I very much enjoyed this, it had me wondering all the way through, was this person actually Charles?
Grace was an interesting character, an amazing artist, all the talk of art had me googling some paintings too.
Whilst I felt I preferred the first half, firmly set in the Hall, the last part of the book brought everything together so well.
A really, really good read.

Set in 1899 this wonderful read tells the story of Grace.

Grace is a painter, an artist with the ability to spot forgeries and when her long lost councin returns home there are a few family members who question if he really is who he says he is..

I loved this book. It is atmospheric and a well told tale,

Highly recommended

I absolutely adored THE ORIGINAL. Set at the turn is the 20th century, it’s twisty, with layers of doubles and doppelgängers, from Grace’s ability to recreate master works of art to her cousin Charles’ reappearance.

Grace Inderwick, rescued from a worse fate by her aunt and uncle when her parents are separated and institutionalised, grows up not really understanding the vast wealth her father’s family have come from, but her life becomes dictated by it nonetheless. She discovers a talent for painting and sees it as a path toward her escape from the stifling confusions of the upper class, but Grace can work only as a (gifted) copyist, and cannot imagine her own artworks, incapable of visualising faces, even of recognising those she knows well. When Charles, presumed dead after more than a decade away at sea, returns to claim his family seat and the riches that come with it, he and his mother have to prove that he is who he says he is, but no one can quite remember what the young Charles looked like and whether this new Charles could be him, least of all Grace, the cousin he was closest with. Amidst all this, both Grace and Charles are hiding other secrets, afraid of being found out in more ways than one.

Nell Stevens’ latest novel is another gorgeously written world to get immersed in, with fewer ghosts than BRIEFLY, A DELICIOUS LIFE, but more skeletons in the closet.

Out in July, thanks to netgalley/scribner for the proof!

Grace is a talented painter, raised by her aunt and uncle due to some unfortunate family background.
There was once a cousin called George.
Built on secrets, this is an interesting mystery and thriller with a beautiful prose.

Passionate , sensual and often funny, this is a pacy, satisfying read. Grace is the ward of her oppressive and controlling gothic Aunt and grasping apoplectic Uncle, and Grace is an original in this vivid story about originals, copies and forgeries. Author Nell Stevens uses colour and pigment names to paint so many descriptions: from the Caput Mortuum brown of her widowed aunt’s mouldering, neglected estate to the sensual pinks of the Rokeby Venus. Grace’s cousin’s great love is named Green, her amour Ruby. As an artist, I was delighted by the accuracy of the writing about painting and paintings. I was also drawn to Grace, whose inability to recognise faces (Prosopagnosia) and social anxiety is combined with her clear sense of justice which made me feel invested in her as a vulnerable but brave character. I suspect that Grace is neurodivergent and liked reading her refreshing, Savant’s voice as she navigated the colonialism, homophobia and misogyny that marked Britain at the turn of the 20th century.

To say I wanted more would be an understatement. This was a delicious page turner right from the start. Everytime I had to put it down, it was all I could think about. I did end up finishing way past my bedtime, just so I would be able to sleep. For lovers of art and intrigue.

I love this story. It's buzzing with life and intrigue. `Our narrator, Grace Inderwick, is sent to live with her hideous aunt and uncle when both her parents are declared insane and sent to asylums. She arrives hoping to be welcomed into a loving family only to find her dreams could not be further from the truth. The only human relationship she has is with her cousin, Charles. Charles teaches her to paint and unlocks her talent for forgery before he runs away to sea and disappears.

Years later Charles returns under mysterious circumstances and Grace is drawn into the puzzle of figuring out what is real and what may be a copy, in art and in life. This is a brilliant, witty tale told with brio and a dark humour and matching fury. Grace is a terrific character and I absolutely romped through this. In parts it reminded me of the work of Sarah Waters in a thrilling way.