Barbara Ewing - The Fraud

The Fraud: A Canvas of Secrets and Deception

The flickering candlelight in Filipo di Vecellio's London home casts long shadows, revealing not just the opulence of the renowned Florentine portrait painter's life, but also the darkness that lurks beneath the surface. Surrounded by the glitterati of the London art world, including luminaries like Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Gainsborough, and the ever-critical William Hogarth, Filipo seems to have it all. But his past remains shrouded in mystery, a veil he desperately seeks to maintain. His sister, Francesca, a silent observer in the grand house on Pall Mall, knows the truth. She witnesses the sacrifices her brother has made in his relentless pursuit of success, the corruption that fuels his ambition, and the web of lies he has woven to maintain his gilded cage. Francesca, however, is not merely a passive spectator. She holds secrets of her own, secrets that could shatter the carefully constructed facade Filipo has built. As the city of London expands its reach, encompassing a world of commerce, ambition, and deceit, Francesca finds herself drawn into a dangerous game. The lines between truth and fiction, love and betrayal, become blurred, leading to a climactic confrontation that will expose the hidden truths and reveal the true extent of Filipo's fraud. The Fraud is a captivating historical novel, a portrait of a society obsessed with art, wealth, and the preservation of appearances. Barbara Ewing's masterful storytelling, coupled with her insightful portrayal of human nature, creates a compelling narrative that will keep you guessing until the very end. Barbara Ewing is an award-winning author whose work has been translated into multiple languages. She is renowned for her meticulous research and her ability to breathe life into historical settings.