‘The Art of a Lie’ de Laura S. Robinson (Pan MacMillan · 18 de mayo, 2026)

The Art of a Lie (Historical Fiction / Mystery / Crime)

Set against the vivid and murky backdrop of 18th-century London, this novel is a sophisticated historical thriller that explores the dangerous intersection of high society, political ambition, and the deadly secrets hidden in the city’s shadows. It is a story where truth is a currency and deception is the only way to survive.

About the Author: Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a highly acclaimed British author who has made a significant impact on historical crime fiction. With a background in politics, she brings a unique understanding of power dynamics and systemic corruption to her writing. Her debut, Blood & Sugar, won several prestigious awards, and her follow-up, Daughters of Night, was a Blackwell’s Book of the Year. Shepherd-Robinson is praised for her immersive world-building, transforming meticulous historical research into visceral, atmospheric narratives. She specializes in giving a voice to the marginalized figures of the Georgian era while maintaining the breakneck pace of a modern detective novel.

Synopsis

“The Art of a Lie” plunges the reader into a world of masks—both literal and figurative. The plot centers on a high-stakes investigation triggered by a crime that threatens to expose the fragile alliances within the London elite. At its heart is a protagonist who must navigate the opulence of aristocratic drawing rooms and the squalor of the city’s underworld to piece together a puzzle that no one wants solved.

The narrative focuses on the concept of the “noble lie” and the lengths to which individuals and institutions will go to preserve their reputations. As the investigation unfolds, the boundaries between the hunters and the hunted begin to blur. The novel masterfully recreates the Georgian period, from the specific jargon of the time to the social tensions regarding class, gender, and the burgeoning press.

Themes of identity, betrayal, and the heavy cost of justice run throughout the story. This Pan Macmillan edition is a perfect pick for readers who enjoy the intricate plotting of a classic mystery combined with the dark, gritty realism of a historical epic. It is a gripping exploration of a society built on artifice, proving that the most dangerous weapon in any era is a well-told lie.