Lily Summers is assistant the Tate Gallery’s Modern Collections keeper Diana Gilden. After the great Pablo Picasso passes away, Lily and Diana work to plan an exhibit honoring the painter’s legacy. In mere days after his death, opening day has arrived. Only without thinking, Lily sees one of Picasso’s hanging pieces and declares it a forgery. Out loud. Where the press, donors, and her boss all hear. And Lily can’t seem to explain her reasoning or back up her claim. Now her and Diana’s careers are on the line. After all, in 1970s London, authenticity is questioned at every turn in a post-WWII art scene. What’s worse, the piece belongs to an investor who purchased it based on Diana’s advice. Her reputation is at stake, and she’s determined to fix it. And Lily, on the other hand, must do her due diligence or else face unforeseen consequences. The English Masterpiece by Katherine Reay is a historical women’s fiction novel where both women’s futures hang in the balance, but one will take the fall for it.
Book
Lily tries to go home to lick her wounds, but she can’t bear to tell her family the truth about what happened on her big day. Especially since they depend on her income as much as her father’s. And with his job security uncertain, the timing couldn’t be worse. But Diana is spiraling just as bad. She doesn’t know how she’s going to salvage the disaster that unfolded. It doesn’t help that her husband Heinrich downplays the situation at every turn, despite the fact that the insurance company sends an investigator to determine if Lily’s claims are true.
While Lily can’t quite explain her thought process that led to her claim, she stands by it. She’s been studying art and painting in private for years. She’s spent hours trying to imitate the masters. Needless to say, she can recognize a copycat when she sees one. Before she knows it, evidence begins to point her way. And if Lily doesn’t connect her own dots to clear her name, more than her career could be at risk.
Review
Reay again nails historical women’s fiction with The English Masterpiece. I absolutely loved The Berlin Letters and had high hopes for this one. Luckily the author didn’t disappoint. With dual POVs from both women, readers can compare their backgrounds and how they became successful despite hardships they endured. Both backstories are heartbreaking. But the author shows how each woman’s path led them to where they are and how this incident defines them for the rest of their lives.
The author delivers on authenticity with the art history. She weaves it in a way that places it at the core of the story without outshining the characters. Lily truly thrived once she let go and became true to herself. And it was so fun and satisfying to watch. Packed with suspicious and memorable characters, a mystery to solve, a coming-of-age aspect, and a touch of romance – readers will want to add The English Masterpiece to their reading list.
Katherine Reay joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about her research for the book and plans for the future. Keep an ear out for the episode and preorder The English Masterpiece, available June 10.
