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About The Book

This “intricately plotted, epic” (The Times, London) international bestseller—in the vein of the vivid novels of Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry—follows an orphaned fortune teller in 18th-century England as she searches for answers about her long-dead mother.

Cornwall, 1730: A young girl known only as Red travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using the ancient Cornish method of the Square of Sevens. Shortly before he dies, her father entrusts Red’s care to a gentleman scholar, along with a document containing the secret of the Square of Sevens technique.

Raised as a lady amidst the Georgian splendor of Bath, Red’s fortune telling delights in 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 to grave danger.

“Intricate, haunting, and magical by turns, Laura Shepherd-Robinson’s tale is an absolute immersive read you won’t soon forget” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author).

About The Author

Laura Shepherd-Robinson was born in Bristol in 1976. She has a BSc in politics from the University of Bristol, an MSc in political theory from the London School of Economics, and a MA in creative writing from City University. She is the author of three novels, Blood & Sugar, Daughters of Night, and The Square of Sevens. She lives in London with her husband, Adrian. Find out more at LauraShepherdRobinson.com.

About The Reader

Why We Love It

“From the very first pages, the character of Red gripped me like few have in recent years. Fierce, vulnerable, and clever, she's a character to root for throughout these many pages. Many books promise secrets, but few unfurl with the elegance and alacrity of these. The novel operates like an intricate puzzle, almost an act of trompe l'oeil, and the final twists were so shocking and so satisfying, I was late to a dinner reservation because I couldn't bear to step away.”

—Kaitlin O., Senior Editor, on The Square of Sevens

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (September 5, 2023)
  • Runtime: 20 hours and 14 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781797165707

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Raves and Reviews

"Wilde wraps listeners in Red’s Dickensian struggle as she searches for her true identity. At first, Red delights members of high society by telling their fortunes, but soon attempts are made upon her life. Why? Wilde ramps up the excitement as secret documents, an uncertain inheritance, murder, lies, double crosses, and betrayal heighten the tension. A well-performed, well-written historical fiction with a satisfying twist."

– AudioFile Magazine

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