Be sure to pack The Fine Art of Lying in your carry-on this season—just try not to miss your boarding call because you're too hooked on the plot!
With summer just around the corner, you are likely hunting for that perfect, page-turning companion to keep you company on your next long-haul flight. Look no further: Reese Witherspoon, who has written her own novel, has got you covered. Through her wildly popular book club, the Oscar-winning actress selects a must-read novel every month, spotlighting compelling stories driven by women.
As May draws to a close, there is still plenty of time to dive into the club’s latest obsession: The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews. Packed with high-stakes deception, obscene wealth, and questionable moral choices, it is a quintessential summer thriller. As Reese herself puts it, reading it 'feels like a secret I’m not supposed to share . . . but it’s too good not to!'
What is the book about?
Set against the glamorous, cutthroat backdrop of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the story follows Clare Blast, whose passion for art initially leads her into the arms of her wealthy husband, Jed. Yet, despite her best efforts to fit into Jed’s pristine Park Avenue lifestyle, Clare feels like a perennial imposter.
Her world shifts when her husband's boss's wife introduces her to an influential circle of elite tastemakers—a curator, a gallerist, and an international aficionado. Suddenly, a dormant part of Clare’s identity comes rushing back to life.
Before putting her PhD on hold to raise her daughter, Clare was writing a dissertation on a brilliant, enigmatic artist. When she discovers that an important, long-lost work by that very artist is hanging inside the brownstone of a seductively charming art dealer, it feels like destiny. Clare is convinced she is finally exactly where she belongs.
Instead, her life takes a dark, chaotic turn. Finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, Clare is discovered at the scene of a brutal murder—and a priceless masterpiece has gone missing. Thrust into a treacherous criminal underworld, Clare must navigate a web of unscrupulous dealers, international criminals, and dangerous lies just to survive.
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About the author
Before pivoting to fiction, Alexandra Andrews honed her storytelling skills as a journalist, editor, and copywriter in New York and Paris. Her 2021 debut novel, Who Is Maud Dixon?, was a global phenomenon. Translated into 28 languages, it earned 'Best Book of the Year' accolades from The New York Times, NPR, TIME, and Entertainment Weekly.
Andrews’ highly anticipated second novel, The Fine Art of Lying, was published on May 5, 2026, earning starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. Andrews currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and children, where she is already hard at work on her third thriller.
About Reese Witherspoon’s book club
Reese Witherspoon started a book club simply because she loves to read. The actress wanted to connect with like-minded book lovers around the world by 'sharing stories centred around women to elevate their voices.'
First, Witherspoon shared her monthly reads, but the book club quickly grew. The book club doesn’t stick to one genre; the only thing in common with each month’s pick is that it was written by a woman. Previous picks include Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry, Yellowface by R.F Kuang and many more.
Buy The Fine Art of Lying on Amazon.
Are you looking for a new thriller? Find your next read in these articles:
- This American crime novel, set in Mississippi, blurs the boundaries between historical reality and fiction (Dua Lipa recommends it in her book club)
- The 6 best British whodunit crime novels to read (they’ll make you want to play detective)
- You won’t be able to put down this prosecutional debut thriller written by a real-life criminal attorney
