In The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Square of Sevens, richly-paints another 18th century story a reader can easily immerse oneself in. Newly widowed Hannah Cole owns a confectionery shop in London, this fact being somewhat scandalous both on account of a woman being the sole owner of a business and also because she is not formally out of the mourning period. Whipping up new and creative confections that will make a reader’s mouth water, Hannah meets William Devereux who comes into the shop with one of her late husbands’ investment statements. William, a refined and charming gentleman, claims he was a former friend and investor to Mr. Jonas Cole.

Henry Fielding, real life 18th century author of Tom Jones, is the inspector on the case of Mr. Cole’s murder, questioning both Hannah and those around her to solve the mystery of his untimely death. Fielding investigates Cole’s gambling debts, leading him to the criminal underworld of London. In the mean time, William and Hannah become fast friends despite her desire to be tentative and guarded around this man claiming to have known her husband. William, time and time again, shows himself as almost too goo to be true. The reader knows, but not Hannah, that William is essentially a professional romance scammer. Widows are his specialty.

The reader also knows something William does not–Hannah has her own secret. One William could never fathom and one that will throw a wrench into his carefully and artfully crafted ruse. The author ‘s choice of alternating perspectives between William and Hannah builds a tension as delicious as Hannah’s confections sound; a battle of both hearts and wits. William struggles with the future exploitation of Hannah as his true feelings for her grow, unknowingly underestimating her all the while. At the same time, Hannah wars with her own true feelings while keeping her secret close. It’s a sort of “enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies” dynamic, except each party does not know the full truth on either side, each party does not know all the rules of the game. The argument could be made that William and Hannah should not be “likeable” given the things they’ve done, but still we root for them. They are, after all, casualties of poor circumstance only seeking to better their lot. How will they outwit each other, and the law, while still getting what they ultimately desire: each other?

Like Square of Sevens, Laura Shepherd-Robinson once again tightly plots with intricate detail, oftentimes keeping the reader guessing and having to stop and think about certain subtleties. I appreciate when authors don’t have the subtlety of a sledgehammer, but rather trust the readers’ powers of deduction and instinct. Also like Square, I could absolutely see this book adapted into a movie or limited series.

The Art of a Lie is already out in the UK and will be released in the US on August 5, 2025.