Art and Artifice

A Novella

By: Owen Hebbert

Narrated by: Owen Hebbert

When the nouveau-riche Peterkins invite an artistic couple to live and work in a disused wing of their country home, they unknowingly craft a cocktail of conflict, tension, and deceit.

This delightful social comedy is told from the perspective of Lancaster, the household's rigidly inhibited butler, who is torn between his principles of professional detachment and his love for the Peterkins.

©2025 Owen Hebbert (P)2025 Owen Hebbert

the perfect book to settle down and listen to after a long day

The beginning was somewhat confusing for me as I listened to this while multitasking. It quickly got a lot better after a few chapters. The characters are well written, I know because some of them got on my nerves. Some of them I loved. I would die for the main character.

Amazingly written

I never realized how much more I resonate with simple stories about simple people with complicated acquaintances. Thank you for shining a bright light on the good qualities of a quiet simple life, and a beautiful marriage.

Great Novella

Art & Artifice is a compact, slyly elegant novella with a soft art-deco glow to it—like a humbler, more grounded cousin of The Great Gatsby. That feeling comes from the way the Peterkins are drawn: successful but still conscious of the work that got them there, hiring a live-in artist not to flaunt wealth but to add texture to their home.

Lancaster, though, is the real star. His prim, dutiful exterior hides a quietly strategic streak that’s equal parts amusing and suspicious—in the best way. You can feel him ever so gently steering situations, not out of malice but out of loyalty and a desire to keep the household running the “right” way. It’s a pleasure watching him operate.

The whole thing feels cozy but sharp: Lancaster’s narration, the domestic rhythms, and the steady pacing wrap you in comfort, while the irony and tension keep you alert. And the finale—where he sits down and lays out the key events, filling in what every other character missed—delivers closure, clarity, and just enough of a wink to leave you smiling.

It’s absolutely a story I’ll return to. I listened to the audiobook first, and Owen Hebbert’s narration brings the whole thing to life; I’m already planning to pick up the paperback so I can enjoy it all over again in print.

Witty, Stylish, Delightful

This clever tale chronicles one man’s resolve and quiet despair as his life unravels. As the perfect butler to an ideal couple, Lancaster’s unfailing witty banter and rigid adherence to protocol are tested as his once idyllic little world falls into sharp decline. The delightful writing hints of a modern Wodehouse with added depth. Highly recommended - S. Ayer

A gripping story with excellent characters

The author artfully expresses his characters in a way that enlives the story and draws you into the drama and events that unfold. I did not expect the ending, and it was masterfully done! The tension between characters was gripping while the story unfolded through the eyes of the butler showing what all was happening in that secluded mansion. I highly recommend!