The Art of a Lie

by Laura Shepherd Robinson

**Order The Art of a Lie:**[Waterstones](https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-art-of-a-lie/laura-shepherd-robinson/9781529053722) | [Hive](https://www.hive.co.uk/Product/Laura-Shepherd-Robinson/The-Art-of-a-Lie--A-Gripping-Historical-Thriller-of-Murde/30531573) | [Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Lie-Gripping-Historical-18th-Century/dp/1529053722) **US Readers: Order The Art of a Lie:** [Barnes & Noble](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-art-of-a-lie-laura-shepherd-robinson/1146384416) | [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Art-Lie-Novel-Laura-Shepherd-Robinson/dp/1668083094) The Art of a Lie is the fourth novel from Laura Shepherd-Robinson. ‘ __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 a violent street robbery, Hannah Cole is struggling to keep her head above water. The Punchbowl and Pineapple, her confectionary shop on Piccadilly, is barely turning a profit, and her suppliers are conspiring to put her out of business. So when she learns that her husband had a large sum of money in his bank account that she knew nothing about, the surprise is extremely welcome. And when William Devereux, a friend of her late husband, tells her about a new Italian delicacy called “iced cream”, Hannah believes it might transform the fortunes of her shop. But her husband’s unexpected windfall attracts the attention of author-turned-magistrate Henry Fielding, who suspects the money was illicitly acquired. Unless Hannah can prove otherwise, her inheritance will be confiscated. As she and Devereux work to uncover the secrets of her husband’s double life, their friendship opens Hannah to speculation and gossip, locking her into a battle of wits more devastating than anything, even her husband’s murder. * * * ## Praise for The Art of a Lie: > 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, author of All the Colours of the Dark > A twisty confection as subtle and delicious as one of Hannah’s iced creams. I loved it > Ruth Ware, author of The woman in Cabin 10 > How I long to visit the Punchbowl and Pineapple on Piccadilly . . . I simply couldn’t look away from _The Art Of a Lie_. A story as sweet as ‘iced cream’, as tense as spun sugar, as clever as a trickster and as beautifully written and masterful as everything by the wonderful Laura Shepherd-Robinson. An absolute treat of an historical crime novel. Sheer perfection > Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal > Fiendishly clever and completely gripping, The Art of a Lie had me in its grip right till the satisfying finish. I loved it > Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things > Filled with fascinating glimpses of mid-18th-century London… a lively tale of double-dealing and subterfuge > New York Times > Laura Shepherd-Robinson takes delight in pulling the rug out from under her readers’ feet and the revelation of the identity of Jonas’s murderer is only the first in a number of narrative surprises she springs on us in this cleverly structured and consistently enjoyable novel > The Times > A thrilling ride through the streets of 18th century London, full of twists and turns, unforgettable characters, evil deeds and delicious food. I loved it > Elly Griffiths, author of The Crossing Places > Shepherd-Robinson’s prose is superb, bursting with poetic description and immersive period detail, and she sustains suspense without resorting to cheap tricks. Readers will race through this > Publisher’s Weekly > The latest from The Square of Sevens author