Artist

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WATERSTONES DEBUT PRIZE 2025 LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN''S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2025 A RADIO 4 BOOK AT BEDTIME ''A furiously romantic, sun-drenched mystery . . . The Artist will leave you yearning in every sense of the word'' Yael van der Wouden, author of The Safekeep''The Artist is a lush, impressive debut; the writing is rich and sensuous, especially in descriptions of food, the landscape and the act of creation. Lucy Steeds is one to watch'' The Times''Dextrous and powerful . . . a hugely accomplished portrait of ambition and self-fulfilment'' Guardian''The year''s most lauded debut novelist . . . A sultry, headily perfumed portrait of monstrous male egos and oppressed overlooked women . . . The Artist uncovers its secrets by stealth'' Telegraph''A blaze of a book, poetic, passionate and quietly powerful'' Daily Mail''This compelling, evocative debut will transport you to idyllic, sun-drenched Provence in 1920 . . . An absorbing, poetic read'' Mail on Sunday''Captivating . . . with imagery as lush as an oil painting'' Washington Post''Enthralling . . . the descriptions of the landscape, the meals they eat and the art created are so rich and evocative it''s as if you''re there'' Good Housekeeping**BEST BOOKS FOR 2025 from Stylist and Good Housekeeping**PROVENCE, 1920Ettie moves through the remote farmhouse, silently creating the conditions that make her uncle''s artistic genius possible.Joseph, an aspiring journalist, has been invited to the house. He believes he''ll make his name by interviewing the reclusive painter, the great Edouard Tartuffe.But everyone has their secrets. And, under the cover of darkness, Ettie has spent years cultivating hers.Over this sweltering summer, everyone''s true colours will be revealed.Because Ettie is ready to be seen.Even if it means setting her world on fire.''Lucy Steeds transports the reader with her sensuous depictions of food, art, and landscape . . . an assured and atmospheric debut'' Sarah Perry, author of