The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay

#TheEnglishMasterpiece #NetGalley

My thoughts:

I have enjoyed every novel that I have read by Ms. Reay beginning with Dear Mr. Knightley. She wrote several Austen adjacent books that were fun reads and has also written novels in other genres. Every book has offered an immersive read.

The English Masterpiece drew me right in. I loved the art world background, protagonist Lily, and the mystery around that Picasso. I also very much liked that readers entered Lily’s world and got to know her family.

Diana made for an interesting foil to Lily. She saw something in Lily and promoted her despite their rather different backgrounds. Diana is extremely upset and rattled by something Lily says at an exhibition opening. Will these two come to terms?

Will it turn out that Lily is correct about a painting’s provenance? Will she be able to continue to do the work that she loves?

Those who enjoy historical fiction set in the more recent past, stories about art, and those who are both new and old readers of this author will enjoy this story in my opinion. I most definitely recommend it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 10 June 2025

Description

“Art . . . London . . . Seventies Glam . . . Yesss, please. The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay has ALL the goodies–especially for historical fiction lovers and art aficionados . . . Buckle your seatbelt as all hell breaks loose.” –Lisa Barr, New York Times bestselling author of The Goddess of Warsaw

Set in the art world of 1970s London, The English Masterpiece is a fast-paced read to the end, full of glamour and secrets, tensions and lies, as one young woman races against the clock to uncover the truth about a Picasso masterpiece. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Ariel Lawhon.

As the recently promoted assistant to the Tate’s Modern Collections keeper Diana Gilden, Lily helps plan a world-class Picasso exhibit to honor the passing of the great artist–and she’s waited her whole life for this moment. The opening is beyond anyone’s expectations–the lighting, the champagne, the glittering crowd, and the international acclaim–until Lily does the unthinkable. She stops in front of a masterpiece and hears her own voice say, “It’s a forgery.” The gallery falls silent.

Lily’s boss, Diana, is polished perfection, schooled in art, and descends from European high society. She’s worked hard to become the trusted voice in London’s modern art scene and respected across the Continent. The Tate’s Picasso Commemorative is to be her crowning achievement, featuring not only the artist’s most iconic and intimate works, but a newly discovered painting–one she advised an investor to purchase. But when Lily makes her outrageous declaration, suspicion and scandal threaten everything Diana has achieved, as museums and collectors across Europe, already doubting most post-war acquisitions, fall into chaos and rumors of a world-wide forgery run wild.

All Lily has ever wanted is to follow in Diana’s footsteps and take the art world by storm in her own right. Yet one comment puts not only her own career at risk but also her mentor’s. Unless . . . Was she right? With the clock ticking and the clues starting to pile up against her, Lily must uncover the truth behind the Picasso before she loses not only the career she’s always wanted, but her freedom.

Block off your calendar and lose yourself in The English Masterpiece, a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end from the author who brought you The London House and The Berlin Letters.

From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

‘A taut and thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues in Katherine Reay’s THE ENGLISH MASTERPIECE, a story of reality, illusion, and imposters set in the winding streets of seventies London. Reay is a master at the top of her game!’ — Bryn Turnbull, author of THE BERLIN APARTMENT

‘An exhibit honoring the recently deceased Picasso and an alleged forgery at the Tate sets the stage for this historical page-turner. Just when you think the stakes couldn’t get any higher Reay ratchets up the tension even more. With an eye for the telling details, this author transports the reader back to London in the 1970s. Art lovers and historical fiction fans alike will find this book impossible to put down.’ — Renee Rosen, USA TODAY bestselling author of LET’S CALL HER BARBIE

A note:

There are reviews of many books by Katherine Reay on my blog. To see them, go to http://www.joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews.wordpress.com