The Square of Sevens: the stunning, must-read historical novel of 2023

'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, bestselling author of We Begin at the End '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' - Susan Stokes-Chapman, bestselling author of Pandora 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. 'My father had spelt it out to me. Choice was a luxury I couldn't afford. 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 into her grave danger . . . 'Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a brilliant, brilliant writer, up there with CJ Sansom and Andrew Taylor' - James O'Brien Praise for Laura Shepherd-Robinson, author of Blood & Sugar and Daughters of Night 'A page-turner of a crime thriller . . . This is a world conveyed with convincing, terrible clarity' - C. J. Sansom, number one bestselling author of the Shardlake series 'The best historical crime novel I will read this year' - Antonia Senior, The Times 'Shepherd-Robinson would be advised to clear her shelves for future awards' - Financial Times 'Here's one where the pages turn all by themselves and the plot doesn't let you go' - Diane Setterfield, bestselling author of Once Upon A River