The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Eight of us met to discuss this historical novel. Unusually, two members had hardback copies of the book - one even signed by the author.

Some of us listened to the audiobook, and opinions on the narration were mixed, ranging from “fantastic” to “a little over-acted.” We agreed to differ and moved on with the discussion.

The historical notes included in the book were widely appreciated, adding an extra layer of depth to the reading experience. One member had also read Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s Blood and Sugar, set in Victorian London, and highly recommended it. Her other novels were also noted for their thorough research.

For many of us, the sourcing of ice was a real eye-opener. It was fascinating to learn that as early as 1749, it was possible to obtain enough ice to make ice cream.

We felt the story was very cleverly constructed, with key plot elements revealed early on, followed by numerous twists that kept us engaged. We found ourselves wondering how the author planned such a credible and intricate storyline.

The narrative carried us along at a good pace, helped by short, sharp chapters. At times, however, it felt slightly surreal that an ordinary woman could integrate so seamlessly into upper-class society.

We particularly enjoyed the cultural details woven throughout the story, such as the tradition of wearing purple during mourning. 

The inclusion of real historical figures and places added to the novel’s authenticity. For example, Henry Fielding, both an author and the founder of the Bow Street Runners, played a convincing role.

Some themes felt strikingly modern. Scamming, for instance, may have changed in form, but it clearly isn’t a new phenomenon. 

We were also intrigued by the vivid description of a wine shop in (what we believe to be) Ranleigh Gardens, which still exists today.

Unsurprisingly, the mention of ice cream sparked a brief but enthusiastic detour into discussing our favourite flavours and beloved ice cream shops!

The language prompted some discussion. While the use of strong swear words (including the ‘c’ word) was not universally appreciated, we acknowledged that they were historically accurate and likely appropriate for the time.

The ending felt rather sudden and was the only aspect that disappointed us slightly - it seemed to come somewhat out of the blue.

We ended by discussing when we could find time for a group trip to St James' London to take a look around the setting for the story, so much of which we feel will still be recognisable today. This remains work in progress!

Would we recommend this book? A unanimous YES!