. I also struggle with the darkness of the story. The main character, Lilly, is incredibly hard on herself and so is her family. I really like the art info, the provenance, how museums work, etc. There are definitely unexpected twists which redeem the story somewhat. I’m not into extensive detail and lots of exposition, but if you are, this is a book you don’t want to miss.

Many thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As an art lover, this historical fiction book was just what I needed to start of the new year.

Set in London during the 70s, there were times I felt like I was part of the scene. Incredible writing. I also really liked how history was weaved throughout the story as the crime is solved. As someone who studied Nazi looting in college, I was pleased to see it included, as often it’s forgotten.

Great read!

Katherine Reay is one of my favorite authors, so I am always excited to have the opportunity to read an early copy of her newest novel and give a review. My favorites have been, “Dear Mr. Knightley,” “A Shadow in Moscow,” and “The Berlin Letters”. Reay’s newest book, “The English Masterpiece,” sounded especially intriguing with a mystery surrounding a stolen fine art painting set in the early 70s. I could tell that the author did a lot of research on the topic, and I came away feeling that I had learned a great deal. However, the writing, primarily in the first two-thirds of the book, reminded me itself of abstract art. Instead of the creative style of writing, I would have preferred a more defined understanding of the characters. Overall I did enjoy the book, but it didn’t wow me like some of Reay’s previous novels. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book!

This was an excellent historical novel that dove into the art world in London. I learned much about the business of selling and acquiring artwork, from the perspective of a “keeper” at the Tate Museum. The mystery at the heart of the novel kept me intrigued until the end and the subplots of family, identity and romance added to the story. It was nice to read a historical fiction not completely surrounded by war, despair and heartbreak.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and an honest review of the book.

Cozy historical fiction meets art.

The book tells the story of Lily, assistant to Diana, the Tate's Modern Collection keeper. Lily loves her job and deeply admires her boss and mentor. That is, until one day when, without thinking, she blurts out that an art piece is a forgery—right in the middle of an exhibition. From that moment, everything begins to unravel, like dominoes falling one after another.

I called it "cozy" because the plot and characters feel familiar and uncomplicated. However, if you assume the story itself is straightforward, you’d be mistaken. The author excels at capturing and unraveling complex emotions—some even uncomfortable—that Lily and the other characters have spent their lives avoiding. Themes of admiration, guilt, and staying true to yourself are woven beautifully into a narrative that’s hard to put down (even when you know you should be sleeping).

Art and history aren't just a backdrop—they’re essential elements of this story. There's even a delightful cameo, which I won’t spoil, but it absolutely made me smile. Unexpected yet completely fitting.

Honestly, there isn’t much I didn’t like. At times, the story felt a bit too straightforward, but that simplicity is part of what makes it so comforting.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys art—especially fans of Picasso and the masters—or historical fiction that steers clear of being overly sad or depressing.

At the publisher’s request, I must mention that I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. The English Masterpiece will be published on June 10, 2025.

This an exceptionally well-crafted story about a Picasso art forgery set in London Museum. The story was engaging and Reay developed the characters so that the reader really cared about them. This book falls in line with Jeffrey Archer’s art mysteries and I suspect this will be a breakout hit for this author. I have read a couple other titles by Katherine Reay and loved them and this makes me want to find all her backlist titles so I can read them.

#TheEnglishMasterpiece #NetGalley

I absolutely loved this story! From the very first page, the suspense was gripping, and it was masterfully sustained throughout, keeping me on edge until the very end. The pacing was excellent—every twist and turn felt deliberate and well-timed, making it impossible to put the book down.

I also appreciated the thoughtful execution of the romance subplot. It was beautifully woven into the narrative, adding emotional depth without overpowering the central themes. In particular, I loved that the romance complemented, rather than overshadowed, the theme of women’s empowerment—one that I can never read enough of. The protagonist’s journey was both inspiring and compelling, and it was refreshing to see a strong, multifaceted female lead navigating challenges with resilience and intelligence.

This was my first time reading a book by Katherine Reay, and it certainly won’t be my last. Her storytelling captivated me, and I can’t wait to explore more of her work.

Overall, The English Masterpiece is a brilliant blend of suspense, romance, and empowerment, delivering an unforgettable reading experience. Highly recommended!

This book is set in London in the 1970s following Pablo Picasso's death. The story alternates between the perspectives of Diana Gilden, the keeper of Modern Collections at the Tate Gallery, and her assistant Lily. Diana decides that the Tate must have a special exhibit in the Memorium of Pablo Picasso for both Diana and Lily to get promotions and secure their places in the Tate. Their success seems achievable until the day of the unveiling when Lily is walking around the exhibit and blurts out that one of the pieces is a forgery.

As this crime gets investigated, we soon learn that Diana and Lily aren't as they seem. Both have parts of themselves hidden away as they feel like what they are doing will bring them happiness even if it keeps them away from their true love of being artists.

This book is fantastic. I couldn't put it down. Katherine Reay does an amazing job of making you doubt what is going on and whether the painting is a forgery. The author also did a great job of weaving in history about Nazi occupation and how it impacted the art world during WW2. There were so many issues touched in this book as well such as dealing with family trauma, dealing with guilt, and acceptance of those in your life and yourself.

I love art and especially books about art. What I didn't expect was for this to be an absorbing thriller!

The story takes place in 1973 when Lily, an art aficionado is hired to assist the Tate's Modern Collections keeper, Diana Gilden. Lily is thrilled when she is asked to set up a last-minute art installation showcasing Picasso's work as the artist had recently died. Everything is set, everything is perfect. But it's not and Lily sees it. What she doesn't expect is that it may cost her reputation.

The details in this story had me referring to the internet constantly to see the artwork described in the book. It was not only a fun read but super interesting as well.

Lily has her dream job. She is the assistant to Diana Gilden at the Tate Modern Gallery in London. She's working on a big assignment. It's a memorial display of Picasso's paintings from around the world, following his demise. But in looking at one of the paintings, Lily blurts out that it's a fake. That's not a good thing to do in front of the press, her boss and the owner of the painting.

Things are tough at home and Lily really needs to keep her job. So, she sets out to prove that the painting is, indeed, a fake, and to find out who is behind it. But things get complicated when the police think that she is the forger.

This well-written novel was a pleasure to read. The characters are well-developed. The plot moves along at a smooth pace. The ending isn't a real shocker, as we are introduced to the real forger early in the book. But, like a good episode of Columbo, it only adds to the level of intrigue as the mystery is solved. I highly recommend this book.