# 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.

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- Market: UK
- Language: en-GB
- Currency: GBP
- Category: Books, Music & Hobbies > Books, Music & Movies > Books & Comics
- Price: 7.15 GBP
- Previous price: 9.99 GBP
- Discount: 28%
- Price checked: 2026-11-12T16:58:09.633Z
- Rating: 4.5 / 5
- Reviews: 3468

Prices and deal status are the latest recorded data, not a guarantee of availability. Confirm the price and availability with the store.

## 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.

## 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.

## 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

## Before you buy

- 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.

## 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 feedback

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.
- Positive themes: 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.

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## Images

![The Art of a Lie: Historical Thriller Set in 18th-Century London — 1](https://bargainpostbox.co.uk/i/JcACOolgZ60wxYvCsbt4if_dVTDvjWqT0y064KM7dKZfNDc41Ht6LcHuU2cSka3hkvT5DdTQjYzF17T-De7Q4fQJCmD3k3hL3XmdPrRFCVpB4ZN6Q53c.jpg)