I love a book with a good plot twist, more so when it’s delivered early on and The Art of a Lie did not disappoint in this regard. Ive seen this book labeled as both historical fiction and mystery, while it certainly does fit those classifications, it’s also a love story so tragic in nature the author even refers to it as ‘Shakespearean’. It is a good, fast read that will leave you curious as to what will happen next.
Don’t skip over the Historical Note section, I appreciated all of the research and background context the author here, it lends to the overall story.

I love historical fiction and The Art of a Lie is set during my favorite time and place: 18th century England. Although the plot seemed a little far-fetched and wrapped up perhaps too neatly, I really enjoyed how the author makes you feel like you've been dropped into another time through her writing. I also enjoyed that she dropped real-life people, events, and details into her narrative to make it seem more authentic. Overall, this was a fun read.

The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a great historical fiction that kept me engaged from beginning to end.

This is an engaging, thrilling, and overall very difficult to put down novel that takes us into the heart of London in the 18th century. There is mystery, intrigue, double crossing, twists/turns, and a fascinating plot that kept me up late several nights trying to get to the end and the “A-Ha!” Moments.

The characters were well-thought out and complex, the pacing was perfect, and it really held my interest. Yes, this is an historical fiction that alternates between character POVs, however do not let it fool you…it is so much more.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Atria Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/5/25.

Clever, interesting, different….Although this caught my eye because of the historical fiction classification, the novel reads more like a thriller. I didn’t want to put it down and couldn’t wait for the ending.

Friends, there are EXCELLENT surprise twists you absolutely aren’t expecting and they are perfectly placed for maximum impact. The complex characterizations of both main characters makes you alternately love and loathe them depending where you are in the story. It’s a fascinating mishmash of good and bad and the gray areas in between. And that ending…

Perfectly wrong, but also, oh, so right. I hated it (maybe?), even as I marveled at the authors skill in convincing me it was how it had to be.

Highly recommend.

Set in the ruthless, chaotic heart of 1749 London, this historical thriller is a masterclass in deception, survival, and the art of the long con. Hannah Cole, newly widowed and barely keeping her confectionery shop afloat, knows better than to expect miracles. Her late husband, Jonas, left her with debts, dwindling options, and, worst of all, a fortune she can’t touch—money Henry Fielding, novelist-turned-magistrate, is convinced was earned illegally and intends to seize.

Then William Devereux walks into her shop. He is polished, persuasive, and, to Hannah, a godsend. He claims to have been a friend of Jonas, but more importantly, he offers her a way forward: iced cream, an Italian marvel that could make the Punchbowl and Pineapple the most fashionable shop in London. Hannah, pragmatic and wary, isn’t immediately convinced, but desperation makes for an open mind. And Devereux? He’s playing a longer game, one neither Hannah nor the reader initially sees. The book’s first act masterfully sets the stage, only to pivot, revealing new truths that upend everything we thought we understood.

This two-person POV is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Hannah and Devereux are equally formidable, and the story’s pleasures lie in watching them outmaneuver—and deceive—each other in ways both sympathetic and not. Hannah, trying to hold her business and her life together, stumbles into the labyrinth of Jonas’ past. With Devereux’s reluctant help, she ventures into a world where fortunes change hands in an instant, and power belongs to the most ruthless. And while she’s learning the rules of deception, Devereux is playing a game of his own.

On the heels of both is real life author and lawman--he wrote Tom Jones and started the Bow Street Runners-- Henry Fielding, a man both brilliant and blinkered. He is certain that Jonas was up to no good—he’s right—but as he digs deeper into the man’s murder, his suspicions land dangerously close to Jonas' friends and family. Fielding isn’t wrong, but he isn’t entirely right either, and his dogged pursuit of justice makes him both ally and obstacle.

The supporting cast is just as sharp. The bevy of criminals who aid Devereux in his byzantine cons, the workhouse help in Hannah’s shop, even the nameless figures in the gambling dens—every character crackles with humor, distinctiveness, and verve. The novel’s historical details are just as immersive, with the making of iced cream—salt and ice creating an endothermic reaction that freezes the cream—serving as both a fascinating process and a perfect metaphor. Hannah and Devereux’s interactions are their own chemical experiment: pressure applied just so, yielding unexpected results.

This book doesn’t just deliver twists—it orchestrates them, layering deception upon deception until you’re as caught in its web as its characters. It is clever, immersive, and ruthlessly well-plotted. It doesn’t just tell you a story; it pulls you into the smoke and sugar of 18th-century London, tempts you with every deception, and leaves you marveling at how expertly you’ve been played. I loved it.

A wonderful mix of mystery, drama, and Historical Fiction- Laura Shepherd-Robinson keeps you guessing in this wonderful book! While the ending wasn't exactly what i had wanted, I still loved the overall story and feel that The Art of a Lie portrayed. I couldn't put it down! Highly recommend.

Wow I enjoyed this so much! The lies, the twists and turns, the characters, the historical details, it was all fantastic. Once I started reading I could not put it down, because there was always some new twist to the tale. The ending left me a tad confused, but I suppose that was intentional.

Writing: Excellently written, good mix of description and dialogue. My only issue is that sometimes when the POV switched, there was an overly long recap of what happened in the other person's POV. Those could've been condensed quite a bit to still convey the missing thoughts/feelings from those scenes without being redundant. Also (and this is probably a NetGalley issue because their app is utter trash) there were some formatting problems with the paragraph breaks (some missing, some extra).

World: Very well described, amazing historical details about locations, people, events of the time. I loved reading the notes at the end about all the people and places that were real. The dialogue was neither so overly modern it felt unrealistic, nor so overly period-accurate that it was unintelligible to modern audiences - it felt natural for the setting and the reader.

Plot: Fantastic idea, beautifully executed. The pacing was great, the timing of the reveals of various lies was spot on.

Characters: Loved them all, very well characterized, excellent complex backstories that emerged quite naturally and created conflicts that felt not in the least bit contrived by the author for drama's sake. The only one I was left a bit confused about (again, because of the ending) was Tom... I can think of many explanations for his actions but none seem to wholly fit with his character throughout the book. I just wish I knew why he did that! It seems like there were other options that fit his desires better.

“It all comes down to the art of a lie, the right story for the right woman.”
- William Devereux

The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd Robinson is a twisting story set at the start of the Georgian “iced cream” craze and focused on a recently-widowed confectioner and a dashing rake with all the furnishings of an 18th century London gentleman. The story switches between their perspectives a few times, giving readers the chance to see both sides (and relish in some delightful dramatic irony!!) without moving too quickly between POVs.

Thanks to her other recent novel, The Square of Sevens (which I loved!!), I came into this novel already expecting things to be different than they seemed. Robinson seemingly knew this, and set about to challenge my already primed thoughts. I truly thought I’d discovered the crux of the novel 15% of the way in — only for Robinson to reveal it herself, immediately upending the story I thought I was reading. She does this multiple times, some more successful than others, but considering I was on the watch for twists and turns, I still delighted that she could make me question everything.

Robinson’s characters are nothing unique in the genre of historical fiction, but she utilizes those tropes well, if not always to their full extents. The inversion of the grieving widow isn’t anything new, but she strives to do something new with it, and Hannah’s internal monologues help make her interesting if not notable.

Overall, I was somewhat disappointed with the ending — not for the tone, but because the motives of some characters felt unsubstantiated. There were some unanswered questions and hanging threads that either needed a neater bow or to be snipped from the beginning, but the emotional punch of the final scene lands either way and left me reading Robinson’s historical context section with a bit of shell-shock.

Speaking of — I highly recommend not skipping the context!! I could tell throughout the book that Robinson had done her research and done it well, and her addendum confirms this. She cares deeply about the historical settings she writes in, and unlike other historical fiction authors, uses it as a way to maintain plots rather than just for fancy window dressing. It was a highlight of The Square of Sevens for me and remains such here.

Overall: 3.75/5, rounded up

This book is perfect for fans of: Bridgerton, The Great British Bake-off, and pineapples

If you liked this book, read these next: The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd Robinson, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

This is a twisty historical mystery that will keep you guessing as you try to keep up with the main characters. Hannah is trying to keep her London shop afloat after the murder of her less than honest husband, and she soon gets caught up in multiple overlapping schemes. The writer makes brilliant use of the switch between narrators to help the characters advance their own plots with the reader not quite as aware as they think. It’s an engrossing page turner with characters that are engaging if not entirely appealing and a plot that draws the reader in quickly. I understand why the book had to end as it did, but the somewhat ambiguous resolution is just not my favorite style as someone who reads partly for escapism. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

Thank you to Atria Books for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a story that blends historical fiction, thriller, and crime drama. The story interjects the colorful details and intriguing characters of Georgian London into a game of cat and mouse, in which both of the narrators are very much in both roles. I was delighted to find that the author did a significant amount of research on the middle-class tradespeople of the era and included fictionalized accounts of real-life figures; chiefly Fielding. I appreciate when authors take the time to make an effort when crafting a reasonably authentic image of a setting. The setting of a confectionary was also a really fun and compelling choice; who doesn’t love crime and ice cream?

I liked that this book was committed to keeping the reader on the back foot. In switching narrators, the reader gets lulled into the sense they have an idea of all of the information, but like the characters, they’re often scheming based on false assumptions or lies. I thought this book would be a murder mystery set in a frilly ice cream parlor, but was actually pleasantly surprised when it veered in a different direction. While the “iced creams” may be the constant, the intrigue seems to shift quickly through the story.

Overall, I thought this was a very fun read. I think for fans of historical fiction that want a break from princesses or war stories, this is a great choice. I think fans of thrillers and mysteries may also find this a pretty engaging choice that’s slightly lower stakes than other options. For me, it’s a very solid 4/5 stars.

I’m going on vacation in a few weeks, and part of me wishes I had saved The Art of a Lie for beach reading. While the topics it addresses are serious and not the typical beach read fluff, the story itself, along with how it’s told, is immersive. The detailed descriptions of the Punch and Pineapple, with its brightly colored decor and exotic desserts, make me wish I could hop into a time machine, walk up to the counter, and order my own pistachio iced cream.

The story’s characters are as compelling as the setting. Hannah Cole is a woman who, while grappling with her own immense loss, spends her life trying to honor her family’s legacy and bring joy to others. She’s creative, courageous, smart, and passionate in a time when these qualities were frowned upon in women, and I love how determined she is to carve out a life that’s hers and hers alone. Her narrative counterpart, William Devereux, is the consummate trickster. He’s perfected the part he must play to get what he wants, but there are plenty of small cracks in that carefully constructed facade where we can see his humanity peek through. Like everyone in the world, he too has a story, and though he may not be a character we wish to emulate, he is a character we can certainly empathize with.

Because each character is so well-crafted and interesting, I appreciated the author’s choice to allow both of them to play a role in narrating the story. Doing so allows readers to connect with each character, and from a functional standpoint, it creates an opportunity for dramatic irony while still preserving the story’s twists and turns.

My only complaint about the story is its ending. While I appreciate why it had to happen, I’m also a little sad not to get the ending I wanted- a finish that I thought the characters deserved, too.

4.5 stars! (I really, really wish we could give half stars!)

Thanks to Atria and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Punchbowl and Pineapple was a confectionery shop on Piccadilly in the Georgian London of 1749. Hannah Cole, proprietor, had been schooled in anticipating a shopper’s wants and needs, tempting her clientele with mouthwatering creations. The late night violent robbery and murder of her husband Jonas would impact her ability to keep the business afloat. It was clear that the suppliers of flour, salt and sugar did not appreciate women in trade. Neither did the fruiterer or the egg-man. Two visitors would soon grace Hannah’s shop, each with a distinct agenda.

William Devereux ingratiated himself into Hannah’s company by complimenting her Persian Sherbet. He offered condolences on the death of her husband then explained that he was the monetary advisor who helped Jonas secure sound investments. Hannah would be provided with monetary relief since there would be forthcoming stock dividends. William was a well practiced con-man who cunningly encouraged widows to part with their money. He informed Hannah that Jonas had amassed 1500 pounds. Were these funds earned or were they ill gotten gains from gambling dens? If William could con Henry Fielding then hoodwink Hannah, he would be able to generously help himself to Hannah’s money.

Henry Fielding, the Chief Magistrate of Westminster, visited the Punchbowl and Pineapple to discuss Jonas Cole’s murder,. Fielding was “a gentleman disordered in his own life and habits seeking to impose order upon others.” He was determined to “out” the murderer. He ran his courtroom from his home. Henry’s theory was that Jonas had been afraid for his life due to villainous activity. A fish “hell” token denoting dealings at a high end gambling den, nightly filled with corrupt politicians, was discovered in Jonas’ garment when his body was fished out of the Thames.

It seemed that both Hannah Cole and William Devereux worked to “out-con” each other. Henry Fielding, meanwhile, was hot on the trail of the culprit in this historical cat and mouse thriller. Devereux’s nefarious agenda was not without kindness. He introduced Hannah to the art of making iced cream using the “frigorific” method. Makeshift ice tubs could keep the flavored creams frozen. Salt mixed with the surrounding ice caused an endothermic reaction that lowered the freezing temperature of the liquid ice surrounding the individual iced cream portions. The Punchbowl and Pineapple’s capacity to freeze the creams was enhanced by the underground river that flowed beneath Piccadilly and emptied into the Thames, along with Jonas Cole's body that had previously been thrown into the cavity of the underground well.

Jonas was a despicable con-man. "A man didn’t get into parliament without buying off the right people.” With a change of plan, he intended to abscond and leave Hannah penniless. The Devereux method, however, was to wine and dine the widow Hannah to achieve his monetary windfall. In “The Art of the Lie” it was difficult to cheer for any protagonist. Corruption, lies and deception ruled. This read of multiple twists and turns had delectable iced cream included!

Thank you Atria Books/Simon and Schuster and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This takes place in 18th century England. It was interesting to read the history, which was well written. A young widow trying to hold on to her business.

It was not my favorite I didn’t realize that this book was taking place far back I’m not sure if I’m into books like that

"She'd lied to me over and over. Me, who prided myself on the art of a lie."

Oh my goodness. #theartofalie is one of THE best books I've read this year, and I've read some good ones! Seriously, Ms. Shepherd-Robinson does a fabulous job with these characters, immersing the reader in 18th century England, too. A time when a woman was almost completely dependent upon her husband - his successes, his whims, his lies. I enjoyed reading about confectionary - what a neat occupation for Hannah Cole. And the interplay between Hannah and William/Billy?? Whiplash - inducing. Terrific read, highly recommend. Now, where is my copy of The Square of Sevens??

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Very captivating! Thank you for this ARC! I was able to fly through this book in one sitting, this book is so engaging and this book has everything you want, betrayal, humor, love! It was a perfect book for my flight :) 4.5 stars!