"People like to say they seek the truth. Sometimes they even mean it. The truth is they crave the soft , quilted comfort of a lie."

The Square of Sevens is the second book I have read by this author. I loved Daughters of Night, so I was very excited to read this book.

Red is seven-years-old when we first meet her. She has an unconventional childhood, living on the road with her fortune telling father, a self-professed cunning man. Red is used to people looking down on them and being fearful of their craft, even those who choose to have their fortune told.

'I am no gypsy,'father said, though I hold the Romani people in naught but the highest regard.

Neither am I a king, but merely the tenth man named George in a long line of cunning-men."

Red's gift has gotten them into a fair few scrapes, the latest of which led to her father being dunked in a millpond to test for witchcraft. Now her father is unwell and concerned for her future.

Red's father has always inisited that he has enemies searching for him. With no one else to turn to, Red's father entrusts her into the care of a man named Robert Antrobus.

Red is now known as Rachel Antrobus and is plunged into society circles in Bath. Rachel enjoys her new life but she can't help wondering about her father's mysterious enemies.

This book is so expertly plotted that I didn't guess any of the major twists..and I almost always guess them.

The Square of Sevens is expertly crafted and full of details that pull you into Red's world. I loved every interaction and encounter Red had and I loved that we knew she wasn't entirely a reliable narrator. I couldn't put this book down and I am still thinking about it now even though I finished it a few weeks ago.

"If you wanted a saint, then you should have read a different book."

The Square of Sevens is a fabulous page turner following the life of Red as the truth of her heritage is gradually revealed, Layers of intrigue are slowly unravelled to reveal the jaw dropping true identity.

There's lots of period detail, romance, peril and adventure as our heroine perseveres to uncover the truth of her mother's identity and death of which her father would never speak. Shepherd-Robinson utilises the fortune telling art to control what is revealed and to whom, leaving the reader to piece together the whole story.

Artfully written and highly recommend.

A strange one for me as I loved the premise and indeed the setting but struggled with other elements. At times I found the writing a bit meandering and like it was been forced to fit a certain pattern/structure. I initially didn't realise it was written in a memoir style until Red broke the fourth wall and I will admit that took away some of the enjoyment for me as it was a solid give a way to the fact that Red was likely an unreliable narrator.
That said there were parts that were very deftly done, the characters were very tangible and the writing style is for the most part rich and immersive. The plot itself was well thought out and you can tell the amount of work and no doubt research that was put into it.
Overall, not a bad book at all and certainly, at times, a fascinating and absorbing read.

The Square of Sevens is a long and complex tale about people who aren't who they seem to be and whose identities shift so much it's hard to keep track at times. There are lies, secrets, fortune tellers and hoaxers, wrapped up in litigious aristocracy and the battle for wealth and power.

Having said that, the plot was so propulsive that I never got bored and I was desperate to find out the truth. The historical notes at the end were, if anything, even more fascinating than the story itself and gave me a greater appreciation of the writer's skill and book structure.

A highly recommended read for lovers of historical fiction.

‘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 . . .’

My thanks to Pan Macmillan Mantle for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Square of Sevens’ by Laura Shepherd-Robinson.

I have read Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s first two historical novels, ‘Blood & Sugar’ and ‘Daughters of Night’ and had been impressed with both. As a result, I was very excited about her third novel, which like the others is set in 18th Century Britain.

Cornwall, 1730. The novel’s lead is a girl known as Red. She is the daughter of a Cornish fortune-teller and travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using an ancient method of cartomancy known as the Square of Sevens. When her father dies, Red becomes the ward of Robert Antrobus, a gentleman scholar who had been acquainted with her father and very interested himself in the Square of Sevens.

Antrobus raises her as a lady amidst the Georgian splendour of Bath. She still continues with her fortune-telling to the delight of high society. Yet Red has unanswered questions about the death of her mother and the identity of the mysterious enemies that her father was terrified would find him. Her father had always claimed that her mother had been a fine lady, who had eloped with him against the wishes of her family.

In order to find the answers to these mysteries Red travels to London where she is brought into the orbit of two of the most powerful families in England: the De Lacys and the Lords Seabrook, who have been locked in a legal battle for years over an inheritance. While the quest offers the possibility of great reward for Red, it also leads her into grave danger . .

Laura Shepherd-Robinson opens with a note about the method of fortune telling known as the Square of Sevens and where to find information about the cards’ meanings.

‘The Square of Seven’ has an interesting narrative structure inspired by this fortune telling system. The novel has four parts, each comprised of twenty-one chapters. Every chapter is headed by a playing card and the meaning of the card mirrors the events of that chapter. In addition, each of the four parts corresponds to a fortune that Red tells during the course of the novel.

‘The Seven of Squares’ was an enthralling epic tale. As I found with her other novels, the historical setting was so well realised that I found myself totally immersed from start to finish. Red was an amazing lead, complemented by a wealth of supporting characters.

The story had echoes of the classic novels of the period and something of a Hogarthian atmosphere. Perhaps no surprise that William Hogarth does make a brief appearance in the text along with other historical figures of the period.

Overall, I found ‘The Square of Sevens’ a brilliant novel and one that I highly recommend to lovers of literary historical fiction.

A child, known only as Red, travels the country fairs with her father, together they tell fortunes using the ancient method of the Square of Sevens. They've each known hard times and sad times and their familial bond is precious so when Red's father becomes dangerously ill there is no-one, other than a casual acquaintance, who can take responsibility for this precociously talented child.

Moving seamlessly into the world of the Georgian middle classes we follow Red's journey as she learns how to be a lady amongst the elite of Bath society. From the inside of matronly salons, to the gossip of the Pump Room, Red absorbs everything around her whilst at the same time continues to share her prodigious talent for fortune telling. However, even as the lure of the Square of Sevens continues to entrance and delight, so the news of the resurgence of this ancient method of fortune telling disturbs those who know its history only too well and who would rather the secret of the cards remain hidden.

Long buried family secrets, deadly lies and scurrilous gossip abound in this wonderful Dickensian-like tale of Georgian England. It's mean, it's moody, it creates such an ambiance that at times I forgot where I was and it was only on looking up I realised that I wasn't actually in Georgian London, watching the viciousness of bear baiting, fighting my corner in the Magpie or strolling amongst the crowds at the Bartholomew Fair.

To say this author brings history alive is an understatement, the story zings with anticipation, gloriously detailing a long standing family feud and controlling all the many players with a skillful eye for even the smallest detail and at centre stage stands Red, a feisty and all-consuming heroine, it is her story.

In her historical note, Laura Shepherd-Robinson states that she wanted to write ‘something mythical and magical, a sweeping Dickensian story with a twist’ and, boy, has she succeeded. The author takes us on a endlessly inventive and enthralling journey that in its story of disputed inheritance, suspicious deaths and familial intrigue has echoes of Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins and Robert Louis Stevenson but never feels derivative.

The book is peopled with fascinating supporting characters, notably Lazarus Darke whose name could surely have come from a Dickens novel. And I couldn’t help thinking of Dickens’s Bleak House when it comes to the long-running legal case, in this instance between two powerful families connected by blood but divided by past events, that forms much of the backdrop to the book.

Any attempt to summarise the twists and turns of the plot would be doomed to failure and risk giving away some of the many surprises awaiting the reader, so I’m not even going to try. Safe to say, the dividing line between truth and illusion is gossamer thin and you shouldn’t necessarily believe what you see or hear.

Our heroine, Red, is the epitome of relentless determination, pursuing her goal with ingenuity and, at times, a careless regard for her own safety. She’s also not averse to a little manipulation when she believes it will serve her purpose. Let’s face it, in this book she’s not alone when it comes to that.

I loved the way the author integrated the Square of Sevens itself into the book, with each chapter bearing an illustration of a card whose accompanying interpretation may give clues to the events about to unfold.

At over 500 pages The Square of Sevens is a chunky book but it moves along at pace with a constant sense there is a surprise around the next corner. There invariably is. Some of them are positively audacious. In fact, I can imagine the author thinking, gotcha!

Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s previous two books, Blood & Sugar and Daughters of Night, were great but this is definitely her best yet. The Square of Sevens is a rip-roaring romp of a historical novel that will keep you turning the pages.

Set in Georgian England, between Bath and London this is a stunning story of lost documents, family secrets, betrayal, power and loss.

The Square of Sevens refers to a method of reading cards or cartomancy. Young Rachel (Red) Antrobus learns the method from her father. As a young woman now in London Red tries to prove her legitimacy as heir to a great fortune but there are many others who would rather see her dead than in receipt of what may be rightfully hers.

This is a really good book.

The Square of Sevens follows the story of Red, an orphaned fortune teller in 18th century England, as she searches for the truth about her long-dead mother. Even her father may not have been the kind of man she thought he was.

I have only words of praise for this novel. Cleverly plotted, expertly paced, rounded characters, well written dialogue.

A superb book. You should read it.

Thank you to NetGalley the publishers, Mantle, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Lies, Secrets, Deception, an intense family feud and twists and turns to make you gasp aloud - this novel is a gorgeously crafted tale guaranteed to be one of your favourite reads this year.

I love an unreliable narrator, and this book delivers. You jump right into a mystery that follows Red, a daughter of a fortune teller, who embarks on her quest to find her family. Red, an expert in the famous cartography of the Square of Sevens, uses her charm and wits to find the truth.
This novel is masterly plotted into four sections, with each chapter corresponding to a particular card that follows the Square of Sevens method - a second read would see the prominence of this.

Red is such an engaging narrator, and you can’t help but root for her, a seemingly unfortunate girl who faces injustices and poor luck at every turn. Lazarus Darke is another engaging narrator featured, and his pov is entirely different from Reds. Darke is more duty-bound; towards the end, he closely resembles us, the reader. A whole other host of characters help weave this web of complex tales, and the author does a great job of introducing them and giving them enough time within the story to feel their impact.

Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a genius in historical fiction, and the level of detail is evident in her writing. The historical notes at the end of the book show how much research and care she put into the novel. Comparatively, I’ve never felt more empathy for women in the 18th century. Actions and mentions of sexism are not a central plot point but are subtly laced throughout the novel. These actions wouldn’t be uncommon for that time, but they created much injustice in the story that readers can’t help but feel for the women in the novel.

This novel was a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The layers of secrets and mysteries were abundant. I read this novel so fast and loved every moment - I highly recommend any historical fiction or mystery fans read this novel!

A brilliant read! The story follows a girl called Red (or later, Rachel) who, after her fortune-telling father dies, finds herself being cared for by a rich guardian as she grows up to become a “lady”.

I feel like I can’t say too much about the plot because there are SO MANY twists and turns and I’m afraid I’ll end up spoiling something! But if you enjoy wel-written (and researched) historical fiction/thrillers then this is a must-read! 📚

This is the third novel from this author that I’ve read and I can’t praise her work enough. The writing is fast-paced but also so richly detailed that you are drawn right into 18th century straight away. At over 500 pages, this isn’t going to be a quick read but one to really savour and enjoy as the story unravels itself!

Thank you so much to @netgalley @laurashepherdrobinson and @mantlepressbooks for this e-arc in exchange for my unbiased review! ✨🥰📖

I have never made any secret about my love of history and historical fiction so I knew that the books by Laura Shepherd-Robinson would be right up my street. I have both Blood and Sugar and Daughters of Night in my TBR pile already but the blurb for The Square of Sevens made me reach for this one first.
We are introduced to Red when she is a very young girl just as her life is about to change forever. The daughter of a Cornish fortune teller she finds herself becoming a ward of a gentleman from Bath who they meet on their travels. After changing her name to Rachel and advising her never to reveal her past she is brought up as a lady. It is during this time she becomes acquainted with the De Lacy family and once again her life appears to change.
Red/Rachel is a character that at first it is not easy to warm to, but she certainly has a steely determination to claim what she believes to be rightfully hers whilst also trying to find out more about her real parents. Using her ability to tell fortunes using cards she occasionally manipulates the readings in order to find out information that may help her, not always thinking about the consequences of what she is doing. The De Lacy family are not without their secrets and are in fact in constant battle with each other over the family legacy that could make or break fortunes and Red is never sure who she can trust or who to align herself with.
The Square of Sevens has everything you could want in a book to keep you hooked from the start and gives a colourful account of the lives of the characters within it. Like Red herself you are never sure who can be trusted and who has an ulterior motive and towards the end their true characters are revealed and there are some surprises along the way, and you even wonder just how reliable Red’s account of what happened really is.
Moving between Cornwall, Bath, London and Devon the locations provide an added colour to the book with the beliefs and laws of the time adding extra danger to the quest for the truth. Don’t let the size of the book put you off as once you start reading the time will fly by as you find yourself immersed in Red’s world. One thing for certain is that Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a very skilled storyteller and I don’t think it will be long before I catch up reading her earlier books.

The Square of Sevens was my most anticipated release for 2023, despite the fact that when I requested a copy on NetGalley (December 2022), I hadn’t read a single book from Laura Shepherd-Robinson. I heard good things, though, and the blurb sounded super intriguing. Then over the spring of 2023, I read the audiobook version of her second novel, Daughters of Night which I loved. And it made me want to get my hands on a copy of her new one even more. The problem with having high expectations, though, is that they very rarely get paid off. The Square of Sevens is one of those few exceptions where my expectations were absolutely met and even got surpassed. What. A. Book.

The Square of Sevens tells the story of Red (some know her as Rachel Antrobus), an orphaned girl, whose past is shrouded in mystery. She has a peculiar skill at cartomancy which makes her stand out within Bath society. Using her skills at both reading the cards and the people, she sets out to find out what really happened to her parents. And reveal a couple of De Lacy family secrets too along the way.

Most of the book is written from Red’s POV in first person, as she tells her story from the moment she and her father met a rich gentleman, who ends up being her guardian after her father suddenly passes away. Shepherd-Robinson‘s prose sucked me in right from the beginning. Red is very easy to relate to, even if she is not always easy to like. Sometimes she makes decisions that are hard to agree with or even see anything else than selfishness or pure obsession. But you can also not help but admire her bravery and stubbornness to find out the truth. Sometimes, the truth sets a high price, and the consequences might be far worse than one is ready to face. And yet, she goes ahead no matter what. Consequences be damned.

It’s hard to talk about The Square of Sevens without spoilers, because it has layers upon layers of intrigue, secrets and emotions. All building on each other, and when you’d think you know where things are heading, then something comes along to challenge your views. It doesn’t happen too often that I find my jaw scraping the floor, but Shepherd-Robinson definitely managed to make me exclaim loudly a few times. I just love it when that happens. I’m fairly certain she could write even a shopping list in a way that it could take you on a rollercoaster ride.

I loved how the story built from Red seeking answers about her mother, which led her to not only to London but even bigger secrets than she would have thought. And not only does she have her own secrets, but all of the De Lacy family has a thing or two to hide, and an agenda as to how they want things to turn out. Especially when it comes to a certain lawsuit deciding the fate of the De Lacy fortune between the two branches of the family. Everything is related to everything, and as we get further into the book, the deeper the roots go, and more we learn about what lays beneath the respectful facade. It’s not only gripping mystery, but it also gives us a glimpse into 18th century British society, and I loved the historical bits just as much. Shepherd-Robinson has a gift of bringing that era into life for the reader and I wished I could walk alongside Red, exploring both Bath and London. Not only the places feel absolutely real, but the characters too. They were all well rounded, although there were a few I would have liked to see more of. But that’s what you get when there are a huge cast of characters – not everyone can get enough screen time. Still, what I get is still enough to give the reader a really good idea of what’s going on (or not, as it might turn out).

Another aspect I absolutely loved was how cartomancy played a big part in the whole story. From styling the parts around fortunes told to different characters, through the chapter headings to the actual fortune telling in the book. *chef’s kiss* I couldn’t be happier that I pre-ordered the hardcover copy because I just can’t wait to see those pretty cards on the pages and to reread this book in style.

The Square of Sevens is undoubtedly one of my favorite reads in 2023. It got everything I love – mystery, historical fiction, secrets, intriguing characters, and excellent writing. I could barely put it down and it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. The Square of Sevens is a masterpiece that begs you to reread once you are done with it. Whatever Laura Shepherd-Robinson writes next, I’ll be in the frontline wanting to put my hands on a copy, because I just can’t get enough. I very highly recommend her books to any mystery/historical fiction lover.

Laura Sherperd-Robinson delivers another winner, a book that kept me turning pages and enjoy the twists, the intrigues, and the mystery.
I was also fascinated by the art of cartomancy and how different was in the XVIII century.
Red is the daughter of a cunning man, a girl who grew up conning people and no mother. She knew her mother could be a gentlewoman who was estranged by her family.
After the death of ther father she became the ward of a gentleman and raised as a lady.
There's a mystery in her life, a mystery that could relate her to an aristocratic family but also be very dangerous.
This is the start of a fascinating travel of Red to discover her roots and who was her mother.
I read references to Dickens and Colling but I would like to add another reference: These Old Shades as Red made me think of Leonie and the vivid historical background, the descriptions of the Ton made me think of Ms Heyer.
I suppose there will be other comparisons but the gist is that this is an entertaining, gripping, and well plotted story. The storytelling is excellent and there's no info dump even when they talk about the meaning of card or the different spreads.
I loved it and it's highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Square of Sevens is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Filled with enticing characters, sublime descriptions and a mystery. I loved how each chapter started with a card and its meaning, which cleverly linked to each chapter. I thought this allowed the mystery of the story to flow nicely, it also added a delightful mysticism to the story. The descriptions of Bath and London contrasted well and the sumptuousness of the  Leighfindell estate was a delight. There were some incredible twists and turns, with a very satisfying ending. This was one of the best historical fiction books I've read in a while.

I wasn’t expecting this novel to be quite the epic historic thriller that it is. Set in Georgian England, The Square of Sevens is detailed, twisty and compelling. Our heroine is Red. Not always likeable, she is complex and intriguing, and you can’t help but want her to succeed in her quest to find out about her birth family and to thrive.
The author has really done her homework. You can completely immerse yourself in the era and locations,, from the Inns of Cornwall,, to genteel Bath, to the fairgrounds of London, to a luxurious country estate. I was there!
I was in awe of the complexity and intelligence of the plot (in a very good way) and the historical detail. I definitely recommend this to readers, and think it would be an excellent book club read.

This book was incredible! I loved the two previous books by this author but this one just blew me away. Red's story was so compelling and the twists and turns just kept coming. I would think I had figured one bit out and the narrative would turn again. It was so easy to read and immerse myself in, and the characters were beautifully written and their actions brutal at times, but always believable.

When I wasn't reading the book, I was thinking about it.

It is definitely going to be one of my favourite books of the year. I can't wait to see what this author writes next.

This is historical fiction with a ton of mystery. Red spent her early years travelling with her father, a Cornish ‘cunning man’ and telling fortunes using the mysterious ‘Square of Sevens. On her father’s death, she becomes the ward of a gentleman and is brought up as a lady in Georgian Bath. She can’t settle into her new life completely as she desperately wants to find out more about her mother and what happened to her.
The story takes us from Bath to the fairground folk in London and into high society as Red tries to prove that she is part of a grand family and the author does a brilliant job of using historical detail to convey the atmosphere of each setting. There is a huge cast of characters and it was occasionally difficult to keep track of who everyone was. I loved the character of Red and her determination to take her rightful place in society. The author has done a huge amount of research into the period and many of the characters and events are inspired by real life.
The book did drag a little especially in the early parts but the action speeds up when Red travels to London and I was gripped by the plot. There are many different strands to the mystery but it all centres around Red’s ability to tell fortunes using the cards and this provides the structure for the novel. I loved the ending and the way that all of the different strands were brought together in a very satisfying conclusion.
Thank you to Net Galley and Pan MacMillan for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Five stars!!

What a fantastic tale. Clocking in at 560 pages, this is far from a short read and had me gripped throughout. Parallels with Dickens have been drawn, rightly. This also reminded me of The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, another epic read with a mystery at its centre which was originally serialised; I could easily imagine TSoS being released in instalments.

I loved how the playing cards had been matched (perfectly) to each chapter, giving the reader a glint of what lies in the pages ahead.

And as for THAT twist….I’m still getting over it now! Thank you to netgalley & Pan Macmillan for my review copy.

Darn!!!!

This is how I choose to start my review. Because THIS BOOK!!!

If I could give it ten stars, I'd give it a thousand. It was this good.

I've always been a big fan of historical fiction (mostly romance though), but this book just drew me in, chewed me up and spat me out and left me gobsmacked for days after I've finished it. This is a book that will take you on a real journey, a transformation through Georgian Bath and London society, then ultimately taking you all the way to Cornwall. But the interesting part is the world building of the era and our protagonist, who you can't help but trust fully from the get go and see her get justice for everything she deserves.

The author uses the reader, manipulates and makes them get sucked in, into a world of politics and trials and intrigue, never once making the plot feel like it's dragging on, and every single one of it's 500+ pages bears such importance to the story, you cannot stop reading.

I remember that especially after a point in the book, I couldn't stop gasping and exclaiming bravados out loud to the genius of how the author chose to bring everything together into a momentous crescendo. It was simply glorious.

If you're a fan of a good historical fiction, then please please please read this book!!!