The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby" is an absolute triumph, seamlessly weaving together art history, mystery, and the timeless allure of a tragic love story. This novel is a masterclass in storytelling, taking us from the smoky studios of 1930s Paris to the high-stakes art world of 1990s Cambridge, and finally to the glittering, dangerous streets of present-day Dubai.

The narrative is rich with atmosphere, bursting with vivid, cinematic scenes that leap off the page. The characters, larger-than-life yet achingly human, drive a plot as intricate as one of Juliette’s own surrealist masterpieces. The twists are relentless—just when you think you've cracked the code, the story pulls you in another direction entirely. It’s a heady mix of obsession, history, and the eternal question: how much of the past can we ever truly know?

The novel's exploration of how women are often erased from history is both poignant and powerful, adding a layer of depth that resonates long after the final page. I couldn't put it down—this book is a belter of a read and one that lingers like the smoke from Juliette's tragic fire. Highly recommended!

Wow, this is such a well written book. Brilliant from start to finish. The story intertwines itself so well and finishes with not one but several twists that you did not expect.
It just easily backwards and forwards through the years. It’s not often you find an author who can do this. A book I am sure everyone will enjoy reading.

I loved this book and the twists and turns keep you guessing. The story of the picture and what it would uncover is great and the fact you know there is something else happening but not sure what.

Kept me guessing!

I have read the two other books by Ellery Lloyd and devoured them. This book I found slightly higher brow (!) and more complex and intense to read, however it was a book filled with clever plots and twists which come together! I am more of a fan of the lower brow side but this was a good read

This was a great read, definitely exceeded my expectations. A few themes that discussed wasn’t my cup of tea but overall a great story. I’m intrigued to read more from this author. The cover is beautiful!

I went into this book completely blind, so I had no expectations (the title doesn't give anything away) I was excited to find a story about the mirky world or art dealing.

Two art students, must work together to solve the mystery of an artists death and long lost painting. In the triple time line mystery.

This book was very implausible and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot as I read it ... but I loved it and couldn't put it down! The characters are quite over the top and it is often confusing, but I really enjoyed it and it's a great beach read!

A good story, but it was completely ruined for me by all the Americanisms in the book. It is unlikely that British university students would talk like that.

An extremely well plotted story from a husband and wife writing team. Two students investigating a missing painting become involved in series of events which send in tragedy and death. The story is told using various time limes from the 1930’s to the present day and in various locations from Cambridge to Paris and Dubai.The threads of the plot slowly weave together as it reaches its final and shocking reveal. I have enjoyed reading this book very much and can heartily recommend it

Oh, I do love a clever book and this really ticks that box!
A thoroughly good read, flipping between timelines and bringing it all together carefully and cleverly - brilliant.

What a fantastically complex, intriguing mystery. I am in awe at the plotting, the characters and the intricacies. I loved how many mysteries and riddles were wrapped up in it, and I loved both Caroline and Patrick, the main characters trying to unravel everything. I guessed a couple of things, was wildly off with others, but loved every page. So satisfying, a mystery unlike any I’ve read before.

Thank you to the publisher Pan MacMillan.

The Final Act of Juliette Willoughby follows multiple timelines; Juliette in Paris in the 30s, Caroline and Patrick in Cambridge in the 90s and present day Dubai.
Juliette was a runaway heiress who died in the fire which also claimed her only known work of art. However, in the present day her masterpiece 'Self Portrait as Sphinx' has been found and the art dealer has been arrested for murder...

Decades worth of intertwining mysteries, unsolved missing persons and murder are explored through this highly engaging, well crafted and fantastically written story.

Though this book started off relatively slowly, it carefully introduces an extensive cast of characters and introduces the threads of various mysteries which will eventually, cleverly wind together. Complex, atmospheric and engaging. Incredibly clever in the conclusion, satisfying in the way everything is brought together and resolved. Highly recommended and I would love to read other books by these authors.

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this one! Combining lots of subjects and settings I enjoy: art, mystery, secret societies, historic houses, family secrets, feminism and academia. One blurb suggests “The Secret History meets Saltburn” and whilst I’m not convinced that’s totally spot on, I think if you liked those you’ll also enjoy this (even more so if like me you also have a soft spot for The Thomas Crown Affair).

An interesting flashback story set in the art history world and covering different timelines - present day, Cambridge in the early 1990s and pre-war Paris, where surrealist artist Juliette Willoughby held court with her married artist lover before dying in a fire along with her works of art. Many years later, two students doing some research on her missing masterpiece reveal new information about Juliette and believe the painting still exists. A fast moving story with an intricate and intriguing plot.

Loved everything about this: the lovingly detailed settings (Paris and Cambridge in particular), the toffs behaving badly, the art history intrigue. A perfect summer page turner.

Absolutely breath-taking story that sweeps you along throughout Paris in the 1930's into Dubai as it is today but in between that Cambridge in the 90's and I know that sounds confusing but it is well worth the journey. The story keeps you gripped and it is full of mystery and wonderful characters Totally recommend

This was a very unusual read. It is part Art History , real history and modern day. Very entertaining and worth the read, especially as it’s not the type of book I would usually read. It was entertaining and educational, witty and dark.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publishers, MacMillan for this ARC.

In Cambridge, two final year students are guided in their dissertation by an eccentric supervisor and they start to uncover details of a lost Surrealist masterpiece. The artist (and her picture) vanished after a Parisian fire but the students discover the painting hidden in the house owned by her estranged family. A curse seems to follow the family, related to egyptology, and fifty years later the last member of the family is found murdered.
Just writing a precis of the book makes it sound completely preposterous and in a way it is. The plot has so much thrown at the wall, it really shouldn't work - but it does. Three timelines weave throughout the narrative, the characters are actually quite well put together and plot is addictive.

This is art with a hint of mystery and intrigue. I would describe it as a bit of a slow burner. I struggled with it at first but a few chapters in, I finally got to grips with the story being told over different timeliness and fr the perspectives of different characters. This turned into a book I couldn't put down and I really enjoyed it as well as learning a lot about art.

This book is set over 3 time lines and also told from 3 people’s perspectives. The story is about art, with a hint of mystery, for me personally I found the story slow paced until after 50% through where it picked up.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.