Product guide

The Art of a Lie: Historical Thriller Set in 18th-Century London

Century: The Art of a Lie is a historical thriller by Laura Shepherd-Robinson set in London in 1749. After Hannah Cole’s husband is murdered, a hidden fortune and the suspicions of magistrate Henry Fielding draw her into a search through his secret life and a web of deceit.

At a glance

Set in London in 1749, the story follows shopkeeper Hannah Cole after her husband’s murder.
A hidden fortune puts Hannah’s inheritance, confectionery shop and reputation at risk.
Magistrate Henry Fielding suspects the money may have been gained illicitly.
The listing describes the book as a Sunday Times bestseller and a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick of the Summer.

Price

£7.15Save 28%

Reference price: ~~£9.99~~

Price checked: 12 Nov 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

Combines a murder investigation with questions about inheritance, reputation and a husband’s concealed past.
Customer feedback specifically praises the historical detail, character development and twists.

Technical specifications

10 specifications

Book details
Publisher	Pan
Publication date	7 May 2026
Edition	Main Market
Language	English
Print length	304 pages
Reading age	18 years and up

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	200 g
Dimensions	13 x 1.9 x 20.1 cm

Identifiers
ISBN-10	1529053749
ISBN-13	978-1529053746

What to know before buying

The listing places the story in London in 1749 and describes it as a historical thriller involving murder and deceit. Its darker crime subject matter may not suit readers seeking lighter historical fiction.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers of historical crime and thrillers set in Georgian London.
Readers drawn to mysteries involving family secrets, money and a protagonist investigating a spouse’s past.
Those who enjoy character-focused historical fiction and period detail.

Less suited to

Readers looking for a light or low-stakes historical story.
Readers who prefer to avoid murder and deceit as central plot elements.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.5 / 5 · 3,468 ratings

5 stars62%62%
4 stars29%29%
3 stars7%7%
2 stars1%1%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback highlights an engaging, twist-filled plot, period detail, writing style and character development. The reported appreciation of 18th-century London and the characters may appeal to readers seeking both historical atmosphere and a character-led mystery. The overall rating distribution is mostly positive, but ratings alone do not explain individual readers’ reservations.

Positive themes

Customers describe the story as engaging and praise its twists and turns.
Feedback highlights historical detail, writing style and character development.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Art of a Lie about?

Set in 1749 London, it follows Hannah Cole as she investigates her murdered husband’s secret life after discovering a hidden fortune and facing suspicion over its origins.

Who wrote The Art of a Lie?

The listing identifies Laura Shepherd-Robinson as the author.

How long is the book?

The listed print length is 304 pages.

What do customers say about the book?

Customer feedback highlights the twists, historical detail, writing style and character development. Some feedback also mentions the alternating first-person chapters of the two lead characters.