We chat with author Alexandra Andrews about The Fine Art of Lying, which is a riveting new novel about a young wife and mother thrust into a world of wealth and privilege, whose rash mistake sets off a domino effect of murder and betrayal.
Hi, Alexandra! Welcome back! It’s been five years since we last spoke for the release of Who Is Maud Dixon?, so how have you been?
Well, the last time we spoke it was the height of Covid, so I suppose that in comparison things are pretty good!
Your latest novel, The Fine Art of Lying, is out May 5th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I’ll do it in three: Art, sex, murder.
What can readers expect?
The book is about Clare Bast, a young wife and mother in Manhattan, who meets a sexy French art dealer who shares her interest in an enigmatic mid-century painter. Beyond that, I hope everything that happens is entirely unexpected!
Where did the inspiration for The Fine Art of Lying come from?
It came from my own experiences with motherhood and from my own love of art.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I love writing over-the-top characters. In the case of my first book, that was Helen. In The Fine Art of Lying, it would have to be Clare’s mother-in-law, Dorothy Bast, and a socialite named Tasha Wolfe.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Oh, just the usual: procrastination, self-doubt, laziness. I overcame them through some combination of coffee and internet-blocking software.
Were there any key lessons you learned from writing and publishing your debut that helped with The Fine Art of Lying?
I learned that once you have a full draft, it’s exceedingly easy to go back and add additional scenes or chapters to the beginning. This is great for adding little hints or bread crumbs for the reader that I wouldn’t have thought of the first time through.
What’s next for you?
I currently have two ideas for my next book, and I’m trying to decide which one to pursue. But they both involve the art world.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I can’t wait for the new Elizabeth Strout, Ben Lerner and Maria Semple books.
