Overview

The Sunday Times Top Five Bestseller A BBC Two Between the Covers Book Club Pick A Guardian 'Best Crime and Thrillers of 2023' Pick Laura Shepherd-Robinson's The Square of Sevens is an epic and sweeping novel set in Georgian high society, a dazzling story offering up mystery, intrigue, heartbreak, and audacious twists. This is your story, Red. You must tell it well . . . A girl known only as Red, the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller, travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient method: the Square of Sevens. When her father suddenly dies, Red becomes the ward of a gentleman scholar. Now raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendour of Bath, her fortune-telling is a delight to high society. But she cannot ignore the questions that gnaw at her soul: who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the mysterious enemies her father was always terrified would find him? The pursuit of these mysteries takes her from Cornwall and Bath to London and Devon, from the rough ribaldry of the Bartholomew Fair to the grand houses of two of the most powerful families in England. And while Red's quest brings her the possibility of great reward, it also leads her into grave danger . . . 'A wonderfully inventive novel' - The Times and Sunday Times, Best Historical Fiction of 2023 'A masterpiece' - Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Appeal 'A sweeping Dickensian tour de force of a novel' - Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora 'I doubt I'll read a better book this year' - Chris Whitaker, bestselling author of We Begin at the End

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9781529053708

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Reviews

[A] wonderfully inventive novel set in 18th-century England. As the heroine and narrator Red seeks the truth about her origins and possible connection to the wealthy De Lacy family, the reader’s expectations are constantly confounded with one twist in her tale after another -- <i>The Times</i> and <i>Sunday TImes</i>, Best Historical Fiction of 2023 This rich, complex and haunting Dickensian epic is a triumph of the Gothic genre . . . a masterpiece -- Janice Hallett, betselling author of <i>The Appeal </i> A sweeping Dickensian tour de force of a novel . . . cementing the author’s place as the queen of modern Georgian literature -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of <i>Pandora</i> A sprawling, exquisite, outright triumph . . . I doubt I’ll read a better book this year -- Chris Whitaker, author of <i>We Begin At the End</i> With its twists and turns and revelations of those lies that bind and truths that rend asunder, this story is a deep pleasure to read * Sunday Times * This is an intricately plotted, epic book that delivers twist after twist in its 560 pages. A big, satisfying and clever read * The Times * A big, complex mystery: rich in memorable, scheming characters and vivid historical detail, full of daring twists. I was so immersed in its world. I didn't want it to end -- S. J. Parris, bestselling author of the Giordano Bruno series This is a fabulously evocative novel, with a heroine who proves the most wonderful company, and a finely spun mystery which keeps you turning the pages. The Square of Sevens invites you into a magical world which you won't want to leave -- Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den trilogy A fabulous historical novel that races along like a galloping pony -- Andrew Taylor, bestselling author of <i>The Shadows of London</i> In The Square of Sevens, Laura Shepherd-Robinson excels at recreating the past - in this case, Georgian England - in an authentic way. She invites us to join fortune teller Red on an epic journey to unravel the secrets of her past and we cannot rest until we have answers. Dazzling -- Fiona Cummins, bestselling author of <i>When I Was Ten </i> What a magnificent rollercoaster ride of a book . . . I am in awe -- James Oswald, bestselling author of the Inspector McLean series This is a book to relish, not rush through. Rich in historical detail, it’s immersive, authoritative and Dickensian in scope. Fundamentally though it’s a damn good story, brilliantly told. I loved it -- Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of <i>Blood Orange</i> Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is one of the most intriguing books I have ever read -- Liz Nugent, bestselling author of <i>Strange Sally Diamond</i> Suspenseful and intricately planned, The Square of Sevens is a work where every page seems to hold the promise of a new thrilling secret. More than a mystery, it is a book that radiates a deep love of storytelling and the magic of a well-told tale -- Katherine Chen, author of <i>Joan</i> Laura Shepherd-Robinson is riding high in the historical crime stakes; this is a sprawling epic novel set in Georgian high society, with its lively fortune-telling heroine Red unearthing her own lethal legacy * Financial Times * The Square of Sevens shows a novelist approaching the peak of her powers. It's ingeniously plotted, panoramic and deeply satisfying. . . filled with period colour, clever twists and turns, and the best set of characters this side of Dickens. It will keep you guessing until the final pages * Daily Express * This has all the charm and intricate plotting that we expect from Laura’s books – it is exquisitely, meticulously plotted and you’ll want to curl up and absorb it all in as few readings as possible. For me, it’s reminiscent of Sarah Waters – praise that is richly deserved * Belfast Telegraph * [A] clever story...its characters flit between London's slums and palatial estates where misdirection and conspiracies abound * Washington Post *

This rich, complex and haunting Dickensian epic is a triumph of the Gothic genre. A book that stays with you. Shepherd-Robinson is an exceptional writer and meticulous researcher. She creates an atmosphere so evocative of the 18th century I breathed the same air as the characters, wore their clothes, felt what they felt. The Square of Sevens is a masterpiece -- Janice Hallett, betselling author of <i>The Appeal </i>and <i>The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels</i> A sweeping Dickensian tour de force of a novel, The Square of Sevens is an immaculately researched piece of fiction with all the twists and turns of a fortune teller’s wheel, cementing the author’s place as the queen of modern Georgian literature. Bravo Laura Shepherd-Robinson, I’m in awe! -- Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of <i>Pandora</i> A sprawling, exquisite, outright triumph. The Square of Sevens dazzles with heart, mystery and breathtaking detail. I doubt I’ll read a better book this year -- Chris Whitaker, author of <i>We Begin At the End</i> A big, complex mystery: rich in memorable, scheming characters and vivid historical detail, full of daring twists. I was so immersed in its world. I didn't want it to end -- S. J. Parris, bestselling author of the Giordano Bruno series This is a fabulously evocative novel, with a heroine who proves the most wonderful company, and a finely spun mystery which keeps you turning the pages. The Square of Sevens invites you into a magical world which you won't want to leave -- Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den trilogy Fortune-telling, hidden documents, priest holes, courtroom drama and dramatic revelations: The Square of Sevens is a deck of cards crammed full with secrets and lies -- Leonora Nattrass, author of <i>Black Drop </i>and <i>Blue Water</i> In The Square of Sevens, Laura Shepherd-Robinson excels at recreating the past - in this case, Georgian England - in an authentic way. She invites us to join fortune teller Red on an epic journey to unravel the secrets of her past and we cannot rest until we have answers. Dazzling -- Fiona Cummins, author of <i>When I Was Ten </i> A gorgeously written and plotted Georgian thriller with elements of Moll Flanders, theatre, cartomancy, and Bath. It’s as absorbing as Charles Palliser’s The Quincunx -- Amanda Craig, bestselling author of <i>The Golden Rule</i> What a magnificent rollercoaster ride of a book . . . Laura Shepherd-Robinson writes with such a fluid, easy style, with a knack for putting in just the right amount of detail to perfectly paint the world she is describing . . . I am in awe -- James Oswald, bestselling author of the Inspector McLean series This is a book to relish, not rush through. Rich in historical detail, it’s immersive, authoritative and Dickensian in scope. Fundamentally though it’s a damn good story, brilliantly told. I loved it -- Harriet Tyce, bestselling author of <i>Blood Orange </i>and <i>It Ends At Midnight</i> What a magnificent novel. I would advise any reader to set aside reading time to fully concentrate on this brilliantly complex story. Meticulously researched and beautifully written, this is one of the most intriguing books I have ever read -- Liz Nugent, bestselling author of <i>Our Little Cruelties </i>and <i>Strange Sally Diamond</i> Laura Shepherd-Robinson has created an instant classic. Red is unforgettable. The story is a treasure trove of lavish Georgian riches, female ingenuity and bitter betrayal . . . and I didn't want it to end -- Sophia Bennett, author of Her Majesty the Queen Investigates series The Square of Sevens is a cunningly plotted and wonderfully captivating novel that conjures up the Georgian period with a magical touch. Shepherd-Robinson guides us effortlessly through the social and political landscape of the time – the South Sea Bubble, the wonders of science, the complicated manners of Bath society – and populates this terrain, from drawing rooms to backstreets, with a plucky heroine and a cast of hugely engaging characters, each with their own secrets and flaws and all woven together with Dickensian deftness. I defy even the most curmugeonly not to be thoroughly entertained -- Liz Fremantle, author of <i>The Queen's Gambit </i>and <i>The Poison Bed</i> Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a master storyteller and she excels herself with this Dickensian epic. Relentless twists, heartbreaking storylines and impeccable research. It doesn’t get much better than this -- Emily Koch, author of <i>Keep Him Close </i>and <i>What July Knew</i> Ever since her bestselling debut, Blood & Sugar, Laura Shepherd-Robinson has made the Georgian era her own. In her latest, The Square of Sevens, she revisits the period, this time following a young girl named Red as she navigates the dark mysteries of her own past and the convoluted – and murderous – machinations of two of the country’s most prominent dynasties warring over a disputed inheritance. A big, meaty, meticulously researched and unashamedly ambitious historical novel -- Vaseem Khan, author of The Malabar House series Compelling, thrilling, totally absorbing. The rich period detail never once weighs down the pace of the storytelling in this exhilarating tale where fate and destiny come up against courage and ambition in wealthy, corrupt Georgian society. I loved it -- Tammy Cohen, author of <i>The Wedding Party</i> Intricate, compelling and stuffed full of intrigue, The Square of Sevens will sweep you into its world -- Fiona Barton, bestselling author of <i>The Widow</i> Pitch-perfect. Laura Shepherd Robinson has done it again- a beautifully strung novel quivering with just the right blend of pace, plot and historical detail. Bravo! -- Victoria Selman, author of the bestselling <i>Truly Darkly Deeply</i> This is such a glorious adventure, full of scheming and betrayal, with a delicious whiff of magic at its heart. Our hero holds only a few cards, and she must play them exactly right if she wants to survive -- William Shaw, author of the DS Alexandra Cupidi series A very clever, intricate and fascinating novel -- Anna Mazzola, author of <i>The Clockwork Girl </i>and <i>House of Whispers</i> It’s impossible to overstate the brilliance Laura Shepherd-Robinson demonstrates in her work. To find a writer with such a clear love and understanding of her subject and have it matched by a sparkling ability to spin a yarn is rare and exciting. The Square of Sevens is an exquisite feat in storytelling: intelligent, dark, surprising, moving, and always entertaining. Shepherd-Robinson's characters are so brilliantly drawn, the story so richly imagined, and the world she conjures so vivid that I imagined myself there, amidst it all, my heart in my mouth as the players race towards their fate -- Charlotte Philby, author of <i>Edith and Kim</i> My favourite Laura Shepherd-Robinson novel yet. Fortune telling, Cornwall and Bath. What’s not to love? Completely compelling and clever, of course. And in Red, a heroine I wanted to spend days with -- Joanna Nadin, author of <i>The Double Life of Daisy Hemmings</i> Such brilliant storytelling with twists and turns that leave you breathless. I love Laura’s books and this is her best yet -- Julie Owen Moylan, author of <i>That Green Eyed Girl</i> She’s only gone and done it again! What a sumptuous, intricate, masterfully woven and beautifully told story of deception and corruption, power & passion, family secrets and enduring lies. Absolutely exquisite -- Erin Young, author of <i>The Fields</i> The Square of Sevens isn't just a five-star read, it's a fully immersive experience. I lived Red's quest, rooting for her every step of the way. Loaded with plot and intrigue and sumptuous period detail, this kept me guessing until the end -- Caz Frear, author of <i>Shed No Tears</i> Laura Shepherd Robinson is a brilliant, brilliant writer, up there with CJ Sansom and Andrew Taylor -- James O'Brien The Square of Sevens is glorious! Dazzling and richly rewarding, this is the acme of historical fiction. In a gorgeously realised 18th-century, fate, fortune, inheritance and family depend (literally) on the turn of a card -- Kate Griffin, author of <i>Fyneshade</i>

Author Information

Laura Shepherd-Robinson worked in politics for nearly twenty years before re-entering normal life to complete an MA in Creative Writing. Her debut novel, Blood & Sugar, was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month and won the Historical Writers' Association Debut Crown and the Specsavers/Crimefest Best Debut Novel prize. Her second novel, Daughters of Night, was shortlisted for the Theakstons Crime Book of the Year, the Goldsboro Glass Bell Award, and the HWA Gold Crown. The Square of Sevens is her third novel and became an instant Sunday Times bestseller on publication. She lives in London with her husband Adrian.

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